HOLDEN
VILLAGE VOICE
WINTER 2014
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
www.holdenvillage.org
Page 3
From the Directors
Answering the Call to Ministry
By Stephanie & Chuck
Carpenter
Executive Directors
We will not stop doing
the work that needs
to be done.
We will, however,
continue to remember
that Holden Village
is first and foremost
a ministry.
I
n 2006 the Holden Board of Directors changed the language of
Holden Village’s mission statement.
The statement went from an “Ecumenical Retreat Center rooted in the
Lutheran tradition” to a “Lutheran
ministry.” Holdenites may have not
noticed this change. Holden Village continued as it always has, to
“welcome all” as the mission statement also states. The difference in
the two phrases was the new statement directly and unapologetically
named Holden Village as a Lutheran
ministry, albeit a strange one.
During these years of mine remediation, unfamiliar activities and
work in this valley, we are not able
to welcome the thousands of guests
who normally make the journey to
Holden Village during the spring,
summer and fall. The wonderful mix
of old, young, all ages of Villagers
excited to be here together is notice-
ably lacking. During this disrupted
time, Holden has decided to do
projects as well. The Village is immersed in projects. It’s up to its neck
in projects.
This winter we have been able to
return to the more familiar focus of
welcoming and hosting guests while
some projects, along with much
planning and preparation, continue).
Inside
this Issue
Holden Village launches
a $4.8 million capital
fundraising campaign
to revitalize
and upgrade facilities
and infrastructure.
Pages 3-4
The Village was so packed around
Christmas that we needed to conduct some of the worship services in
the hotel dining hall as we exceeded
Koinonia Fireside’s capacity.
It felt wonderful to return to
welcoming Holden guests. Guests
making the long journey to Holden
(Please continue on page 2)
Take a tour
of construction projects
around the Village.
Pages 4-7
An Invitation
Stay Connected Through Holden NetWorks
Holden Village is completing a complex and lengthy
process of upgrading and merging various lists of names
and addresses into an integrated data system, always
keeping in mind that you are not data. You are Villagers—people with individual and unique relationships
with Holden.
To honor and protect those relationships—and to
ensure that you’re not just another number in some data
bank—you’re invited to control your own information
and your Holden connection through our new online system called Holden NetWorks. It’s simple. Costs nothing.
You can join by going to the Holden website, www.
holdenvillage.org, and on the home page, right-hand
column, click on the link under JOIN HOLDEN NETWORKS.
From there you can update your mailing address,
sign up for emails, subscribe to Village Voice, donate and
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?
If you’re receiving duplicate copies of Village Voice,
please sign up for Holden NetWorks AND email
[email protected] and tell us the names
as they appear on the address label. Additional and
helpful information would include, for example,
whether the duplicates are addressed individually to
husband and wife, parent and child, etc. And in the
spirit of stewardship, please consider passing on your
duplicate copies to friends at work, church or school.
keep track of your giving record, tell us when and how
you want to hear from us, and help the Village save time
and resources.
Sign up with Holden Networks
at www.holdenvillage.org
The effects of cleaning
the water of Railroad
Creek—both locally and
globally.
Pages 8-9
HELP WANTED!
There may be a job for
you or someone you
know in the Holden
classifieds - Page 15
Page 4
www.holdenvillage.org
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
... Answering the call to ministry through remediation
(Continued from page 1)
Village know (or have a good
idea) what they are getting into.
They are coming to be a part of
the ministry of Holden Village.
Guests come to be welcomed, to
rest, to study, to discern, to play,
to be together as family, to worship, to restore their spirit. What
guests may not know is that their
smiles, words of gratitude and encouragement, and their presence
joining in the ongoing rhythms of
this place are nourishment to the
servant hearts of the volunteer
staff. It is good. Thank you.
In our time shared together
with the winter guests, many have
been curious, wondering what
summer was like. The thing we
kept coming back to was: it was
like Holden Village. It was and is
Holden Village to all who come
here, not Holden mine but Holden
Village—a place where all are
welcomed and are called.
Over the years as we’ve been
working with mining companies,
governmental agencies, contractors, regulators and politicians,
a common reminder—which we
haven’t let them forget—is: we are
a Lutheran ministry. Even though
we are in the midst of a huge
remediation project and doing
our own projects—engineering,
designing, advocating, commenting, agreeing, disagreeing—we
are Holden Village, a Lutheran
ministry.
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth
Eaton’s column in the January
Lutheran resonated with us. She
articulated clearly, “We do many
wonderful and important things
together as the ELCA. We alleviate hunger, we’re stopping
malaria, we give voice to the most
vulnerable, we shelter the homeless, we heal the sick, we rebuild
communities after disaster strikes,
we work for justice.”
She continues, “I am not suggesting that we stop doing any of
this. But we must be clear that we
are a church first. We aren’t a nongovernmental organization. We
aren’t the government. We aren’t
the American Cancer Society.” In
this same way Holden Village is
not Holden Village contractors,
HV engineering or the department of HV. Holden Village is a
Lutheran ministry.
As the heavy construction
years of the remediation project
came into focus, it was evident
God with us. Seeing and following a light of love and grace that
shines on all and for all through
Christ Jesus, the Word made flesh.
Studying and contemplating how
knowing this God Emmanuel,
victoriously and costly, leads to
the cross through death to res-
We rejoice that winter brings guests back to the Village.
that children running around,
people trying to read a book on
the green or hike through logging
sites and giant machinery created an unappealing and unsafe
scenario. Holden could have
closed shop and left the valley for
a couple of years until the work
was done. Holden could have also
turned its gaze inward, remaining
separate and supporting the idea
of a remediation camp down at
Lucerne or up at Winston.
But Holden was called to stay
and welcome, to weave our story
into the mine remediation story.
The story of a people who journey through Advent, Christmas,
Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost; a life of trying to stay awake
and watch for God. Celebrating
the birth and life of Emmanuel,
Lisa Maren Thompson photo
urrection. Trying to accept the
forgiveness proclaimed. Celebrating baptism that reminds us we
are daily incorporated into this
dying and rising. Knowing that
God’s Spirit beyond words burns
in our hearts and blows through
this world.
Our call as a Lutheran
ministry is to be part of, in our
own bumbling way, the body
that allows God’s work to happen through the Spirit moving
through us. As Holden’s mission
statement reads, we are: “ … to
welcome all into the wilderness
to be called, equipped and sent
by God … ” Not called, equipped
and sent by us, but by God.
So, what happens when the
majority of the people who come
into this place in these years of
mine remediation don’t come to
share rhythms of word and sacrament or to be called, equipped or
sent by God? We’re guessing it is
the same thing that happens when
churches serve their communities,
provide meals, childcare, educational opportunities- a different
way than the way of mainstream
society.
We keep our identity as a
ministry; we seek the guidance of
the Spirit in Word and Sacrament.
We worship, study, pray, sing,
laugh, cry, forgive and seek forgiveness. We continue to welcome
all, humbly journeying together,
working to develop respectful
friendships, trying to learn from
one another. This makes sense to
the Holden Villager, but to mining
corporations and government
agencies it’s radical and crazy.
It is true. Holden is immersed
in projects. Time and energy are
being directed toward a great deal
of facilities and utilities work.
We will not stop doing the work
that needs to be done. We will,
however, continue to remember that Holden Village is first
and foremost a ministry sharing
rhythms of worship, study, work,
recreation, and prayer. So, yes,
we need carpenters, electricians,
plumbers, organizers, contractors,
leaders, etc.
And, yes, to accomplish the
many tasks on the list, we need
financial support above and
beyond annual giving. Help to
weave the story of God’s work
through the ministry of Holden
Village into the story of mine
remediation in Railroad Creek
Valley. Please consider giving
your time, talents and money.
Finally, as you contemplate
the next swiftly approaching construction season in this valley, you
may be wondering, “What will
that be like?” All the beeping, the
digging, the hammering, the blasting, the honking, the grading, the
hauling, the working? We believe
it will be like, well, it will be like
Holden Village.
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
www.holdenvillage.org
Page 5
Refresh, Renew, Rejoice!
Holden Village launches a three-year, $4.8 million
capital fund-raising campaign to revitalize and renew
the Village’s 75-year-old facilities and infrastructure
A Rare
Opportunity
While the federally mandated
mine remediation now
underway is a major disruption,
it also offers a rare opportunity.
Because the Village is hosting
hundreds of remediation
workers, there is not enough
room for usual guests and
programs. This gives Holden
the opportunity to work on
upgrades to facilities and
infrastructure that would be
unsafe while guests, especially
children, are in the Village.
The messiest of these projects
got underway in 2013 and will
continue in 2014, involving
heavy equipment, open ditches
and occasional hazardous
conditions. Work will continue
into succeeding years, as village
projects will necessarily be
scheduled around the No. 1
priority, which is to enable
mining company Rio Tinto to
complete this phase of its work.
The sooner mine remediation is
completed, the sooner Holden
can welcome the return of guests
to a Village that is refreshing,
renewing and rejoicing.
From
Holden’s
board of
directors
The Refresh, Renew, Rejoice!
campaign gives all of us
in the Holden community
the opportunity to help
revitalize Holden Village. As
anyone who has undertaken
a remodeling or building
project knows well, it not
only takes talent, it also
takes funding. It has been
impressive to see the care and
fiscal responsibility that our
staff ensures is involved with
each project. With this kind
of demonstrated history, the
Holden Board of Directors
and its Development and
Fundraising Committee
are moving forward with
good courage to embark on
this fund-raising campaign.
During 2013, available funds
were used for several projects,
including new roofs. More
needs to be done. Lodge 3 is
in the process of renovation,
and the other lodges also
need the same attention. The
list goes on with a price tag
on each piece. Please visit
www.holdenvillage.org and
follow the Refresh, Renew,
Rejoice! link from the home
page as we continue to
update progress reports.
PHOTO: Mark Mantei, board
president, speaks at a Refresh,
Renew, Rejoice! kickoff
celebration in November
The following pages present an overview of projects
that are envisioned if funding is available
Photos on these pages by Janine Freeze, Tommy Gibson, Mary Koch, Chris Shultz, Lisa Maren Thompson and Tim Wilcox
Page 6
www.holdenvillage.org
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
Refresh, Renew,
Rejoice!
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
www.holdenvillage.org
WATER
Refresh, Renew,
Rejoice!
Page 7
COPPER CREEK PROVIDES plenty of
water for Holden Village, but the antiquated
delivery system results in waste and water
shortages. The current system unnecessarily
filters all the water, which means potable water
is being used for irrigation. Water shortages
interrupt watering of grass, and brown lawns
can be a hazard during wildfire season. Valves
are leaking, losing 4,000 gallons or more a day.
Repairs are complicated by a lack of standardized
valves. New water pipes, installed simultaneously
with electrical and communications conduit, will
enable improvements that include:
Improving Delivery
ELECTRICITY
• 3,500 feet of pipe delivering potable water
throughout the Village
No more overhead
A STORM on Jan. 13, 2014, graphically
demonstrated the need to eliminate
overhead power lines. Falling trees
snapped lines, plunging the Village into
darkness for most of a day. The outage
would have lasted several days, but
mine remediation subcontractor Pool
Engineering loaned equipment that
eliminated the need to climb electrical
poles. Electrical upgrades focus on safety
and efficiency, including:
• Nearly three miles of conduit for power
lines
• 8,000 feet of communications conduit for
the fire-alarm system and other services as
need is determined
• A parallel, unfiltered water system for lawns
and gardens irrigation, allowing consistent and
even automated watering
• Expansion of the hydro plant by about 50
percent to allow replacing control panels
that will be easier and safer to operate
• Larger water lines servicing chalets, eventually
allowing for fire-suppression systems in all chalets
• (2013) Digging trenches around and
through the Village and laying conduit
(along with water pipes)
PHOTOS: Along with wiring, new pipes are being
installed to assure efficient water delivery and
provide protection against wildfires
• (2014) Pulling cables through the pipes
and connecting the system
A NEW FOOTBRIDGE will
serve both pedestrians and the need
to carry water and power conduits
from the south side of Railroad Creek
to the Village. The existing wooden
footbridge is not strong enough to
hold the conduits. Although lovely
and loved, the bridge is showing
signs of decay inside the logs, and its
foundation has been compromised
by flooding. Bridges across Railroad
Creek have been consistently
destroyed by floods. The new bridge
will be:
PHOTOS: Trenches were dug through much
of the Village in 2013 (top and lower right
photos) to allow for underground wiring,
which will eliminate overhead power lines and
transformers (above right)
Who’s Who as we
Refresh, Renew, Rejoice!
Development and Fundraising Committee:
Members throughout the country are ready
and willing to talk to you about that projects
being undertaken and answer your questions.
• Illinois: Stacey Jutila, Oak Park
• Indiana: Dorothy Bass, Valparaiso
• Minnesota: Linda Kingery, Puposky;
Anthony Titus, Egan
• Montana: Darius Larsen, Big Sky
• Washington state: Ann Cohan, Seattle;
Norm Metzler, Vancouver; Rob Quello,
Kirkland; Norma Gallegos, Wenatchee; Lola
Deane (chair), Shaw Island; Mark Mantei, exofficio, Everett.
Development Coordinator:
Anne Gintz (development@
holdenvillage.org) works with
donors, churches and volunteers
to connect them with the Village
through gifts of time, talent and financial
resources. Most of her work is outside of the
Village, visiting churches, communicating
with friends of Holden and helping plan
Holden on the Road for 2014.
Executive Directors: Stephanie and Chuck
Carpenter are overseeing the final phases of
mine remediation and the current phase of
village renewal as the Village prepares for a
leadership transition.
YOU: Your gifts and/or
pledges will make Refresh,
Renew, Rejoice! possible. Holden
representatives look forward to
visiting you and your churches
over the next 18 months to keep
you up to date on the progress
in the Village as well as invite
you to become part of the
campaign. If you or your church
would like to schedule a visit or
wish more information, please
contact development coordinator
Anne Gintz (development@
holdenvillage.org).
• A longer span with pilings outside
the 100-year flood plain
• Constructed of COR-TEN steel,
which allows rust to protect against
decay, assuring a functional life of at
least 100 years
• Environmentally friendly, avoiding
the use of preservatives that are
necessary for wood structures
• An aesthetically pleasing design
reflecting the creek’s gentle curves,
the rust-colored steel bridge will echo
the look of the iconic mill structure
that was razed in 2013
FOOT
BRIDGE
For more than feet
PHOTOS: An architect’s rendering shows
a new and stronger bridge over Railroad
Creek, replacing the current, decaying
wooden bridge
• A six-inch water line around the perimeter of
the Village feeding about two dozen rotor-style
sprinklers to protect the Village in case of wildfire
LODGING
Meeting higher standards
Safety, sanitation and efficient
use of energy are primary
goals in improving lodges
2, 3 and 4, allowing them to
catch up and even surpass
improvements made more
recently to lodges 1 and 6.
The knotty pine and cedar
tongue-and-groove paneling
currently prevalent in the
lodges provide habitat for
unwanted vermin; plumbing
dates from the original,
75-year-old construction, and
electrical circuitry was last
updated in the 1970s and ‘80s.
Improvements include:
• Higher standard of
insulation as thermal and
sound barrier
• Use of materials with
greater fire resistance
• Heating and lighting
systems allowing more
flexible guest usage
• Replacement of old pipes
and related plumbing fixtures
• Changing fire sprinklers
from a “wet” to “dry” system,
allowing for year-round
protection
• Heating systems that
anticipate future innovations
and use of alternative energy
sources
• New roofs
Page 8
www.holdenvillage.org
THE SUMMER of 2013 saw
the Village dug up literally
from one end to the other for
installation of underground
utilities. The Village was
transformed from lawns and
gardens to dirt and rocks. This
temporary eyesore opens the
opportunity to:
• Focus on accessibility
and safety by
transforming problem
areas.
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
Refresh, Renew,
Rejoice!
• Enhance green spaces by
improving topsoil in grassy areas
to provide hardy and inviting
places to play, lounge and gather.
PHOTOS: Heavy
equipment plowing
through Holden’s flower
beds and gardens (upper
right photo) was not a welcome sight in
2013, but Janice Haakens, head of lawns
and gardens, managed to save many of
the historic irises (below). The disruption
opens opportunities for automated
irrigation and improved landscaping.
www.holdenvillage.org
Don’t wait!
Rejoice Now,
because...
• Holden Village is halfway through
the mine remediation project schedule
and is thriving
• Seek the services of a landscape
architect to assure restoration of
the grounds with a professional
eye on integrating functionality
and beauty.
• Maintain historic integrity by
retaining treasured specimens,
such as the iris collection, and
cherished garden spots.
• The lease agreement with mining
company Rio Tinto to use the Village
as a base of operations has kept
Holden’s operating budget intact
despite two summers without guest
income
LANDSCAPING
• Install automated irrigation
systems for better stewardship of
water and work force.
Restarting from scratch
• Annual giving from Holden
Villagers to support the ministry of
Holden continues to be strong
Project Checklist
HISTORIC
PRESERVATION
PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS
In Progress
Underground electrical power distribution
Underground potable water line replacement
Underground installation of irrigation and fire suppression water line
New additional Hose Houses
Footbridge replacement
IT system upgrades
Installation of grease trap
Will the Village be different?
Potential for 2014 if funding’s available
The Village Center in modern times (above left) and during mining years (right) reflects the importance of honoring and maintaining historic qualities of Holden Village
Holden Village will look and feel fresher, but
not really change—for a couple of reasons. In
1937, Howe Sound Mining Co. constructed
a mining village from the best possible
design, materials and craftsmanship, using
wood from the surrounding forest. Because
Holden Village is within the national forest
boundaries, everything done to its structures is
subject to review under the National Historic
Preservation Act, in accordance with standards
set by the Secretary of the Interior:
• When possible, original materials are
repaired rather than replaced
• Materials are replaced “in kind.” For
example, lodge roofs are being replicated with
roofing that matches in color, placement and
character
• As much wood as possible is produced by
the Holden sawmill
• Where appropriate, areas that were
previously remodeled outside of preservation
standards are restored to original condition
• “Character Defining Elements” are retained
in the lodges, e.g., doors, wardrobes, D-shaped
sinks, medicine chests with mirrors, wall
sconces
Page 9
• All construction activities are integral to
Holden’s own mission statement with a goal
of ensuring these buildings will last another 75
years
Moreover, Village history will be preserved in
a new museum—still in the conceptual stage—
to replace the Portal Museum, which was razed
to enable mine remediation. More about those
plans in future issues of the Village Voice.
Hydro building addition
Water plant evaluation and upgrade
Installation of sprinklers for wildfire
suppression
Modernization of hydro control switches
On the list but not yet on the schedule
Diversion dam safety upgrades
FACILITIES PROJECTS
Completed
Roofs replaced on Lodges 1, 3, 4 and 6
Logging and preparation for porch replacement
In Progress
Historic Preservation Management Plan
Lodge 3 rehabilitation
Lodge 2 dry-valve sprinkler conversions
• Holden has already completed and
moved forward renewal projects
during the 2013 construction season
and is prepared to complete more
projects in the 2014 construction
season
• The Holy Spirit and stream of
dancing servants continue to flow
through this ministry to maintain
the vision, mission and core value
rhythms
Hazardous material mitigation (lead, asbestos)
Architectural services
Museum planning and early phase development
Equipment purchases (sawmill, teleboom, dump truck, skidsteer and snow blower)
Permanent industrial park planning and replacement (garage, garbo, recycling center … )
Potential for 2014 if funding available
Porch and railing replacement
Pool hall renewal
Roofs replacement: Lodge 2, VC and Narnia
Composting system upgrades
Landscaping
Geothermal exploration
On the list but not yet on the schedule
Lodge 4 rehabilitation
Chalet sprinkler systems
Lodge fire and safety systems
Hotel foundation wall repair and French drain
Wood processing area setup
Lodge and chalet skirting replacement
Jacuzzi renewal
Koinonia (entrance completed, lighting improved)
Lodge window repair
Safe/centralized utilities rooms in chalets and lodges
Museum construction
Page 10
www.holdenvillage.org
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
www.holdenvillage.org
In Railroad Creek Valley...
What are the problems with the water?
In addition to the iron, water quality scientists
who studied the creek and ground-water runoff
found there was a small amount of copper,
cadmium, zinc and aluminum in solution in
the water. All of these chemicals are below
the standard for safe
drinking water but above
the minimum standard
for aquatic life. A final
aspect of the impact
was an increase in pH
of the ground water
and especially the water
leaving the mine portal
and draining into the
creek upstream of the
tailings piles, resulting in
a slight increase in pH in
the creek.
That vision is being realized in the Holden guitar project, which begins with the
effort to clean up Railroad Creek and culminates in efforts to clean up waters in
Living Waters
remote, impoverished areas around the globe.
fo
Engelmann spruce logged as part of the Holden
mine remediation are being used by Taylor
Guitars to make a limited number of guitars.
Taylor is donating proceeds to benefit two
nonprofits that work in partnership with local
residents to provide clean-water systems.
The bright orange of Railroad Creek is the result of iron from mining tailings Who decided on the cleanup method?
A total of 11 alternatives were
evaluated by the federal agencies,
the mining company and Holden
Village. Review and negotiations
with the Village and mining company
continued, and an additional five
alternatives were developed by the
engineering company working for the
agencies. A proposed plan was finally
presented for public comments, and the
Remediation work in 2013 involved moving the creek bed away from
the tailings piles
Mary Koch photo
process began in 2010 to implement the
cleanup of the site. Discussions with
Holden, mining company Rio Tinto
and the agencies continued, and the
project was approved. Construction
began in 2011 with site preparation and
alteration of Forest Service Road 8103.
What will remediation construction
entail?
Completion of construction will result
in the creek being relocated in one area
adjacent to the Village starting where
Copper Creek passes through the
tailings piles and enters Railroad Creek.
This relocation is on the north side of
Tailings Pile 2 (TP 2) providing an area
that will allow the iron laden ground
water flowing through the tailings to
be redirected to a treatment facility
being constructed east (downstream)
of TP 3. Ground water and mine water
will be collected from a point west of
the vehicle bridge, along the creek and
adjacent to TP 1 by a cutoff wall that
will direct the contaminated water to
the treatment plant.
Tommy Gibson photo
How effective will the remediation
be?
Although the plan calls for operation
of the treatment plant for many years,
with the removal of the iron from
the creek water and the effects of the
to
scouring of the streambed by snow
pho
nir
melt in the spring, there will be a
ve
r
Po
quick restoration of aquatic life
to the creek. The fish upstream
of the construction area will
quickly move into the new
habitat that will have been
altered, and fish rearing
structures (root wads)
placed in the section where
the creek has been relocated.
Within a few short years the
entire creek downstream of the
tailings will have much the same
appearance as the creek upstream of
the vehicle bridge at Holden Village.
The creek will immediately begin to see
increased aquatic life as the seasonal
high water scours the streambed. Fly
fishing downstream of the tailings will
significantly improve. ◊
r th
eW
or
Through the cooperation of a diverse group—
Holden VIllage, the U.S. Forest Service, mining
company Rio Tinto and Pacific Rim Tonewoods—
the Engelmann logs were set aside, shipped, milled and
donated to a partnership with Taylor Guitars, and the “Holden
Guitar” was created. Some of the proceeds will go to develop a display at
Holden Village, telling the water story, and a music studio. The majority of the
proceeds are being donated to two nonprofit organizations that work towards
clean water in other parts of the world: El Porvenir and Living Waters for the
World.
El Porvenir (“the future”) partners with people in rural Nicaragua to build their
future by providing clean drinking water, sustainable water, sanitation,
health and hygiene education and reforestation. Often the
villages are too remote and small to receive assistance from
other organizations. Village residents elect their own project
committee (with an emphasis on including women) provide
all labor as volunteers and take responsibility for long-term
maintenance of projects. El Porvenir provides technical
expertise and training, lends tools, provides funds and
supplies for materials and follow-up. (www.elporvenir.org)
Living Waters for the World, a Presbyterian-based mission,
trains and equips teams of many faith traditions and service
organizations to help local community leaders install and operate
clean-water systems. On average, each week one new clean-water
system is installed somewhere in the world, targeting communities with
available but contaminated water. Partnering with and empowering local
leaders are key. Systems are typically installed at clinics, churches, schools,
orphanages, community centers and hospitals. Mission teams commit to a
minimum of three years of engagement with the local, operating partners. (www.
livingwatersfortheworld.org)
More information about the Holden Guitar is available on the Holden website
(www.holdenvillage.org).
o to
How did the mine remediation project get
started?
Starting in the 1990s, federal agencies began
the process for cleaning up the water quality of
the creek under the requirements of the Clean
Water Act. This included the requirement of the
mine company to deal with the problem that
resulted from the mining activities during the
mine operation and the impact of the tailings
left next to the creek. Studies were begun in
Weren’t there earlier efforts to clean up the
area?
Stabilization of the sides of the piles in the late
1990s, placement of topsoil on the piles and
vegetation of the piles provided some benefit;
but ground water from snow melt leaching
through the piles was still impacting aquatic
life in the creek. Those of us who have been at
the Village and walked along the stream bank
next to the tailings and downstream are aware
of the visual impact, the bright orange color of
the bottom of the stream. The color is the result
of iron that is present in the tailings and then
is carried into the creek by the ground-water
runoff through the tailings.
Holden Village may be tiny and remote, but its reach and vision are global: “The
vision of Holden Village is the love of God making new the church and world
through the cross of Jesus Christ,” proclaims the official vision statement.
ph
What has been the impact of mine residue on
Railroad Creek?
For more than 50 years after the mine closed,
the environment has been interacting with three
piles of tailings left by the operation of the mine
from 1937 to 1957. The environmental impact
of the tailings on the aquatic life of Railroad
Creek diminished the population of aquatic
plants, insects and finally the fish within the
creek. The result was a reduced population of
aquatic life in the creek for approximately five
miles downstream of the tailings. This included
native West Slope Cutthroat trout, which were
abundant prior to the mine activity. The aquatic
plants were the source of food and habitat for
the aquatic insects that the Cutthroat depended
on for food. With a diminished supply of food
there was a reduced population of fish.
1997 to evaluate the intensity and sources of
contaminates reaching the creek. In April 2000
formal action for the cleanup (Consent Decree)
was implemented, and the final process began.
Water quality assessments of the creek and
impacts to Lake Chelan continued through
2003. The preliminary study and remediation
plans were presented to the agencies and to
Holden Village in 2004.
ld
Wayne Daley is a fisheries
biologist with extensive
experience involving
projects to improve fish
populations throughout
the United States, Canada,
Europe and South America.
After a career that included
working both in industrial
and academic settings, he started his own company
in 1996, consulting with nonprofit environmental
groups involved in habitat restoration. With wife
Marcy, he has been a volunteer at Holden since
2001. He designed the Copper Creek diversion
system that supplies both drinking water and
hydro power for the Village. He has been involved
throughout discussions of the mine remediation
project and provided this overview of the project and
its impact.
...And Around the Globe
El
By Wayne Daley
Page 11
Page 12
www.holdenvillage.org
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
Raina’s sixth through ninth grades. Timing is
everything, Marc and Nancy agree.
At the
“It’s different for every family. You have
to come at the right time. It has to work for
everyone in the family,” says Marc, currently
operations manager.
Soul
of the Village:
Families with preschool children can have
special challenges. There’s the matter of
constantly “parenting in public,” recalls
Natalie Julin-McCleary, who with husband
Brian moved to Holden when their children
were 2 and 4. The family lived in the Village
for two years before moving to Fairberry, Neb.,
where Brian is a Lutheran pastor.
Children
he summer of 2013, with heavy
construction activity, meant a
scarcity of children in the Village. For
those of us here, it was a poignant
reminder that families and youngsters
are deeply embedded in the soul of our
community. Holden is where families not only
come for a week or two to get away, but for a
few fortunate families, it is a place to live for a
period of time.
T
Opportunities for guests to bring children are
limited to winter months during this mine
remediation era. Yet the Village continues to
look for families to come year-round as longterm staff members.
Families who have lived and worked at
Holden for a year or longer generally agree
that it’s a life-changing and enriching
experience. They also caution that it’s not an
escape from life’s real issues. If anything, living
in a close-knit community can reveal and
exacerbate fractures within a family.
“There is no perfect place to live,” observes
Chris Shultz, public utilities manager who with
wife Cindy, daughter Kasey and son Corey
has lived at Holden since 2010. “Whether you
stay where you are or come to Holden, you’re
gaining something and you’re giving up
something.”
“It’s challenging for anyone to be here,” notes
Kristian Winston, staffing coordinator. “For a
family that would be magnified. You have to
be a strong family to be here.”
Nancy and Marc Rerucha-Borges have a
long family history with Holden, beginning
when their daughter—now a sophomore at
the University of Washington—was 4. The
family has lived intermittently in the Village,
including four years encompassing
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
The Holden School encompasses kindergarten through 12th grade and is part of the Chelan Public School
district, funded by Washington state as a remote and necessary school
Lisa Maren Thompson photo
By Kasey Shultz
One of my favorite parts about living at Holden
was that we all worshiped together. We don’t
necessarily all believe the same things, but
I loved the ritual of it. No matter what had
happened during the day, no matter what work
we hadn’t finished, no matter what frustrations we
had dealt with, daily worship was a time to just be
in community with one another and with God.
Sometimes I would be sitting in Fireside and I
would look at all the faces around me and know
that all of them loved me—there’s something so
powerful about having so many people you care
about all in one room.
Yes, sometimes I would zone out or I would leave
Vespers even more confused and upset than
I had been at the start. But I think that sharing
worship with one another is part of what makes
the sense of community at Holden so strong—we
all have this underlying common ground that our
lives revolve around.
I also think that worshiping together makes
the community more real—there are no walls
or barriers. We see one another at our most
vulnerable so we don’t have to pretend to be
something that we’re not. Everyone is seen and
loved for who they are.
Now that I’m at college in a different community
setting, the daily rhythm of worship is one of the
things I miss the most. There’s nothing to signal
the end of the day, and it’s so hard to get to know
people. We’re never all in the same place at
once, and we never stop long enough to just be
with one another. Daily worship was meaningful
while I was in the Village, but I think it has
become even more meaningful now that I’m not
in the Village. It has helped me to see what’s truly
important in the larger scheme of things.
Some people talk about the slower pace of
Holden. I’m not sure I agree with slower, because
some things—like illnesses—move absurdly
quickly in the Village. I don’t know if I would
classify village life as simpler either because, as
with any place where people live together, things
can get complicated. But there’s just something
about Holden that feels more real, like every
day has a little more weight and significance to
it, even when I get to the end and feel like I’ve
accomplished nothing. I get to Vespers and sink
into a chair surrounded by this family of people
who don’t care that I’m broken, and none of the
rest of it seems to matter anymore. ◊
Kasey moved to Holden with her family at the start
of 10th grade and graduated from the Holden Village
School. She is a freshman at Boston University.
On the other hand, Becky Woods Sellers,
mother of two preschoolers and a second
grader, welcomes the closeness of community.
Parenting small children in the city can be
“isolating,” she says. “When we came here,
I had the opportunity to interact with adults
regularly.” Holden does not allow babysitting
for pay, but people frequently volunteer their
services, says Becky.
Holden’s spectacular setting; a school small
enough to offer individualized instruction;
exposure to a continual stream of artists,
scholars and creative thinkers; a daily worship
experience; and a mix of generations are strong
draws for families. Drawbacks might include
parents’ rigorous work schedules, a limited
number of playmates and the fact that there’s
always so much going on at Holden.
“Just like anywhere, you have to make time for
family,” says Cindy Shultz. Each family finds
its own formula, including
rules about eating together
as a family or working on
dish team together.
“There have been many
times when ‘work of the
Village’ has felt like a
hardship on our home
life,” admits associate
pastor Elizabeth Damico,
whose daughter is in first
grade.
“However, this
community again
and again shows
great generosity and
understanding, helping
me to prioritize raising my
daughter over all other
responsibilities. This is
sheer gift for a village
parent.”
www.holdenvillage.org
Villagers of all ages tend to get involved with
the children, who relish the opportunity to ski
or hike with 20-somethings or learn to weave
from a grandmotherly-type in the Craft Cave.
“People don’t treat you like a kid,” says Kasey
Shultz, now a freshman at Boston University.
Still, all agree it doesn’t “take a village” to raise
children. It takes parents. From the Holden
parents’ handbook:
“Families are solely responsible for the care of
their children and are empowered to decide
how they will care for one another taking into
account the commitments, the environment,
and rhythms of village life. Parents are
responsible for setting boundaries with their
children. Holden Village understands that your
children come first, and we encourage parents
and families to make a plan that will work for
them.”
Leaving Holden is also a reality — sometimes
a sad one — for long-term staff, just as all who
come to the Village seek to “go out with good
courage,” as stated in the “Holden Prayer.”
“Know that you commit to a duration, need
to leave, and others will care for the place just
fine without you,” says Brent Diamond, former
operations manager whose family returned to
their home in Everett, Wash., after two years at
Holden.
Not everyone agrees. Adjusting to life after
Holden, 5-year-old Sophie Julin-McCleary
sadly told her parents: “I want to live there a
million years.”
Page 13
At School You Can Be
Kids love going to school at Holden.
“Why isn’t every school like this one?” asks
Espen Richardson, an eighth grader in his third
year at Holden. “You can be yourself, which
allows you to be more passionate about your
learning.”
The Holden Village School is operated by
the Chelan School District and funded by
Washington state as a remote but necessary
school. Current enrollment is 11 students
served by two teachers and a teacher’s aide.
Those numbers allow for frequent one-on-one
instruction and a curriculum that, while meeting
state and district requirements, can be tailored
to each student’s interests and abilities.
Explains Espen: “We still have all the
necessary subjects such as math and science
and language arts, but you are also given
a choice of independent studies, which I
imagine—even though I’ve never been to
college—is a bit like college.”
“Coming to Holden for her first and second
grades has had an incredible effect” on
daughter Michaela, says her mother, Elizabeth
Damico: “like opening the cocoon for the
butterfly to open up.”
There are sacrifices, like no football, band
or clubs. But classes are often out-of-doors,
high school seniors play dodge ball with first
graders and last year’s school year ended with
a 17-mile hike. Students may get lessons from
the village musician or sit in with professionallevel musicians who frequently visit. Artists and
other professionals on staff volunteer to teach
classes, sometimes at the students’ initiative.
Tenth grader Corey Shultz invited his electrical
engineer dad to teach a course on electricity
this year.
Holden is a public school, but it doesn’t feel like
one, agree brother and sister Espen and Maija
Diamond, who spent two years in the Village.
They expected something of a transitional
shock when they returned to larger schools
in Everett, Wash., but discovered the change
wasn’t difficult. Other families agreed that
returning to a more normal educational setting
has not been a problem. If anything, they say,
the Holden experience broadens a student’s
perspective, leading to more mature attitudes.
Classes are frequently held outdoors to take advantage of Holden’s setting
Lisa Maren Thompson photo
Page 14
www.holdenvillage.org
Winter
Photo
Review
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
www.holdenvillage.org
Page 15
Low snow
but high spirits
as guests return to Holden
Winter 2013-14 may be a record-breaking season
with snow levels at an all-time low, yet the thin
layer of snow and thick layer of ice provided more
than adequate setting for the annual Village Winter
Olympics (opposite page). Competitive events
included hot chocolate spitting (top), synchronized
snow ballet (middle) and boot tossing (bottom).
The reredos (worship focal point) was redecorated
(upper left), an angel flew in for the Christmas
pageant (left) and the Holy Family took its usual
place in the center of the Fireside Room (bottom
left). By January the Village was packed with J-term
students from three colleges (above), and many
Villagers had renounced New Year’s resolutions,
giving in to their addiction to Bananagrams (below).
Photos by Holden communications team
Page 16
www.holdenvillage.org
By Cindy Shultz
Did you miss your Holden fix in 2013? Consider
scheduling a winter visit! If you’ve never been
to Holden in winter before, you’ll want to
experience the unique joys of Holden in the
“quiet” season first-hand. Quiet doesn’t mean
boring, and it’s a relative term. Quiet may
describe a snowshoe adventure outside of the
Village, but it rarely describes a Holden Coffee
House and Variety Show. You may find a quiet spot in
the library or your room to curl up with a good book,
but probably not in the dining hall, where you can
enter into a lively conversation or a rowdy game of
Bananagrams. Holden in winter – quiet? Maybe. Maybe
not!
Winter Programming Highlights
Women’s Retreat, Feb. 7-10,
“Dancing the Trinity: Grace, Love, Communion”
Bible study sessions that will look at the stories of
Mary, Miriam and Ruth. Movement practices will include
morning stretches and sessions on authentic movement
and seated dance. Music will abound, and there will be
ample opportunities for crafts, snowshoeing and skiing.
Snowdance Film Festival, Feb. 17-24,
“Finding Home”
The Village will once again roll out the red carpet for
winning filmmakers who have been invited to bring
a guest and spend the week at Holden, along with
Villagers who will view and discuss films and the role
of film and faith. This year’s winners are Kyja KristjanaNelson, Fargo, N.D., for her films, “Sveit” and “Look
Out Point”; Harvey Schwartz, Bellingham, Wash.,
“Bellingham,,,Subdued Quirk: (Pursuing Delightment
in the City of Subdued Excitement)”; and Tim Staub,
LEADERSHIP
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
News and Events
Bozeman, Mont., “Homebrew Is Where the Heart Is.”
Everyone in the Village will be invited to participate
in an on-site filmmaking competition. Participants will
have 24 hours to complete a film of five minutes or
less. Contestants must use their own equipment and
will not have Internet access.
Artist Residency in Community, Ecology
and Spirituality, Feb. 25-April 9
Four artists were selected for this year’s residency
and, in addition to working on projects, will give
presentations about their work. This year’s artists are
Taylor Hagbo, singer/songwriter, McKinleyville, Calif.;
Sheila Novak, sculptor, Minneapolis; Trish Pipkin,
painter, Champlin, Minn.; and A. K. “Mimi” Allin,
performance artist, Seattle.
Compassionate Voices Retreat,
March 7-10
“Stories are my best teacher,” said a participant in last
year’s retreat. The stories will flow as hospice chaplains
and nurses join with artists, dancers and musicians for
a weekend that will emphasize grief, loss and returning
to life. There will be sessions on bedside singing,
writing our stories, dances of universal peace and
healing art, as all participate in the rhythms of Holden
and enjoy the beauty of Railroad Creek Valley.
Holden Village Folk Festival,
March 28-31
Featured musicians will be Tom Rawson, Linda Allen,
Jen Allen-Zito, Scatter Creek String Band and more.
Session topics will include world vocal traditions,
songwriting, music and social change and clog dancing.
There will be an old-time gospel sing, a slow jam (for
beginners), a Saturday night dance, folk arts, concerts
and song and instrumental jam sessions. Bring your
instruments, especially those new Holden guitars.
Holden Evening Prayer Around the
World, Saturday, April 5, 7 p.m., PDT
To launch “Holden on the Road” for 2014, we invite
Villagers around the world to sing Marty Haugen’s
beautiful Vespers setting on the same day, more or less
at the same time. You can go to the Holden website,
www.holdenvillage.org, to find out if a church or group
near you will host Evening Prayer—or you can sign up
to host your own service.
Holy Week, April 13-20
The most important week for Christians begins on Palm
Sunday with an exuberant “Pine Processional” and
moves through the drama of the Easter Triduum, or
The Three Days of Maundy Thursday through Easter
Sunday.
Broomball on Main Street
Lisa Maren Thompson photo
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
Calls have been issued to fill
significant positions as Holden
Village moves into the future.
Executive Director
April 1 is the deadline for
applications for individuals or
teams seeking the position of
executive director(s). The executive
director(s) is (are) responsible to
the Board of Directors to tend and
keep the vision, mission and core
values of Holden Village as the vital
center of village life and work. The
new director(s) will replace current
directors Chuck and Stephanie
Carpenter, whose term will end
June 2015. The new director’s(s’)
term will begin January 2015.
All friends of Holden are
encouraged to nominate individuals
or teams of individuals with the
gifts and skills to lead this Lutheran
ministry. Interested persons may
apply directly. The usual term is five
years. More information, including
a job description, is available on
the Holden website and from Chris
Scharen, cscharen001@luthersem.
edu.
Pastor
Holden Village seeks a pastor to
proclaim the Gospel, facilitate daily
worship and weekly Eucharist, and
serve as a spiritual/theological
leader for the Village. The pastor
should be ordained on the roster of
the ELCA, LCMS or denominations
with which the ELCA is in full
communion. An understanding
of and commitment to Lutheran
theology and traditions in worship
are required. The pastor should
be an outstanding preacher and
be flexibly creative in worship
expression. Competence in pastoral
care is also desired. Interested
applicants should contact the
Holden Village staffing office at
[email protected] for the
application.
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
www.holdenvillage.org
HOLDEN VILLAGE CLASSIFIEDS
HELP WANTED
Holden wants you … or someone you know... to consider
applying for these positions
Operational Volunteer Staff Needed
Help keep the plates spinning and Holden Village rhythms
alive through the next year. Keep the lights on, the pool
hall and snack bar hopping, and share the rhythms of Bible
study, teaching sessions and worship.
LONG-TERM
One-year Positions
Open now
Two-year Positions
Open now
(stipend, room, board and
insurance included)
• Lead Cook
• Diesel Mechanic
• Food Service Coordinator
• Musician/Worship Assistant
• Nurse/Medic
• Potter
• Repair Associate
• Staff Coordinator
• Utilities Assistant
• Historic Records Clerk
(new just for 2014)
• HR Audit Support (new just
for 2014)
• Safety Audit Support (new
just for 2014)
• Pastor
• Registrar
Upcoming
one-year positions
• Bookstore Coordinator
• Communications Associate
• Craft Coordinator
• IT Associate
• IT Coordinator
• Mechanic’s Assistant
• Visual Media Associate
Manager Opening
Hospitality and Program Services Manager
Open Now
Salaried with benefits. Three-year commitment. Oversees
guests’ experience of welcome and comfort in the Village.
Supervises registration, the kitchen, housekeeping, laundry,
and guest program service areas such as Narnia/minors
program, bookstore, craft cave, library, post office, snack bar,
pool hall, and espresso cart. Strategically plans for changing
needs and addresses issues related to guest experiences.
Works with vendors with area leads on ordering supplies
and maintaining inventory. Familiarity with outdoor
ministry management helpful. Must be able to help create
a positive working environment, empowering volunteers
ranging in skills levels in their service in the Village.
Page 15
MID-TERM
Upcoming Mid-Term
(three-eight month) Positions
(stipend, room, board for three months and greater,
insurance available for six months and greater)
Beginning May 1 (Negotiable)
• Barista
• Bookstore Assistant
• Chief Fire Fighter
Assistant
• Lawns and Gardens
Assistant
• Mavericks
• Media Ministry Lead
• Media Ministry
Assistant
• Mine Clerk Assistant
• Pool Hall Coordinator
• Program Assistant
• Snack Bar Lead
• Trails Assistant
• Youth Program Staff
Capital Projects Volunteer Staff Needed
Help the Village use this unique time and opportunity
to complete infrastructure projects during the mine
remediation disruption. Focus on completing projects and
participate in the rhythms of Bible study, teaching sessions
and worship. Stipend, room, board and insurance available.
Positions Open Now
• Skilled Carpenters
• Carpenter Assistants
• Footbridge Project Lead
• Hydro Upgrade Project Lead
• Safety Administrator
• Logistics Administrator
• Logistics Assistant
• Quartermaster
• Quartermaster Assistant
• Landscape Architect
• General Construction Project
Leads
• Heavy Machine Operators
• Electricians
• Electrician Assistants
• Plumbers
• Plumber Assistants
• Painters
• Painter Assistants
• Drafter
Positions Open
Beginning March through
construction season
• Public Works Electrical
Project Lead
• Public Works Electrical
Project Assistants
• Public Works Water Project
Lead
• Public Works Water Project
Assistants
• IT Infrastructure Project Lead
• IT Infrastructure Project
Assistant
• Hose House Project Lead
• Hose House Project
Assistants
• Lawn Irrigation Project Lead
• Lawn Irrigation Project
Assistant
• Dry Room Construction
Project Lead
• Dry Room Construction
Project Assistants
• Sawmill Operator Assistants
• Wood Processing Lead
• Wood Processing Assistant
• Landscaping Lead
• Landscaping Assistants
Page 18
www.holdenvillage.org
Holden Village Voice Winter 2014
Worship
In This Place
A
By Scott M. Kershner
As a young man, I came alive working in the
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in
northern Minnesota. Sleeping on a bed of pine
needles and scooping drinking water from deep
cold lakes brought an exhilarating awakening:
this world, it is my home. Guiding groups
through that enchanted landscape brought a
second awakening: perhaps I will be a pastor.
These were braided from the beginning.
During years of theological training and
pastoral formation, the braid slowly unwound.
I remained passionate about wild places and
the ecologies of our lives, but seminary did
not challenge me to make the theological
and ecological connections that had sparked
such life in me. My theological imagination
atrophied accordingly. Eight years of first-call
ministry in dense urban spaces contributed to
my spiritual amnesia. It needn’t have been so.
I realize now cities are no more or less natural
than places we’ve learned to call wilderness.
Wherever we live, we live on and with the land.
Together with our human, plant and animal
neighbors, we are residents of some watershed
or another. I was too busy or distracted to make
connections that had once been so vital. The
unwound braid of theology and ecology went
hand in hand with other imaginative splits:
sacred/secular, natural/unnatural. These splits
come at an extremely high price.
Anticipation marked my arrival at Holden
Village more than I can say. Ministry in a
remote mountain setting was a call to integrate
vital strands of faith and pastoral vocation.
I quickly discovered that daily communal
worship in this remote mountain setting
raises a world of questions. Is the surrounding
Tommy Gibson photo
wilderness simply the background set—though
a majestic one, to be sure—for our human
drama of faith and life? Are we a tiny cell of
faith gathered in some sense “against” the
forbidding landscape? Do the walls within
which most of our worship assemblies happen
reinforce a sense of separation? It is possible to
see our communal worship in all these ways,
and many Christians do.
Worship at Holden invites another set of
questions. Is it possible that, as we gather to
worship God, we do so as members of the
wider land community in which we find
ourselves? Is it possible
“Wherever we that gratitude for
live, we live on and attention to the
glaciers and plants and
and with the animals of Railroad
land. Together Creek Valley have a
with our place in our prayer
and our praise? Might
human, plant this be what it means
and animal to “join the hymn of
all creation,” as our
neighbors, we liturgies proclaim? Is it
are residents possible that, as a fine
reflects the terroir
of some wine
of place—the singular
watershed or combination of soil and
another.” rainfall and sun of a
particular vineyard—
our worship might reflect its place on the land?
Is all this possible without ever forgetting that
our worship is never narrowly about “us” and
“our place,” but the worship of God who holds
all people and places?
Worship at Holden has been an enthusiastic
and creative Yes to all those questions. We’ve
given thanks for the melt waters of Lyman,
Mary Greene and Isella glaciers while baptizing
in Railroad Creek. We’ve surrounded our
worship space with cones from nearly all 16
species of conifers of Railroad Creek Valley,
the forest symbolically present in our Lenten
worship. We’ve given thanks for the awesome
and mysterious presence of the cougar leaving
tracks around the Village in our prayers at
Sunday Eucharist. We’ve used hardened sap
from the Lodge Pole pine stand on the Hart
Lake trail as incense during Holden Evening
Prayer, adding new sensory and symbolic
meaning to familiar words: “Let my prayer
rise before you as incense…” We’ve begun
Eucharist on Baptism of Our Lord Sunday
standing in the snow next to the creek in midJanuary, pondering again what it means to die
and rise with Christ in the baptismal waters.
In deepest winter, we’ve had entire vespers
services on the natural history, biblical images
and symbolic meaning of snow. We’ve gathered
outdoors on warm summer evenings in this
landscape marked so dramatically by geological
forces, singing a beloved evening hymn to God
who “sings creation’s story.”
“Theology without a sense of geography causes
a lot of problems,” biblical translator and
theologian Eugene Peterson observes. These
communal explorations of worship have been
part of the joy of ministry in this glacier-dozed
North Cascades valley. They have also meant
discovering again and again the hardest and
most freeing lesson of all: we are not gods. We
are mortal creatures among fellow creatures,
members of the whole commonwealth of
Creation, fit to worship God in following Christ
from our place on earth.
Scott M. Kershner, village pastor since
August 2010, left Holden Jan. 6, 2014, with wife
Lori Hayes Kershner, village artist, moving to
Selinsgrove, Penn., where he is serving as
chaplain at Susquehanna University.