Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

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Vestry View, March 25, 2020

Vestry ViewIn the midst of a rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic, vestry members met a week ago using Zoom video-conferencing software from our homes. Most of us used the video capabilities from our home computers, but many simply called in using their telephones. Every vestry member attended, including our newest member, Gary Jolly. One unexpected benefit of the governor’s state of emergency declaration and of our social distancing is that our engagement calendars are now radically simplified. We now have many fewer places to be, just those which can happen virtually, over the Internet or via a conference call.

SERVICES AND UPDATES ON-LINE
Here are items for your virtual social calendar. At our meeting, Father David told us he is streaming morning prayer services Mondays through Saturdays at 7:00 a.m. Those broadcasts began March 16. Also, Sunday services are streaming, times to be announced. His initial plan is for those services to include Music Director David Christopher and members of our professional singers, the Choral Scholars, perhaps eleven people in all, just over the governor’s limit of ten that went into effect on March 24. Technically, churches are exempt from that limit, but we remain eager to reduce the potential spread of this virus and will be adapting.
As it turned out, the video broadcast of the Sunday service on March 22 had a decent image and very good audio. As many as 53 people were logged in at any one time, with two or more watching some screens. Here is the link to SsAM’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/saintsandrewandmatthew
Also, Fr. David is sending out email updates, which can be found on the SsAM website. See: http://www.ssam.org/category/sermons/fatherdavidsblog/

COVID-19 ACTION TEAM APPROVED
At our meeting, Senior Warden Rachel Gaskell suggested the formation of a COVID-19 Action Team. Gary Jolly, Bill Kaufmann, Tom Angell, Yvonne Gordon, and Danny Schweers immediately volunteered, with Church Administrator D-L Casson offering to serve as a resource. The team’s mission is to assess how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the church’s personnel, ministries, and finances; and to suggest solutions to problems.
Of immediate financial concern is that, with church services cancelled, we are no longer passing the plate and no longer have that non-pledge income coming in. That makes it easy for us to empathize with the plight of restaurant owners who now can only offer food to go. Shall we offer drive-up communion on Sundays if this state of emergency persists? Better suggestions are welcome!

OUR RESTROOMS ARE OPEN, FRIENDSHIP HOUSE ADAPTS.
D-L Casson informed us that Saints Andrew and Matthew continues to keep its front lobby and restrooms open, something much appreciated by the homeless. That was D-L’s news a week ago. Here is what she emailed us yesterday:
“The FH coffee/donut grab and go just ended (it was from 7.30 – 9:00). One person at a time got a cup of coffee and a donut or piece of fruit. It went well. I see Anthony disinfecting the tables and all surfaces as I write this. Our location (1 of 2) is a place with a porta potty in the parking lot (near Orange Street). Greatly appreciated! Folks are thanking me as I walk around to check things out. We are making a difference even though we are closed otherwise.”

VESTRY TO MEET TWICE AS OFTEN
With so much going on, the SsAM Vestry will now meet twice a month, at 6:30 p.m. on second and fourth Wednesdays, not in person, but via the Internet for the time being.

SsAM ENDOWMENT FUNDS
With stock markets plunging worldwide, vestry members voiced their concerns for the health of SsAM’s endowment funds, especially since our budget is so dependent on interest from those funds and so dependent on drawing from the principle from those funds. Bill Kauffman noted that our endowment funds are being managed by the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware, which has a capital preservation philosophy when investing funds; that is, avoiding losses is more of a priority than making gains. In all this, we especially appreciate the advice and wisdom of our financial advisors, including SsAM members Yvonne Gordon, Bill Kauffman, and Janice Teemer.

VESTRY NOMINEES WANTED
The Vestry has begun collecting names of individuals willing to serve on the Vestry for three-year terms that begin in June. If you feel called to serve, or want to recommend someone, please contact the church! Those leaving the Vestry in June are Jenna Christy, Norwood Coleman, Nana Soto, and Linda Whitehead. What a pleasure it has been serving with them! Tom Angell, Rachel Gaskell (Senior Warden), Patty Greene, and Gary Jolly have another year to serve; Mary Morgan, Danny Schweers, Peggy Shane (Junior Warden), and Dan Young, two years.

Sincerely yours,
Danny Schweers, Peggy Shane, and Dan Young
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NOTE: This Vestry View article is our third. We want your comments! We are sending the Vestry View out by email, posting it on the SsAM website, and (if printing resumes) including it in the Weekly Vision.
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Click here to see all the Vestry View 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

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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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