From the Florida Times-Union:<\/p>\n
They concluded Sunday’s service in the auditorium of Mandarin Middle School, where they will gather until they can find a permanent home.<\/p>\n
“Today is not about grieving a building and a piece of property,” said the Rev. Gene Strickland, the church’s rector. “Today, even though a chapter ends for All Souls, the book is still open.”<\/p>\n
Frank Griffin stood in the breezeway, smiling. A printed tag clipped to his shirt offered words of encouragement: “It’s Just a Building!”<\/p>\n
The easier route, Griffin said, would have been to stay and simply conform.<\/p>\n
But All Souls Anglican formally split from the Episcopal Church early in 2006, joining those nationwide who left after an openly gay priest was elected bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.<\/p>\n
The Rev. Jim McCaslin, a former All Souls rector and a regional Anglican leader, said Sunday he was afraid the Episcopal Church is headed for a slow, meaningless death, and that’s why leaving is the best thing for All Souls.<\/p>\n
“This church, I am certain, will hold fast to the unchanging word of God,” McCaslin said.<\/p>\n