Worshipping near home
By Natasha Altamirano
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
March 16, 2007

The small Episcopal congregation gathered for worship Sunday morning in a sunlit loft of a Presbyterian church across the street from the historic Falls Church, the Episcopal group's former home.

The liturgy of the newly reconstituted Falls Church Episcopal, a tiny minority of congregants who voted to stay with the Episcopal Church, was punctuated by uplifting hymns, as the Rev. Michael Pipkin reminded the 50 or so worshippers that Lent, the 40-day season of penance and self-reflection before Easter, is a time to prepare for Jesus Christ's return.

Lent is a period of spiritual discipline to strengthen one's relationship with God, which Episcopal leaders say is necessary now as the American church faces one of the most difficult periods in its history.

"The world does not revolve around us and our sins," said Mr. Pipkin, who has been providing temporary leadership for some 150 Episcopalians who want to remain with the Episcopal Church. "God knows them all, and yet God chooses to be with us." the rest