Greetings!
Cascade springtimes can be bewildering to human residents. The paths and roads are partly melted down to rock and mud. Other sections have a foot or more of snow on them depending on where the evergreen trees shade the thaw. There is both t-shirt weather and snow in the forecast this week. At Holden, we’re in what singer songwriter Carrie Newcomer refers to as, “the beautiful not yet.”
It’s a sweet turn of phrase that reminds us to be fully in the beauty of when and where we are, even as we lean into our plans and preparations for the season to come. We are invited to join the new life and joy abounding in the land and creatures around us. We continue celebrating the profundity of Eastertide and honor our Jewish siblings as they observe Passover this week. Earth Day shared the same day as the start of Passover this year, drawing us deeply into the lessons creation offers for justice and right relation.
From the simplicity of standing in the sunshine together on the loading dock to the scuttle of reflooring the kitchen, building new compost cubes, and preparing for spring work weeks, the community is practicing both being and doing this April.
In this season of mud and budding, we invite you to find beauty in the moment.
Blessings,
Stacy Kitahata, Mark Bach, and Kathie Bach
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Registration is now open through January 3rd, 2025! Plan your summer, fall, or holiday trip to Holden today. We hope to see you at bus arrival!
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A sneak peak of some summer 2024 offerings...
Week 2 (June 17-20): Vance Blackfox, ELCA Director of Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations, and Pamela Adams, freelance beaver detective advocating for beavers rights, will serve as teaching faculty. Learn more about their backgrounds at the link below!
Week 5 (July 7-13): Copperstock, Holden's Woodstock-inspired outdoor music celebration, will take place! Visit this week to experience the magic of listening to live music while admiring the mountains!
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"[God] has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime."
-Martin Luther
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During the Easter Vigil, we stood by the first daffodils as Villagers recounted the story of Creation and marveled at the gift of new life. We processed through the Village, remembering how God has acted for and with God's people throughout history. Recalling God’s faithfulness through all generations, we recognize the heritage of God’s redemption shared with our Jewish kin who celebrate Pesach or Passover during this blessed season.
These days, we are responding to God's call to action for justice through regular letter writing to lawmakers to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as continuing our ongoing efforts to care for the earth and each other. Wherever you are and whatever injustices you face, join us in proclaiming: death does not have the last word! Christ is risen and life abounds!
Click the button below to find your representative and join us in working for peace!
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Holden School Job Shadowing |
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This past month, Holden School children experienced everyday work routines of many people in our Village, as if the kids were "shadowing" their selected adult Villagers. Afterwards, the children wrote about what it was like to do that person's job.
See photos and read what they wrote at the link below!
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If you were a Holden student choosing one of these jobs to shadow, which would you pick?
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Operations Manager — fix the buses! 🚌
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Utilities Assistant — power the Village with hydropower! 💡
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Creative Tech — post on social media! 🌄
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Maverick — load luggage and maintain paths! 💪
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Food Services Lead — plan Holden's meals! 🍞
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Village Potter — teach and create pottery! 🏺
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Whether you’re interested in joining the team for two weeks or two years, Holden has a place for you!
High-Need Positions:
Maverick (2+ weeks)
Trails Crew (2+ weeks)
Narnia Head (3-4 months)
Middle School/High School Head (3-4 months)
Staffing Associate (1 year)
Program Associate (1 year)
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Indigenous Artist-In-Residence
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!
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Applications are now open for Holden's Indigenous Artist-in-Residence Program! This program is a two- to four-week self-guided residency for Indigenous artists. The program blends opportunities for independent creative work in a private studio with engagement in the Village community. Applications will close on May 15th for residencies in late summer and early fall 2024.
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COMING SOON... New Kitchen Floor! |
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The Holden Kitchen is getting a makeover! Staff are busy putting the final touches on a weeks-long project of replacing the kitchen floor and dishwasher. Village rhythms look a bit different during this time: Creekside serves as a makeshift dining hall, the kitchen is providing food to cook in chalets and lodges, and some staff are taking the time to work with and explore Holden partners beyond the valley. Villagers are looking forward to eating meals in the Dining Hall again sometime this week!
To experience the heartfelt ballad sung to Holden's retired Hobart dishwasher, click the link below. Stay tuned for more updates!
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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: Anny Joy Berntsen, Elli Vegdahl-Crowell, Berit Kirkegaard, Hannah Johnson, Abby d'Ambruoso
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