"This is big in the life of our church," Eldredge said. "We're specifically praying for repentance ... and that God's will be done."

What Eldredge didn't say Sunday -- because he had already preached about it in May -- was that the American denomination is at odds with theological conservatives in its own ranks and with most Anglicans around the world over the issue of homosexuality and the centrality of Scripture in Christian and church life.

The final straw for conservatives came in 2003 when delegates to the last General Convention elected the denomination's first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.

The fallout was swift. More than half the world's Anglican bishops condemned the election while American parishes began withholding funds from the denomination and from dioceses that refused to follow suit.

Many priests and lay people left, and about 30 congregations -- including 11 in the Jacksonville-based Episcopal Diocese of Florida -- have joined more-orthodox Anglican dioceses overseas. Pseudo-denominational organizations were formed to organize and channel what continues to be a swelling conservative movement.

Seeking repentance

Those conservatives who remained, including Eldredge and many in his small Westside parish, did so in anticipation of Columbus. Like more than 20 of the world's most orthodox Anglican archbishops, they want the Episcopal Church to repent for Robinson's election and promise never to do it again.

There are at least 11 resolutions on the table that deal with issues of homosexuality in some manner. Some predict an exodus depending on which pass, which fail and to what extent and how they are amended.

Eldredge said he knows of several other parishes and a "third wave" of individuals who are prepared to quit Bishop John Howard's North Florida diocese.

"We are convinced there is no hope, but there's still a chance for a miracle," Eldredge told The Times-Union.

A watershed moment?

But whether so much drama should really be expected in Columbus depends on who is asked.

Pennsylvania resident David Virtue, a conservative Anglican and founder of Virtue Online, predicts big trouble for the denomination and specifically for the Episcopal Diocese of Florida.

"I think your diocese is going to implode," he said.

"I absolutely disagree with that," the Rev. Canon Kurt Dunkle said when told of Virtue's prediction.

Dunkle, who is Howard's spokesman and chief of staff, said the diocese is already recovering from its losses, and parishes where people left will be rebuilt and regrown.

Besides, Dunkle said, that minority of people who feel they can no longer be Episcopalians are likely to leave no matter what happens at General Convention.

And it is a minority, said Robert Williams, director of communications for the New York-based Episcopal Church USA.

The denomination has 7,200 congregations in the United States, and only about 30 in 14 denominations have aligned themselves with overseas, Anglican bishops, Williams said.

"If my math is right, that's less than 1 percent," Williams said.

Most of the rest of the denomination is unconcerned about all the pre-convention hubbub, said Louie Crew, the founder of Integrity, a ministry by and for Episcopal homosexuals.

"Most people in the parishes don't even know what's going on in their own vestries," the New Jersey resident said.

Eldredge, Virtue and others say North Florida's strong evangelical base contributes to the relatively high number of parishes and individuals in the area who have been most offended by the Episcopal Church's actions.

Local effect

But if an impact will be felt anywhere, it will be here.

Conservatives have formed a regional organization for conservatives called the Anglican Alliance of North Florida. Its Web site lists 16 congregations and close to 50 priest and clergy members. Another eight priests are listed as individual members.

The 25-county diocese has about 35,000 members who worship in more than 70 congregations.

General Convention will be a wake-up call for many others, said Patricia Rioux, parish administrator at the Church of the Epiphany.

"There are a lot who don't have a clue, and there's a lot who know this is part of a deadline," Rioux said.

Rioux said she knows further splits may divide families in addition to parishes and the diocese, but said she is ready to leave unless the Episcopal Church changes.

jeff.brumleyjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4310. This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at Http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/061206/met_22089338.shtml.