Sunday Unchanged for Local Episcopal Churches

It`s mostly business as usual for some local Episcopal churches on the first Sunday since the church elected its first openly gay bishop. The bishop-elect, Reverend Gene Robinson, returned home to Concord, New Hampshire today to cheers and hugs...even though a couple of families have left his congregation. But ministers at a few local churches say while they do have congregation members who disagree with Robinson`s appoinment, they haven`t made plans to leave the church over it. "There`s quite a disparity of views but people are staying together and expressing it as a community," says Herbert Hahn, a member at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Reverend Scott Lee at Trinity says attendance has been at its usual, and maybe a little larger than normal. He says he prays that the church`s decision will help it to grow and become more inclusive. "It is my understanding that a careful reading of the Scripture, particularly the gospels of Jesus Christ, tell us that we open our arms and love to all persons," Lee said.