ROCKINGHAM — With all of the division currently going on following the death of George Floyd under the knee of a now former Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer, one local pastor aims to bring the community together.
The Rev. James Brigman, of St. Paul United Methodist Church, is holding a fellowship event Sunday afternoon in the hopes of creating a dialogue so neighbors can “try to listen to each other,” according to his wife, Lori Brigman.
She said “everybody’s anxious” since Floyd’s death, from the protesters outraged over police abuse to law enforcement “facing fear of the unknown.”
As a crowd gathered in the parking lot of Richmond Plaza this past Sunday afternoon, Lori Brigman said her husband felt led to meet with protest organizers to let them know he knows what it’s like when you feel like the government doesn’t listen to you.
He shares that frustration.
In July of 2017, the pastor walked from Rockingham to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness and ask for help for the couple’s medically fragile daughter, Lauren Faith.
While talking to protest organizers, James Brigman also offered them bottles of water.
“We have to learn to listen to each other,” Lori Brigman said, adding that she and her husband are “trying to bring something positive to the county.”
The gathering, which will include prayer and fellowship, will start at 2 p.m. in the gravel parking lot behind the Richmond County Magistrate’s office, which is located behind the old courthouse.
Lori Brigman said they will be encouraging attendees to practice social distancing.
All members of the community are invited to attend.
Anyone interested in being a speaker at this event is encouraged to contact the Rev. James Brigman at 910-331-2835 or Lori Brigman at 910-331-1049 as soon as possible.
