God’s surprising call
to a whole life
in the real world,
for the good of all.

Join us for an autumn sojourn at Holden Village, where every day “a little yeast” is at work. Bread rises. Mushrooms appear among fallen leaves. Ideas bubble. The Spirit moves, stirring among us the yeasty gift of “a little faith” until we become what we are called to be: bread, God’s bread, given to a hungry world.

Diane Jacobson, long-time, beloved teacher of Hebrew and the Hebrew Bible at Luther Seminary and Director of the ELCA’s Bible Book of Faith Initiative, will begin each morning with the study of scriptural stories about some of the surprising—and surprised!—persons God has called to speak a word of warning, a word of comfort.

Join Susan Briehl, a Lutheran pastor who works with the Valparaiso Project, in exploring the contours of our life together in Christ Jesus, a life lived in the real world, for the good of all, and in response to God’s grace. She will draw on what she learned from and about young adults while working with Dorothy Bass on the recently released book, On Our Way: Christian Practices for Living a Whole Life.

Get your hands floury and your imaginations fermenting in the Holden kitchen as together we make real bread for real hunger. Dorothy Bass will host the program and share reflections along the way.

Practice the art of paying attention with Heather A. Wallis-Murphy, wildlife biologist, artist, and nature writer, as she takes us on “field studies” in the forest and mountain habitats of Railroad Creek Valley and leads us in drawing, writing, and painting exercises.

Tom Witt and Mary Preus will lead us in worship, song, and all manner of music-making in response to God’s gracious and surprising call.

September 19-24: Register here!