2011 Board Retreat
February 8th, 2011This weekend, the Holden Village Board of Directors journeyed across the lake for a time of retreat, fellowship and visioning. As well as providing a time of strategic planning for Holden’s future, the Board Retreat was an opportunity for Board members to reconnect with one another and experience Holden’s winter community.
Board members were welcomed on Friday night with the distribution of unique, vibrant winter hats hand-knit by Villagers, an aspect of the weekend many agree was a highlight. In between the meetings and discussions taking place in Koinonia Fireside, Board members were able to enjoy the snowy scenery, linger over meals, and reminisce about past experiences at Holden.
The central focus of this year’s Board Retreat was envisioning the future of Holden Village, especially with regards to the Mine Remediation project and the Village’s upcoming 50th anniversary, discussing ways in which Holden Village will change and ways in which it will remain the same. Board members reflected on the history and mission of Holden, striving to find a balance between maintaining tradition and moving forward into these next phases of development. In terms of Holden’s legacy, the elements that will remain constant seem clear: “I see [Holden] staying the same in that it will remain a Lutheran retreat center rooted in the Gospel,” says Josh Post, one of the newer members of the board, “but it will continue to adapt to serve different people.”
The remediation of the Holden Mine is the biggest shift the Village will face in upcoming years. Between welcoming over 200 workers to the Village and adapting to the technologies that will need to be brought in during construction, the Mine Remediation process will impact the Village in ways both predicted and unpredicted. The Board is optimistic about this challenge, viewing it as an experience of renewal and growth as well as an opportunity to share God’s love in the Valley and beyond.
In his closing speech to the Holden community, Mark Mantei, President of the Board, boldly proclaimed:
In our retreat, we came to the quick conclusion that we are optimistic…As we enter remediation and our next 50 years, we see the Love of God united with the theology of the cross resulting in a powerful Gospel message being spread in and out of this Valley. This is a Gospel both of healing in the darkest places in this Valley but also as we all take the bus back downlake and into the world.
While holding tight to the mission and vision of Holden Village, the Board looks toward the future ready to adapt to and receive any challenges and blessings that may come along with Mine Remediation and the Village’s 50th anniversary. According to Mantei, “…we are being given another ‘surprising gift’ with all kinds of possibilities included.”