Dear Friends

Back in December, just hours before the atmospheric river came across the North Cascades, fellow Holden Coach Angie Wolle and I sat in the directors’ office and heard Bjorn and Elise’s vision for Holden Village. We talked about Holden as a place of spiritual practice and renewal, about community and formation, about hospitality and vocation, about the new things God was doing, and heard from the directors an overarching vision of Holden as a “place of pilgrimage” that was inspiring. None of us had any idea how quickly the work of the Village would turn from dreaming about and planning for the future, to the immediacy and practicality of the present. And we still don’t know how long it will be until most of us can resume our pilgrimages back up Railroad Creek to our “place apart.” 

That idea of pilgrimage has stuck with me these past six months, and has me thinking about a place I made pilgrimage 25 years ago: the Iona Community in Scotland. Like Holden, the Isle of Iona is not an easy place to get to—my journey involved walking to the subway, then a plane, then a couple of trains, a boat, a bus, and finally another boat! Since its founding as a monastery in the year 563, the Iona Abbey and surrounding area has drawn pilgrims from all around the world to experience history, the beautiful landscape, community, and worship in this “thin place”.  

The Iona Community itself is a vibrant, ecumenical community of practice from all over the world. When I visited, however, I was quite surprised to find out that often only two or three members of the Community are in residence on Iona at any given time. I had made a pilgrimage to what I thought was a monastic community, but quickly learned that the “place” was only part of the story. Sure, those who gathered at the Iona Abbey (mostly pilgrims and other visitors) got to experience first-hand the values, practice, and the way of life that forms the Iona Community. But the real work was to take the gift of that rest and renewal with us back into wherever it was we came from. I suppose it shouldn’t be such a surprise—as many wise teachers (and t-shirt makers) have said, “It’s about the journey, not the destination”—and perhaps doubly so for those of us who embark on spiritual pilgrimages. But here I was thinking that arriving on the Isle of Iona meant my pilgrimage was ending, when in fact it had just begun.

Perhaps, like me, you’re really starting to feel the reality of not being able to journey to Holden this year. Or maybe it’s been a long while, and yet there was some comfort in knowing that the bread was still baking, the marmots were whistling, the snack bar was scooping, the lentil loaf was composting, and the prayers were rising up like incense. I find myself deeply grateful for the faithful few who are up there keeping our Village afloat—and those tending to the organization downlake—and yet, I really long to make the pilgrimage to Holden again sooner rather than later.  

However, in the last six months it’s become ever clearer to me that the Village is not just a place, but a community of shared values, commitments, and practice. Since the road was closed, there have been so many gatherings across the country, web events, Facebook connections, and opportunities to pray and eat together. In about the distance between the hotel and the ballfield, from my house I can walk past the houses of over a dozen people I’ve spent time with in the Village, and in a few weeks will be gathering with some of them for Holden Evening Prayer. When I stop to think about it, this has always been true about our Holden Community—we are much more than just those that gather for a time in a little mountain retreat center. Like the Iona Community, we are a community always on pilgrimage—whether coming or going—and always walking this journey together.  

Fellow pilgrims, I’m grateful to be traveling with you on this journey. Thank you for your faithful companionship and for your support of our beloved Village. I look forward to gathering again with you—wherever that may be. Until then, be of good courage! 

Rev. Erik Samuelson is an ELCA Pastor and Professional Certified Coach. He coaches individuals and communities in leadership, discernment, and transition. He has made pilgrimage to Holden Village since he was a child—as guest, J-term student, teaching faculty, retreat leader, bridge pastor, and since 2022 as one of two coaches to Holden’s staff and volunteers.  You can reach him at eriksamuelson.com. 

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Newsletter edited by Carl Norquist