Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

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Reflection on Spirit, Spiritual, and Spirituality by Christina Brennan Lee

Spirit. Spiritual. Spirituality. What do these words mean to you? These are what I call faith words, that is, part of the vocabulary we can use to express our understanding and practice of faith.

At SsAM we end the reading of the Sunday Lessons with “Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s People.”

We are, of course, speaking about the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God and of Jesus, the Spirit of the Three in One of our Trinitarian theology. It is important, I think, to understand that not all Christian denominations believe in the Trinity in the way that many of us have been taught. However, our call at the end of those readings is to listen and reflect on what we’ve heard. Then we are to seek to discover what direction the readings may give us to carry us forth as the messengers, the modern-day Disciples, even as evangelists of the message of Scripture. In other words, how will the message of these particular Scripture pieces, in conjunction with the message of the Sermon, make a difference in how we live our daily lives today, this week, or in the weeks and years ahead?

Then, when we speak of spiritual, it gets a bit more complicated.

There are cultural and other religious denominational differences that give us our first thoughts. We may speak of spiritual as a genre of hymns or inspirational songs, or a spiritual experience in a worship service, or on a proverbial mountaintop or somewhere else in God’s Creation. We might think of spiritual people whose words and actions influence us, or at least impress or excite us.

And then there is spirituality.

According to one definition, spirituality is a search for belonging, meaning, and answers to the questions of life. People have different ways of being spiritually connected. Some individuals find peace through regular meditation while others seek differing religious practices to follow and still more do both and beyond. It can be thought of as an intentional approach to living one’s life according to one’s chosen religious/spiritual direction.

“Spirituality” is a pathway to a personal connection with God, Jesus, and the Holy Trinity in a Christian context, through a practice, or a Rule of Life. For example, attending Church on Sunday regularly may be part of your practice. What other regular/intentional practices do you have in your life that bring you closer to God? There are a variety of ways such as: daily prayer time, donating money, food, and other items in God’s name; watching the SsAM Daily Office SsAM’s Facebook page; starting or joining a group to pray together and/or to read and study notable religious figures and subjects, etc. Developing a regular Spiritual Practice and working toward writing your own Rule of Life is about going deeper into a relationship with God. A Rule of Life is much like our parish’s mission statement. A personal Rule will specify for yourself the continuing practices that are important enough to expand your spiritual connections.

In essence, you may think of Spirit~Spiritual~Spirituality as extensions of each other in a circular design that we in our faith journey are moving through them as God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit move through us, continuously.

In future newsletters, I’ll be writing about some established practices and the people and cultures such as Franciscan, Dominican, Celtic, etc., that use them.

In the meantime, give some thought to what you already do and how it brings you closer each day to God, as well as what you would like to do or to try, and, what kind of information or support would help.

Here’s a closing thought from a Morning Prayer Office of the Northumbria Community based in northern England but with members worldwide:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you wherever he may send you… may he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you…”

_____________________

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 and serves on the Vestry. 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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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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