There’s always a lot of energy and excitement around the summer calendar at Laity Lodge. It’s a great time to connect with old and new friends and to enjoy the teaching of presenters like Dale Bruner, J. I. Packer, Laura Robinson Harbert, and the music of Stephen Clapp, Charles Webb, and Ashley Cleveland and Kenny Greenberg. There’s something very satisfying about introducing new people and watching them develop genuine friendship. That’s exactly how we feel about the schedule for this summer. Many of our presenters you will know. Some you may not. Here are some of our friends who we think could become yours.
Buddy Greene has been coming to Laity Lodge for several years, primarily as the musical host of our January Men’s Retreat. In the summertime, however, we’ve begun featuring “musical conversations” with Buddy Greene and a second contributor. The idea is to have a dialog between the speakers and you, the guest, about a given subject while drawing from Scripture and various musical references. Buddy is a seasoned veteran of bluegrass, country, gospel, and American roots music with an ability to connect with his audience in the most joyful and winsome way. This year, we’re honored to welcome New Testament scholar and teacher, Rodney Reeves, to help us explore themes of “reconciliation” in the book of Ephesians. Rodney is equally engaging when teaching the scriptures as Buddy is when playing the harmonica or guitar. In addition to Buddy and Rodney will be two remarkable women–Odessa Settles and Ashley Cleveland. Incorporating Black Gospel songs from the past 100 years, these two ladies will join Buddy and Rodney as we consider the reconciling and redeeming work of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, and churches.
Another retreat that we’re excited about this summer is with Timothy George and Chris Seay. Timothy George is Dean and Professor of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. Chris Seay is an author, speaker, and pastor of Ecclesia Church in Houston, Texas. Although separated by a generation, both men are committed to the question of what it means to be a faithful disciple of Jesus in these complex times. Their topic might surprise you. The Protestant reformer, John Calvin, turned 500 last July, but his influence is as strong as ever. One year ago, Time magazine credited “The New Calvinism” as one of the “10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now.” Timothy and Chris will examine the impact of John Calvin on the life of the church today—his theology, spirituality, and the controversies that still swirl around his name. Joining them will be multi-Grammy Award winner, Ashley Cleveland, and her husband, Kenny Greenberg. Kenny was recently nominated Best Guitar Player for the second year in a row by the Academy of Country Music.
It’s going to be a great summer at Laity Lodge, and we are certain there is a retreat that is right for you. Of course, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
