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Hello Holden,
January at Holden means dozens of students from St. Olaf, Augsburg, PLU, Wartburg and Charles Wright Academy join the Village community for January term (aka J-term).
For many, J-term is their first experience of Holden Village. Some return to the village as staff members. J-term undergraduate and seminary students represent the next generation of Holdenites–setting an example for the future!
J-term students approach the village with vigor and enthusiasm. They participate in their classes in the morning and perform “work of the village” in the kitchen, with garbology and other work of the Village like stomping paths as mavericks. Many enjoy putting down their devices because they have no internet access. Some are writing academic papers the old-fashioned way, with a pen and paper!
Entering 2025 with J-term students, the Village also celebrates an eventful 2024. In November, construction of the Portal Museum building concluded. Slated for completion this summer, exhibits will showcase the stories of Holden Village and the Railroad Creek Valley including indigenous history and Holden’s origins as a mining town.
The Village recently updated our registration software to upgrade the guest user experience and improve recordkeeping. After some technical hurdles we’re excited to welcome guests for the summer!
Come and join the historic 2025 community. Thanks be to each of you who participated with Holden. We look forward to welcoming you to the Village in the months ahead!
Faithfully,
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Stacy Kitahata, Mark Bach, and Kathie Bach
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The Holidays at Holden
There is a certain magic that comes to Holden Village during the Holidays. In the midst of winter, the Village comes alive with warmth, energy, and a festive spirit. During Christmas, friends and family came together to celebrate the holiday. Over thirty guests were present in the Village for Christmas. That number ballooned to 80 during New Years.
News Years was celebrated with the traditional Holden “Bread drop” at Holden midnight (9pm)
In January, the Village celebrated Epiphany– or Three King’s Day. Each building in the village was chalked with the message 20+C+M+B+25, which abbreviates the Latin phrase “Christus Mansionem Benedictat,” or “May Christ bless this house.” The tradition serves as a house blessing to invite the presence of God into one's home. Afterwards, the Village gathered for a bonfire, fueled by over a dozen Christmas trees.
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Cascade Wolverine Project
Holden was also excited to welcome back the Cascade Wolverine Project. The project is a grassroots effort to support Wolverine recovery in the North Cascades. The intrepid “Gulu Gulu” is difficult to study because of the remote and rugged terrain they inhabit, but researchers say Holden Village is by-far the most consistent and productive of all their research stations.
Due to habitat loss, the Wolverine population in the Cascades is vulnerable and needs attention. Researchers say learning more about the wolverines helps us learn more about the land we all share. Click the link to learn more about the Cascade Wolverine project and how you can submit your observations.
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Plan your winter trip to the Village | | |
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The Cascades Wolverine Project returns to the village two more times this winter, first on February 7, and later on March 12. Also happening this winter; the Women’s Retreat on January 31 (fully booked!) and a visit from Ecologist Nate Hough-Snee on February 19 (Spots still available)
Nate Hough-Snee is an aquatic, wetland, and riparian ecologist. He currently works with the Lake Chelan Research Institute as a senior scientist and conducts environmental research through his consulting practice. Join Nate for a week of storytelling and outdoor education.
Later in the season, Holden Village will hold a Men’s retreat co-hosted by Illuman of Washington. Illuman was born out of the remarkable work of Richard Rohr, O.F.M., and has spread all over the world. The Washington State community of men is committed to living authentic, connected lives of love and service. This retreat is open to men on all parts of the continuum of gender identity and expression.
The Men’s retreat runs February 28-March 3. Registration is open now!
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Winter Transportation
This winter transport arrives and departs Holden four days a week, including Sunday! This is an additional possibility compared to previous years.
In June transport runs FIVE days a week, balancing frequent arrival and departure options with reduced Village carbon emissions.
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Registration is open now for Summer! Book your Holden Village visit between June 1-September 3. Explore the spectacular faculty already scheduled. Bring family and friends of all ages to explore art, faith, community, conversations outside, a hike in the scenic backcountry and more. | | |
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Abriendo Caminos
(August 10-16)
Registration is open for Abriendo Caminos! Join in the celebration of Latine heritage and bilingual programming featuring Jorge Lockward, Global Praise Program Director at the General Board of Global Ministries
When coming with a group, adult guests pay a discounted rate of $270 for the whole week! (Kids pay $120). Learn more about group rates below!
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A letter from Abby d'Ambruoso, Village Pastor:
Last summer, I asked a woman visiting Holden with her church group what surprised her most about her week. Laughing, she responded, “The teenagers [in her group] actually want to talk to me!” Spending time at Holden afforded her group a chance to connect: to eat ice cream together, gaze at the mountains, attend a dance class, create art, and reflect each night on their shared experience. They arrived as people who didn’t really know each other. They left with friendships across generations.
The gifts of a week at Holden as a group spill over, not just to the people who spend time in the Village. The impact extends to their communities as well. In addition to stronger relationships, faith community leaders often request music and liturgy learned while in the Village to lead with communities beyond the Village. Guests return home energized for action, renewed in their commitment to justice and simple living, relaxed from a week “unplugged” from the internet.
With whom would you like to share the experience of Holden Village? How might it change your community to visit together?
By Abby
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If you would like to connect with Holden Village or know a church or organization that might be interested, write us back and tell us about your faith community.
Email Carl at communications@holdenvillage.org.
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Join the Holden team and experience a community and work environment like no other!
Open Volunteer Positions:
Open Employee Positions
See all listings (including seasonal listings) Here!
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Family Option
This summer, Holden welcomes families and their children to join the village as volunteers. Through the Holden Village Narnia school, children can attend class while their parents perform work of the village. The family Option allows the Village to facilitate some families that might not normally be able to live and work at Holden during the season.
The 2025 Holden Family work option begins June 6th. Applications are open now. Complete the attached form and email to staffing@holdenvillage.org
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We are truly grateful for the amazing response to our Courageous Community end-of-year appeal! Thanks to your generous giving, we exceeded our $100,000 goal by almost 50%! Your gifts sustain Holden’s mission to welcome all to form and renew their relationships with God, the earth, and each other. | |
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Village Wishlist
Want to surprise Holden with some Christmas presents? Visit this Wish List link to browse and purchase items Holden staff have identified as helpful to the work and life of the Village. These selections also align closely with Holden's efforts to source item(s) from ethical and sustainable companies. Please make sure to ship the item(s) directly to:
Holden Village at HC 0 Box 2,
Chelan, WA 98816.
And thank you!
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Return to Simplicity
Learn how to make Village favorites like Holden Bread, Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, and Aria’s Tofu Nuggets. Edited by generations of head cooks and food service leads, the Return to Simplicity cookbook encapsulates Holden Village’s Food Philosophy and showcases the community's rich culinary traditions.
Only $25 each—Purchase yours now online at the Holden Store! 5
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Recurring Donations
Pssst! Holden really loves recurring donations! This reliable source of income helps us plan and budget more effectively, and to weather leaner months with greater confidence.
Recurring donors are critical to the Village’s success, playing a direct role in reaching long-term goals and advancing our welcome to the wilderness. You’re truly part of the team!
Recurring donors tell us regular giving is good for them as well. Because these donations are automatic, it’s “set it and forget it”-- no worries about remembering to get that check in the mail. Donors also tell us they like knowing that their scheduled gifts are making a difference throughout the year.
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Interested in becoming a recurring donor? Please visit Holden’s donation page and click on the “Ongoing” tab under Choose Your Gift. If you already have a giving account with us, just log in and follow the prompts to create your recurring gift. Major credit cards are accepted, and giving can be canceled at any time. Creating an account is not required, but an account will allow you to manage payment methods, amounts, frequency, and gift date.
Thank you for considering becoming a recurring donor! If you have any questions, please contact me directly at eric.development@holdenvillage.org.
Eric Bosell
Interim Director for Advancement
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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: Ellen Callender, Elli Vegdahl-Crowell, Carl Norquist, Berit Kirkegaard
Newsletter edited by Carl Norquist
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