Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

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Balancing Act, a reflection by Christina Brennan Lee

As the summer deepens, sometimes we fall away from the routines of an “academic year.” Even if we aren’t in school ourselves, there’s a cadence to the Autumn, Winter, Spring cycle in our western lives. Church, school, work, certain sports, tv schedules, even food, and more, all fall into a rhythm that loosens a bit for 2+ months each year as we plan for vacations, just taking things quieter or noisier as a break from all things “normal.”

So, what about faith? Busy days and nights in the regular schedule of life can easily have an impact on the time we give to it. For some of us it may get a bit thinner, and a little off-balance when we are not in the usual places at the regular times.

Here’s a thought to think on as the days and nights of summer encourage some time to ponder and wonder.

Imagine a three-legged stool.

Close your eyes and feel yourself sitting down on one. Ah, one leg is a little too long, and the others a little too short and the stool feels a bit rocky. Perhaps you or another try to shorten two in an effort to make it steady. Yet there’s always just a slight difference each time it’s tried and the legs never seem to sit quite equally on the floor as when they were first made, though our helper continues to attempt to even things up.

Episcopal/Anglican theology (essentially studying God/religious questions) is derived from the idea of a three-legged stool, also known as the three-fold way of balancing our three basic sources of authority which are Scripture, Tradition, and Reason.

A 16th century theologian named Richard Hooker, an Anglican priest, developed the three-fold sourcing as a way to keep us balanced in how we approach our faith, our practice, and, inasmuch as we are able, our understanding of God.

To Hooker, the Church was not/is not a “static” institution but rather “organic,” whose method of government can change according to circumstances. Our current understanding of this three-fold way is explained briefly by our National Episcopal Church thusly on their website www.episcopalchurch.org:

  • Scripture is the normative source for God’s revelation and the source for all Christian teaching and reflection.
  • Tradition passes down from generation to generation the church’s ongoing experience of God’s presence and activity.
  • Reason is understood to include the human capacity to discern the truth in both rational and intuitive ways. It is not limited to logic as such. It takes into account and includes experience.
  • Each of the three sources of authority must be perceived and interpreted in light of the other two.

There you have it, a very short course of theology to reflect upon about while enjoying cloud-watching, tide rolling, mountain-climbing, star-gazing, charcoal-heating, gas-grilling, or just sitting on a stool this summer. We are all theologians working on balancing God, Ideals, and Life to keep all legs equal and interactive. Let’s talk more about it in the Fall.

—Christina Brennan Lee

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Christina Brennan Lee, Saints Andrew and Matthew Episcopal Church, Wilmington, DelawareABOUT THE AUTHOR: Every week, Christina Brennan Lee writes the Prayers of the People we use in our worship services on Sundays. She also leads weekday prayer services. Click here to see her People’s Prayers website.

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NEWS

Worship God with us in downtown Wilmington, Delaware

You are invited to worship God with us in person on Sunday at 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. The 10:30 a.m. service … [Read More...]

Clergy Transition – Our Search for a New Rector

June 2, 2023 — Throughout the month of June we will be welcoming our semi-finalists to visit SsAM. In those visits, they will get to know … [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

Worship God with us this Sunday, June 11 at 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. Click here to learn more about worship services at the Episcopal Church of … [Read More...]

Scholarships Available for SsAM Members

The deadline is July 15, 2023 to apply for $1,000 college scholarships. The Community Advocacy Committee sponsors scholarships for students … [Read More...]

Vikings, Grimaces, and Cobble Stones

A reflection by Danny Schweers for June 2, 2023. As Vikings cheered, riders grimaced their way over the cobblestones and up Monkey … [Read More...]

Children’s Chapel continues on June 11 at 10:30am.

Children’s Chapel will meet on June 11 at 10:30am. Chapel is usually on every second and fourth Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in Crypt … [Read More...]

Steps to Peace and Justice

Discussion Series on Peace, Justice, and Race, Third Wednesdays at 6:30pm via Zoom. by Norwood Coleman, Sr. For the next few months on … [Read More...]

First Friday Walks for Justice and Peace in Wilmington, Delaware

The next walks are on Friday, June 2 and July 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the SsAM parking lot, 713 N. Shipley Street. Join us for this peaceful, … [Read More...]

Chris White Art Gallery and Shipley Artist Lofts.

Edward Loper Jr. receptions at Chris White Gallery, 5-9pm, Fridays,  July 7 and 14. Here are three chances to see “Wilmington and … [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 this Sunday. 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 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

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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