Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

Seeking to know and love God in every person, here, now.

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      • Rev. David Andrews
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To Make Ourselves At Home program from the Order of the Ascension

Here is an invitation to participate in a program offered by my friends, the Rev. Robert Gallagher and Ms. Michelle Heyne from the Order of the Ascension. I hope all members of SsAM will take the time to read what Robert and Michelle are offering to parishes around the country at this time as we continue to stay home. If you have any questions or want more information, please contact me, Father David.

THE PROGRAM:
To Make Ourselves At Home

On the Feast of the Ascension, members of the Order of the Ascension gathered on Zoom for prayer and conversation. Our Presiding Sister, Michelle Heyne, OA, offered a quote from Father Richard Benson, SSJE.

We must [develop the] habit of at once jumping into our place and finding ourselves at home in it, just as much at home there is anywhere else. … The religious life is not to be a dreamy dissatisfaction with the present state of things, it is not to be a mere not knowing what to do next because things about us are as they are, but it is the consciousness of being able to make ourselves at home under all circumstances and able to turn everything that happens to account. This is what the religious should be – ready; ready but not fussy. —Fr. Benson, SSJE

He is of course correct that one of the tasks of those of us in the Religious Life is “to make ourselves at home in all circumstances.” And to turn that to good account. It’s also the task of every Christian.

The Idea:

The idea for this program emerged after about a month into the nation’s (the world’s) efforts to cope with the pandemic. We noticed an increase in people talking about feelings of loneliness and hostility. For some who lived alone there was an increase of anxiety and depression; for others it expressed itself in excessive drinking or suicidal thoughts. For people who lived with others there was too much togetherness. Both conditions set loose feelings of anger and resentment. And the impact of the pandemic came on top of an already existing decline of close friendships and a growing increase of political polarization. Then came an economic recession and protests over policing and race.

We begin with hostility because it may be the easiest force to see. We all experience hostility. Hostility within ourselves. Sometimes expressed toward others. Hostility directed at us. In these times it may seem that the hostility is on the increase.

The Focus:

The relationship among loneliness, solitude and hostility in my spiritual life. How as Christians we can “make ourselves at home under all circumstances”–including in times of isolation and loneliness, division and polarization, illness and death.

Learning Objectives:

1) To increase my understanding of the spiritual dynamics
2) To learn a few traditional methods of the spiritual life
3) To learn a broader spiritual map

Join Us On Zoom.us

ZOOM: We will gather from parishes across the country on Zoom.
DATES: September 10, 17, and 24, 2020
TIME: 1:00 pm Eastern; 12:00 pm Central; 11:00 am Mountain; and 10:00 am Pacific
EACH SESSION: Will last between 50 and 75 minutes.

PARTICIPANTS: The invitation is being extended to all parishes in which a Professed Member of the Order of the Ascension is involved.
REGISTER: No later than September 1, 2020. Please use the contact form on this website to let Fr. David know your interest. He will forward your email to Robert and Michelle, who will reply to you by email.
FEE: There is no fee
ADVANCE WORK: You’ll be asked to read two or three pages before each session and to consider the issues and questions offered in the reading. The readings will be made available six days before each session.
EACH SESSION: Each session will include –
Prayer
An exercise in which you consider the theme in relation to your life
Small group sharing (share only what you want to share)
A presentation with conversation and Q&A
EXPECTATIONS:
1) Participants need to access the session through a Zoom invitation that will be sent out at least one day prior to each session. You need to have both the video and sound active. We want to be able to see all the participants and have them see one another.
2) The meeting site will be open about 5 minutes before we begin. Please be on time. We will close the meeting at 5 minutes after the hour.
COFFEE & TEA: Made just as you like it, by you, at home
PROGRAM LEADERS: Michelle Heyne, OA & Robert Gallagher, OA.
THE ORDER OF THE ASCENSION: Is a dispersed Benedictine community of the Episcopal Church, founded in 1983. Click here to learn more.

OTHER LINKS:

Learn about our video worship services.

All of Fr. David’s posts.

Worship Services Via Video

We are worshiping together via video on Facebook and YouTube. Click here to learn more about Sunday and weekday services!

25th anniversary logo for the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, Wilmington, Delaware

NEWS

Monthly Walks for Justice and Peace

First Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Next walk is Friday, March 5! Since June 19, 2020, SsAM and other churches have been sponsoring silent Walks … [Read More...]

Worship With Us Via Video

Use Facebook or YouTube to worship with us this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.! Coffee Hour follows using Zoom. We have gone back to pre-recorded … [Read More...]

Virtual Coffee Hour This Sunday

VIRTUAL COFFEE HOURS Sunday immediately following 10:00 a.m. worship. The Zoom login info was in last Friday’s E-Blast, but you can also … [Read More...]

Continuing the Conversation with Three Wilmington Churches

The members of three Wilmington Churches continue their collaboration on issues of racial justice on Sunday, March 7, at 3:00 p.m. Please … [Read More...]

SsAM 25th Anniversary Continues!

Our next 25th Anniversary Event is Sunday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m. The Zoom program on the 14th of March will continue the exploration of … [Read More...]

Observe a Holy Season Of Lent

How to Observe a Holy Lent during a Pandemic.  I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, … [Read More...]

Vaccinations And Ashes

The Importance of Getting Vaccinated:  The vestry of SsAM and I strongly recommend that you schedule a COVID-19 vaccination when you … [Read More...]

SsAM Presents: Upcoming Events at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew

Our building is closed but we are busier than ever! Monthly Walks for Justice and Peace First Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Next Walk is Friday, … [Read More...]

Black History Month in Delaware

In February we celebrate the contributions of Black people. It is a time to reflect on the struggle for racial justice. 2021’s theme is “The … [Read More...]

Get The Vaccine!

COVID-19 VACCINE SCHEDULING Requests for appointments for Delaware Division of Public Health vaccination events are now being taken … [Read More...]

Please Make A Donation

You can make a one-time donation or set up a donation that repeats weekly or monthly. A click on the button will bring you to a secure … [Read More...]

Books About Race, Race Relations, and Racial History – A Bibliography

Here is a list of books, articles, and videos that enlighten us about race, race relations, racial history, and related topics. Click here … [Read More...]

Pledge Form

If you want to make your pledge to SsAM for 2021, you can use this on-line form, which does NOT ask for bank account or credit card … [Read More...]

See all the News & Upcoming Events posts

Sunday Services

We are worshiping together using video over the Internet. Click here to learn more!

Sunday worship services are at 10:00 a.m. Morning and Evening Prayer are also offered, on other days.

Visit Us

Our church is closed at the moment, but when we can open, even partially, our address is

719 N. Shipley Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

with free parking weekends and evenings next to the church at 713 N. Shipley Street. Click here to learn more about parking and directions.

OUR MISSION

To be an inclusive Christian community which worships God, follows Christ in all aspects of our lives, and serves the Greater Wilmington area through actions and ministries which promote peace, justice, reconciliation and empowerment for all people.

Contact Us

PHONE: 302 656-6628

EMAIL: Click here to use our email form.

FACEBOOK: Click here to see our Facebook page. You don’t need a Facebook account to see it.

YOUTUBE: Click here to see our YouTube Channel. Some smart TV sets will allow you to stream YouTube, so you can watch in your den or living room. Search for “Saints Andrews and Matthew”.

Are You New to SsAM?

If you are new to SsAM, please click here to see the Welcome to SsAM booklet in PDF format. The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew is a dynamic and diverse congregation in downtown Wilmington, Delaware.

Our Vision

The Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew and Matthew seeks to be a dynamic, spiritual center that is active in the pursuit of peace and justice in the community and a place where all God’s people are honored.

LINKS

  • Worship at SsAM: Sunday Documents, Church News, and More
  • eNewsletter Sign Up
  • SsAM on Facebook
  • Recent Announcements at SsAM
  • Vestry View
  • Invite Welcome Connect
  • Episcopal Church in Delaware
  • Episcopal Church USA
  • Michael Curry’s blog: the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
  • Episcopal Digital Network
  • Forward Day By Day
  • Book of Common Prayer
  • Camp Arrowhead, Delaware
  • Order of the Ascension
  • Congregational Development
  • Father David’s Spiritual Journey
  • Calendar
  • Visit SsAM on Facebook
  • eNewsletter Sign-up
  • Vestry View

Donations Are Welcome, and a Necessity

Our ministries are dependent on financial donations. Click here to make a secure credit-card donation on-line or to learn more about making a pledge, texting a donation, special gifts and memorials, remembering SsAM in your will, setting up debit payments from your bank, and using United Way.

Make An On-Line Donation
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