Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

  • Welcome To SsAM
    • Guiding Principles, Statements of Mission and Vision
    • News & Upcoming Events
    • Online Calendar
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    • Worship at SsAM
    • Sunday Documents: Leaflet, Bulletin, Weekly Vision, Readings
  • Who We Are
    • Diversity
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      • Clergy Transition
      • Rev. Patrick Burke, Rector
      • Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson
    • Vestry
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      • D-L Casson, Church Administrator
      • David Christopher, Music Director
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      • Photo & Video Archive
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  • What We Do
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        • Wedding Guidelines
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  • Music
    • Our Unique Approach to Music and Liturgical Design
    • Choral Music at SsAM
    • Katherine Esterly Organ
    • Music Staff
      • David Christopher, Organist, Director of Music and Associate for Liturgy
      • The SsAM Staff Singers
      • Jonathan Whitney
      • Berna Holcomb, Music Librarian
    • Artists in Residence
      • Jonathan Whitney
      • Delaware ChoralArts
    • Sacred Jazz at SsAM
    • Upcoming Musical Events at SsAM
    • Make a contribution to support SsAM’s Music Ministry and the Friends of the Katherine Esterly Organ
    • SsAM Choir Resource Page
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    • Contact Us
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Ten Thousand Things by Danny Schweers, a reflection

What are we to do?

For every one thing we do, ten thousand things are left undone. While one pursuit rejoices in our focus, ten thousand pleading voices cry out in anger and anguish for us to drop what we are doing and hurry to them, to reassess our priorities in their favor, for us to give them our care and attention.

There is no end of things that urgently need our attention. I am not just talking about the items on our personal to-do lists. We need to fight injustice, racism, sexism, and all the other -isms. Offer food and shelter to those in need. Do what we can for those afflicted by tidal waves, earthquakes, fires, storms, famines, wars, and epidemics as prices rise and dollars shrink, as our nation polarizes and our polar ice caps melt. Our to-do lists runneth over, but not with blessings.

Jesus told Martha, “You are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.” What is that one thing? If you believe what is written in Luke 10:38-42, the one thing is to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to what he is saying. And what did Jesus say? He said to love God and one another. He did not tell us how to get everything done. He did not tell us to be highly effective individuals.

Having too much to do it is a kind of wealth.

Giving up those things to do is hard, as hard as giving up any kind of wealth. In her July 8 editorial in the New York Times, Anne Lamott says, “I have the theological understanding of a bright 8-year-old, but Jesus says we need to approach life like children, not like cranky know-it-alls, crazily busy, clutching our to-do lists. One of my daily prayers is, ‘Slow me down, Girlfriend.’ The prayer changes me. It breaks the toxic trance.”

Let us put aside our too many tasks often. Make Sunday a day of rest. Listen for God’s word. (SsAM offers sixteen prayer services during the week via video.) Let us pray without ceasing — as easy as breathing. Let us sit at the feet of Jesus. Let us NOT put it on our to-do lists.

____________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Danny N. Schweers serves on the Vestry at SsAM and wears other volunteer hats as well, including webmaster for this website. Every week he writes a prayer to go with one of his photos and sends them out to subscribers. Click here to see his Photo Prayer website.

Click here to see all the Adult Education posts on this website.

 

WORSHIP GOD BUTTONWe usually worship God on Sundays at 8:00 and 10:30am, Click here to learn more.

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REQUEST PRAYER BUTTONUse our Prayer Request form.

VOLUNTEER BUTTONMinister to others in worship services, behind the scenes, and in the community.

PLEDGE BUTTONWe are looking for 100% participation this year rather than a financial goal.

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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. Our 10:30 a.m. service … [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 at 8:00 or 10:30am. Click here to learn more about worship services at the Episcopal Church of Saints … [Read More...]

First Friday Walks for Justice and Peace in Wilmington, Delaware

The next walks are on Friday, October 6 and November 3, and begin at 5:30 p.m. in the SsAM parking lot, 713 N. Shipley Street. Join us for … [Read More...]

Chris White Art Gallery and Shipley Artist Lofts.

EXTRANJERA/O at the Chris White Art Gallery, Friday, October 6, 5-9pm. Click here for details of this celebration of Hispanic Heritage … [Read More...]

Children’s Chapel

Children’s Chapel continues Sunday, October 8 & 22 at 10:30am. Children have several activities before rejoining their families during … [Read More...]

Season of Creation

SsAM celebrates the Season of Creation beginning October 15. It is celebrated at our 10:30 a.m. service during the last seven weeks of … [Read More...]

Environmental Justice Ministry

Environmental Justice Forum, Sunday, October 15, 10:30am to 2:00pm Are you interested in learning about environmental justice, but aren’t … [Read More...]

Used Book Sale, Saturday, October 21, 2023, 10am to 3pm

Used books at good prices in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. Proceeds will be donated to the Scholarship Fund at Camp Arrowhead. Sponsored … [Read More...]

Let us again be as children

When I have something to say that I think will be too difficult for adults, I write it in a book for children. Children are excited by new … [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

  • Worship at SsAM: Sunday Documents, Church News, and More
  • eNewsletter Sign Up
  • YouTube Service Videos
  • SsAM on Facebook
  • 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
  • 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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