Last week, the Anderson County community came together for three powerful nights of dialogue exploring healing through the arts, shared spaces, and spiritual vision. More than 150 community members gathered around good food and open, respectful, and at times challenging conversations—rooted in understanding, empathy, and mutual growth.
In the early 20th century, philosopher Josiah Royce coined the term beloved community, later popularized and reimagined by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King envisioned a world grounded in peace, justice, equity, and love—a global community where all people are interconnected, cared for, and free from poverty, racism, and violence.
Anderson, we are a beloved community in the making.
The conversations last week were stimulating, courageous, and hopeful. They invited us to listen deeply—to one another and to our shared history—and to reimagine what reconciliation can look like when we commit to hearing and understanding together.
Night 1: Art as Memory and Creative Expression
Herman Keith, Nat Morris, McKenzie Upton, Zac Benson, PhD, Shea Abramo, Dave Larson, PhD
An exploration of how the visual arts invite healing, truth-telling, and imagination in the public square.
Night 2: Sacred Sites – Remembering Together
Welfare Baptist Church, Anderson County Library – Pendleton Branch, AnMed, Anderson University, Anderson Arts Center
A reflection on how our shared public spaces shape storytelling, remembrance, and reconciliation.
Night 3: Reconciling Faith – Theology, Memory, and Beloved Community
Rev. Dr. Ankoma Anderson (Welfare Baptist Church), Rev. Dr. Austin Carty (Boulevard Baptist Church), Lizzie Bebber (United Ministries), Rev. Kathryn Bariou (Trinity United Methodist Church), Dr. Johnny McKinney
A dialogue among faith leaders exploring how spiritual practice can lead us toward healing and the work of beloved community.
Defining Reconciliation
Throughout the week, attendees were invited to describe reconciliation in a single word. The responses formed a collective reflection—words like forgiveness, healing, understanding, peace, justice, and empathy—creating a living portrait of hope and shared humanity.
Information about the 2026 conversation series will be announced soon.
Stay tuned. Onward and upward, AAR&RI!