25th Anniversary Time Capsule

We invite you to help us develop the 25th Anniversary Time Capsule to be buried in 2022. Click here to send D-L Casson, our church administrator, your ideas about what should be placed in the time capsule. Suggested items for the time capsule are due by December 19, 2021. Items that were buried in the 10th anniversary time capsule are currently on display in Crypt Hall if you want to take a peek at them.

At right: The State of Delaware’s tribute to the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew on its 25th Anniversary. Click here or the image to see it larger.

Rectors in Conversation: Watch The Video
https://youtu.be/D3IzGmaehPQ

As we approach the end of this historic and momentous 25th year in the life and ministry of the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, the two rectors of the parish shared their experiences and reflections with the whole congregation. The Rev. Canon Lloyd Casson was rector from 1997 to 2007 and the Rev. David Andrews has been rector since 2010. At the end of 2021, he will retire from active ministry. Click here to see the video of the two rectors in discussion.

Memories from the First 25 Years

Click here to read what various members remembered from our first twenty-five years.

Community Partner Videos

Friendship House COVID-19 response – YouTube (6:28)

Friendship House Community – YouTube (interviews with those served) (4:49)

Sojourners Place – Hope for the Homeless – YouTube (12:15)

St. Michael’s School and Nursery – Lucinda Ross (two videos)
https://vimeo.com/393987209 (History narrated by Canon Lloyd Casson) (TIME = 2:50)
https://vimeo.com/344352337  (about the school – look for Bernadette Holcomb and Kitty Esterly) (TIME = 2:50)

We began celebrating our 25th Anniversary on January 31, 2021 with a video conference attended by over 140 members and well wishers.

One person said it was like passing the peace for an hour! Pat Hampton and Lou Soukup talked about how two churches consolidated in 1996. Our rector and rector-emeritus both remembered their earliest times. The Rt. Rev. Kevin Brown, Bishop of Delaware, and U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester were our special guests.

Watch a 2-minute video clip of member memories.

See a screen shot of those who attended.

Thanksgiving Prayer for 25 Years by Christina Brennan Lee

Almighty Creator God, with great thanksgiving we celebrate this 25th Anniversary of the joining of two faith-filled parishes, once separated by race. Through struggle, perseverance, and prayer, we have grown into a dynamic spiritual center, one in passion and activism for justice, peace, and racial harmony throughout our diverse community. As we continue to seek and serve Christ in each other and beyond our doors, grant us Your constant blessing and grace to honor our historic roots, our differences, and our similarities. Guide us in our living history, as we strive always to welcome the many colors of the faces, hands, eyes, and ears of the Body of Christ. We ask through Jesus, our Strength and our Redeemer; and the Holy Spirit, our Wisdom and Counselor; who together with You are One Holy and Living God, now and forever. Amen.

The SsAM Mission Statement

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.

The SsAM Vision Statement

SsAM will be a dynamic spiritual center which is active in the pursuit of peace and justice in the community, and a place where all of God’s People are honored.

The Guiding Principles of the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew (1994)

(Adopted at the Joint Vestry Meeting, May 14, 1994; that is, at a time just before the two churches consolidated — St. Andrew’s and St. Matthew’s — two churches with histories going back for decades.)

1. We will create a new Christian Community.
2. We will have an Eucharistically-centered Liturgy that is mission driven and varied in format.
3. We will be mission driven in our work and life together so that we go forth into the world as representatives of Christ.
4. We will include individuals from all walks of life, all cultures and all races in the life of the Community.
5. We will be advocates for social justice.
6. We will share authority and ministry with the congregation in the design and implementation of worship and Christian formation, education, services, activities and program.
7. We will model a multi-cultural community in everything we do.
8. We will respect the needs of individuals and families.
9. We will offer Christian formation in a variety of ways.
10. We will have multi-cultural and/or diversified education.
11. We will use all our resources in ways that strengthen both our faith community and the surrounding community.
12. We will be supportive of those in physical and/or spiritual need.
13. We will confront issues and conflicts openly, honestly, and with care for each other and the Community.
14. We will honor and celebrate our historic roots and differences in ways that move us toward our Vision.

OTHER HISTORICAL LINKS

A Short History of SsAM. St. Andrew’s history dated back to 1829; St. Matthew’s, to 1846. In 1996, the two churches consolidated.

History of Slavery in Delaware. Diane Clarke Streett, a member of SsAM, is one of the authors of this six-page history. In 2010, she was sworn in as the second black woman to serve as a Delaware Superior Court judge.

History of Wilmington Garden Day. An annual tour of gardens and homes to benefit charities in Wilmington, Delaware.

The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Mathew Celebrates 25 Years! Nine Months of Celebration!

Martin Luther King, Jr. stated that “11:00 o’clock on Sunday morning was the most segregated time of the week in America.” It was the time both white and black Christians, throughout the country, attended church services but at separate institutions.

In the early 1990s, the parishioners of St. Andrew’s, a predominantly white church, and St. Matthew’s, a predominantly black church, began to discuss partnership and, ultimately, consolidation. After several years of weighty discussion, the two churches came together as one. In April 1996, the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew was born in the Diocese of Delaware. Now a diverse and inclusive group of Episcopalians worship together at Eighth and N. Shipley Streets in Wilmington.

In 2021, SsAM celebrated its 25th Anniversary — Our Past, Our Present, Our Future.

We began by “Zooming” a launch party on Sunday, January 31, 2021 from 3–4 pm. Our celebratory program included remarks by Delaware’s U. S. Representative, Lisa Blunt Rochester, joyful music, and many surprises. Over 140 people attended.

On Sunday afternoons in February and March, through Zoom and in other ways, SsAM told the story of OUR PAST. We featured photos, videos and personal testimonies from those who worked so hard and faithfully to make this dream a reality.

On Sunday afternoons from April through June, SsAM will told the story of OUR PRESENT, featuring information on its internal as well as external ministries. Although we were not able to experience in-person worship in the first part of the year, it did not mean we were quiet. Worship services, pre-recorded and through Zoom, continued. Our ministries, through Zoom, email and telephone, were active. Descriptions and stories of our ministries were evidenced through videos, photos and personal presentations, including the opportunity for Q & A and a chance to join us as we served the church and the community.

Lastly, on Sunday afternoons in July, August and September, SsAM presented what we hope lies ahead for OUR FUTURE.

The members of SsAM say together, “We have come this far by faith”, and by faith we will continue!

Thanks goes to Ken Francis, who created the 25th Anniversary Logo.