Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

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Preparing For The Lord - an Advent reflection by Mary Lou Edgar

An Advent reflection by Mary Lou Edgar, December 4, 2022.

This Sunday begins the second week of Advent.

I have always thought of Advent in a myriad of ways. While in church, I focused on waiting for the birth of Jesus. When I wasn’t in church, it was the countdown to Christmas — parties to plan (perpetual homeroom mother), decorating, gifts for teachers, neighbors, and of course children. There wasn’t much time for prayer and contemplation.

As a child, I remember that all our neighbors were incredible bakers. They would always arrive on Christmas Day with such amazing package of goodies. We kids were thrilled, but my mother, not so much. She would always tell us to go find something to give them (usually something for one of us) that she would replace later. This experience made Christmas very frustrating for her. We (kids), on the other hand, loved it. We just felt sorry for the poor family that gave us delicious goodies and was rewarded with socks.

My mother didn’t want the neighbors’ candy and cookies (?!), so she never prepared for this to happen. What my mother yearned for was some peace to ponder what Advent really is. She loved going to church to think about the birth of Jesus. She never understood the connection between that and getting cookies and candy from friends.

For many years, I was angry at my mother for not appreciating what people brought us. This was an important part of Appalachian culture. They were trying to be kind and she felt pressured to respond. As I matured, I came to realize what appeared to be happening. All these people were in different spiritual places. My mother never realized that it was just as wonderful to receive with dignity as it was to give.

The Greatest Gift

When I began to think seriously about Advent, I realized that I needed to spend time each day preparing for the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ. I found meditation practices that touched my heart and made me think. I began to anticipate rather than dread this season.

Last week in our Weekly Vision there was a reflection from Richard Rohr where he spoke of St. Francis “who realized that since God had become flesh,” we didn’t need to wait for Holy Week and Easter to “solve the problem” of human sin; the problem was solved from the beginning.” Christmas became the great celebratory feast of Christians because “it basically says that it is good to be human,” to be on this earth, to be flesh, to have emotions. We don’t need to be ashamed of who we are because God loves all that we are. There was much more to this, but I found myself thinking a great deal about celebrating who we are. What a gift!

Each year, I baked Christmas cookies with my children and placed them on a huge table. We invited all the children in our diverse neighborhood to come, have hot chocolate, and fill a bag with cookies. It was great fun.

One year a young child who is Jewish came to talk to me. He was very interested in our nativity. He asked me if the baby was Jesus. I said yes. He asked me if I believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Again, I said yes. He thought about that and said he understood that is what we believe but he didn’t understand why we felt the need to cut down trees. St. Francis believed that every tree should be decorated with lights to show their true status as God’s creation. A beautiful belief, but I wonder how Richard Rohr might have responded to this little one. I didn’t do very well.

Have A Wonderful Advent!

Don’t stop sharing the spirit of Advent when Christmas gets here. We just finished celebrating the Season of Creation. We affirm that Christ is everywhere. Amazing that we do that right before Advent. We need to share the gift of love available to us during Advent and forever. We are fortunate to have this period of time in which we can more deeply reflect on our relationship with God and with one another.

Have A Blessed Christmas!

_____________________

Mary Lou Edgar, 130x190pxABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mary Lou Edgar, MSS, is a clinical social worker who founded A Better Chance for Our Children, an adoption and foster care agency that works to find permanent homes for children in the foster care system.  Mary Lou was the Executive Director of ABCFOC, but she is now retired.  She graduated from Neumann University and Bryn Mawr School of Social Work and Social Research. She and her husband joined SsAM in 2021.

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NEWS

Clergy Transition – Our Search for a New Rector

SsAM IS NOW RECEIVING NAMES FOR OUR NEXT RECTOR! If you are a clergy person and interested in our open rector position, we invite you to … [Read More...]

The Rev. Deacon Clay Brown

The Rev. Deacon Clay Brown will be ordained a priest on Saturday, February 4, at 11am. He joined the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew … [Read More...]

Worship God with us this Sunday in downtown Wilmington, Delaware

You are invited to worship God with us in person this Sunday at 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. Our newly-ordained … [Read More...]

Welcome To SsAM. You are invited!

SsAM, the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, welcomes you. Come to God’s Table! Come, you … [Read More...]

SsAM Presents: Upcoming Events

Silent Walk for Justice and Peace, 5:30pm on Friday, February 3 Join us for this peaceful, prayerful walk through the center of … [Read More...]

The Extraordinary Life of Rosetta Henderson

An interview with Rosetta Henderson and a digital exhibit exploring her life and accomplishments is now at the Hagley Museum and Library. … [Read More...]

Reflection – Things kept going wrong but that didn’t bother us.

A reflection by Danny Schweers for January 29, 2023. Why did our companionship, in spite of events, continue as cheerfully as ever? Why … [Read More...]

First Friday Walks for Justice and Peace in Wilmington, Delaware

The next walk begins on Friday, February 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the SsAM parking lot, 713 N. Shipley Street. Join us for this peaceful, … [Read More...]

Spiritual Music in Wilmington, Delaware

Wilmington Children’s Chorus Teaching Fellowship applications are due February 10. The Wilmington Children's Chorus is accepting … [Read More...]

Children’s Chapel continues on February 12 at 10:30am.

Children’s Chapel will meet on February 12 and 26, and on every second and fourth Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in Crypt Hall. Children have several … [Read More...]

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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!

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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.

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PHONE: 302 656-6628

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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.

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