Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

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SsAM Continues During State of Emergency

FR. DAVID’S BLOG OF 3/20/2020; updated 3/27: I wish to review what is happening at the moment and plans for worship that will take effect this Sunday, March 22.

How one week has dramatically changed our lives with the spread of the Coronavirus here in Delaware and across the country and the world. We live in a very different world then we did just one week ago. Last Friday we were scrambling to make sense of the Governor’s State of Emergency and since that time, that order has been expanded and modified as the situation becomes more dangerous. Bishop Brown has begun to check in with the clergy every week using ZOOM. These virtual gatherings allow the bishop to update us and support us as we navigate these very troubled waters. Many clergy are giving regular updates to their parishes and this week’s E Blast serves that purpose for SsAM.

The staff is working hard during this time: I wish to applaud the difficult and faithful work of D-L Casson, David Christopher, Brenda Demby, Marlon Rochester, Mary Cooper and Cory Bell. The sextons have extra work as they are regularly disinfecting the entire physical plant to ensure its cleanliness so that we might all be safe and healthy. When you have a second please thank the staff for being here for all of us at this time. At the moment we are here but realize that at some point in the future we may be working remotely from our homes.

Worship

For the foreseeable future here is the schedule that we will follow at SsAM:

7:00 a.m. Morning Prayer, every day, Monday through Sunday.

I will offer the service of Morning Prayer on Facebook Live. You may follow the service with a copy of the Book of Common Prayer or download it at www.bcponline.org. You may also Google other online prayer book resources.

10:00 a.m. Worship Service, Sunday, March 29

Live streaming a celebration of the Holy Eucharist from SsAM. Click here to visit our Facebook page.

You do not need Facebook account to access the service. Information can be found at: http://delaware.church/how-to-link-to-a-facebook-live-video/.

Click here to download the Sunday worship leaflet.

I also encourage you to look at what other Episcopal parishes are offering for daily prayer services. You may do this on Facebook. I know that St. Peter’s in Lewes offers daily evening prayer and they have included our offer of morning prayer. Trinity Episcopal Parish in Wilmington is offering the beautiful service of Compline at 7:00 on their Facebook page.

Staying Connected With One Another During This Time:

Connections are vitally important at this critical time. A group of parishioners are in contact with our shut in community by phone. Our shut in population is at the most risk at this time and they are being cared for. Each week they receive a package in the mail from SsAM to help them stay connected. Bishop Brown is encouraging that we find a way to stay connected with everyone in the parish. To that end I sent a video message to the leaders of various ministries such as the choir, altar guild, acolytes, vestry, ushers and property to name a few. I have asked these leaders to be in touch with their members and then encourage members of each of these ministries to be in touch with one another via phone or email.

Fulfilling Your Pledge At This Time

During this difficult time your financial pledge is very important and I wish to encourage you to keep your pledge up to date. I realize that the closing of businesses has and will cause a financial hardship and it is important that you take care of your families and loved ones. If you already are having your pledge debited from your bank account this will continue. If you usually place your offering in the collection plate, please send your pledge to SsAM in the mail. If you would like to make a pledge you may also do so. You may also donate using a credit card through the SsAM website — CLICK HERE. These are challenging times for many in the City of Wilmington and if you would like to give to the Rector’s discretionary account so that I might help this at risk population you may also send a check to the rector’s discretionary account.

Pray Without Ceasing

Take time each day to be still and to know God. There are wonderful resources to help center during this time. You may visit the blog of our own Christina Brennan Lee at http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com as well as the wonderful and timely photo prayers by Danny Schweers at www.photoprayer.com. Our meditation and centering prayer ministry will be meeting virtually during this time. If you would like to join on Zoom please contact us and include meditation in the subject line.

At the moment we are open and serving our community by offering our public rest room and Friendship House continues to provide support daily from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. They will be modifying the Sunday breakfast by providing hardboiled eggs and coffee.

A Reflection from Fr. Richard Rohr

Fr. Richard Rohr’s reflection from Thursday was very timely and wish to close with one quote from Fr. Richard:

“We are in the midst of a highly teachable moment. There’s no doubt that this period will be referred to for the rest of our lifetimes. We have a chance to go deep, and to go broad. Globally, we’re in this together. Depth is being forced on us by great suffering, which as I like to say, always leads to great love. But for God to reach us, we have to allow suffering to wound us. Now is no time for an academic solidarity with the world. Real solidarity needs to be felt and suffered. That’s the real meaning of the word “suffer” – to allow someone else’s pain to influence us in a real way. We need to move beyond our own personal feelings and take in the whole.”

Prayer for People Critically Ill or Facing Great Uncertainty

God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all
who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.

—Adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 765

Peace and stay healthy,

—Fr. David+

LINKS

SsAM and the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

More blog posts from Fr. David

Worship services on Sundays are in-person and via video, at 8am and 10:30am. Prayer services via video are offered on other days.
Click here to learn more about Sunday and weekday services of worship and prayer.

Ask Others To Pray With You
Click here or the button above to use our Prayer Request form.

Volunteer for a Ministry
Be part of a worship service, work behind the scenes to make the church hum, or reach out to the local community.

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NEWS

Worship with us this Sunday!

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Reflection – May We All Be One

I was starting down a different path for this piece. And then the news of the school shooting in Texas hit and on the heels of the horror in … [Read More...]

First Friday Walks for Justice and Peace in Wilmington, Delaware

  First Fridays at 5:30 p.m. starting in the SsAM parking lot These walks are a public display of our belief that society needs … [Read More...]

Scholarships Available for SsAM Members

Deadline: July 15, 2022 The Community Advocacy Committee is again sponsoring scholarships for students entering college in the fall of 2022 … [Read More...]

SsAM Presents: Upcoming Events

Here is a list of upcoming events at SsAM or recommended by our church. Worship This Sunday You are invited to praise God with us … [Read More...]

Dr. Joseph E. Johnson Recognized by City of Wilmington, Delaware

Highlands Elementary School has been re-named for Joe Johnson. Highlands Elementary School was re-dedicated and re-named for Joseph E. … [Read More...]

Music Concerts in Wilmington, Delaware

Postponed: Music of America Concert by Delaware Choral Arts Due to illness, the DCA concert scheduled for May 29 has been postponed. The … [Read More...]

2022 Walk to End Epilepsy

Run with Team Johannes on June 4, 2022 at Glasgow Park. Valerie Chow shared the following: What is epilepsy? Is it contagious? What … [Read More...]

Johannes Chow wins Earth Day recognition

Johannes Chow, a 12-year-old seventh grader at Brandywine Springs School in Wilmington, was recognized for the video “We Have Only One … [Read More...]

Reflection – We All Deserve A Chance

by Mary Lou Edgar. Many of you know that I worked in adoption and foster care for my entire career. May is Foster Care Month and I … [Read More...]

Support For Ukraine

Episcopal Migration Ministries Episcopal Migration Ministries welcomes refugees, educates communities, and mobilizes congregations to … [Read More...]

National Issues and the Episcopal Church

Women’s Health May 7, 2022 — Since 1967, The Episcopal Church has maintained its “unequivocal opposition to any legislation on the part of … [Read More...]

Reflection – Listen to the Word Proclaimed

Imagine yourself at the theater, you've settled into your seat, ready for the curtain to open. You have your script of the play open 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 on Sundays at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. 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 don’t 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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