Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

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May 21, 2021

Dear Friends,

At a special Vestry meeting on Thursday, May 20th, I announced to the Vestry that I would be stepping away from full time parish ministry at the end of this year on December 31, 2021. I came to this decision after a great deal of prayer and conversation with my wife Emily, Bishop Brown, the Wardens and members of the Vestry. As the parish celebrates its 25th anniversary I am reminded of the opening verse from the third chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For Everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven”. The parish is beginning a new season of ministry in looking toward the next twenty-five years. I also feel that I am entering a new season as I look forward to retirement in the fall of 2022.

At the end of this year, I will have completed twelve years as your Priest and Rector, a time that has been full of many blessings, and from which I leave with a deep and abiding love for this parish and the many friends Emily, and I have made and cherish. These twelve years have been the most wonderful years of my thirty years of ordained ministry. The last year and a half has been hard on all of us as we have navigated the consequences of a global pandemic and the resulting impact on our mission and vision. Without the help, love and support of my staff, Diane-Louise Casson, David Christopher, and the many volunteers, who have and will continue the work of this church mission, this period would have been more than difficult.

Father David installed
Father David on May 23, 2010 at service where he was installed as Rector of Saints Andrew and Matthew Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Delaware.

Now, I feel that this is an appropriate time for me to step down as your Priest and Rector in order to allow a transition to begin that will lead to the call of the next Rector of the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew.

I will hold SsAM close to my heart in prayer as you plan and discern your future. I am excited by the potential for SsAM’s future. I eagerly look forward to the new, re-imagined way SsAM will fulfill its mission and vision in the Wilmington community.

I love you all and will forever hold the many wonderful memories of our ministry together in my heart.

Peace,

The Rev. David T. Andrews, Jr.
Rector

Click here to see the recent posts from Father David.

Letter from Rachel Gaskell, Senior Warden

May 21, 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last night, Father David notified the Vestry of his decision to retire as the Priest and Rector of SsAM, effective the end of this year. He shared his journey towards reaching this decision, and we listened with heavy hearts and a deep love for him.

First and foremost, we support Father David. We are grateful for his 12 years of ministry and leadership. In those 12 years have been a lifetime of experiences we’ve shared. Births, marriages and goodbyes to loved ones. We have seen voices rise that have given weight to long silenced injustices. Hurricanes and earthquakes that paralyzed regions and countries, but also galvanized volunteers and birthed new activists. Politicians who sowed the seeds of division, and glass ceilings shattered by a new generation of leaders. All this we have experienced together as a community under Father David’s leadership.

More information will be shared in the weeks and months to come, which will help to shed light on what we can expect. This will include celebrations of Father David as well as the approaching transition next year.

Please join me in helping to celebrate Father David and wishing him and Emily your support.

Kind regards,

Rachel Gaskell
Sr. Warden

Worship Services

We will be delighted if you worship with us in-person or via video this Sunday 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
  • eNewsletter Sign Up
  • YouTube Service Videos
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  • Recent Announcements at SsAM
  • On-Line Calendar
  • Annual Reports
  • Clergy Transition
  • 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
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  • 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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