BeHolden: December Happenings at Holden Village

RE-FORMING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, WITH THE EARTH, & WITH EACH OTHER

Peace to you,

Christmas greetings from snowy Holden Village!

This past month has been filled with many joyous festivities at Holden, including Thanksgiving. Villagers celebrated with deep gratitude for the many blessings in this community by baking 25 pies for Pie-Palooza, playing flag football for the Copper Bowl, watching “commercials” at half time, and savoring delicious food. During Community Week, staff and volunteers celebrated “Svenska” – a beloved tradition of ours featuring a Swedish smorgasbord and “white deer” gift exchange.

Villagers are enjoying the many opportunities for winter recreation, with sleds gliding down Chalet Hill and folks exploring trails on cross-country skis and snowshoes. This past weekend, Holden nearly beat a record for the most snowfall in a 24-hour period, with 33.5 inches falling between 8am Thursday and 8am Friday, and an additional 10.5 inches after that!

As the community has journeyed through Advent and the darkest days of the year, Villagers have participated in the spiritual practices of walking the candlelit Advent spiral and making a mandala out of natural materials found in this valley.

Many people are joining us to celebrate Christmas and New Years with a spirit of simplicity, community, and joy. People have been crafting Christmas ornaments and gifts, and chalets are decorated with Christmas trees and lights.

We hope you enjoy these stories and images from the past month at Holden. Wishing you peace, love, and joy this Christmas and in the New Year!

With Good Courage,

Peg Carlson-Hoffman + Chuck Hoffman

Executive Directors

VILLAGE LIFE

THANKSGIVING, ADVENT, AND SVENSKA AT HOLDEN VILLAGE

Experience the rhythms of wintertime holidays in the Village through photos on Facebook!

VILLAGE LIFE

WOMEN'S RETREAT

Join us February 7-10, 2020 for a weekend of gathering around story. We know our stories are powerful and world-shaping. This Women’s Retreat we will talk about claiming our voice and entering into the practice of deep listening. We will journey together to reflect on our own paths and revisit them with new eyes. We look forward to your presence as we listen to our minds, bodies, and spirits. Holden Village will lead small group sessions relating to the arts, pottery, cross country skiing and snowshoeing (snow permitting), and nature throughout the weekend.

RETREAT INFO

STAY CONNECTED

HOLDEN EVENING PRAYER AROUND THE WORLD (HEPAW)

Holden invites Villagers across the globe to come together through participation in the Holden Evening Prayer on February 5, 2020. This vesper service was written in 1985-86 by Marty Haugen during a musical residency at Holden Village. Together, we seek to support and draw strength from one another, reaffirming our values as people who have been called, equipped, and sent, and supporting each other’s work in environmental stewardship and justice for all people. Plan a gathering and add your HEPAW event to our map of events!

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VILLAGE LIFE

HOLDEN VILLAGE FILM FESTIVAL

Calling all film enthusiasts! Join us on February 17-21, 2020 for the Holden Village Film Festival with the conversation centering around “Awakenings.” This unique winter festival, set in the remote wilderness of the Cascade Mountains, began in 2012. We encourage artists and film fans from around the world to attend the festival and experience the cozy rhythms of winter in the Village!

ATTEND

VILLAGE LIFE

ARTS IN THE CASCADES

Engage with the natural world, channel your spiritual and creative energy, and express yourself at Arts in the Cascades, happening March 27-30, 2020. This immersive weekend includes an interpretive hike, group activities, plenty of studio time, and optional one-on-one conversations with the leaders. There is room for 20 artists. Make plans to join us!

VILLAGE LIFE

AVALANCHE AWARENESS WITH MR. EM!

Tune in to the Holden Village Podcast to hear an interview with Roland Emetaz, known to most people as “Mr. Em.” Mr. Em is a familiar face at Holden, as he has been coming to the Village since 2004 and has led many winter community members and J-term students through avalanche awareness training.

"I have been doing avalanche awareness education since the seventies and during that time, I've had people come back and tell me what I said in my presentation helped save their life. That is huge payment. I do this work as a volunteer. The community has been good to me and I want to give back.”