The following is an email from Karen Weldin
(Posted 6-14-02)

Dear Soulforce In Oklahoma Friends,

Soulforce has just concluded their Institute for Nonviolent Change and 24 Hours of Justice at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in St. Louis, Mo. Usually I find the time to write and keep you updated on what is happening. However, on this trip I was unable to do that. There was just too much planning and preparation that was necessary for our civil disobedience on Tuesday, June 11th. . . .

There were thirteen people from Oklahoma who participated in the direct action. Four people ( Karen, Don, Corey, and Calvin) were arrested at the civil disobedience on Tuesday for attempting to carry the soulforce message into the America's Center where the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting was being held. They were charged with a trespassing ordinance and were detained in jail for several hours. The other nine Oklahomans participated in a vigil outside the America's Center. These nine included Ken, Danny, Susanne, Philippe, Mark, Vickie, John, Gabe, and Rob . . .

This was the most effective direct action at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting yet. This year there was no way the Southern Baptists Messengers and leadership could ignore Soulforce and our message that their teachings and policies lead to violence. During the civil disobedience 12 people were arrested for delivering their message inside the convention center on the floor of the meeting as Dr. James Merritt was speaking. Thirty eight other people were arrested outside for attempting to gain interest into the America's Center to take their message to Dr. Merritt and the other messengers. About 150 people participated in a vigil outside the America's Center with message signs, pictures of hate crime victims and suicide victims, and our teaching vigil material. We were seen, we were heard, and we shared through our press conference and vigil the message that Southern Baptist teachings lead to violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons.

One of the most disturbing things that happened on the opening day of the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting was that President Bush addressed the Southern Baptist Convention by satellite. In my opinion this was a statement to all of us that he endorses and affirms the teachings and bigotry of the Southern Baptists teachings against GLBT, women, and other faith groups. I was appalled. This is a complete disregard for the separation of church and state. I am asking each of you who read this email to write a letter to President Bush and communicate your dissatisfaction about his choice to do this. I hope you will also circulate this information and ask your friends to write letters as well.

There is no doubt in my mind that we were quite successful in all but perhaps one of our primary goals. There is not doubt that all of us from Oklahoma who attended had our spirits renewed. There is no doubt in my mind that because of our courageous witness that we were and are able to give hope and courage to other GLBT and family members and friends. There is no doubt in my mind that because of our presence and witness at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting we have caused many Southern Baptists to stop and think and perhaps doubt the teachings and policies of their leaders in regards to homosexuality. There is not doubt that we were able to continue to educate and alert the general public. Our press conference was filled with media persons. There is no doubt that we will continue our relentless efforts to stop the spiritual violence coming from the Southern Baptist Convention teachings and policies. We have not changed the hearts and minds of the Southern Baptist leaders; however, we are no longer silent and invisible. We have been heard and we have been seen.

We thank you for you on going support in our efforts and actions. The next national Soulforce action will be October 25-27 in Lynchburg, VA when Soulforce returns to Thomas Road Baptist Church to confront Rev. Jerry Falwell once again on his anti-gay rhetoric. I hope you will consider joining us. You can sign up for this action on the national website at www.soulforce.org.

There is much more I could write in terms of thoughts and feelings as we progressed through the Institute and 24 Hours of Justice. l will save the rest for our meeting in Tulsa on Monday, June 17th at the GLBT Community Service Center at 2114 S. Memorial, Tulsa. I hope you'll come and hear the stories of some of the others who were there.

In love and peace,

Karen