WALLER Limestone College will hold a speaker series this fall to help local residents heal emotionally from a two-week reign of terror by a serial killer.

Chaplain Rev. Ron Singleton has organized a fall lecture series called "Through the Darkness; Toward the Light" at Limestone College. The featured speakers are Washington State University professor and author Dr. James Waller, Holocaust survivor Nesse Godin and author Dr. Donald Kraybill.

Waller, whose mother lives in Gaffney, will lead off the lecture series Monday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., at Fullerton Auditorium. He will be followed in the speaker series by Godin on Oct. 12 and Kraybill on Nov. 16. All events are free and open to the public.

Waller is a Washington State professor and widely recognized scholar on the Holocaust and Genocide. His book "Becoming Evil" is used as a textbook in college and university courses around the world.

Kraybill is widely recognized for his research on the Amish, Mennonites and other Anabaptist groups. His book "Amish Grace" is an account of why the Amish were so quick to offer forgiveness following a 2006 shooting of 10 school girls in Pennsylvania.

GODIN "No satisfying explanation can be given regarding why such a disturbing evil descended upon Cherokee County this past summer, though we are nonetheless compelled to wonder why," Singleton said.

Singleton decided to organize the series following five shooting deaths in Cherokee County between June 27 and July 2. The shooting victims included peach farmer Kline Cash, retired teacher Hazel Linder and her daughter Gena Linder Parker, and local businessman Stephen Tyler and his 15-year-old daughter Abby.

Patrick Tracy Burris, the man authorities said they believe was responsible for the murders, was killed in a shootout with Gaston County (N.C.) police.

"It was senseless violence and we are left to pick up the pieces of our shattered peace and try to move forward without allowing the darkness to prevail against us," Singleton said. "We cannot deny, nor can we forget, what has happened. We can both pray for and seek a renewal of our hope, trusting that God will help us heal."

KRAYBILL