In an exchange of letters that has clearly crossed the line from "conversation" to "compulsion", Smith sent a terse one paragraph letter to Hansen saying, "In my capacity as canonical overseer, I issue you a Pastoral Directive. You, as Rector of Saint John's Church, Bristol, shall meet with me in my office at Diocesan House, Hartford, Ct. This meeting shall take place on or before July 24, 2004. I expect that you will contact my office to set up an appropriate appointment."

Bennison opened the conversation by saying that there was a serious reduction in pledges throughout the diocese, and that some 70 out of 159 parishes had serious financial problems. He also said that the Diocese of Pennsylvania is over churched in terms of buildings since many parishes were built before modern transportation. He indicated that 40 parishes have less than 40 members.

QUESTION: Isn't the Episcopal Church losing members?

VIRTUOSITY: Why is the TAC necessary?

HEPWORTH: The TAC was formed to care of the 'chuck outs', those who oppose women's ordination. We formed a caring community as a temporary measure for what we do next.

VIRTUOSITY: The Anglican Communion is in crisis, are you trying to take advantage of that?

The letter from Canon John Peterson head of the Anglican Communion
Office says that the Joint Standing Committee will meet to decide how
the report will be used in an attempt to get it out of the hands of the
Primates into what he hopes will be the more liberal ACC, said the source.