Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! The joyous shout of Easter rang out here in the Railroad Creek Valley as it did among Christians throughout the world.

The celebration began at the Easter Vigil. Villagers told the traditional stories in fun and creative ways.

Easter morning’s celebration included instruments accompanying the hymns of Easter, poems from e. e. cummings and Gerard Manley Hopkins, and the day was bright with song and rejoicing. We had two amazing meals. And even though it snowed and snowed through the weekend, it was a grand Easter, as always made possible by the wonderful, creative energy of the staff, who manage to do all the extra items along with their regular jobs, a Holy Week First Response Training Class and many working on stained glass for the new Koinonia doors.

Easter goes on until Ascension Day on May 13, and here at Holden our worship will continue to celebrate the resurrection - something we do on every Sunday, as each is a “little Easter.” We’re hoping for a real Spring at some point, waiting for that last thaw that will give us a good look at dirt and sidewalks and emerging plants and flowers. The birds are beginning to find nests under the chalet eaves, ground squirrels and chipmunks are showing up here and there, and we can hear marmots whistling on the hillsides. New life is happening at Holden! Happy Easter!