February at Holden Village

Greetings!

In a classic moment of silliness and good fun, Holden Village gathered on Groundhog’s Day to watch its youngest member pop up from behind a handcrafted stump and proclaim an early spring. To those of us currently living in the Village, it does in fact feel like winter may be winding down.

Small bugs are beginning to flit in the air and on top of the snow. Field mice gleefully dart around the loading dock, and occasional chirps from smaller birds are heard in fir branches high above. Railroad Creek gushes noisily from the warmer winter snow and rain.

The valley feels ready to move into spring.

And yet there’s still dormancy work to do before sprouting in earnest. Seeds remind us that dormancy is in fact a quiet kind of work. On Sunday, we put the Alleluia (literally and figuratively) into a wooden box in Fireside and we stepped into the season of Lent with its rhythms of meditation and fasting. And in our cocooning, we also prepare to sprout.

This spring we ready for installing a new kitchen floor, a new Hobart dishwasher and a new composting system to more efficiently manage food waste. We’re preparing for another season of restoration for Holden’s beautiful porches. We’ll harvest fallen timber to process for firewood and mill for decking; and we’ll trench and lay the below ground utilities for the Holden Portal Museum. Each of these endeavors will be visible to all come May and the melt.

As we plan and meet, we also remember the seed work importance of pausing, breathing, regrounding, nourishing our bodies and spirits in the simple gifts of late winter. We remember with humility and compassion how dependent we are on each other and on all of nature.

Peace and quiet joy to you in your seed work,

Stacy, Mark & Kathie

Sun Over Buckskin Day

For four months of the winter, Holden receives very little direct sunlight due to the tall mountains and the angle of the sun. When the sun peeks over Buckskin Mountain in the spring, the Village celebrates with "Sun Over Buckskin Day."

This year's festivities included lots of dancing, a cookout, skits, and snow volleyball!

Visit this Summer!

New flexible arrivals and departures: Come and go five days a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Check the online Calendar to plan your visit during special events and retreats.

Plan Your Visit

Equitable Access

The Holden Village Access Fund exists to offset the cost of a visit to Holden Village for people with financial need.

Holden Village acknowledges that the oppression of people based on race, ethnicity, income level, gender identity, sexual orientation, and physical ability creates barriers that make the cost of visiting difficult. The Access Fund is particularly designed to expand welcome to people of color and people who identify as LGBTQ+. Share access with others!

Complete this form to apply.

Apply for the Access Fund

Nurturing Your Spirit

with Pastor Abby d'Ambruoso

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This Lent through prayer, contemplation, meditation, and other spiritual practices, we tend our soul gardens by:

Checking in on Growth (using the Ignatian Examen)
Nourishing the Garden (through prayer in many forms including art)
Noticing the Beauty of the Garden (through song, art, nature, and poetry)

Join us in Tending the Garden of the Soul using the attached Gardener’s Almanac, created by the Village this year. You can print it on 11x17 paper and fold it using the instructions in the video.

May you grow closer to God our Creator this Lent and may your soul garden flourish!

- Pastor Abby d’Ambruoso

Download the Gardener's Almanac

Work at Holden!

3-4 Months - Seasonal Volunteer

Seasonal applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Priority given to people who apply before February 15th, 2024. Seasonal Staff are encouraged to arrive on Friday, May 31st, 2024.