"Christians, natives of Arab countries, are escaping their countries of origin. This is a common statement nowadays everywhere and it is correct one hundred percent. Statistics show that a large number of them have emigrated to safer countries for them and for their children, like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

As well, we are sharply aware of tensions and pain in our church and in the Anglican Communion. During these days we have explored more fully our continuing call as your chief pastors to be ministers of reconciliation, even as we seek and discover reconciliation within ourselves, within our church and across the Communion.

Just how deeply divided the diocese is between liberals and conservatives might become clearer Friday and Saturday when the annual state convention convenes at the Holiday Inn DIA.

One crucial matter will be to elect deputies to the 2006 general convention of the Episcopal Church USA in Columbus, Ohio.

Delegates will also consider a resolution whether Christian marriage should be defined as "a solemn covenant between one man and one women only."

We rejoice in the depth of our conversations and, in spite of the differences among us, we discovered that although we are not of one mind in all things we are profoundly of one heart in our commitment to proclaim Christ's reconciling love to this broken world. We are confident that our household of faith is large enough to embrace us all.