Ship of Fools: Solomon’s Porch, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

The Mystery Worshipper

Ship of Fools: Solomon’s Porch, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

A warm welcome, a moving sermon, and beautifully executed but surprisingly accessible Eastern liturgy

Read the full Mystery Worshipper report here

Bishops Finger

Thank you for a fascinating Report, Miss Amanda! The sermon seems to have been particularly apposite, given recent events in the US.

One can only hope that their congregation increases in numbers soon.

(BTW, the date of the Report should presumably be that of a Sunday in 2024...).

Amanda B Reckondwyth

I alerted Simon to the incorrect date.

Alan29

I looked up that denominations web-site. It struck me that for a church with just six parishes, they have a lot of clergy with impressive titles.

Nick Tamen

Lead Me, Guide Me is an African-American hymnal published by GIA Publications. GIA (originally, if I recall correctly, Gregorian Institute of America) is a publishing company that, among other things, publishes a number of hymnals primarily but not exclusively intended for Catholic churches. They also publish anthems and other choral music, and they are the US publishers of music from the Taizé Community and the Iona Community.

Amanda B Reckondwyth

I'm beginning to wonder just how active the Convergent Catholic Communion really is. I was hoping to find a Christmas service among their other parishes.

But on the Western Rite side of their website, of the three churches listed, I found the following:

Prince of Peace: Their one-page website states, "As we grow our ministry, we will be providing more information on our location, services, and outreach programs."

Saint Benedict: The link actually goes to the Facebook page of St Francis ISM (no indication of what ISM means), which describes itself as "an independent Anglican Rite virtual media ministry with more than 12,000 Facebook followers."

Rocky Creek Church: The link goes to a Facebook page that displays the message, "This content isn't available right now."

And on the Eastern Rite side of their website:

St Thekla: Their website proclaims that they "host liturgies at major feast days" and that "no liturgies are scheduled for now."

Holy Sacrament Church: Has no website, and Googling them provides no meaningful results.

So what's going on here?

Bishops Finger

In answer to your question - not a lot...

Pity, though, as Solomon's Porch sounds inviting (quite apart from the lovely name!). At least they're advertising a Christmas Eve Liturgy, though it's not quite clear if it's the Eve or the Day - apparently it's from 2am until 330am, so I'm assuming they mean 25th December.

Ex_Organist

You sem to be seing the time in GMT. Local time indicates service 7.00-8.30 p.m.

Bishops Finger

Ex_Organist wrote: »

You sem to be seing the time in GMT. Local time indicates service 7.00-8.30 p.m.

Ah - that's more like it! I did wonder...thanks!

I also wonder if Miss Amanda will be attending, at that civilised hour?

Amanda B Reckondwyth

No, I've chosen a different church. Stay tuned . . . .

Bishops Finger

Thank you!