Hello Holden,

Summer is in full swing at Holden Village!

Leaning into familiar summer rhythms, the summer theme invites us into Becoming Courageous Community. Villagers engage meaningful conversations during teaching sessions, shared meals, and over Beanies coffee and Snack Bar ice cream. The Holden Board deliberated for a week in Railroad Creek Valley, addressing the plans and decisions that will keep Holden vibrant, inviting, and sustainable into the future. Stay tuned for an announcement of new officers and board members elected!

The Village commemorated Juneteenth with a reflective walk and powerful messages in Sacred Space from teaching faculty. Multiple generations celebrated Pride Month and the joy and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community with a parade, Pride Vespers, and a dance party on Main Street. Holden is sharing water resources this summer with firefighter crews staying at Lucerne as they manage the Pioneer Fire across the lake.

Daring to be vulnerable and trust in collective power, we cultivate spiritual abundance through relationships with one another and the Beloved. Taking these steps together, we find courage in our solidarity.

Thank you for joining us in Becoming Courageous Community. If you plan to visit Holden this summer, we are eager to see you! Wherever you are, we are grateful for your active engagement, dedication, and generous giving this season and all year long.

Blessings,

Stacy Kitahata, Mark Bach, and Kathie Bach

Pioneer Fire (Holden is SAFE!)

The Pioneer Wildfire is burning on the north shore of Lake Chelan, approximately 31 miles uplake and across the lake from Lucerne (the boat dock for Holden). While the smoke in the distance is visible from the tailings on some days, skies are clear at Holden and the fire poses no threat to the Village.

The fire is approximately 4500 acres and there are 509 personnel managing the fire. The fire is estimated to be contained by October, which may seem a long way off, but this is part of best fire management practices. Letting fires burn is a healthy long-term investment in forest health!

Happy Pride Month!

Pride Sacred Space, a parade, and a dance party on Main Street embodied the proclamations of Bless This Night (Vespers '23): "Know that you are enough, you are whole, and you are holy."

Save the Date: Jubilee Auction!

Holden Village's biggest annual fundraiser event is back October 2-6, 2024! This online auction supports daily operations and programming in the Village.

Support the Village by donating an item or experience to be bid on! Popular examples include vacation homes/cabins, original art, hand-crafted items, event tickets, hosted dinners, unique Holden items, and much more!

Fill out the form below by September 6th and we will be in touch with you.

Thanks to $13,950 donated in the 2022 Jubilee Auction and a gift from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Holden was able to upgrade the Audio Video Systems in the Village Center! Two new displays allow for easy viewing while eliminating the trip hazard of projector cords on the floor. Audio assistance devices are also now available at the entryway. Thank you for your generous support on this project!

From Abby d’Ambruoso, Village Pastor:

Exploring our summer theme of Becoming Courageous Community, we ponder what it means to be courageous and how we can support one another. My answer to this question led me deeper into the realm of writing liturgy. While I have previously written brief prayers or blessings, I had never before written an entire Eucharist liturgy. Yet encouraged and inspired by community members, I ventured into a collaboration with hymnwriters Sarah Moore and Cooper Sherry. They contributed music and together we produced our new Eucharist setting for summer 2024, "Infinite the Feast." Not only did we make something beautiful, we also deepened our friendship and had a lot of fun.

How might you join the practice of the summer community in exploring, "How will I be courageous this week?" Tell a neighbor or a friend about it. Invite them to consider the same question. Together we can build courageous community, one step at a time. I wonder what blessings we might find along the way? 

Whether you’re interested in joining the team for two weeks or two years, Holden has a place for you!

High-Need Positions:

Services Assistant (2+ weeks)

Heavy Equipment Operator (1 year)

Mechanic (1 year)

Maverick (1 year)

Head Cook (1 year)

Repairs (1 year)

Registration (1 year)

Staffing Lead (2 years)

Communications & Development Lead (2 years)

Director of Advancement (Ongoing)

Large Barge

All of Holden's food travels on Lake Chelan, up 10 miles of switchbacks and mountain road, and then through a chain of people to get to the Holden Kitchen!

Twice a year, Villagers gather to unload an enormous delivery of food and supplies that arrives on a barge. It's a huge community effort!

Check out the video below to watch how it also became a huge dance party!

2023 Annual Report

Read about our 2023 achievements! Learn how your donations make Holden Village possible, now and in the future.

Reference herein to any specific commercial products or services does not necessarily constitute or imply its

endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Holden Village.



PHOTOS: Elli Vegdahl-Crowell, Berit Kirkegaard, Anny Joy Berntsen