Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

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First Friday Walks for Justice in Wilmington, Delaware.

A reflection by Mary Lou Edgar for March 21, 2023. 

Shortly after I joined SsAM, I learned about the walks on the first Friday of every month. I remember reading that it was started to make people aware of the injustice of killing George Floyd as well as all other injustices perpetuated against indigenous people and people of color, particularly Black people.

I had been astounded when George Floyd was killed. I remembered marching during the Civil Rights movement and wondering what happened. I knew I had to do something to speak to how unjust our country continues to be. Although I had other long-term commitments on the first Friday of the month, I wanted to participate in the walk at SsAM. I would need to make some major changes.

I decided to pray about this rather than think about it. I tend to think when I’m not sure what to do. Often, I think until I’m ready to give up. Then I give up. Praying, on the other hand, especially silently, gets me to the beginning of a path forward. I thought about being a member of one of the few remaining support groups that had started with Sue Linderman’s six week class on the Black history. I had learned so much. I kept feeling a nudge which led me to make the decision to begin walking. It was the right thing to do.

At SsAM we walk with several other churches in the community. We all share the same concerns about not being able to achieve peace without justice. We meet in the SsAM parking lot at 5:30 and we begin with prayer. We then walk down to 6th Street and up Market Street until we get to Rodney Square. We walk silently carrying electric candles. We also carry posters such as those stating that Black Lives Matter. It is not a long walk, but it is a moving one. We encounter people who thank us for being there for them. We hear people clapping for us. But we also hear silence. People who are joining us in our silent prayer, asking God to help us find peace for all His family on this earth.

2021-02-05 Walk for Justice and Peace, Wilmington, Delaware

In April our walk is on Good Friday.

In the beginning, there was discussion of not walking on Good Friday. But then we all began to see the special importance of it. Why wouldn’t we walk? We will walk on the day we commemorate Jesus’s walk to His crucifixion and His death. It will not matter to us if it is raining or if the sun is shining. We will still walk.

All the other walks/marches I participated in (and there were many) were more to follow what others thought. They are still important in my life because I learned from them. I began to see injustice everywhere. But now I walk because I believe the Holy Spirit is with me and with the group of us going forward. On Good Friday, I will think of Jesus and how He must have felt scared, betrayed by those who said they believed in Him, and alone. When I am walking, I will remember how He asked to have this taken from him but only if it was His Father’s will. I will remember how He died for me and for each of us.

It is a blessing that we can walk on Good Friday and feel that bond. This monthly walk is so important. I know the time is not always convenient for everyone, but I can assure you, we all learn something from every silent walk we do. That silence allows us to look deeply in ourselves while also seeing our brothers and sisters along the way. It is about loving – loving ourselves and loving each other.

I have been asking everyone I see to walk with us.

I hope after reading this, you will think about it and decide to join us as well. If you can’t walk, say a prayer for us and be with us in spirit. It will add another dimension to the holiest week of the year.

_____________________

Mary Lou Edgar, 130x190pxABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mary Lou Edgar, MSS, is a clinical social worker who founded A Better Chance for Our Children, an adoption and foster care agency that works to find permanent homes for children in the foster care system.  Mary Lou was the Executive Director of ABCFOC, but she is now retired.  She graduated from Neumann University and Bryn Mawr School of Social Work and Social Research. She and her husband joined SsAM in 2021.

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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

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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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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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