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 / Who We Are / Clergy / Rev. Rod Welles

Rev. Rod Welles

rodWelles2005Click here to listen to his recorded sermons.

A native Wilmingtonian, the Rev. Rod Welles spent the majority of his life in the ordained ministry as a chaplain, teacher, and headmaster in church sponsored schools. The last seven years of his active ministry, he served as Program Coordinator for the Men’s Day Center of Friendship House, a multifaceted ministry to homeless persons in Wilmington. In retirement, he served as priest associate at SsAM.

Rod served the Diocese of Delaware in many capacities, chairing task force groups for special projects such as the Diocesan Camp and Conference centers, anti-racism and inclusion training, and the Bishop Search Committee. He also served as presiding judge of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court.

Rod was educated at Wilmington Friends School, Hotchkiss School, and Yale University in Connecticut and at Episcopal Theological School (now Episcopal Divinity School) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Rod died early Monday morning, June 16, 2014. He was surrounded by his beloved wife Sue, his daughter Kierstin, and son Rod. May Rod rest in the eternal habitations and his soul be at rest in the loving arms of God. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made as of this notice.
—Rev. David T. Andrews Jr., Rector

Bishop Wright about the Rev. Rod Welles:

The Rev. Rod Welles died on Monday, June 16, 2014 following a long illness.  He was 79 years old.  Rod was a Wilmington native and one of our senior clergy.  He had a long and distinguished career of service in ministry and in education. As a young man Rod was one of the original counsellors at Camp Arrowhead. Following seminary he was ordained by Bishop Mosley in 1962.  After serving as curate at Christ Church, Exeter, NH, he became chaplain of St. Paul’s School, Concord, NH from 1964-1971.  He was head of the Sewanee Academy at the University of the South from 1977-1982 and the Arlington School, Atlanta, GA from 1982-1986.  Rod was a nationally-known educational consultant for Episcopal and independent schools.  Returning to Delaware, he became actively involved in community service ministries, serving on the staff at Friendship House. He was primary pastor at St. Nicholas’ Church, Newark from 1995-2001.  Rod served our diocese as co-chair of the Bishop’s Search Committee 1997-1998.  In retirement he continued to be involved in ministry at the Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew & Matthew, Wilmington.

Rod will be remembered for his steady faithfulness, his deep respect for the dignity of every person, and his love of the natural world.  At this time, service plans are incomplete.  Our prayers are with his wife, Sue, and their family as they mourn this loss. May this faithful servant rest in peace.

–The Rt. Rev. Wayne Wright, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Delaware

The Congregation Poses for Goodbye Photo

SsAM_2014_LetterSizeClick here or the above photo to see it larger. This photo is of the congregation at the 10:30 a.m. service on Trinity Sunday, June 15, 2014. They gathered at the front of the church to send their good wishes to the Rev. Rod Welles as he lay dying.

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

SsAM 25th Anniversary

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 78% and 69%

121 pledges from families and individuals have been made to SsAM’s 2021 pledge campaign. That’s 78% 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...]

Member Photos by Sharon Bryant

Sharon Bryant loves to photograph the people she loves. She has such a big smile and, because her affection is so apparent, nearly everyone … [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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