Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

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      • Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson
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      • D-L Casson, Church Administrator
      • David Christopher, Music Director
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    • Katherine Esterly Organ
      • DONATE and become a FRIEND of the Katherine Esterly Organ
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    • Sacred Jazz at SsAM
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      • David Christopher, Director of Music
      • The SsAM Staff Singers
      • Jonathan Whitney, Director of Drumming Circle and Artist in Residence
      • Tina Betz, Director of Children’s Chapel Music
      • Berna Holcomb, Music Librarian
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      • Jonathan Whitney
      • Delaware ChoralArts
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Exodus, COVID-19, and Reimaging the Church in Wilmington, Delaware

— Fr. David’s Blog of 7/17/2020 — Read the Bible in a disciplined manner and ask how God wants us to re-imagine ourselves.

One of my spiritual practices is that of sacred reading or Lectio Divina. This ancient practice is a powerful way to enter into the story of scripture by first reading a piece of scripture (out loud if possible), meditating on a word or phrase in the selected passage, allowing a prayer to form in your heart after meditating on the word or phrase, and finally resting in God before ending this practice.

Last month I began with the Book of Genesis and my plan is to follow this pattern of reading the scriptures until I conclude with the Book of Revelation. The pattern that I have chosen is one of many ways to engage this ancient practice and I encourage you to begin by opening the Bible and choose a passage that draws you in to study and pray. If you would like to talk to me about this, please contact me and we can set up a time. I hope you will.

Recently I began the Book of Exodus and currently I am reading the story of Moses and Aaron and their encounter with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. On several occasions Moses and his brother plead with Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to travel three days so they might worship the Lord. Each time Moses calls upon different plagues such as frogs, lice, hail, waters of blood. After each plague, Pharaoh relents only to change his mind and refuse to let the people go. In the Common English Bible, Pharaoh, “remains stubborn. He would not listen to them, just as the Lord said.”

COVID-19 at times may feel like we are in the midst of a plague and we might find ourselves asking God, “Why is this happening and when will life get back to the way it was in March?” It is easy to become discouraged and I have been plenty discouraged many times over the course of the last four months but maybe the question we ought to ask is, “how God is calling us — in the midst of a worldwide pandemic — to re-invent or re-imagine ourselves moving forward?”

In the Episcopal Church in Delaware, the New Normal Task Force has written a document to assist parishes with the process for regathering. Bishop Brown and Canon Kirkpatrick have been very clear that this process will be different for every parish and will take time. This is especially true as COVID-19 cases increase and we learn that churches around the country have become hot spots and people have contracted the virus. At the end of the document there is a section entitled, “Moving Into God’s Future.” I want to share a four of the questions and invite you to take time in the next few weeks to ponder them.

  1. What is your learning about yourself during this time and how are you personally changing?
  2. Where have you seen glimpses of grace as God has been at work in your life and the life of your faith community.
  3. What do you miss most about how we gathered as a community prior to the pandemic?
  4. From your learnings, what are two (or more) things you perceive God is inviting you to do or be?

Take some time and take each of these questions and apply the steps I outlined above with Lectio Divina. Don’t rush and please email me if you would like to talk about how God is acting in your life at this time. Even though I will be on vacation for a couple of weeks beginning July 11, I am available by email and we can set up a time to see one another via video conference when I return in early August.

Pathways of Grace

Last week I shared with you the invitation to participate in this three week zoom course in September led by my friends Robert Gallagher and Michelle Heyne. Please reach out if you questions or let me know that you wish to participate, and I will send your name and email to Robert and Michelle.

Peace,
Fr. David

Click here to learn about our video worship services.

All of Fr. David’s posts.


Prayer for People Critically Ill or Facing Great Uncertainty

God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all
who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.

-Adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 765

Worship services on Sundays are in-person and via video, at 8am and 10:30am. Prayer services via video are offered on other days.
Click here to learn more about Sunday and weekday services of worship and prayer.

Ask Others To Pray With You
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Volunteer for a Ministry
Be part of a worship service, work behind the scenes to make the church hum, or reach out to the local community.

Support Our Efforts Financially
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NEWS

Dr. Joseph E. Johnson Recognized by City of Wilmington, Delaware

Highlands Elementary School re-named for Joe Johnson Highlands Elementary School was re-dedicated and re-named for Joseph E. Johnson on … [Read More...]

Worship with us this Sunday!

You are invited to praise God with us in-person and via video on Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. is when we … [Read More...]

Music Concerts in Wilmington, Delaware

Music of America Concert, Sunday, May 29, 3pm at SsAM A special tribute to Marian Anderson with soloists Tina Betz, Kim Doucette, Martin … [Read More...]

Scholarships Available for SsAM Members

Deadline: July 15, 2022 The Community Advocacy Committee is again sponsoring scholarships for students entering college in the fall of 2022 … [Read More...]

SsAM Presents: Upcoming Events

Here is a list of upcoming events at SsAM or recommended by our church. Worship This Sunday You are invited to praise God with us … [Read More...]

Reflection – We All Deserve A Chance

by Mary Lou Edgar. Many of you know that I worked in adoption and foster care for my entire career. May is Foster Care Month and I … [Read More...]

2022 Walk to End Epilepsy

Run with Team Johannes on June 4, 2022 at Glasgow Park. Valerie Chow shared the following: What is epilepsy? Is it contagious? What … [Read More...]

Johannes Chow wins Earth Day recognition

Johannes Chow, a 12-year-old seventh grader at Brandywine Springs School in Wilmington, was recognized for the video “We Have Only One … [Read More...]

Reflection: Pursue What You Love

When jazz pianist Rich Harney became a Christian, he was told he had to give up playing the devil’s music. He loved that music but he loved … [Read More...]

Support For Ukraine

Episcopal Migration Ministries Episcopal Migration Ministries welcomes refugees, educates communities, and mobilizes congregations to … [Read More...]

National Issues and the Episcopal Church

Women’s Health May 7, 2022 — Since 1967, The Episcopal Church has maintained its “unequivocal opposition to any legislation on the part of … [Read More...]

Reflection – Listen to the Word Proclaimed

Imagine yourself at the theater, you've settled into your seat, ready for the curtain to open. You have your script of the play open and … [Read More...]

Get The Vaccine!

If you are over 50 years old or immuno-compromised, SsAM'S Health and Wellness Ministry invites you to take the COVID-19 vaccine extra … [Read More...]

See all the News & Upcoming Events posts

Worship Services

We will be delighted if you worship with us in-person or via video on Sundays at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Click here to learn more!

Visit Us

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.
Office Hours
Monday – Thursday, 9:00 to 4:30
Friday, 9:00 to 1:00

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
  • Clergy Transition
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  • 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
  • Congregational Development
  • Calendar
  • Visit SsAM on Facebook
  • eNewsletter Sign-up

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

Our main focus is ministry, not money!
We offer a host of ministries for which you can volunteer. You can participate in worship services, help make the church hum, or offer your time and talent to the local community.

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