The following is an email from Karen Weldin
(Posted 6-4-02)

As I loaded the explorer on Thursday afternoon I found myself anxiously
anticipating the weekend. I packed all of the Soulforce gear and supplies
carefully so that we could in fact get everything in we needed. I went to
bed early anxious to awaken rested and refreshed - ready for a long intense
and important weekend. Susanne and I headed to Oklahoma City early Friday
morning in order to get there and get settled in before picking Jimmy
Creech up at the airport. It was a gorgeous day! I found myself feeling
amused that it couldn't possibly be a vigil weekend - the weather was much
too pretty! After five months of cold, ice, snow, and rain, we were going
to have a warm sunny day to stand witness outside Village Baptist Church in
Oklahoma City.

We picked Jimmy up at the airport, got settled in at the hotel, and then
headed for dinner with Rev. Kathy, Peggy, Rev. Jeni, Gerry, Susanne, Jimmy
and myself. Little did I know that Friday night dinner would be perhaps
the most spiritually moving and enlightening experience of the weekend. As
I sat and sometimes participated and sometimes observed as Rev. Kathy and
Rev. Jimmy began to get acquainted and to share their stories with one
another - I was moved beyond description. I felt and realized the bond
between them that only two ministers could feel and understand who had gone
through what each of them had. I can just say, thank you Jimmy and thank
you Kathy for your witness, your example, and your leadership in the
journey for justice. What wonderful role models you are for us all. Thank
you for Friday night dinner....

Jimmy Creech spoke Friday night at Church of the Open Arms. However,
before he spoke Ken Jennison read the introduction by Marilyn Alexander
from the book, "The Trial of Jimmy Creech." I am not sure there was a dry
eye in the place. Peggy Johnson was also there and reached inside each of
us and pulled up from the bottom of our hearts the feelings and thoughts we
could not verbalize. Thank you Peggy. Jimmy shared much of his story with
us. He is an inspiration to me to hear him and to know him - and to know
what all he was willing to risk and what all he in fact lost because he
stood up for me - for us - for all of us. When I get discouraged and tired
- when I begin to wonder and question why I am doing what I am doing - I
remember Jimmy's story and the reality that a heterosexual man was willing
to risk all that I might be free. It feeds my soul, rekindles my passion
and I am ready to go again. Thank you Jimmy - for everything.

Saturday was a full day. We began with a lunch and dialogue with Jimmy at
Epworth United Methodist Church. It was good to allow United Methodists
(and Soulforce folks) to dialogue with Jimmy and to hear his ideas and
opinions about where things are going for GLBT within the United Methodist
Church and in other denominations as well. The afternoon was spent in
training back at Church of the Open Arms. Andrew was the only new
"trainee" but about 15 Soulforce veterans were there. We sat around in a
circle in the floor and discussed the philosophy and principles of
Soulforce. Thank you friends for the sharing, the great questions and
ideas you brought up. I left that afternoon wishing we could have more
times of that kind of discussion. Training is so important and discussion
of those principles are so important was we move from nonviolence as a
tactic to a way of life. I left with lots to think about.

Saturday evening the Soulforce In Oklahoma Advisory Board met and discussed
where we are going from here. After much discussion we agreed that we were
not finished at Village Baptist - in fact - we concluded that we have just
begun! We summarized our next phase and went home tired but anxious for
the next morning. Jimmy listened and added insight as we worked together
as a team.

Sunday A.M. was beautiful. Blue skies, warm temperatures - I felt so full
and content - so right in what we were heading to do - as we drove to
Church of the Open Arms for our spiritual preparation just prior to
beginning the vigil. As always, we were blessed with the words and
affirmations given to us by Rev. Kathy McCallie and gift in songs by Peggy
Johnson. Thank you Kathy and Peggy. We headed to Village Baptist about
7:30 a.m. ready and prepared for our sixth vigil. We arrived with adequate
time to set up and find our squads and get in our places. I noticed right
away when the Mike, the head of security for VBC came over to where Paul
and Philippe and others were putting our new banner together. He had a
tape recorder and was taping the discussion. It dawned on me that he was
reacting to the letter I had sent to Rev. Kersh that we were in fact not
going to stop but in fact we were going to escalate our efforts to reach
the people of VBC. I also stated in the letter that we would announce at
the press conference what our next plan was. I realized that they must be
frightened about what we might do next. I felt some sadness for the people
of VBC because of this fear.

The banner up, people in line - we began a silent vigil. We remained
silent this morning up until the end of the press conference. It just
seemed like the thing to do this month. People seemed a bit more resistant
today. Fewer people would accept one of our flyers. However, as time
moved on several people began to come up to us and want to talk about our
banner. We had a new banner this month. The new banner said, "Southern
Baptists believe that gays should be killed! ; (2nd line) "...and they
should be put to death." Leviticus 20:13; (3rd line) "and, all scripture is
true and trustworthy" Baptist Faith and Message 2000; (4th line) "Help stop
violence against gays." Of course those people told us that they did not
believe this. We began to dialogue and share how we wanted people like
them to stand up and verbalize what they believed and refute those who made
comments like Judge Roy Moore had in Alabama. We had several people drive
by and give us the thumbs up sign as they passed by. There was a gentleman
who dialogued for a long time with several Soulforce participants who
shared that his life had been changed as a result of our vigils for the
past six months. One person even asked for PFLAG information. The stories
like these make every minute worth it as we stand there as a witness for
gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons.

We had our press conference at 10:30 a.m. Jimmy Creech, Paul Barby,
Nathaniel Batchhelder, Corey Hidlebaugh, and I spoke. We actually had
media coverage for this vigil! Both channel 4 and channel 9 showed up for
the press conference. There was also a reporter there for the Gayly
Oklahoman. We felt excited that our message might go out to all of OKC
before the night was over. We were so appreciative for Jimmy Creech
standing with us and for speaking at the press conference. I pray that
many were listening to the words and story of a minister who believes in
our worthiness and equality as human beings. A man who is willing to do
what so many of us are not willing to do for ourselves - risk his career -
his future - his life - for ours.

We left about 12:45 p.m. and headed back to Church of the Open Arms for
processing and closure on the day and weekend. People shared their
experiences. We also talked about where we are going from here. We will
maintain a presence at Village Baptist Church this summer by having one
squad vigil in July and one in August. The rest of the participants will
be planning and training for a leaflet campaign to begin in September.
When Mel White left last month he followed up with a letter to Rev. Kersh
asking him to pass out educational material to his congregation about what
Southern Baptist believe and what the leaders have said about homosexuality
and homosexuals. Rev. Kersh refused to do this. Mel also asked Rev. Kersh
again to appoint a committee to sit down and talk about homosexuality.
Rev. Kersh once again refused. Therefore, Soulforce in Oklahoma will plan
a campaign to reach every member of VBC with the information to alert them
and educate them about the beliefs and statements coming from the
convention leadership. Soulforce in Oklahoma will also plan and conduct
public forums for people to discuss these beliefs. We will also work with
the contacts we have made to successfully form the committee we have been
wanting to be formed. We are not finished by a long shot. In fact, we
have just begun!

Susanne and I drove home tired and exhausted - but full of hope and
determination. To all of you who have read this, thanks for your
participation, your support, your encouragement and your interest. I
believe, slow but sure, the spirit of justice is working. Stay tuned...

In love and peace,

Karen