CARY — Members of a Cary church attended services Sunday without their senior pastor in the pulpit.

The Rev. Ed Privette, senior pastor of White Plains United Methodist Church, was ordered to pay $420,000 to two former churhc workers after a jury ruled last week that Privette had sexually harassed them.

The controversy has divided the congregation. Some churchgoers, such as Sarah Sheffield, were saddened by Privette's absence. Sheffield says she always got a lot from Privette's sermons.

Church spokesman Graham Wilson says churchgoers prayed Sunday both for Privette and the three women involved in the lawsuits. He says they also prayed for the church.

Some say it won't be easy to put the situation behind them. Church member Ken Boyd says healing will take a long time.

Privette has not quit his post. Last year, church leaders disciplined him for improperly hugging and touching church workers.