The following is an email from Karen Weldin
(Posted 5-07-02)

Dear Soulforce In Oklahoma Friends,

As I finally put my feet up at 9:50 pm on Sunday evening, I took a deep breath and sighed a sigh filled with reflections and emotions. What a weekend it was. It was forty-eight hours filled with experiences of friendship, laughter, tears, passion and inspirations.

The weekend began with Mel speaking at Church of the Open Arms. There were approximately 90 people in attendance. As usual, Mel spoke to a crowd eager for encouragement and affirmation - a crowd anxious to hear about his journey and his mission. I won't even attempt to summarize his talk here. We taped the evening and if anyone is interested, tapes will be available in the near future. Mel's story, his encouragement to all, and his plea to take a stand for justice - is always inspiring. He has a continuing way of helping to renew my spirit and to feed the fire of my passion for this movement. I am always grateful for the gifts he gifts to me personally and to all of us when he is here.

Saturday was a busy day. We began with a radio interview with Jack Bowen on KMMZ Radio and then rushed to the Olive Garden restaurant where the Soulforce In Oklahoma Advisory Board had a luncheon for the ministers of open and affirming churches in the OKC and Tulsa area. Five ministers attended. We had a great discussion about what Soulforce's is trying to accomplish, ideas about where to go after June, and brainstorms about how we can work together for our common goals. I left the lunch feeling inspired and anxious to follow through with the idea of an "Oklahoma Affirmation" statement we all might sign.

After the luncheon we scurried back to Church of the Open Arms and Mel facilitated a four hour training session in the principles of nonviolence. I am always amazed at the commitment and dedication that people give. Twenty-five people were willing to give all Saturday afternoon to learn the principles of nonviolence! We have now trained over 100 people in five months in the principles of nonviolence. As many times as I have been through the training - I still hear something new - learn something new - take away something new to apply to my life. What left a strong impression on me from this training is the radical of Jesus' life. Mel showed a clip from a movie on Jesus that displayed so well how radical Jesus really was and it reminded me of how far from Jesus' message many of us have strayed. Regardless if we are Christian are not, Jesus is a role model for nonviolent activism that must not be discounted.

After the training the Advisory Board met with Mel on Saturday night to discuss our actions at Village Baptist Church. We started in January and made a commitment to vigil once a month for six months. Our commitment was with the understanding that if negotiations resumed with Rev. Kersh and others from Village Baptist Church, we would stop the vigils. However, after five months of vigils, negotiations have not resumed. June 2 will be our sixth month. Saturday night we talked with Mel about our options past June. We are all in much thought and prayer about how to proceed. Many ideas were discussed.

On Sunday morning as people were arriving at Church of the Open Arms, I became overwhelmed with emotions again over the commitment and dedication of those who participate in the vigils. Over forty people got up and were at Church of the Open Arms at 6:45 am! Tears filled my eyes as I reflected on the love and commitment of this group to work to stop the violence that has been inflicted upon their lives and the lives of their friends and family members - gay and straight together - there is a bond in Soulforce that runs to the very depths of our souls. We were so wonderfully prepared spiritually as we listened to Peggy Johnson sing about the reality of our lives and ended with a song about love. Peggy, thank you for moving us so deeply. Thank you Kathy for reminding us of two of Jesus' parables and literally sending us out to sow seeds. I smiled all morning as I watched people scatter their seeds as they felt so moved.

We arrived at Village Baptist Church shortly before 8 am and began our usual preparation and setting up for our vigil. Forty-five people arrived to participate! The sun was shining and it was a beautiful morning! We didn't know what to think having such beautiful weather. Our first vigil seemed to take place very quickly. We came back as people were leaving the first service and arriving for Sunday School and people seemed to be greeting us more than in the past months. A few engaged in conversation with volunteers and many took copies of our flyers we were handing out that told people who we were, summarized what we doing, and had been doing and what we were wanting. There was more communication and exchange of information this month than any month prior. It is amazing to me how so little excites us so much. A person comes out of Village Baptist or stops on the way in and engages in conversation with us and we react as if a major break through has just happened - and maybe it has. Maybe one person left Village Baptist Church thinking about our messages, visualizing one person from our posters who have died as a result of violence. Maybe one person begins to doubt the validity of the Southern Baptist teachings about homosexuality.

Mel engaged in conversation with the Mark, the person in charge of security at Village Baptist and ended up going inside and "touring" the building. Later on Rev. Kersh came outside at met Mel as he said he would do in his letter last week. Mel asked if he could go in and attend the worship service and Rev. Kersh said that he could. I asked if we could all go in and he said no. After the press conference, Mel did go back inside and attended the contemporary worship service.

We almost made it to the end without rain - but right a 12 o'clock noon it began to rain. Not one person from Soulforce left because of the rain. We all remained steadfast in our places determined to remain a witness of the Truth until every person had left the church building. I know I say this after ever vigil, but this vigil was an empowering and inspiring experience for all of us. What an impact it had on each of us.

As we gathered back at Church of the Open Arms for reflection and closure, it was wonderful to listen to the stories so many had about conversations with members of Village Baptist and to hear volunteers describe their experiences. It is always wonderful to hear the experiences of those who have participated in the vigil for the first time. Corey, Joanne, Andy and Bob. Your stories and your sharing inspire us all. Welcome to Soulforce and welcome to the journey. When I hear the stories from our own how participating in these vigils changes their lives - I know every minute of preparation and every minute of participation is worth it. We are renewing our own spirits, helping our sisters and brothers, enlightening people in public, and raising questions for thought for the members of Village Baptist. What a success this is!

To those of you reading my account of the weekend, I hope you will consider joining us the weekend of May 31 - June 2nd. Jimmy Creech will be here to stand with us. Come and experience what is so difficult to describe in words.

Love to all,

Karen Weldin
Soulforce In Oklahoma