Churches at a Crossroads

Regarding the Dec. 4 front-page article "Episcopal Churches to Vote on Departure":

The historic Falls Church and Truro Church congregations in Virginia are contemplating severing ties with the U.S. Episcopal Church and aligning instead with a controversial African bishop who advocates prison for those engaging in homosexual activity. The Virginia churches' spokesman indicated that this position gives him "pause."

So what would be a "show-stopper," the death penalty for gay people?

My little, not-so-historic church in Annandale, Ravensworth Baptist, is one of a handful of Baptist churches in Virginia that are welcoming and affirming to all who come to Christ's table, including our homosexual brothers and sisters. As such, we are not unfamiliar with controversy.

But as a body, we choose to grow together and stand on the side of love and inclusion, as directed by the spirit of our Lord and by his apostle Paul, who implored us to "do everything in love."

BART COCHRAN

Alexandria