The Beloved Community 2 Year Cohort
February 2027 - December 2028
The concept of the "Beloved Community" is a vision for a global society based on economic and social justice, where poverty, hunger, and hate are replaced by unconditional love and inclusive harmony. While popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., its roots were formed by the early 20th century around nonviolent transformation, eradication of poverty and systematic equality.
Would you consider being part of a group of 16 individuals from different religious, multi-generational and multi-ethnic backgrounds from the Triangle that will learn the key traits of beloved community? Led by Pastor Dumas Harshaw, this “cohort” model will learn about:
The true nature of God’s intent for beloved community
How money, land structure and laws formed modern community life
Experience change through small groups, retreats, pilgrimages and bi-monthly meetings to form life-long bonds and a new beloved community.
The Rhythm of this Cohort consists of:
Two Meetings a month
The first meeting of the month includes the cohort of all 16 people learning together.
The second meeting will be in a group of 5-6 people in deeper discussion.
Two Retreats a year
Each year, we will have one retreat at St. Francis Springs, and go on one pilgrimage of pain/hope.
We are looking for participants who are open to contemplation, justice, peace, nonviolence, personal transformation and community life.
Please complete the application by October 1, 2026.
Cohort Cost
$1000
A generous grant will cover $1500 of your individual retreat expenses
Retreat Dates
February 19 - 21, 2027
Opening Retreat at St. Francis Springs
August 19 - 23, 2027
Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Montgomery, AL
May 10 - 12, 2028
Learn from local Greensboro leaders around the Beloved Community Center
December 1 - 3, 2028
Closing Retreat at St. Francis Springs
About the Facilitator
Dumas Harshaw is a Howard Thurman Scholar and served as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Raleigh for over 25 years.