The conference is the first in Mississippi since the consecration of
openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire in 2003 and the
approval of same-sex unions.

The Rev. Reed Freeman, rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in
Hattiesburg, said his church probably lost some members over the
controversy, but said those who left may be people who weren't involved
in the church.

"Faithful members have hardly left," he said. "Many people, in spite of
great personal disagreement, have chosen to remain in the body of Christ
and not to break that up. I think that's very commendable."

Tom Price, a member of Hattiesburg's Episcopal Church of the Ascension, said
he doesn't believe his church will split from the national organization
over the gay issue.

"Nationally I know that exists, but I don't know how prevalent it is in
Mississippi," said Price. "At Ascension, I don't anticipate a split from
the Diocese of Mississippi or the Episcopal Church. I think the attitude
is wait an d see."

Freeman also said he doesn't think his congregation wants to split from
the national church. "I believe our congregation is firmly committed to
not only remaining a part of the Anglican community, but to the
Episcopal Church of the United States ," he said.

The 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church USA is a branch of the Anglican
Church.

Among the resolutions to be considered this weekend is one that calls
for the Mississippi Diocese to withhold part of its funding to the
national church.

In 2003 the diocese gave $440,000 of its $2.3 million budget to the
national church.

"I do know in Mississippi in 2004 at this council there will be a
reduction in the amount that goes to the national church," Price said.

Other resolutions call for:

Supporting Mississippi Bishop Duncan Gray III for opposing the
ordination of homosexuals.

Bishop Gray to "declare that a state of impaired communion exists"
between t he Mississippi diocese and those that recognize same-sex unions.

If approved, the resolution would mean that a member of the Mississippi
diocese could not take communion at churches that recognize same-sex unions.

Freeman said the debate about the New Hampshire bishop and same-sex
unions has had a positive impact.

"There have been a lot of people brought into conversation about the
spiritual side respecting the scripture and understanding the
scripture," he said. "The opinions on the appropriateness of it (the
election) are still split. T he debate continues."

Amanda Price, 21, a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Vicksburg,
said Robinson's sexual preference isn't the issue.

"I don't have a problem with his sexuality, but he is living with his
partner. If that were a priest that was straight, they wouldn't be
bishop," she said. Amanda Price is not related to Tom Price.

"They kind of made an exception. Putting him in a position of authority
isn't respectful of the sanctity of marriage."

++++

Resolutions -

RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED TO 177T Annual Council - Mississippi

Resolution: 1

Affirmation of The Right Rev, Duncan M. Gray, III Be it resolved by the
Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, at its 177th Annual Council, that it
does here support and affirm The Right Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III in his
stand to uphold the norm for the ordination of persons living single,
celibate lives, or in heterosexual marriage, and his refusal to
authorize the blessing of same gender unions.

Resolution: 2

Giving to the National Church Be it resolved by the Episcopal Diocese of
Mississippi, at its 177th Annual Council, that the Executive Committee
of the Diocese be and are hereby instructed to reevaluate and reconsider
the 21% proportionate giving to the Episcopal Church of the United
Slates, and that the said amount be reduced.

Resolution; 3

Payment to the National Church Resolved that this 177th council of the
Diocese of Mississippi urges the Bishop and the Officers of the Diocese
to withhold that aforesaid portion of the annual payment to the National
Church that would ordinarily be used to fund the operation of the
National Church Office and the House of Bishops until such time as there
is an assurance that the practices of the ECUSA will con form to those
of the Anglican Communion around the world and thus not cause offense to
our brother and sister churches that are in communion with us. These
monies are to be used for our own mission work and /or given to relief
work in other Anglican Dioceses in Africa.

Resolution: 4

Voluntary Process for Nominations RESOLVED, that the 177th Annual
Council recognizes that service to the Diocese and to the parish and
missions within this Diocese is an important ministry to which many,
both lay and clerical, may feel called to serve; and, RESOLVED, that the
process of nominations may, for some people and under some
circumstances, become an obstacle for those who would like to be
considered for election but who are not nominated; and, RESOLVED that
volunteering for service and for ministry should be encouraged and
supported both within the Diocesan structure and within the parishes an
d missions of this Diocese; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that for all elective
positions within this Diocese, except for that of Bishop, and for all
elective positions within the parishes and missions of this diocese,
volunteers to stand for election will be sought and will be given an
opportunity to come forward prior to the institution of any nomination
procedures; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, if, for any elective
position, at least twice t he number of people be elected have
volunteered to stand for election, there shall be no nominations of
individuals.

Resolution: 5

Declaration of Impaired Communion Be it resolved by the Episcopal
Diocese of Mississippi, at its 177 Annual Council, that The Right Duncan
M. Gray, III, be encouraged to declare that a state of impaired
communion exists between the Diocese of Mississippi and the Presiding
Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, the Diocese of New
Hampshire and any and all Dioceses in the Episcopal Church of the United
States that are currently engaging in the practice of blessing same
gender unions.

Resolution 6

Actions of General Convention Resolved that the 177th Annual Council of
the Diocese of Mississippi formally repudiates the actions of the 74th
General Convention of the Episcopal Church of the United States of
America (ECUSA) in consent to the consecration o f Canon Gene Robinson
to the office of bishop and in approving Resolution C0 51 on the
blessing of same sex unions and that a copy of this resolution be sent
to the Presiding Bishop of ECUSA, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and all
Primates of the Anglican Communion.

Resolution 7

Wrongful and Unconstitutional Actions of the 74 General Convention BE IT
RESOLVED that the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi at its 177th Annual
Council holds that the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church
exceeded its authority and departed from its constitution, in confirming
the election as bishop of a non-celibate homosexual man and in
permitting same-sex blessings, separating itself from the Anglican
Communion and from the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, directly
rejecting its solemn responsibility to uphold and propagate the historic
Faith and Order, as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer. These acts
are thus held to be null and void, and of no effect, in the Episcopal
Diocese of Mississippi.

Resolution 8

Adequate Primatial Oversight. Be it resolved, that the Episcopal Diocese
of Mississippi, at its 177th Annual Council, does hereby request the
Bishop and Standing Committee of the Diocese to seek other primatial
oversight as a dissenting minority diocese, from a Primate not to
include the Presiding Bishop of the United States, rather
directly to or through the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Resolution 9

Upholding of Scripture Be it resolved by the Episcopal Diocese of
Mississippi, at its 177th Annual Council, that the Diocese of
Mississippi will always consider matters of doc trine within the context
of Scripture, the Anglican Tradition (as defined by
Anglican formularies, prayer books and ordinals), and reason.

Resolution 10

Property Issues Be it resolved that the bishop and chancellor appoint a
commission to study how a parish, mission other ministry in the Diocese
may request and obtain uncontested title to its property if desired. We
request that a report (and, if necessary, enabling legislation) be
prepared for consideration by our 200 5 Diocesan Convention.

END