H. E. Butt Foundation

06/03/2026

“The practice of asking questions at Laity Lodge and creating conversation has from the beginning been an invitation for people to show up as themselves—to engage in honest reflection without fear of rejection. Howard Butt once said, ‘God cannot be very far from someone honestly confronting his own experience.’ That conviction has given shape and direction to all the programs of the Foundation,” says Steven Purcell, executive director of faith formation and Laity Lodge.

Learn how the practice of small groups and asking questions has shaped the work of the Foundation, from camp to San Antonio, in the link in our bio.

05/31/2026

IT’S OPENING DAY!

05/27/2026

“Every fall semester, the whole town looks forward to two things: Our Fall Festival and camp.” -Hunter Elkins, Irion County ISD parent

Learn how a three-decade tradition of Canyon visits has become the heartbeat of a rural Texas community.

Animation by Lindsey Bruce

05/24/2026

A liturgy for entering the Frio River Canyon. Part 4. Written by Crystal Kirgiss.

05/19/2026

Know Your Neighbor exists to help San Antonians engage the story of the city and discern their role within it. Sometimes this looks like learning about systemic inequity with your neighbors over a good meal and meaningful conversations. Read more about Shared Tables with Know Your Neighbor at

These dinners aren’t easy. But they’re worth it—for the conversations, the discomfort, and the courage to keep showing up.

05/17/2026

A liturgy for entering the Frio River Canyon. Part 3. Written by Crystal Kirgiss.

05/13/2026

Students of Service (SOS) was a natural fit for the H. E. Butt Foundation’s 2025 Capacity Building Cohort.

When Amir Samandi, the teacher who founded SOS, heard his students yearning to travel, he created a “formula for making a better human.”

Learn. Serve. Explore.

SOS helps students serve in their communities before they serve overseas on the trips they take. These students have served all over San Antonio in organizations like Haven of Hope, Good Samaritan, and The San Antonio Food Bank.

Exploration only comes after service and learning. So far, SOS has sent around 600 students to 22 different countries. Yet even the trips abroad keep service at the center. “These are not vacations. They are informed travel experiences,” Samandi said.

Learn more about SOS and the students who have been transformed through serving their community at echoesmagazine.org

Photos by

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms in our lives.

05/05/2026

Did you know that 80% of a newborn’s brain development requires interaction with another human being?

Psychiatrist and author Dr. Curt Thompson explains that our minds aren't just "in our heads"—they are embodied and relational. We are literally wired for community. When we isolate, we don't just feel lonely; our "internal orchestra" begins to lose its tune.

Listen to Camille and Marcus' conversation with Dr. Curt Thompson wherever you stream your podcasts.

05/03/2026

A liturgy for entering the Frio River Canyon. Part 2. Written by Crystal Kirgiss.