RE-FORMING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EARTH, WITH GOD, & WITH EACH OTHER
Peace to you,

Fall is upon us at Holden Village, as staff and work week volunteers prepare the buildings for a snowy winter and the Hotel is stocked full of dry goods to sustain us in the coming months. Villagers take their last hikes before the snow falls as our hydroelectric power starts to drop and the boilers are stoked for winter heat. This past month at Holden has been filled with music, worship, conversation, classes in the pottery and art studios, and more!

We hope you enjoy these stories and images from the past month at Holden!
FALL IN THE VALLEY
A TASTE OF FALL AT HOLDEN
 Experience the rhythms of this season in the Village!
THE HOLDEN KITCHEN
GOOD FOOD FROM THE GOOD EARTH
A whopping 40,171 pounds of food were delivered by barge to Holden in September, stocking the kitchen with flour, canned foods, and other dry goods for the winter! Staff chained boxes and bags, jugs and cans from pallets into food lockers. After several hours of chaining and tunes, we are ready for a great winter!
EDUCATION
NIGHT SKY EXPLORATION
The Village Naturalist leads Villagers on a variety of sessions each week, but there is something special about exploring the night sky in the North Cascades. Along the walk, participants spot constellations, galaxies, stars, satellites, and the occasional planet. With very little light pollution and artificial light in our remote wilderness setting, we are able to see much more of the night sky here than in most cities. As our view of the constellations change with the changing of the seasons, the second level at Holden offers a spectacular view!
VILLAGE LIFE
HOBBIT DAY CELEBRATION
Villagers of all ages celebrated the birthday of Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit with a birthday bash! After trying their hand at lawn bowling on the Village Green, the crowd paid a visit to the dragon in the library who handed out "gold." The final stop was at the Hobbit House in the woods behind Koinonia, where the Holden school children climbed inside in search of a hobbit before the forest becomes blanketed in snow!
EDUCATION
A VISIT FROM MANSON 6TH GRADERS
A group of 65 students from Manson Middle School in nearby Manson, WA spent a weekend in the Village! The weekend was spent in sessions with the Village Naturalist including a mine remediation hike on the mine tailings, an afternoon spent creating art by the creek using supplies found in nature, plenty of time bowling and playing games in the Pool Hall, and more!
A VILLAGE RENEWED
SUPPORT HOLDEN THROUGH THE SEASONS
This year, Holden Village has again been filled with the spirit that has carried this place apart for decades. Music, laughter, and community filled the Village, as well as thought-provoking conversations led by renowned teaching faculty from around the world. Hundreds of guests came to experience the rhythms of the Village each week. It is our hope that Holden Village may continue as a place for civil conversation, for learning to listen deeply to one another, and for finding hope in a fearful world. Registration fees do not fully cover the cost of maintaining a Village community of learning, worship, hospitality, and celebration. Your gift will set us on firm financial footing for next summer’s programming and beyond and  help ensure that our rhythms remain for generations to come!
BLESSING
"May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand."
a traditional Gaelic blessing
Reference herein to any specific commercial products or services does not necessarily constitute or imply its
endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Holden Village.
 PHOTOS: Hannah Lauber VIDEO: Hannah Lauber