As the city awaits the results of a U.S. Department of Justice report on the police killing of Alton Sterling, Baton Rouge United Methodist leaders are hoping to spur difficult conversations about racial and social justice that will help heal divisions in the community.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, the Baton Rouge District of the United Methodist is sponsoring a “Strengthening Connection through Conversation” roundtable workshop at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 10230 Mollylea Drive.
The Rev. F. Willis Johnson, pastor of Wellspring Church and director of the Center for Social Empowerment in Ferguson, Missouri, will lead the discussion. Johnson emerged as a leader in Ferguson following the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer.
Local United Methodist leaders invited Johnson to Baton Rouge after the Sterling’s death and the subsequent shooting of six local law enforcement officers, three of whom were killed in the ambush shooting by a lone gunman from Missouri.
The Rev. Donnie Wilkinson, pastor of Broadmoor United Methodist Church, says Johnson will give attendees the tools they need to have difficult conversations about race and justice with neighbors.
“Our hope is that as part of the healing of the restoration of saloom, of peace here in Baton Rouge that this workshop can begin the process of building relationship across the community,” Wilkinson says. “I think that a lot people want to have this conversation they just don’t know where to begin or they are afraid they will be taken out of context.”
Roughly 130 people have made reservations to attend the workshop so far and more people will be available. Tickets cost $10. Get complete details.
—Alexandria Burris
