Laity Lodge never quite closes.
Weekends are full year-round, to be sure, yet in the “down time,” those quieter days between retreats, the place still hums with creative goodness. Through its Artist in Residence program, the Lodge regularly hosts writers, musicians, and visual artists (oftentimes the same people who are leading those weekend retreats) for extended working-stays in the Canyon.
During a two week span in November, a small community of residents took shape: longtime friends of the Lodge, Seattle-based Jeff and Suzy Johnson, served as hosts and part-time chefs for the group, while Jeff also worked on a music project. Twin-Cities musician Ben Kyle focused on writing a batch of new songs. Aberdeen (UK)-based theologian Tom Greggs, finished up a book project. Houston filmmaker/storyteller/cultural anthropologist Marlon F. Hall was also busy writing, while Claire Holley (featured in the previous issue of Echoes) recorded a new album down in the Cody Center.
More from this issue
Echo Valley’s resident trilingual maintenance expert—and former university biochemistry instructor—mostly just loves Jesus and people.
A long-distance artistic collaboration among three friends culminated in a retreat that celebrated the ordinary saints all around us.
Garven Store is a staple among camp road trips—and has been since the day when the Butt family first set eyes on the Canyon.
Meet Vincent and Mary. After overcoming difficulty of their own, they now help others at their annual marriage retreats through the Foundation Camp program.
