Chick and Suzanne Donovan (right) lead the way to the Absalom Jones marker and old cemetery

St. Matthew's Cemetery lies in a clump of trees directly behind Absalom Jones birth place marker

Cecily Sawyer Harmon and

Jim Evitts enter cemetery through brush and briar

Two of several headstones

found in the cemetery

Three children's headstones

located in the cemetery

Natural canopy that

covers the entire cemetery

Welcome people to worship at your church this season!

We will gladly list your Advent, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day services and events on the diocesan website and on our social media pages. Please send us the information using the online seasonal services/events form. Please note that the deadline for listing services is December 14.

PARKING:

Parking lot on Concord Pike, across from the Village of St. John, is available for this event. This lot is gated and parking lot attendants will be opening the gates for attendees between 3:30 and 3:45. If you are unable to park in the lot, street parking is also available.

UPON ARRIVAL:

Please use the main entryway to the Village of St. John, which is directly off of the village's circle drive at 2020 N. Tatnall Street.

The circle drive may be used to drop off, but it does not lead to parking.

Camp Arrowhead

Summer Camp

Registration Now Open!

Camp Arrowhead summer camp registration opened at midnight December 1. All of our dates and rates are posted online at camparrowhead.net. Take a peek at this summer's brochure and dream with us about warmer weather! Staff Applications will also open on December 1. If you know an incredible 16 - 20-something year old with a heart for working with kids in the outdoors, please encourage them to apply online.

Book Study? Christmas Gift? Something inspirational for yourself?

"The Night is Long, but Light Comes in the Morning: Meditations for Racial Healing"

We have a number of copies of this book by Dr. Catherine Meeks, our convention keynote speaker, available for sale at $22, no credit cards. If you would like a copy of this powerful book, please contact communications@delaware.church.

You can view Dr. Meeks keynote speech below:

Fun Fact

Question: At which diocesan convention was a resolution passed which declared that it was the positive duty of the clergy to urge the members of their respective congregations to find a way to enforce the state law prohibiting the traveling of stage coaches and other carriages on the Lord’s Day?

Clue: At the same convention it was also resolved that “the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper” be administered at every convention from then on.

Answer: Here

Image: "Kalamazoo Stage Coach 1865" by FotoGuy 49057 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Did You Know? 

On this date in 345 (traditional date) Nicholas, bishop of Myra, one of the most popular saints in the Greek and Latin churches—and Santa Claus's namesake—died. It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. Nicholas became known as a gift giver and, over the course of many years, his popularity spread and by the Renaissance St. Nicholas was the most popular saint in Europe. Even after the Protestant Reformation, when the veneration of saints began to be discouraged, St. Nicholas maintained a positive reputation, especially in Holland. St. Nicholas made his first inroads into American popular culture towards the end of the 18th century. In December 1773 a New York newspaper reported that groups of Dutch families had gathered to honor the anniversary of his death. The name Santa Claus evolved from Nick’s Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a derivation of Sint Nikolaas. More information about the legends surrounding St. Nicholas Image: "The Church of Saint Nicholas at Myra - also called St Nicholas Museum - is an ancient Byzantine church which charts the life of this famous Christian Saint and is one of the oldest surviving churches in existence." by Rab . is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Issue: December 6, 2023