"We are committed to our mission and we will continue in that mission learning to live as Jesus lived and do what Jesus did. Our mission is still the same...making disciples for Jesus Christ and we are disappointed the Kingdom of God is being hidden behind religious garb. It is the desire of the bishop to really get people off focus, but we need to teach people about the Kingdom of God being available for all through his Son, Jesus."

Baron said he was disappointed by the [legal] action of Bishop Mathes, "but we are commanded to bless those who harm us and all those who walk apart from the authority of Scripture, and we want to be people who exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit. That is our desire and focus. Our church is a prayer-driven church committed to discipleship."

"Our disaffiliation with the Diocese of San Diego was solely based on the blatant disregard of the authority of scripture and the denial of Jesus Christ as THE way, THE truth, and THE Life. The issue of sexuality was only a symptom of the continuing slide away from scriptural authority the Episcopal Church has chosen to take in its walk apart from the rest of the Anglican Communion, said Alex Hamlow, Senior Warden of St. Anne's.

The parish pulled out of the diocese in January 2006 with 250 active members. It has now grown to 334. "We are growing despite the problems we face with the bishop," he said.

"The lawsuit was not a surprise, and in light of what The Episcopal Church is doing we are disappointed, but we expected it. It is an incredible waste of dollars that could be used for the Kingdom of God. We are continuing on with our mission however."

Baron said that while his parish was not wealthy, "we have allocated funds for our defense."

Baron said he has the same attorney's as St. James, Newport Beach and will follow their lead if they lose and will appeal up through the various courts. "We feel confident that the Kingdom of God will always prevail over the kingdom of man and we trust His love, power and wisdom and whatever direction He calls us to we will honor, because it is designed for our good."

"We have no intention of vacating the property, but if we are forced out, it is not the end of the world, we will find another place and we will continue to grow."

The parish is currently under the ecclesiastical authority of the Rt. Rev. Frank Lyons, the Bishop of Bolivia.

Two other parishes are also under legal threat. St. John's Fallbrook, whose priest is the Rev. Don Kroeger, faces its third litigation by Bishop Mathes. Holy Trinity in Ocean Beach, under the Rev. Larry Bausch, also faces litigation over church property.

END