1 Tbsp. coarse salt
2 bay leaves
1 2/3 cups coarse polenta (yellow or white cornmeal)
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Put 7 cups cold water, salt, and bay leaves into a medium, heavy-bottom pot. Stir in cornmeal. (Adding cornmeal to cold water helps keep polenta free of lumps).

Bring to a boil over high heat, then add oil. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until polenta thickens and pulls away from the bottom and sides of the pot, 30-40 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove and discard bay leaves.

If I invited you to accompany me to a conference on the art of writing, and learn from such esteemed Christian writers as Philip Yancey, Luci Shaw, and Richard Foster, would you join me?

What if I told you it only cost twenty bucks to attend?

Here’s your invitation: I’m inspired by a new book called A Syllable of Water: Twenty Writers of Faith Reflect on Their Art (Paraclete Press, 2008), and I think you’ll enjoy it too. It contains all the nourishment of a life-changing conference on faith and writing, including perspectives on poetry, prose, creative nonfiction, memoirs, and plays; recommended reading lists; and a meditation on what it means to be a Christian and a writer.

Syllable, edited by the celebrated spiritual writer Emilie Griffin, springs from the shared expertise of The Chrysostom Society—a community of writers who have collaborated and encouraged each other for nearly 25 years. The book includes contributions from Philip Yancey on journalism, Luci Shaw on poetry, Richard Foster on spiritual writing, Scott Cairns on poetry, John Wilson on relationships with editors, Diane Glancy on playwriting, and more by Dain Trafton, John Leax, Rudy Nelson, Keith Miller, Erin McGraw, Doris Betts, Virginia Stem Owens, and William and Emilie Griffin.

Emilie Griffin says she believes Syllable will give readers the same kind of encouragement that Chrysostom Society members offer one another. “It’s inevitable that writers will seek each other out,” she explains. “The Inklings—C.S. Lewis and Tolkien and the others—were a wonderful example of how fruitful that is. Even though some of the other writers were fairly obscure, they all turned out books and encouraged each other…in wartime, in depression times, in lean times.”

During today’s hard times, writing might seem a waste of time. But in her essay on journal-keeping, Shaw writes that “crisis times” can be rewarding opportunities for writers. “… [U]nless we achieve a kind of deep honesty with ourselves as flawed, broken people, I’m not sure that we can write with the authenticity that will reach other people where they need to be reached.” (Shaw also offers practical advice—like which kind of notebook will survive the writer’s vigorous use.)

Musing on the daily discipline of writing, Harold Fickett considers how “writing, when undertaken rightly, can assist in our own redemption.”

“We tried to keep a tone of voice that is light-hearted and fun to read throughout the book,” says Shaw. “We’re writing about writing, and we’re trying to appeal to readers in any particular context—religious or not—about good writing and how to go about it.”

“You’ll see how idiosyncratic the writers are,” says Griffin. Does she have a favorite? No, but she’s currently excited about Erin McGraw’s chapter on fiction. She gleefully confides, “I have a secret life where I write fiction on the side. And it enlivens me to read what’s in this book.”

Jeffrey Overstreet, our guest reviewer, is an author, blogger on art, faith, and film, and member of the Chrysostom Society. Jeffrey will be speaking at a Laity Lodge Writers’ Retreat scheduled for next fall (details forthcoming).

[This is a revised version of an article previously published in Seattle Pacific University’s Response magazine.]

You may have also noticed a change in the layout and format of the Laity Lodge newsletter. This change incorporates our website, which will also be used as a place for interaction. Feel free to comment on each of the featured news articles, book reviews, and recipes, or look back through past commentaries to catch up on what you might have missed. Come back often to view the changes and updates of information and resources we make available to our visitors.

These progressions and changes should make it easier for you to stay in touch with Laity Lodge and for Laity Lodge to remain in touch with you. This will be the quickest method of gathering late-breaking news and all scheduled events. So sign up, log on, and enjoy the spirit of Laity Lodge from your home until you are back in the Canyon for your next retreat.

Once again, David Taylor, one speaker from the same retreat last year, will be joined by Luci Shaw in providing guidance around the topic of mentorship. David is an arts pastor himself, as well as a Ph.D. student in theology, a writer, and an all-around champion for artists and this retreat. You can read more from David on his blog. Luci is a poet and spiritual writer, author of many books, member of the Chrysostom Society of Christian writers, and longtime friend of Laity Lodge. Find out more about Luci on her website. Both David and Luci will bring presentations from their own experiences, but also hope for a high degree of interaction and involvement with others who have carried a burden for this type of work.

Along with David and Luci, we are very excited about the musical guests, Vito and Monique Aiuto, collectively The Welcome Wagon. This married duo sing a modest style of Gospel music “with the simple desire to know their Maker…more intimately.”

We would love for you to join us, and encourage you to pass this along to someone you think might profit from coming. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Mark Roberts, Senior Director of Laity Lodge, explains the rationale behind the Pastors’ Sabbath Retreat this way:

“Before joining the staff of Laity Lodge a couple of years ago, I spent twenty-three years as a parish pastor. I know how draining pastoral work can be, even as it is wonderfully rewarding. The Pastors’ Sabbath Retreat reflects my passion and the commitment of Laity Lodge to encourage and support pastors.”

In addition to plenty of time for rest, reflection, and recreation, the Pastors’ Sabbath Retreat will include input from a highly regarded leader, Dr. Rod Wilson. Rod is the President of Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. As a pastor, professor, psychologist, and president, Rod knows what it’s like to be in the trenches of church ministry. Rod’s theme for the retreat will be: “Pastoral Depletion and Replenishment: The Struggle with Sabbath.” Here’s how he describes the focus of his teaching:

“In some places they call it burnout. Others refer to it as compassion fatigue. Those of us who have been in pastoral ministry understand it all too well. As we seek to serve the triune God, we have to deal with the reality that we live in the space between depletion and replenishment with a heart yearning for Sabbath rest. Both the teaching and atmosphere of this retreat will be used by God to help you reflect on these issues and better prepare you for the years of ministry that lie ahead of you.”

Joining Rod at Laity Lodge will be songwriter and musician Jeff Johnson. Jeff’s music and worship leadership will invite us into a deeper experience of God’s love and grace.

The Pastors’ Sabbath Retreat will begin on Monday evening, February 8, 2010. It will end at noon on Thursday, February 11. The basic cost for this retreat, per person, is $290 (double-occupancy in the Lodge; Black Bluff is $365). If one prefers a single room, there will be an additional charge of $25 per night. Spouses are welcome at this retreat.

We at Laity Lodge realize that these are challenging times financially. If you or your pastor would like to attend the Pastors’ Sabbath Retreat but need some financial assistance, we can help. Look for the scholarship form at our website.

To register for this retreat or to have your questions answered, visit our website  or contact our registrar, Ann Jack, 830-792-1230.

Melt butter in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add corn and onion. Sauté until onion is golden, about 10 minutes. Add the water, milk, salt, and pepper to pan; bring to boil. Gradually add grits, whisking until mixture is smooth and comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until grits are thick and tender, whisking often, about 15 mintues. Mix in cheese and chipotle chile. Stir until cheese melts. Transfer grits to shallow bowl. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

*Dried, smoked jalapeños in a spicy tomato sauce called adobo; available at HEB.

Contact Laity Lodge Registrar, Ann Jack, (830-792-1230) for further information.

One that I have found particularly helpful is a series of devotional guides from Upper Room Books called A Guide to Prayer. Following the church calendar, each chapter (or week) offers an invocation, a Psalm, a daily Scripture reading, a selected passage from an author, space for prayer and a hymn and benediction. I’m especially fond of this book not only because it features many of my favorite writers but also because it has introduced to me a number of saints I would otherwise not have known.

For the person interested in a more traditional approach to praying the hours (or offices), I recommend The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle. Divided into three volumes according to seasons, The Divine Hours is more a “manual for prayer” than a daily devotional guide. Drawing on the ancient tradition of “fixed-hour prayer,” Tickle has produced a treasure trove of prayers and Scripture readings gleaned from ancient sources. Whether you use it for morning prayers alone or prayers throughout the day, it’s a great resource.

Mary Earle is an Episcopal priest, poet, author, and good friend of Laity Lodge. This fall, Morehouse Publishing released a new book by Mary titled Days of Grace: Meditations and Practices for Living With Illness.  This small book is divided into 30 chapters, each featuring a Psalm, a meditation from Mary’s personal experience, a prayer, and a practice. One gets the feeling when reading Mary’s words of sitting across the table from a wise and trusted friend. 

Mark Roberts is our Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence. One of the great contributions he makes to the Foundations for Laity Renewal is his Daily Reflection and Prayer. For the past two years, Mark has been working his way through the Bible one book at a time, jumping back and forth between the Old and New Testaments. His reflections, questions, and prayers are always refreshingly personal and always filled with rich insights into the text. If you’re not already a subscriber, I encourage you to sign-up and start receiving his Daily Reflection.