Below are some of the ways you can serve the world OUTSIDE the church. On other pages, we list how you can serve during worship services and ways of serving behind the scenes at church.
For details of any of these programs, please contact us.
VOLUNTEER IN COLD WEATHER!
Code Purple Shelter on Icy Nights
Any time the wind-chill gets to 20ºF or colder, we open the church as a shelter from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., after which time the Salvation Army opens and provides a place for those seeking shelter to sleep. Our guests are offered soup and sandwiches. At least one person from Friendship House provides supervision. CLICK HERE to learn more about our Code Purple ministry.
Angel Tree Gifts in Mid-December
The Community Advocacy Committee sponsors the Angel Tree project which provides Christmas gifts for families (mothers with children) who are residing in Friendship House’s transitional housing. As always, you can select a “gift angel” and purchase the gift indicated on the angel. Gift request angels are given out around Thanksgiving and the gifts themselves are due back two weeks later for distribution.
Sunday Breakfast Community at Christmas
Early every December we collect presents for our friends who attend Sunday breakfast. Gifts of a scarf, hat, warm gloves, socks, or toiletries are very much appreciated. 99% of our breakfast friends are male, so plan accordingly. (If your gift is for a woman, PLEASE mark the package prominently.) Note: The cost of each gift, individually wrapped or bagged, should total approximately $5 to $7 each.
Undee Sunday, Every November
When the winter and cold temperatures approach, our homeless friends need thermal underwear. In response, the Community Advocacy Committee has UNDEE SUNDAY every November. CLICK HERE to learn more about Undee Sunday.
VOLUNTEER IN THE SPRING!
Wilmington Garden Day
- Wilmington Garden Day is an annual tour of gardens and homes to benefit charities in Wilmington, Delaware.
- Wilmington Garden Day began as an Episcopal ministry of this church’s forebears.
Mother’s Day Garden supports Friendship House
Support Friendship House by giving “virtual flowers” to a loved one between Easter (4.1.18) and Mother’s Day (5.13.18). Donations support the Housing Ministry. More information on all the ministries: www.friendship-house.org
Highmark Walk supports Friendship House
Help Friendship House achieve its goal of 300 walkers and $40,000 by joining the SsAM Team. This year, the Highmark Walk will be on Saturday, June 8th at Frawley Stadium (Riverfront/Wilmington). If the SsAM Team has at least 25 walkers, we are eligible to receive an additional $1000 for Friendship House! If interested, contact dlcasson@ssam.org.
VOLUNTEER YEAR-ROUND!
Apostles in Mission (AIM)
Funds are regularly collected during worship services by our Community Advocacy committee to help people locally.
United Thank Offering
This national program encourages prayers of thanksgiving while depositing spare change into little blue boxes that are then brought to church once a year. CLICK HERE to learn more about the United Thank Offering and the many ministries it funds.
Food Bank Donations
Every Sunday members drop off non-perishable food items to support the St. Patrick’s Food Pantry.
Friendship House
Our church has an active partnership with Friendship House, a Christian ministry committed to making a difference in the lives of the homeless through hospitality, education, empowerment and community. The lower floor of our church building is dedicated to the Empowerment Center, which is a center that has counseling, case management, computer lab and advice during the day. At night, that space becomes Andrew’s Place, where men can find shelter, food and fellowship. For details, visit the Friendship House website.
Click here to learn more about SsAM’s relationship with Friendship House.
Sunday Morning Breakfast Ministry
Each Sunday morning between 6:30 to 8 a.m. seven local church communities, including SsAM, take turns preparing and serving a hot, healthy breakfast to people who are hungry. This ministry is also managed by Friendship House.
Community Chapel Program
Each Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. SsAM hosts a nondenominational interactive service in the Chapel immediately following the Sunday Morning Breakfast Ministry. This service is especially designed to minister to the spiritual needs of those who attend the Sunday Morning Breakfast, but is open to everyone. This inspirational gathering includes hymns, prayers, a homily and the sharing of life experiences. Those who wish to participate in this ministry are invited to contact the church office.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Several meetings a week are held at SsAM. Monday-Friday at 7:00 a.m. and noon; Fridays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Look for the steps just before the entrance to the Parish House.
Regal Heights Ministry
The fourth Sunday of each month, SsAM parishioners and ministers share their faith and love by assisting residents of this skilled nursing center at a Holy Communion service.
Episcopal Relief and Development
Our parish supports the worldwide outreach efforts of the Episcopal Church. We encourage you to visit the website of Episcopal Relief and Development.
Environmental Justice Ministry at SsAM
Environmental Justice advocacy is needed now more than ever. As we go into the world as followers of Christ who care for all, we’d like you to join us. Participation in this ministry is also an excellent way to take SsAM beyond our walls and to get to know some of our neighbors. Click here to learn more about the Environmental Justice Ministry at SsAM.
Lutheran Community Services
SsAM is a partner-in-mission with Lutheran Community Services. Click here to learn more about LCS and their effort to serve those in need in Wilmington, Delaware.
Network Delaware
SsAM provides office and meeting space for Network Delaware, a citizen led, grassroots organization which build multi-issue community leadership across the state.
Delaware Churches for Middle East Peace
SsAM is a member of DCMEP which works by educating, elevating and advocating for justice and peace in the Middle East.
Shipley Lofts Residences and Chris White Art Gallery
The five-story building at 701 N. Shipley Street was a wreck until members of SsAM galvanized the local community and state government to renovate the structure. Now, 23 lofts are rented to artists and others, with a two-story art gallery on the ground floor. Volunteers are always needed at the Chris White Gallery and, because SsAM still owns the land the building sets on, our church has representation on the Chris White Community Development Corporation, which owns the Shipley Lofts.
SsAM Annual Grants To:
- Delaware Futures – this educational program is helping to prepare over one hundred disadvantaged students for college
- Friendship House – for support of the many programs for the homeless
- Sojourners’ Place – transitional housing program to help those recovering from drug or alcohol abuse.
- St. Michael’s School and Nursery – scholarships for children; the school gives out $30,000 per month in scholarship aid.
For details of any of the above ministries, please contact us.
