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Hello Holden,
Holden Village is clear about who we are WITH and what we are FOR. Holden Village cultivates a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world. Holden Village is a courageous community that welcomes all people into the wilderness to form and renew their relationships with God, the earth, and each other.
On February 1, false accusations made on social media platform X attacked Lutheran groups like Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) and Lutheran Services in America, one of the largest and most robust networks of nonprofit health and human service organizations in the country, including your own.
The baseless accusations inaccurately characterized generations of gospel-motived refugee assistance, food, shelter and family support, and other solidarity across the globe. Locally, groups like Lutheran Community Services Northwest provide family support, mental health counseling, food and clothing, and senior assistance.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton posted a video response on February 2 urging political leaders to use their platforms responsibly and consider the impact their statements have on vulnerable communities.
In 2024 Holden Village explored Becoming Courageous Community, embracing the challenges of following Jesus faithfully and joyfully in the face of despair and disparagement. This year, join Holden Village as we claim Life Anew, growing from the love of Christ. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Holden Village continues and expands commitments to welcome, and justice, for all.
In the words of Holden’s J:EDI statement, affirmed by the Board of Directors in June 2022, and enacted in daily Village practice:
For the sake of Justice, Holden is called to:
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Foster Diversity through deliberate invitation and welcome;
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Deploy an ethic of Equity to confront and dismantle systemic oppression; and
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Practice Inclusion by listening to, learning from, and being transformed by marginalized voices,
- In order to become, together, the community for which God longs.
Faithfully,
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Stacy Kitahata, Mark Bach, and Kathie Bach
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Life Anew
Holden Village nurtures the possibility of life anew in every way. As the valley is invigorated and given new life by the changing of the seasons, so too are we energized to find new life in ourselves, grow into the community, and discover the fruits of the spirit alive and active among us. Holden’s Summer theme invites us to open our hearts to new love and open our minds to previous unimagined ways of engaging the world with compassion.
"This new life, renewed and renewing life, is ours through the spirit, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and fear of God, the spirit of joy in God’s presence." Isaiah 11:2-4
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"The Black church introduced me to the essence of life as expressed in the rhythms and the feelings of Black people. I encountered the presence of the divine spirit, and my soul was moved towards the aspirations of freedom." - James Cone
This Black History Month, we lift up the voice of theologian James Cone who served on the Holden Village faculty in 1972. In 1969, Cone authored Black Theology & Black Power, considered the founding text of Black Liberation Theology. He died in April 2018. Listen to archived recordings of James Cone’s lectures at Holden Village here.
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Holden Village continues its historic commitment to Black Liberation today. Register for the session July 28-31 and learn from Wil Gafney, womanist and feminist biblical scholar who will give Villagers a sense of the biblical translator’s work. | |
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Men's Retreat
February 28 - March 3
Theme–Integrating the Masculine
What holds you back from living fully out of your own belovedness? What holds you back from loving the world in a bold and beautiful way?
We are often aware of our inner wounds and perhaps aware of the strategies we developed in childhood or young adulthood to prevent reopening or re-experiencing these wounds. The part of us that enacts these strategies or voices them within us, has been called the “Loyal Soldier.” We find comfort in shared stories with others who have similar experiences and wounds. As we mature, we can begin to increase our awareness of these strategies, engage with them, and uncover the gifts in hiding that offered a sense of protection.
During our three days together, we’ll explore themes of masculinity through the lens of the Loyal Soldier with ritual, teaching, drumming, nature, poetry, time in council, and listening to the Spirit within and among us.
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May Youth Weekend
May 23-25
Youth in 8th to 12th grade are invited to join us for May Youth Weekend at Holden Village. Experience faith, music, and hilarity, with opportunities to participate in service projects, have fun in the Pool Hall, and experience spiritual growth in community!
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Alumni Weekend
May 30-June 2
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Holden Village warmly invites all former long term staff and their families for Alumni Weekend! It is an affordable half-work half-pay weekend that runs Friday through Monday. Whether you served at Holden in the 1980s or in 2024, return to Holden Village to celebrate and cherish. The Village is excited to welcome you back.
Programs
Programs will include a chalet crawl (an opportunity to tour the historic Holden chalets), open mic (a community showcase of various talents), Holden trivia night, a Holden related art project, and daily sacred space offerings.
Half-Work
Alumni will assist with a service project for six hours (three on Saturday and three on Sunday). Holden will provide childcare as needed while alumni participate in their service project.
Half-Pay
A low flat rate of $120 for each attendee. Alumni are encouraged to bring their spouses and children for the weekend at the same flat rate.
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Women's Retreat
Thank you to all who helped make 2025's first Women's Retreat weekend a great success! Nature journaling, yoga, teaching sessions, and more were enjoyed by over 70 participants in lively community.
A second Women's Retreat is scheduled for March 21. Sample the joy through the Holden Village Instagram and Facebook pages! Have your own memorable women's retreat weekend March 28-31. View the flyer below for more information!
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A letter from Village Pastor Abby d'Ambruoso:
Just about two years ago, my life took a marvelous, tremendous change. I had dreamed about serving as the Village pastor since I was a J-term student in 2003, so when the position was posted in 2023, I was excited that the time seemed right for my family and me to apply. While every call comes with challenges, I am confident that this is one of the best calls in the ELCA. It’s a lot of hard work with long hours and it calls forth every ounce of creativity and compassion, yet it also brings hilarity, community, and an expectation of prophetic preaching. The position is a two-year term call, so a group of Villagers will be updating the Ministry Site Profile this spring, and then Fullness of God Lutheran Church will begin the search for a new Village pastor.
If you think that you (or someone you know) might be a great Village Pastor, contact The Rev. Phil Misner, assistant to the bishop of Northwest Intermountain Synod at phil.misner@nwimsynod.org.
-Abby
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Whether you want to work at Holden for two weeks or two years, there’s a place for you!
Priority Employee Positions
Priority Volunteer Positions
Seasonal Summer Staff
Seasonal positions are posted for 2025! Applications are processed in the order in which they are received until all are filled. Explore the seasonal, 3-4 month, positions here.
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Family Option
Holden welcomes families and their children to join the Village as volunteers. Through the Narnia program, children ages 4-11 can attend fun and inspiring programming while their parents work. The Family Option welcomes families who might not normally be able to live and work at Holden.
The 2025 Family Option term begins as early as June 6th. Applications are open now. Click the link below to learn more and apply!
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Do you have a favorite story from Holden Village? How has this community impacted you? We'd love to hear about it. Email your thoughts to communications@holdenvillage.org | |
Got Snowshoes (You No Longer Want)? | |
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We’re looking for new or gently-used snowshoes to supplement our aging sets.
Your gently used snowshoes are welcome to serve the Village! You can mail them to us, or better yet, bring them with you when you come up any time this year, or send them along with a friend. Thank you!
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Planned Giving: Gifts of a Lifetime
Planned giving, also known as gift planning or legacy giving, involves individuals thoughtfully integrating charitable contributions into their overall financial or estate plans. These gifts are typically arranged to take effect upon death and are truly “gifts of a lifetime.”
Engaging in planned giving offers several benefits:
1. Establishing a Personal Legacy
Planned giving allows you to make a lasting impact on causes or organizations that resonate with your personal beliefs and values, ensuring that your legacy reflects what matters most to you most.
2. Potential Tax Advantages
Strategic planned gifts can provide significant tax benefits. For example, donating appreciated assets like stocks or real estate may help you avoid capital gains taxes, while other gift arrangements can reduce income or estate tax liabilities.
3. Financial Flexibility and Security
Some planned giving options, such as charitable gift annuities or charitable remainder trusts, can provide you or your designated beneficiaries with a steady income stream during your lifetime and provide a substantial gift upon your death.
4. Making a Significant Impact
Planned giving enables you to support organizations in a way that substantially boosts your impact, extends your philanthropic goals, and helps you secure your own financial future.
Conclusion
To learn more about planned giving and how your special connection to Holden can be continued, please reach out to Eric Bosell, our interim Director for Advancement, at eric.bosell@gmail.com or 509-903-8756.
NEXT:
Bequests, Annuities, and Trusts Oh My!
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Reference herein to any specific commercial products or services does not necessarily constitute or imply its
endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Holden Village.
PHOTOS: Eric Bosell, Ellen Callender, Beck Dengler, Elli Vegdahl-Crowell
Newsletter edited by Ellen Callender
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