These churches are firm in their commitment to remain part of the world wide Anglican Communion, but due to conscience, find it spiritually necessary to separate themselves from the ECUSA now. The First Wave Churches are All Souls, Church of the Redeemer, both of Jacksonville , Grace Church, Orange Park , St. Michael's, Gainesville , St. Luke's Community of Life, Tallahassee , and Calvary , Jacksonville which realigned with an alternate Anglican jurisdiction on November 6th 2005 . They of course join with St. Peter's, Tallahassee (formerly St. John's ) who made their decision last October.

As the First Wave moves forward, there is a Second Wave mounting rapidly behind it. The Second Wave may well be larger and cause a greater loss to the DoF than the first. There appears to be at least eight and possibly as many as fourteen other churches preparing themselves for a similar move to separate at some point between January 1st and soon after General Convention in June of 2006.

Many of the Second Wave clergy and vestries have communicated with Bishop John Howard to express their spiritual solidarity with the First Wave churches and to urge him to be graceful in his handling of the issues surrounding the realignment, especially with property. The rector of one of these churches, The Rev. Mark R. Eldredge of Epiphany, Jacksonville shared his vestries' letter to Bishop Howard which said,

"Along with many other congregations, we too are struggling with the issue of remaining loyal to the Episcopal Church unless there is the significant repentance as called for by the Primates of the Anglican Communion.

We request therefore that those congregations in the Diocese of Florida who have already, for reasons of conscience, decided to align themselves with other Anglican jurisdictions be allowed to retain their properties. Please consider that the treatment of these congregations will affect our long term relationship."

He also said that he knows of at least two other church vestries that have sent similar letters and that he has talked with many other rectors who have said they have spoken directly to Bishop Howard about their similar struggles. Many of these Second Wave churches have also chosen not to make a financial pledge to the DoF for 2006 and those that are pledging will only do so through June.

Finally, if one looks very carefully, there is also a Third Wave racing in behind the first two. This Third Wave will likely not include entire congregations, but will be a silent majority of individuals and families from churches throughout the diocese that choose to remain in the DoF and the ECUSA.

As General Convention concludes its legislative actions in June, and if, as expected, the ECUSA refuses to adequately repent of its prior decisions and actions concerning Biblical Authority, the Third Wave will mount quickly as individuals and families begin to leave from the churches where there is no action.

Clearly, the realignment is not going to be limited to just six or seven churches in the Diocese of Florida! Similar waves of realignment are forming in dioceses throughout the USA.

--Mr Willman is a leader of the Florida Chapter of the AAC.

END