The Northwest Texas Diocese last week rejected a request by St. Nicholas to help keep their 523 active members together after nearly 90 percent of voting parishioners disagreed with the Episcopal stance on same-sex unions and 2003 appointment of a homosexual bishop.

The diocese ordered dissenters to vacate church premises by June 1.

"I admire them for being courageous," Cannady said. "But our actions are not the same as St. Nicholas because we want to stay with the Episcopal Church, reform it and for the Episcopal Church to return to the teaching of the Anglican community."

Cannady holds onto what he concedes as fading hope the denomination will reform and return to traditional Christian teachings.

"St. Nicholas believes the Episcopal Church will not," Cannady explained. "I'm still praying for repentance, but I have to tell you, I don't have much hope."

Holy Trinity members took a similar vote in 2003, after the gay bishop was appointed in New Hampshire. Ninety-one percent of parishioners voted in dissent of the decision.

Just recently, 66 percent of the congregation voted to join the Anglican Communion Network, an organization including conservative Episcopalians dedicated to traditional biblical teachings.

While homosexuality is at the forefront of controversy right now, Midland Episcopal ministers are quick to point out it's not just about sex.

"It's about the authority of Scripture in the Episcopal Church," Cannady said. "We keep talking about sexuality because it keeps getting forced as an issue."

St. Nicholas has spoken boldly against homosexual behavior.

"The national Episcopal Church created the crisis when it acted against church teaching and elected as bishop Gene Robinson, a self-declared homosexual living openly in relationship with a male partner É (the church) also approved the blessing of same sex unions and refused to reaffirm adherence to traditional Christian teachings," St. Nicholas stated in a press release.

The Rev. Jon Stasney, rector of St. Nicholas, said homosexual acts are a sin, like other sins.

"It's not meant to be exclusive; people struggle with chasity as heterosexuals," Stasney said. "Homosexuality is not any worse than adultery and fornication, but you couldn't put an active adulterer, or fornicator or a homosexual in leadership and say it's OK."

St. Nicholas leaders report receiving calls and e-mails of support from churches all across Texas and the world, some of which are planning a pilgrimage to Midland for the congregation's last worship service together at the 4000 W. Loop 250 N. location May 29.

Most of the 31 church members who voted to stay just don't want to leave their home church, said Edna Hibbitts, who has emerged somewhat as a leader among longtime parishioners. Hibbitts has been at St. Nicholas since 1970 and said she will continue to be patient during controversy within the denomination.

Bob Bledsoe, a St. Nicholas member for 45 years, is among those leaving.

"I have two emotions, one is sadness for leaving the 30 good friends who are going to stay," Bledsoe said. "But overpowering that is the joy that we will be in a new church, no longer bound by the mistakes of the old church."

Meanwhile, the new church, Christ Church Midland (Anglican Communion), has been chartered for those exiled from St. Nicholas. The new church expects to gather June 5 at Midland Classical Academy.

"That has been our most immediate need, a place of worship," Bledsoe said. "Next, we need office space, and we're going to need all new office equipment, pencils, pens É we're starting from ground zero."

Christ Church Midland last week opened an account, and contributions for start-up costs already are coming in, Bledsoe said.

Pastors of various denominations all across town have offered space to help accommodate the new church.

Stasney is a former president of the Midland Ministerial Alliance.

"What all this support shows is the breaking down of barriers because we see ourselves as one church of Midland, and we don't see ourselves as competition," Stasney said of other churches rallying to help.

The diocese has said it would offer financial assistance for two years to those staying at St. Nicholas.

Annual operational costs at the current facility are about $300,000 per year, Stasney has said, although those costs are expected to decrease with only about 30 members, less office staff and fewer services.

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