Resolved, the House of _____ concurring, That the 68th Annual Meeting of the Convention of the Diocese of Oklahoma, adopts the following statement of the Diocesan Council concerning the Windsor Report and the Anglican Communion:

The people of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma want to express our heartfelt desire to remain a part of the Worldwide Anglican Communion. Members of the Communion are very diverse in race, culture, history, economics, government, health, education and perspectives on a wide range of issues. We also often differ on the use and interpretation of Scripture, theological perspectives, Christian ethics and provincial canons and polity. Yet, our differences pale in the light of our common faith in Jesus Christ; our unity and responsibility in the Body of Christ, and our Anglican bonds of affection. These bonds begin with Christ and are expressed in The Book of Common Prayer, the Sacraments, the Authority of Scripture and our shared ministry and mission of the Gospel - each of which are articulated in the first two sections of the Windsor Report.

While there is a strong desire to continue in the Anglican Communion, there is also a growing concern with the ongoing conflict. The Presiding Bishop, House of Bishops, and Executive Council of The Episcopal Church have been responsive to those members of the Communion who have expressed hurt and anger following our 2003 General Convention. They have responded in positive ways to the recommendations of the Windsor Report. This includes expressing regret for the pain, the hurt and the damage caused to our Anglican bonds of affection by certain actions of our Church; a moratorium on the consecration of any new Bishops until the next General Convention; and formal presentations on theological and biblical rationales for the actions taken by the deputies at the last convention. Yet, we are disturbed by the attitudes and actions of some in the Anglican Communion who disagree with us. Specifically, we are concerned about the disregard for the Windsor recommendations by Bishops who are crossing Provincial and Diocesan boundaries and who continue planning for schism in the Anglican Communion. And, while we support the recommendations of the Windsor Report, we have reservations about forming a "Covenant" for the Anglican Communion, which could limit Provincial autonomy and move us toward relationships based on law and not communion.

We encourage The Episcopal Church to work diligently and faithfully to remain in the Anglican Communion based on our common faith and worship that is centered on Jesus Christ, but is not contingent on the resolution of our differences. The Diocese of Oklahoma commits itself to assist impoverished people in spite of ecclesiastical differences. Let us work together for a greater understanding and appreciation of each other as members of the Body of Christ and the Anglican Communion. And, let us continually seek the Mind of Christ in all matters of concern that threaten to divide us in our time. While we will never be One in our diversity, by God's grace we can and must be One in Christ and Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That this statement be sent as a resolution to the 2006 General Convention of the Episcopal Church of the United States.