Lebhar said that all but a handful of parishioners, which had been prepared for this day, would leave the church properties valued at some $4 million.

A Messianic Jewish congregation Beth Israel has offered a spiritual refuge for the congregation till they can buy property and begin again. They presently lease a warehouse. This congregation has a history with Redeemer. Several years ago they hosted the Messianic congregation. "It's a turnabout for us and we see God's hand in it," said Lebhar. Rabbi David Levin graciously offered to share their space. They meet Friday and Saturday and we meet on Sunday. It works for all of us."

Asked how this rupture which occurred along theological lines has affected him, Lebhar said; "buildings have been places where God has moved powerfully in lives, and we will therefore miss it. The parish has been at its present location for only 20 years and we had just built a new educational wing office building. We are walking away from $4 million worth of property. A parishioner summed it up well when she said, 'we are leaving. It is more important to be leaving a legacy of faith to our children than a legacy of bricks and mortar.'"

The priest was inhibited by Bishop Samuel Johnson Howard a year ago when his parish left the diocese and the Episcopal Church when the church came under the ecclesiastical authority of Bishop Joel Obetia of the Diocese of Madi West Nile, Uganda. His Archbishop is the Most. Rev. Henry Luke Orombi.

In a letter to the rector and congregation Bishop Joel wrote: Dear Friends, Glorify the Lord in all your ways. Your reactions to this news should be Christ like and gracious. You have been expecting it anyway. I ache, yes it is painful, but the Lord suffered the more to bring us to know God. By his wounds be healed!

In a Dear Redeemer Family letter, Lebhar wrote:

"Greetings from North Carolina where I am attending the New Wineskins Anglican Missions Conference. As some of you already know, we finally heard from Judge Cole Tuesday. In a conference call to the lawyers she shared that she will be ruling for the Diocese of Florida to have possession of the property. We will be on legal hold until her report is officially issued and we can review it. For obvious reasons, we cannot, nor should not, be publicly discussing our legal options at this moment. Practically, we are moving ahead with moving. Some leaders will be visiting Beth Israel this week to plan our initial move there. I know this is hard news for some of you, and I ache with you. But honestly, this morning I was struck by Jesus' words in Luke 21, "... not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life... You will know that Jerusalem's desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city."

Wrote Lebhar: "If the Lord calls us to suffer even a little, we will not be the first. And I wonder if the Lord is somehow protecting us by moving us out. Please see a move as a new chance to serve the Lord and glorify Him. And do not despise the Diocese of Florida. This is not a flesh and blood struggle (see Ephesians 6:12).

"Most of all, pray. To quote the inimitable Yogi Berra's original words, "We're not out till we're out." But it looks like we may be out of our current facilities very soon. We will only glorify the Lord in the process if we ask Him for wisdom and strength, and yes, most of all, love."

The Rev. Neil G. Lebhar has been an Episcopal priest for 28 years. He said he wanted to see the actual judgment before he decided to make the final move. "I am hoping there is room for negotiation," he said.

Bishop Samuel Johnson Howard was not available for comment.

END