Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

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Vestry View, April 15, 2020

A Way Forward

— On April 15, 2020, your SsAM vestry passed a balanced operating budget for calendar year 2020. This revised operating budget is based on recommendations from the COVID-19 Taskforce and the Finance Committee. We estimate our income for 2020 will be 13% less than last year, for a total of $628,013.

So far, members have been able to honor their pledges. Thank God! This budget assumes 90% of our members will be able to honor their pledges through the end of the year. Is that a realistic expectation? Let us know if it is not. If you know you cannot honor your pledge in full, please click here to contact Fr. David Andrews. As your pastor, he wants to offer a compassionate ear. He will keep what you say confidential.

Many are now making their contributions electronically. If you are interested in electronic payments, please click here to contact our church administrator, D-L Casson. Please do NOT include any sensitive account information.

More good news is that the investment policy of the Diocese of Delaware is very conservative. Income from our endowments will only go down 5% this year, even though the Dow Jones dropped 20% between March 1 and April 15. More good news is that this operating budget does not include any endowment draws in 2020.

Also hopeful is that our church, like many non-profits, is applying for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program Loan (PPPL). IF that loan is approved, and IF the federal government forgives it, our budget will be in much better shape by the end of 2020.

Less operating income means less money for operating expenses. Most of our operating expenses — 2/3 of our budget — goes to personnel. Those costs are NOT cut in this budget. Also, we have NOT cut the amount of our outreach giving to charities — $17,660 — which is equal to 10% of the investment income from our endowments, a tithe. Christian education — $3,220 — remains uncut. Most cuts were made elsewhere. In particular, the Diocese of Delaware has reduced all Acceptance/Fair Share payments by 25%. Also, for the balance of 2020, our music program must be more creative in the execution of its ministry with a much-reduced budget. Major property maintenance and improvement projects were also eliminated from the operating budget.

In all of this please remember that this operating budget is the Vestry’s first fiscal response in light of a fast-changing situation. Other responses will follow! One next step is for the Vestry, with the Finance Committee’s recommendations, to develop a priority list of operating expenses to fund as other income is received. Vestry and Finance are also supporting stronger accounting controls necessary to better track week-by-week income and expenses, with Vestry continuing to review finances twice a month.

One last comment. This newly-approved, balanced operating budget does NOT include any capital/non-operating expenses for 2020. Capital projects like a new HVAC system for the church and new boiler for the rectory will be governed by a capital budget the Vestry has yet to create. Stay tuned!

And, please, remember to stay connected with folks at SsAM. Reach out to others by phone, in writing, or on the computer!

Sincerely yours,
Danny Schweers, with contributions from D-L Casson, Norwood Coleman, Yvonne Gordon, Peggy Shane, and Dan Young
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NOTE: This Vestry View is our way of connecting with you about the issues facing SsAM. We are sending the Vestry View out by email and posting it on the SsAM website. ACTION ITEM: Click here to send us your comments!
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Click here to see all the Vestry View posts.

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.

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Click here or the button above to use our Prayer Request form.

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NEWS

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

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Worship with us this Sunday!

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Music Concerts in Wilmington, Delaware

Music of America Concert, Sunday, May 29, 3pm at SsAM A special tribute to Marian Anderson with soloists Tina Betz, Kim Doucette, Martin … [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

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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...]

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: Pursue What You Love

When jazz pianist Rich Harney became a Christian, he was told he had to give up playing the devil’s music. He loved that music but he loved … [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...]

Get The Vaccine!

If you are over 50 years old or immuno-compromised, SsAM'S Health and Wellness Ministry invites you to take the COVID-19 vaccine extra … [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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