Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

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You are here: Home / What We Do / Parish Ministries: Teachers, Acolytes, Lectors, Lay Ministers, Altar Guild, Ushers, Music, Outreach

Parish Ministries: Teachers, Acolytes, Lectors, Lay Ministers, Altar Guild, Ushers, Music, Outreach

godlyPlay490pxBelow are SsAM ministries. Here are some of the ways you can volunteer to make SsAM effective in its ministry to its members, visitors and community neighbors.  Join us at the Ministry Fair on the 1st Sunday in October to learn more about our ministries and to meet members of SsAM who participate.

[NOTE: during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are meeting via video, so some of the duties listed here have changed.]

To see a list of charitable ministries to those outside the church, CLICK HERE.

Teachers

If you feel called to teach children, teens, or adults, please contact the church office at 302 656-6628. Volunteers working with children are required to take the Safe Church Training offered by the diocese.

Community Chapel Ministry

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 lead services and participate in this ministry are invited to call the church office at 302 656-6628.

Acolytes and Eucharistic Ministers on Easter Day, 2015.
Acolytes and Lay Eucharistic Ministers on Easter Day, 2015.
Click on the image to see it larger in a new window.

Acolytes

Acolytes are youth and adults who assist in the celebration of the liturgies of the Church. Acolytes carry the cross and or torches in processions, assist with setting the Eucharistic table and assist the celebrant at weddings, funerals, and other liturgies. This ministry requires that the candidate be a baptized communicant in good standing. Younger acolytes usually serve as torch (candle), incense and banner bearers. Older acolytes serve as crucifers, thurifers and servers.  No previous knowledge is required. Anyone interested in being trained as an Acolyte should call the church office at 302 656-6628.

Lectors (Lay Readers)

Lectors read the lessons from Holy Scripture and the Prayers of the People during the liturgy. Training will be provided to anyone who is interested in this ministry. A strong, articulate voice is required. Those who decide to be readers should be willing to commit to preparing lessons ahead of time so they are read well.  Anyone interested in being trained as a Lay Reader should call the church office at 302 656-6628.

Eucharistic MinistersLay Eucharistic Ministers

Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) are lay persons who assist the clergy at the Altar and administer the wine during communion. LEMs are needed for both the 8:00 and the 10:30 services. In addition to Sunday morning liturgies and special feast days, LEMs are occasionally needed for weddings and funerals. Interested persons will receive special training and are appointed and licensed by the Bishop at the request of the Rector. If you are interested in serving as a Lay Eucharistic Minister, please call the church office at 302 656-6628.

Lay Eucharistic Visitors

Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEVs) are responsible for taking the Sunday Eucharist (Communion) to parishioners who are not able to attend regular services in the parish due to illness. This ministry is always performed immediately following the Sunday Eucharist. This is a licensed ministry within the Diocese of Delaware. Persons who have an existing ministry of visitation or pastoral care are especially encouraged to consider serving as an Eucharistic Visitor. If you are interested,  please call the church office at 302 656-6628.

IMG_0217Altar Guild

Those who serve on the Altar Guild are responsible for preparing the altar, vessels, linens and vestments that are to be used for worship on Sunday and for special services. Members serve on a rotating basis. Responsible, organized, and detail-oriented people will find this a rich and rewarding ministry. No special knowledge is required to join. Training is provided and guild members provide fellowship and support. Anyone interested in serving on the Altar Guild should call the church office at 302 656-6628.

Ushers

This ministry is an integral part of all worship services at SsAM and is primarily a ministry of hospitality and service to others. Persons interested in serving as ushers will welcome people to worship and aid them in finding a place to sit and provide them with leaflets so that they may follow the service. Teens as well as adults are encouraged to consider this ministry. Families are welcome. No special knowledge is required to join. Training will be provided. For more information, please call the church office at 302 656-6628.

Music Ministry

Members of the Parish and Community are invited to participate in the many aspects of our music program  Through our SsAM Drumming Circle, Adult Choir, Summer Choir, the Treble Choir and our Chorister Training Program for all ages, the SsAM Music Ministry offers musical opportunities for all ages.  To learn more, CLICK HERE or call the church office at 302 656-6628.

SsAM Work Days

There’s something for everyone on Clean-Up and Spruce-Up Saturdays: carpentry, gardening, electrical work, painting, cleaning, and more. If you can lend a hand, please call the church office at 302 656-6628 and let us know how you can help. If you forget to call, just show up!

Community Outreach Ministries

CLICK HERE to see a complete list of charitable ministries we support that serve the community outside our church.

Worship Services Via Video

We are worshiping together using video over the Internet. 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

A New Day in America

I was very moved by the events of this past Wednesday, January 20, 2021, when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took the oath to be the next … [Read More...]

SsAM 25th Anniversary Launch Party!

You are invited to our 25th Anniversary Launch Party on Sunday, January 31, 2021, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. via video.  Fun for the entire … [Read More...]

Worship With Us Via Video

Use Facebook to join us for worship this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.! Coffee Hour follows using Zoom. On Sunday, January 3, we go back to … [Read More...]

Virtual Coffee Hour This Sunday

VIRTUAL COFFEE HOURS Sunday immediately following 10:00 a.m. worship. The Zoom code for Dec. 27 is 825 1254 7666. The passcode was emailed … [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!   25th Anniversary Launch Party on Sunday, January 31, 2021, 3:00 to 4:00 … [Read More...]

Racism In America – The History We Did Not Learn In School

Sundays at 1:00 p.m., through January 24, 2021.  You are invited to develop a better understanding of how America’s race relations … [Read More...]

The Good Book Club

We are reading the Gospel of Mark! Fr. David is inviting all members of SsAM to join him reading the Gospel of Mark during the session of … [Read More...]

A Day that Will Live in Infamy

On Wednesday morning, January 6, 2021, I celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany with Morning Prayer on Facebook Live. That afternoon, the U.S. … [Read More...]

Pledge Campaign at 79% and 70%

123 pledges from families and individuals have been made to SsAM’s 2021 pledge campaign. That’s 79% of the 155 pledges we hope to receive — … [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...]

Feed The Hungry

Please make a donation to a local food pantry! Children and families in our community are going hungry. You can help! So says our church’s … [Read More...]

Monthly Walks for Justice and Peace

First Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Date of next march has yet to be confirmed. Since June 19, 2020, SsAM and other churches have been sponsoring … [Read More...]

Happy New Year 2021!

What a year 2020 was! Now we have so much to look forward to in 2021. The COVID vaccine is now available. In two and a half weeks, Joe Biden … [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
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  • Recent Announcements at SsAM
  • Vestry View
  • Invite Welcome Connect
  • Episcopal Church in Delaware
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  • 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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