Holden Village

Welcome to Holden Village

Over the course of 50 years, Holden Village has been transformed from a copper mining town to a vibrant place of education, programming, and worship. Holden invites people of goodwill of all ages to come and experience our rhythms, which inspire and equip travelers for a sustainable life of faith outside the Village.

Holden Village welcomes and embraces people of all races, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to overcome learned prejudices and develop relationships across difference. We actively seek liberation and transformation through education, relationship, and engagement with the Village’s core values.

Coronavirus Update

April 10, 2020

A message from Co-Executive Directors Chuck Hoffman + Peg Carlson-Hoffman:

Holden Summer Changes

I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. –Isaiah 43:19

Dear Holden Village Community,

The COVID 19 pandemic is changing human life around the world. No matter what country, culture, language, gender or religious tradition, everyone is affected by this crisis. Like all of you, the Village has been sheltering in place. Holden Village is also following Washington Governor Inslee’s mandate and guidelines. We pray that all of you are protected by the God that sustains us, and blessed with patience and resilience.

When we unveiled Holden’s summer conversation in the most recent Holden Village Voice, we introduced All Things New with a statement that rings more true now than we ever could have imagined:

There are many invitations afforded us in times such as these. They are bold and obvious invitations to listen, to engage, to be open, to love and remind ourselves that we don’t own the answers.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in consultation with the Executive Committee, Holden Village Board of Directors, the incoming Directors, and medical professionals, we have decided that we cannot host guests in the Village this summer through August 31, 2020. The situation itself has been difficult as there are thousands of people involved. It is even more difficult after enjoying a Village packed with guests after the years of being closed for remediation and fire.

We began planning this summer years in advance, so you can imagine our own grief at this upheaval. The summer will look different than we all expected, HOWEVER, we are energized by innovative ideas as we explore a different kind of Holden experience this summer.

A thought from Sonya Renee Taylor: "We will not go back to normal. Normal never was. Our pre-corona existence was not normal other than we normalized greed, inequity, exhaustion, depletion, extraction, disconnection, confusion, rage, hoarding, hate and lack. We should not long to return, my friends. We are being given the opportunity to stitch a new garment. One that fits all of humanity and nature."

We have always imagined Holden Village as a beacon of light on a hill beaming hope out into the world. We have an opportunity this summer to be that light for each other and anyone else that is interested in virtual learning, conversations and connections. We feel we continue to have purpose this summer as a community.

We imagine exploring all sorts of things: webinars, vespers on the ark, music concerts, special audio archive broadcasts and podcasts, virtual BeHolden community gatherings, and more. There are so many creative possibilities. It may also help us reach those of you who have been unable to come to the Village for various reasons.

Although we won’t be gathering in person, YOU can help bring Holden's beam of hope and love to people across the world. If your upcoming Village stay has been impacted, please consider turning your deposit into a tax deductible gift to support All Things New, our re-formed summer programming. If your plans did not include a trip to the Village this year, a gift equivalent to a one-night stay at Holden, or more, will help make this summer possible.

DONATE ONLINE TODAY

Because we won’t have a Village full of paying guests this summer, your gifts are what will keep the Village alive. Thank you for believing in Holden, and in each other. Together in love and in the Spirit that carries us all, we will make all things new.

With good courage,

Chuck + Peg

Holden Village Names New Executive Directors

The Holden Village Board of Directors is excited to announce the selection of a three-person team of Kathie Caemmerer-Bach, Mark Bach, and Stacy Kitahata to serve as the next Holden Village Executive Directors.

A Message from the Board of Directors

The Board recently approved the a motion to direct the Nominating Committee, in consultation with the rest of the Holden Village Board, to adopt, for an interim period, a new model to discover new members of diverse voices and bring forward 2 – 4 nominated candidates for approval. This means that our normal process of soliciting applications will not occur this year.

The Holden Job Board

Looking for a change of pace, a supportive community, and the opportunity to learn new skills? Check out Holden's Job Board for a complete list of volunteer and employment opportunities now available in the Village.

Cover Photos by Callie Mabry