Holden Men’s Retreat Co-hosted by Illuman of WA

Come to Holden Village for a weekend of spiritual renewal and recreation at our 2025 Men’s Retreat, co-hosted by Illuman of WA. Registration for this event!

We seek to Awaken Men to their Belovedness that they Might Love the World.

• What holds you back from living fully out of your own belovedness? What holds you back from loving the world in a bold and beautiful way?
• During our three days together we’ll explore themes of masculinity through the use of ritual, teaching, drumming, nature, poetry, time in council, and listening to the Spirit
  within and among us.
• We can not do this work of awakening alone…as Maya Angelou says, “no one, but no one can make it out here alone.”
• Bring your deep desire, your broken heart, your numbness…anyone and everything within you belongs.
• This retreat is open to men on all parts of the continuum of gender identity and
  expression.

Illuman was birthed out of the remarkable work of Richard Rohr, O.F.M., and has spread all over
the world. Our Washington State community of men is committed to living authentic,
connected lives of love and service. We are fed by the wisdom traditions of forgiveness and
radical inclusivity; we seek a life-changing spirituality, and we recognize the need to gather
regularly to do our own inner work and to help others. We are part of a new generation of
men’s work that explores true masculinity, honoring the beauty in all things, through the
ancient tools of nature, story, ritual, council, and imagery. In this community you’ll find Jews,
Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, and plenty of none-of-the-aboves. Our community is made up
of conservatives, liberals, wealthy, poor, gay, straight, young, old…who are joined together in
the quest to live rooted, loving, lives of depth. ALL of you is welcome here.

We have a great line-up of facilitators for this weekend:

Erik Samuelson, MDiv, MA, PCC is a professional certified leadership and vocational coach, who specializes in working with individuals and communities in all kinds of transition. For the past three years, Erik has served Holden Village as a vocational coach to the Holden staff and
volunteers. Erik is the Convener of Illuman of Washington, the local chapter of the international men’s organization founded by Fr. Richard Rohr to help men do their inner, spiritual work to become healthier and more authentic human beings. A lifelong Lutheran and lover of all manner of contemplative spiritual practices, Erik is a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and serves ¼ time at an amazing little church in Marysville, WA. Erik lives in Everett with his wife, two daughters, and two poodles. When he’s not at Holden or elsewhere in the North Cascades, you can find him on a bicycle, in the pool, or in the sauna. See more at: www.eriksamuelson.com

Jeffrey Batstone EdD LMHC works as a psychotherapist in private practice treating spiritual and sexual trauma. He serves within the leadership of Illuman of WA, is a ritual and eco-therapy guide, and serves in leadership within the Episcopal church. He lives in Bremerton WA where he makes his home with his wife and three children. The heart of his work is healing the relational patterns that emerge from our Western culture’s dis-ease, towards a wholeness rooted in the integrity of our inherent Earthly belonging. He loves to run on trails, sing songs with people, and play board games with his family and friends. See more at: waterwaystherapy.com

Kyle Petricek, MA LMHC, offers psychotherapy in Seattle out of his private practice. He works with all humans, providing play therapy, couples, family and individual work. Additionally, he has served as a wilderness and ritual guide. He incorporates somatics (movement), art, and archetypal work into his practices. Kyle grew up in the catholic church. As Father Rohr says, “all the good ones leave and come back.” No longer a catholic in practice, his is a lover of the wisdom of Christ. He lives with his wife Amy in Seattle. You can find Kyle amongst the trees, rivers and mountains when he is most fully alive. A good tune or a delicious meal, at home or about will do the trick as well.