I could not believe that my friend Harold Lewis had written in such a negative way [TLC, Jan. 7]. I have known Harold since the late '70s, when he was commissary to the Bishop of Bukavu, in Zaire, and I worked with him in linking the Diocese of Southern Virginia and the Diocese of Bukavu in companion relationship. He is bright, articulate, widely read and very well traveled and he knows the Anglican Communion well. I can only think that his time on the staff at 815 Second Ave. must have influenced his thinking.

Anyone who is acquainted with the worldwide Anglican Communion knows of the deep concern that many in the Communion have about the leadership of the Episcopal Church, especially since Lambeth '98. One of these groups is the American Anglican Council (AAC). According to the full-page ad which Harold found so offensive [TLC, Dec. 10], AAC did not claim to be mainstream Episcopalian; they claimed to be mainstream Anglican. I do not think many Episcopal bishops after attending Lambeth could claim that the Episcopal Church is mainstream Anglican.

It is also interesting to note that Harold Lewis is now rector of Calvary Church, Pittsburgh, a church which has a very illustrious history. One of the previous rectors of Calvary is the great Sam Shoemaker, who started the Pittsburgh Experiment, and was an outstanding leader and evangelist. He would have rejoiced with the main focus of the American Anglican Council ad, which was how God's love changed a man's life, and of the God who came to set "prisoners" free. What could possibly be offensive about that? I would urge Calvary Church and its rector to rethink its decision to withdraw its ad from what I consider to be a very balanced magazine.

(The Rev.) Brian C. Hobden

St. James' Church

Mesilla Park, N.M.