Mystery Worshipper: Amanda B. Reckondwyth
Church:
Christ Church Anglican, Phoenix
Location: Arizona, USA
Date of visit: Wednesday, 24 December 2025, 7:00pm
The building
A low, flat building with pitched roof and very tall slender spire. It was formerly occupied by an independent evangelical church that moved on as its numbers grew. When the Christ Church congregation was formed in 2007, they rented the building at first but later purchased it. The interior is rather plain, with one’s eye drawn to a large cross on the east wall behind the versus populum altar. The Christmas creche sat in front of the altar, although the Bambino was not placed in it until the Offertory. Wood pews angled in, and wood ribbing in the ceiling, show that the architect favored wood. I was unable to discover any details about the building’s architectural provenance – Google was not my friend in this regard.
The church
Their various ministries are well described on their website. Among these are Drop-In Prayer, a room set aside between services once each month where anyone may drop in to request prayer or join others in prayer; and an extensive series of classes exploring topics such as the crucifixion, the Holy Spirit, relics including the Shroud of Turin, and the afterlife. There are two worship services each Sunday as well as adult education and Sunday school.
The neighborhood
They are located at Bethany Home Road and 20th Street in the highly desirable upper-class Biltmore neighborhood of Phoenix – so called due to the prominence of the ultra-posh Arizona Biltmore resort hotel. Urban legend has it (although the story is probably apocryphal) that Irving Berlin wrote ‘White Christmas’ while lounging at poolside at the Arizona Biltmore.
The cast
The rector (I think – he’s grown a beard since his website photo was snapped) celebrated, assisted by the associate rector as liturgical deacon. A verger, crucifer, several acolytes, and lay readers completed the mix.
What was the name of the service?
Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist.How full was the building?
About three-quarters full. A goodly mix of folk of all ages. To their credit, everyone sat toward the front. I even changed my seat. When in Canterbury, do as the Cantaur do, and all that.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
In the narthex were baskets of candles and small bells. A lady said, ‘Good evening. Would you like a bell?’ ‘What are they for?’ I asked. ‘We’ll ring them during Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,’ she replied. ‘I’ll let others do it,’ I said. ‘Well, then, how about a candle?’ she continued. ‘Oh, yes, for Silent Night,’ I said, and took one. Once I was inside and settled in a pew, no one else spoke to me.
Was your pew comfortable?
A plain wooden pew, but yes, it was comfortable.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
Quiet visiting among the regulars. The organist struck up a medley of Christmas carols. An acolyte – verged by the verger – I had never before seen that done – lit the altar candles and the Advent wreath, but he got the order wrong on the wreath. He should have lit the Gaudete candle third, but he lit it last.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
After the opening ceremony and carol (see below), the celebrant said, ‘For unto us a child is born,’ to which we replied, ‘Unto us a son is given.’
What books did the congregation use during the service?
The Anglican Church in North America’s Book of Common Prayer and the Episcopal Church’s Hymnal 1982 were in the pews, but everything we needed was contained in a nicely prepared service bulletin. The bulletin was also available on their website for download. I found it very convenient to preview the service at home before I set out for church.
What musical instruments were played?
Organ, a large digital instrument manufactured by Phoenix Organs of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. It was masterfully played by the church’s director of musical worship and sounded great. There was also a mixed choir of about 18 or so singers, vested in cotta and red cassock.
Did anything distract you?
Some members of the congregation distracted me, both positively and negatively, but we’re not supposed to talk about that. I will say, though, that one elegantly dressed lady could have passed for the twin sister of the late great celebrity chef Julia Child. Otherwise, I think the principal distraction was the combination of portions of Rite 1 and Rite 2 from the Episcopal Prayer Book intermingled with portions specific to the Anglican Church in North America.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
A very straightforward liturgy. We opened with the lighting of the Christ Candle on the Advent wreath, followed by O Come All Ye Faithful. and the opening prayers. In lieu of the Gloria we sang Angels We Have Heard on High. For the gradual hymn we sang In Dulci Jubilo in English, substituting ‘Good Christian friends’ for ‘Good Christian men’. The service progressed more or less in keeping with the standard liturgy Episcopalians and Anglicans (and some Lutherans) are accustomed to. The Sanctus was the familiar Schubert setting, which is lovely when taken at the tempo Schubert intended – but see below. At communion we were given the choice of sipping from the chalice or intincting the wafer into it, as we preferred. After communion we sang the obligatory Silent Night to candlelight. The service concluded with the Last Gospel (John 1:1-14) and the recessional carol was Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – substituting ‘Pleased as man with us to dwell’ for ‘Pleased as man with men to dwell’, but keeping, I was happy to see, the reference to Jesus as a male human being.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
20 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
7 — I was all set to give him a 10. The rector spoke clearly and informally, referring to notes only now and then. But they say every good sermon has three exit paths and that the preacher should always take the first. I think he had five, and he galloped down all five of them. He even said at one point, ‘Yes, I know, it’s Christmas Eve, but give me five more minutes.’ He took 10 more.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
When asked what they want for Christmas, most people surprisingly do not ask for material things, but rather for healing. And yet they think they can spend their way to it. This works sometimes, but whatever healing might be had quickly disappears. We search for the ‘Christmas feeling,’ but life gets in the way: old wounds, money problems, anxiety, and so on. But Christmas reminds us that God wants healing for us. We don’t have to chase after it – all we need do is receive it through faith. Everybody in the Nativity story was broken in one way or another – they didn’t fully understand what God was about to accomplish. But God stepped in, and not just for them, but for all of mankind. That’s how God works. Will we make room for Jesus? [Exit path 1] We can’t give ourselves what Jesus can give us. World peace is fragile, but God’s peace makes us whole. He heals what is fractured. External circumstances no longer rule. [Exit path 2] The same is true for hope and love. Jesus rescues us from counterfeit versions of hope and love. He gives us the real thing. Pray that you may receive it. [Exit path 3] He went on after that, but if truth be told I stopped listening.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
Just about everything. Except...
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
Well, taking Schubert’s lovely Sanctus at jump rope jingle speed, as so many organists unfortunately do. And during the intercessions, we prayed that our leaders may impartially uphold justice and truth. Given the current state of political affairs in the United States, I fear this may be a pipe dream rather than an intercession.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
I hung around looking lost. Coffee and assorted cookies were served out on the patio. The regulars stood around in jovial groups, but no one paid me any attention.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
Hi-test and decaf coffee were available in large urns. I had some decaf – it was hot and tasty. I also had a cookie, although I probably shouldn’t have.
How would you feel about making another visit (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
10 — In my dreams! This is my kind of church: good preaching, good music, careful attention paid to liturgy. But this is not my neighborhood – I live quite some distance away on the other side of town. Even so, I am tempted to rent an apartment in the Biltmore neighborhood – as if I could afford it! Their class schedule does fascinate me, though, and I wouldn’t mind driving over there now and then to take a class or two. And perhaps to attend a service or two on special occasions. They do have to work on their greeting ministry, though. Yes, I know, it was Christmas Eve, and whatever visitors may have been there would probably never be seen again, but that's no excuse. And speaking for myself, I just might be seen again!
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Most definitely yes!
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time ?
How truly inspiring a service can be when done right.