Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

  • Welcome To SsAM
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      • Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson
      • Rev. Clay Brown
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      • D-L Casson, Church Administrator
      • David Christopher, Music Director
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    • Stewardship Posts
    • Pledge Form 2023
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  • Music
    • Our Unique Approach to Music and Liturgical Design
    • Choral Music at SsAM
    • Katherine Esterly Organ
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      • Jonathan Whitney
      • Delaware ChoralArts
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    • Make a contribution to support SsAM’s Music Ministry and the Friends of the Katherine Esterly Organ
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Thank God it’s Sunday!

Behold, we are about to do a new thing.

Stewardship witness by Audrey Collins, 2022-10-23. 

I have been attending SsAM since 2001, first at the invitation to Art Slam and then at the inevitable invitation to church, both invitations coming from Michelle Roberts.

From the moment I entered the sanctuary I was hooked! The liturgy, the candles, the incense, the holy water, communion, the genuine warmth and friendliness of the church community, the preaching of Canon Casson beckoned me back again and again.

There was an enthusiasm that was constant Sunday after Sunday, and I could often hear myself saying “Thank God it’s Sunday”!

When I came here there was a bedrock of people who were instrumental in the joining of Saints Andrews and Matthews, many of whom have passed on or moved on but their intentionality of creating this faith community inclusive of all has endured.

It’s now 2022, some 21 years later and I’m still coming to SsAM.

Even during the two-year-long pandemic that closed the sanctuary to in-gathering for worship, the work of the church continued. Worship services were provided virtually and are still broadcast for those who can’t attend in-person services. The Daily office — a practice of prayer — is still being offered three times a day, Monday to Saturday, to maintain virtual prayerful connection.

This church’s mission is to function and serve its core and greater community in the many forms and ways needed to keep all connected to the love and promise of Christ’s love.

For it is said in Matthew 18:20, “When 2 or 3 are gathered in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

And then in Matthew 25:40 (NIV), “Truly I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers and sisters you were doing it for me.”

Over the years I have attended SsAM I have served in several capacities — member of the Downtown Arts Committee, as a lector, an usher (and now my great-granddaughter is serving with me), lay eucharistic visitor, the vestry, the “Board of Directors” (a.k.a. coffee social after church). I participated in an Easter play as Jesus no less, and I was blessed to travel to Israel/Palestine through my affiliation with SsAM just before the pandemic shut the world down!

SsAM has a constant outreach to Friendship House, Saint Andrews Place and other ministries dedicated to serve to community at large; women and children, sailors, female vets, clothing and food pantries, Code Blue, Undie Sunday and probably others I have not mentioned. The pandemic may have slowed those efforts but didn’t shut them down.

I have forged many friendships through attending SsAM over the years.

I’m a witness to the many works of this living church. As already mentioned, I’ve known many who have passed on, whom I regard as “the old guard” and I am compelled to speak their names now because we here at SsAM are the benefactors of their everlasting time, talents, and treasures. Fred Gyott, Max Bell, Jeanne Linderman, Rod Wells, Lucia Robinson, Jayne Britt, Leroy Ames, Kitty Esterly, Louise Lewis, Ty Ewing, Buddy Gray, Devere Patton, Jeanne Downs, Joey Leider, Matilda Lewis, Joe Johnson, Joyce Matlock, Dell Venarde, Gwenita Walker, Alex Tyree, Chris White, Les Roberts, Linda Smith, Patti Richmond, Charles Hines, James Hackett, Juanita Gibbs, Lillian Ramsey (my Aunt), Matt & Gertrude Shipp, Charlene Simmons, Peggy Shane and Helen Thomas who to my knowledge may have been the oldest living SsAM member in her passing away at 101 years old. She was remembered last Sunday evening during a Jazz Vespers service.

This is now the Season of Creation in the church’s life.

As stewards of SsAM, now is the time for us again to recommit our time, talents, and treasures to support the ongoing mission of SsAM. Despite the disruption of the pandemic to the life and service of the church that work goes on.

Let us continue to support the function of the church as it continues to provide services to the church community and the community at large through our giving. Every amount counts large or small.

A great way to pledge your offering or tithe is through electronic giving. Through electronic giving, SsAM can count on your tithing and budget for the church’s work ahead in 2023. It will continue to serve this inclusive community of faith within and beyond.

A Confession.

Before I close I have a confession to make and some may think is scandalous — I am not Episcopalian; I am not a card-carrying member of SsAM!

What I am is a devotee to the church community that I have come to know, for some have mourned and forged bonds of love in friendship with others! That is what has kept me coming back Sunday after Sunday, month after month, year after year.

In all actuality I have contemplated at times why I continue to come back again and again.

When the pandemic closed us down, I felt relief from that weekly effort of thought and settled in to staying at home like everyone else. But I did not waiver from my commitment in support of the church’s mission because, doors open or closed, its work continued and I promised to help.

When things started to slowly open again and I returned to the sanctuary of SsAM, it felt like a homecoming, a family reunion to see so many familiar, warm, welcoming smiling faces even behind the masks. And now here we are again in-gathering!

So, in closing, in my mind and spirit I am no less a congregant of SsAM than anyone else. I believe in God the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and His only Son our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe in the Holy Spirit and all things seen and unseen.

It is this mystery of the Holy Trinity that I recognized and felt when I first entered this sanctuary in 2001 that welcomed me in then and beckons me back again and again! All that’s left to say now is, “It’s Sunday. Thank you Lord!”

—Audrey Collins

As of January 27, 2023…

… 116 pledges had been made for 2023, two more than were made the previous year! To make a pledge, click here.

Other Stewardship Posts

Click here to see all the stewardship posts on this website.

Our stewardship campaign ends on November 20, 2022.

 

We worship God on Sundays at 8am and 10:30am and offer prayer services other days.

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Use our Prayer Request form.

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

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

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NEWS

Clergy Transition – Our Search for a New Rector

SsAM IS NOW RECEIVING NAMES FOR OUR NEXT RECTOR! If you are a clergy person and interested in our open rector position, we invite you to … [Read More...]

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 10:30am Sunday … [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

Slavery By Another Name, Saturday, March 25, 10am via Zoom Recently, seventeen individuals viewed the PBS video "Driving While Black". Some … [Read More...]

Why I Walk

First Friday Walks for Justice in Wilmington, Delaware. A reflection by Mary Lou Edgar for March 21, 2023.  Shortly after I joined … [Read More...]

Wednesday Nights in Lent with Father Jim

Join the Rev. James M. Bimbi for a Lenten journey in the holy land as we read and reflect on the material in the book “River through the … [Read More...]

Holy Week and Easter Services in Downtown Wilmington, Delaware

Holy Week 2023 at our church in downtown Wilmington, Delaware starts with the promise of Palm Sunday, becomes tragic on Good Friday, but … [Read More...]

Children’s Chapel continues on March 26, April 2, and April 23 at 10:30am.

Children’s Chapel will meet on March 26, April 2 (Palm Sunday), April 23 at 10:30am. Chapel is usually on every second and fourth Sunday at … [Read More...]

First Friday Walks for Justice and Peace in Wilmington, Delaware

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

Vestry Nominees Wanted

A call to Christian Service - Nominees wanted to serve on SsAM’s Vestry by April 10, 2023. When Jesus called his disciples, he did not ask … [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 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 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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