Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

  • Welcome
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    • 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
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        • Wedding Guidelines
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    • Season of Creation
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    • eNewsletter Sign Up
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  • Music
    • Katherine Esterly Organ
      • DONATE and become a FRIEND of the Katherine Esterly Organ
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      • Tonal Specifications
      • About the Organ Renovation Project
    • Choirs at SsAM
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    • 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
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What Gives You Joy Today?

FR. DAVID’S BLOG OF 4/17/2020 — Alleluia, Christ is Risen!

This Easter acclamation that faithful Christians know and affirm in their lives was proclaimed this past Easter Sunday morning to empty churches around the world. And yet, in this age of COVID-19, this proclamation rings true even now in the midst of a devastating pandemic that has resulted in over 100,000 fatalities around the world.

This week, I invite you to click here to contact me to share how you have experienced Resurrection this year. What have you seen raised to new life? One way to engage the power of the Resurrection is to reflect on what has given you joy. During the last month we have been sheltered at home and have had to find new ways of connecting with people — be it on the email or phone or video conferencing. I want to hear from you!

A month ago, early on in the Governor’s State of Emergency, at the Diocesan Council video-conference meeting, Bishop Brown checked in with each member and asked us to share where we were finding joy at this time. He asked where is our joy when all of us are worried about our health, the health of our loved ones, our jobs, our finances and how to cope with a great deal of uncertainty. When it came time for me to share, I said that I found joy taking daily walks with Emily and being able to be outside. I then shared my sense of being weary and scared as well as taking on the anxiety of the parish as we struggle with how to meet our financial obligations during these stressful times. I was the only one on the call to admit these feelings.

Slowly I have begun to have more moments of joy that lead me to know that Christ has Risen. These moments of joy include two video conference calls the last two weeks with many of my first cousins and their kids. We have not yet discovered the mute button, as we all want to talk at the same time. My cousin, Nat, has to remind us to mute and unmute when we want to say something. I found joy during Holy Week when our Lenten course concluded with a rich discussion about the Eucharist and the Body of Christ. I found joy and peace in sitting in an empty church on Good Friday for three hours, reading the Passion from the Gospel of John interspersed with periods of silence and meditating on the simple wooden cross placed at the center. On Holy Saturday I had a wonderful but brief video-conference call with our Children’s Chapel kids and was so happy to see their smiling faces as well as to see their parents. I find great joy and comfort when I talk to you on the phone to check in and grateful that you are well. These are just a few examples of joy during this season of Resurrection.

Where do you find Joy today? I would love to hear from you so we can talk. Please contact me and then we can make time to talk.

The Lord Has Risen Indeed, Alleluia!

Peace,
Fr. David

Click here to see a video recording of our Easter Sunday service.

Go to SsAM’s Facebook page to see live streaming of services.

All of Fr. David’s posts.


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

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.

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