Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

  • Welcome
    • News & Upcoming Events
    • Online Calendar
    • Visit SsAM on Facebook
    • eMail Sign Up
    • Welcome to SsAM Booklet
    • Worship at SsAM
    • Sunday Documents: Leaflet, Bulletin, Weekly Vision, Readings
    • Our Unique Approach to Music and Liturgical Design
    • The use of Expansive (inclusive) Language at SsAM
  • Who We Are
    • Diversity
    • Clergy
      • Clergy Transition
      • Rev. James Bimbi, Interim Rector
      • Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson
      • Sermons
    • Vestry
      • Vestry Statements, Photos
      • Scott Serota, Treasurer
    • Staff
      • D-L Casson, Church Administrator
      • David Christopher, Music Director
    • Children’s Ministries
    • Youth & Young Families at SsAM
    • Episcopal Church Women – ECW
    • History of the Parish
      • Father David’s Blog
      • History, Diocese of Delaware
      • History of Slavery in Delaware
      • History of Wilmington Garden Day
    • Member Photos
      • Photo & Video Archive
    • People Who Pray
  • What We Do
    • Services of Worship
      • Sunday Documents: Bulletin, Weekly Vision, Readings
      • Baptisms
      • Weddings
        • Wedding Guidelines
        • Wedding Fees
      • Funerals
    • Children’s Chapel
    • Adult Education
    • List of Health / Wellness Posts
    • Season of Creation
    • Sacred Jazz at SsAM
    • Art Slam at SsAM
    • Annual Reports
    • Website Maintenance
  • Get Involved
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Volunteer in the Community!
    • Volunteer at Worship!
    • Volunteer Behind The Scenes!
    • Health / Wellness Posts
    • Invite Welcome Connect
    • Financial Contributions
    • Stewardship Posts
    • Pledge Form, On-Line Payment Link
    • Member Resources
  • Music
    • Katherine Esterly Organ
      • DONATE and become a FRIEND of the Katherine Esterly Organ
      • Friends of the KEO
      • Tonal Specifications
      • About the Organ Renovation Project
    • Choirs at SsAM
      • Choir Member Resources
    • Chorister Training Program
      • Chorister Advancement Levels
    • Sacred Jazz at SsAM
    • Drumming Circle
    • Music Staff
      • David Christopher, Director of Music
      • The SsAM Staff Singers
      • Jonathan Whitney, Director of Drumming Circle and Artist in Residence
      • Tina Betz, Director of Children’s Chapel Music
      • Berna Holcomb, Music Librarian
    • Artists in Residence
      • Jonathan Whitney
      • Delaware ChoralArts
    • Our Approach to Music and Liturgical Design at SsAM
  • Contribute
  • Contact Us
    • Directions

Vestry View of July 15, 2020

by Danny Schweers, Vestry Member.

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
— Matthew 18:20 —

Vestry ViewAt our last meeting on Wednesday, July 8, every vestry member was there! And, our faith assures us that Jesus was there us, too! — even though we were meeting virtually via video.

One benefit of the continuing pandemic is that each vestry member feels our service to the church matters more than ever. That is true, too, of our committees.

The Property Committee has two new co-chairs — Sandy Johnson and Cynthia Primo Martin — and the Personnel Committee also has a new chair, Bill Young. Finance may be the busiest committee of them all. Bill Kauffman continues to chair that committee with assistance from our new treasurer, Bernard Fisher. Thank them and those serving on other committees for their continued service. And thank Jesus for being there with them.

The moral? If you want to be with Jesus, attend vestry meetings! Attend committee meetings!

I know that sounds like a joke but, in all seriousness, if you want to be with Jesus, get busy doing God’s loving work if you are not already busy. God’s work is not often glamorous, it can be frustrating, it can require sacrifice, but it is always rewarding.

Not ready to join the vestry or a committee? Then pray with us!

Pray With Us!

Pat Hampton wrote and the vestry unanimously adopted the following prayer for SsAM during this time of COVID-19 pandemic:

Oh God, you have promised that when two or three are gathered in your name, you are in the midst of them. During this period of social distancing, we, your people at SsAM, are not able to gather physically, but are still gathering in the Spirit. We are praying for the safety and well-being of our family and friends; the people we serve in the community; the first responders and all essential workers, seen and unseen, and all caregivers; those who are ill and their families; and for all who have died. Inspire the governance of all human institutions to be fair, just, and impartial. Help us to not only keep the FAITH, but be FAITHFUL in the use of our time, talent and treasure in the support of our VISION, MISSION and GUIDING PRINCIPLES. We thank you for the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT to guide and comfort us during these times and always. AMEN.

Specifically, the vestry is asking you to recite this prayer every day, at either 7:00 a.m., Noon, or 7:00 p.m., when other people are saying it. A tall order! The idea is that, if we say the prayer at the same time, we will be praying together, and Jesus will be there with us.

Questions come to mind. What if you are in a different time zone and your prayer is an hour or more off? Well, I am no theological expert, but I am going to say “Yes”, you are praying with us. You will be gathered with us. Other “what ifs” come to mind. What if you find it impossible to adhere to any schedule? What if you only pray every other day? Once a week? Once ever? My answer is that you may not have the same sense of community, the same sense of praying together, as those who are more disciplined. All the same, Jesus will be there.

Look for Jesus at our Sunday Services

Similar theological thinking applies to those attending Sunday services even though they are pre-recorded and virtual. Many people watch the broadcast right at 10:00 a.m., others later. I am so fortunate that my spouse worships with me, that we lift our voices together to say the prayers and sing the hymns as we watch the video broadcasts on YouTube or Facebook every Sunday. But even alone, viewers have a sense that they are joining others in worship. Looking at the statistics for Sunday, July 12, I see there were 26 viewings on YouTube that day and 167 on Facebook, with two or more people watching some screens. That equals over 200 people watching! Was Jesus there with us? You betcha! He will be there next Sunday, too!

With Father David going on vacation for two weeks, the Rev. Canon Martha Kirkpatrick, Canon to the Ordinary, will preach on Sunday, July 26. The Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson will preach on Sunday, August 2.

Other Gatherings of Two or More at SsAM

  • In addition to Sunday services, you are invited to the live celebrations of Morning and Evening Prayer on Facebook on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
  • Province III of the Episcopal Church is having a “Conversation About Race” on Monday, July 27, at 2:00 p.m. Click here to learn more about this conversation about race.
  • On Sunday, August 2, at 11:15 a.m., a Town Hall Meeting will be led by the Finance Committee.
  • Beginning in August, you can join Rabbi Douglas Krantz and Father David for Bible study on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
  • Some time in August, we we gather for a virtual Coffee Hour, a time for conversation.

Please attend any and all of these gatherings.

Look for Jesus.

——————————————-
NOTE: This Vestry View is our way of sharing with you the issues facing SsAM. We are sending it out by email and posting it on the SsAM website, where you can find an archive of our communications. ACTION ITEM: Send us your comments and questions!

Vestry View Archive

Click here to see all the Vestry View articles published recently.

 

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.

Support Our Efforts Financially
You can make a secure on-line donation using your credit card, make a pledge, or make other contributions.

NEWS

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

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

Worship with us this Sunday!

You are invited to praise God with us in-person and via video on Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. is when we … [Read More...]

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

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...]

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

  • Worship at SsAM: Sunday Documents, Church News, and More
  • eNewsletter Sign Up
  • YouTube Service Videos
  • SsAM on Facebook
  • Recent Announcements at SsAM
  • Clergy Transition
  • Recent Sermons
  • 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.

SsAM Logo

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2022 The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew · Log in