OUR CLERGY
Below, you will find information about the dedicated individuals who serve our community with faith, wisdom, and compassion. Our clergy are committed to guiding our congregation in spiritual growth, pastoral care, and the living out of our Convergent Catholic values. Each member brings unique gifts and experiences, contributing to the rich tapestry of our communal life. We invite you to learn more about their backgrounds, ministries, and the ways they support our mission.
Metropolitan JOHN GREGORY [Kenny von Folmar]
(He/Him)
Bishop
Office Hours: 8a - 5p (Wed - Sun)
Bishop Kenny and his husband, Bryan, reside in Glendale, just a short distance from where our parish meets. They are passionate about radical hospitality and have welcomed many sojourners to stay in their home to get back on their feet.
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Bishop Kenny was raised in an nominal Christian home, with no allegiance to any particular denomination or tradition. In his early teens, he became enamored with the Pentecostal Church and realized his calling to ministry early on. Countless church leaders recognized his call and entrusted him to carry out ministries (including outreach and youth) for the church. After receiving the endorsement of his Pastor he was received as a student into a Bible College. His studies were cut short when he revealed to school leaders that he was in fact a gay man and was subsequently sent home. As he had not reconciled his faith and sexuality he underwent a guided process to seek God's hand in changing his sexual orientation. During this time he felt deeply that God was responding to his pleas with a simple "Why? I made you the way are." Recognizing the voice of THE shepherd, Bishop Kenny abandoned his efforts to change his sexual orientation. Subsequently he was outed and had to leave the church - being an openly gay man was not acceptable according to their teachings.
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After spending some time away from organized religion, he was able to reconcile his faith and found a predominately gay pentecostal church in Phoenix. He served this community for a couple years as Media Minister. During this time he began to look more critically at many of those beliefs that he long held as unquestionable. During this time he went through a period of spiritual deconstruction, resulting in him taking some time away from ministry leadership. He was blessed to land in the Episcopal Church, where he was encouraged to more critically exam the Christian faith. After 7 years away from ministry he was called to join the ministry team at Solomon's Porch (then known as the Anthem Phoenix). He and the ministry team established a vision for a faith community that would be a visible convergence of Christian traditions. These same leaders founded the Convergent Christian Communion to extend that vision beyond Phoenix in 2014.
Father COLUMBA [Kevin Daugherty]
(He/Him)
Proistamenos (Cathedral Dean)
Office Hours: 12p - 4p (Mon - Fri)
On November 22, 2020 - the Feast of Christ the King of the Universe - Fr. Kevin was called to be the Curate of Solomon's Porch. Fr. Kevin and his husband Cody completed their relocation to Phoenix in September of 2021. In June 2023, Fr. Kevin became Dean at Solomon's Porch.
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In addition to his work with our Parish, Fr. Kevin serves as the Abbot of the Companions of the Holy Spirit, a New Monastic order, and as an Archpriest and Moderator in the Convergent Catholic Communion.
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Before coming to the C.C.C. in 2017, Fr. Kevin served in a variety of churches and religious orders. He was baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian Church, and later confirmed and married in the Lutheran Church. He became a non-denominational minister and a Franciscan in 2013, and formally entered the Catholic priesthood in early 2020. He studied and interned in the Mennonite Church for four years while participating in the Pastoral Studies Distance Education program at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. He also holds a theology certificate from Biblical Training, and he is studying business management at Western Governors University.
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Fr. Kevin and his husband reside in Glendale, where they share their home with two dogs and other members of Solomon's Porch.
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Like all of our leaders, he has a full-time secular job to support his ministry.
Canon IAKOVOS ATHANASIOS [Jake Vogel Miller]
(They/Them He/Him)
Curate/Protopsaltis
Office Hours: 3p - 10p (Tue - Sat)
Fr. Jake grew up in the Presbyterian Church (USA), as an adult he fell in love with high church liturgies and was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 2012 (at St. Mary the Virgin NYC). As he felt the calling to the priesthood, Fr. Jake realized that neither the Roman nor Episcopal Church fully resonated with his spiritual path. While exploring New Religious Movements in one of his college courses, he discovered the Independent Sacramental Movement and, after years of personal study and discernment, was ordained on All Souls Day in 2018.
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In 2019, Fr. Jake moved to Texas, becoming co-rector of an Independent Orthodox Church in Dallas. However, due to the COVID pandemic, the church was forced to close its doors. The closure of his parish prompted Fr. Jake to explore new opportunities that aligned with his evolving beliefs, and it was then that he found he found a spiritual home in the Convergent Catholic Communion. During this time he founded Prodigal Son Eastern Catholic Church, and Eastern Rite Parish in The Colony, Texas.
Jake obtained his S.T.L. (Licentiate of Sacred Theology) with the Convergent Catholic Communion in November 2022 and graduated with his Bachelors in General Studies in July 2023.
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In June of 2023, Fr. Jake followed the call to Phoenix, Arizona, where he has set out to complete his master’s in social work, and to serve as Curate and Protopsaltis for our parish.
In Loving Memory..
Very Rev. Father Tom Weller
Father Tom was a founding member of Solomon's Porch and began his walk with us as our Teaching Elder. In June of 2014, he co-founded the Convergent Catholic Communion (then known as the Anthem Network), a progressive network of ministers, ministries and churches and has served them as Moderator (Vice President) beginning in October 2016. Tom was ordained in August of 2014 and was appointed Associate Curate (Associate Pastor) of Solomon's Porch in December of same year.
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Tom's ministry took many forms - from counseling and benevolence to lively discussions and debates about social and theological on social media. In 2019, Tom organized his personal ministry activities under the Good Shepherd Ministries name, a ministry he launched in partnership with Solomon's Porch.
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In December of 2020, Father Tom ​fell victim to COVID19 and transitioned to his heavenly reward. Although he is not physically with us, Tom remains with us in spirit. Because we truly believe in everlasting life, we know that Tom continues to pray with and for us.