Ship of Fools: St Francis of Assisi, Ooltewah, Tennessee, USA

The Mystery Worshipper

Ship of Fools: St Francis of Assisi, Ooltewah, Tennessee, USA

Was it live-streamed or pre-recorded?

Read the full Mystery Worshipper report here

Louisa T P

Thank you so very much Miss Amanda for worshiping with us on Sunday. Your observations and feedback will help guide us as we navigate this new-to-us way of virtual worship. We appreciate your in-depth review, and hope that we will get the opportunity to welcome you to St. Francis in person if you are in the Chattanooga area. Since we were not able to greet you in person, we do have a welcome bag we share with each new guest. It would be my honor to send you yours, if you would be interested. May God's grace and peace be with you. Louisa+

Bishops Finger

@Louisa T P - I think virtual worship is new to many churches, in the US, the UK, and elsewhere - and, for the most part, it is being done well.

BTW, I rather like the layout of your church, being somewhat inclined to the minimalist school! My own church is a rather over-cluttered English 'Anglo-Catholic' place...

Nick Tamen

Agreed; I do like the style and layout, and apparent flexibility, of the church very much. It appeals to my Presbyterian predilection for simplicity.


As for this part of the MW report:

What books did the congregation use during the service?

Three – count ’em, three – PDF files were available for download: one entitled Morning Prayer, Rite Two, copied under license from the Prayer Book 1979; another with words and music to the three hymns that would be sung; and a third entitled The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A. It was a bit of a juggle to keep all three open on my computer while also having my draft MW report open – not to mention the Facebook feed. At least I have dual monitors.

. . . I assumed this was just a well-done virtual church recreation of the traditional “Episcopal juggle” of prayer book, hymnal and bulletin/service leaflet.