Online Easter retreat: Together on Pilgrimage
We had a wonderful online retreat 'virtual pilgrimage' in March 2025, journeying together (online) to the Holy Land, following some of Jesus' own journey through the very first Holy Week.
As in previous Through the Roof online retreats, we gathered on Zoom on three afternoons during the week, including time to reflect and share together.
We were led by David Smith as we encountered some of the places and the events of Jesus' own journey from Palm Sunday through Holy Week, culminating in the first Easter Sunday. There was opportunity to spend time looking at some particular elements of this journey and to consider and reflect on our own response to what we heard.
About our speaker, David Smith
David lives in Hampshire and was a physiotherapist for 40 years, in both the army and the NHS.
Just before his 60th birthday David had a stroke, causing his retirement. As a previously keen walker and cyclist, he also became interested in pilgrimage. Now less mobile, David looked at other ways of making Bible-based spiritual journeys. This led to the concept of "virtual pilgrimages" to open up the possibility of experiencing 'journeying' together without the need to physically travel. David has led a variety of 'virtual pilgrimages' and we look forward to sharing this 'journey' together.
Reflections
Here are some insights from the 'virtual pilgrimage' following Jesus' journey through the Holy land at the first Easter.
- "A privilege to be able to journey virtually to the Holy Land and imagine how it may have been to travel to where Jesus lived while on earth."
- "This was just what we needed! Some contemplative time to think through the journey Jesus took on our behalf."
- "Very informative and encouraging, I feel like I've had a little glimpse of the Holy Land now!"
When asked to sum up the retreat in a word or short sentence, people said:
- Inspiring
- Welcoming
- Thought-provoking and collaborative
We also asked how the week helped people on their own journey of following Jesus:
- "Seeing what Jesus went through on his journey to the cross and his willingness to go ahead & pay the ultimate price for us encouraged me to go on trusting him in everything. Talking this through with others helped too."
- "Being made so welcome by the group was very comforting and supportive for me. Thank you."
About Through the Roof's groups, retreats and holidays
Through the Roof (TTR) offers accessible, supported retreats and group holidays, as well as online small groups, as times of fellowship for disabled people and for all, in an atmosphere of joy and togetherness. These are opportunities to be refreshed spiritually through reflection, meeting with others and spending time being refreshed.
Find out more about Through the Roof retreats and holidays, visit https://throughtheroof.org/holidays-and-retreats/
Find out more about Through the Roof's regular online afternoon fellowship groups: Together in the Lounge, monthly on Tuesdays; and Together at Home, twice monthly on Thursdays.
If you would like to find out more or join us for any of our other online groups or in-person holidays, please do email us at together@throughtheroof.org
Know and Grow Makaton training in 2025
Learn a new skill this year...
Makaton is a communication programme using symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. Many churches use Makaton to support people with learning disabilities to be able to access worship and teaching. It is also widely used to communicate with children before they can speak.
We had a fantastic Know and Grow Makaton training day in Cardiff in November 2024. So we're thrilled to say we have another training in 2025...
Join us in Gosport on 26th April 2025 for a Know and Grow Makaton Training Day - email carol@throughtheroof.org to find out more or book online here.
The event is an in-person training and costs £40 per person. You'll have great fun and learn well over 100 Makaton signs, including Christian vocabulary and Makaton for everyday use.
The event is run by the learning disability charity: Count Everyone In, who developed this course with the Makaton Charity.
Other Know and Grow Makaton courses are taking place in various areas run by Count Everyone In. For details of more Know and Grow Makaton events in 2025, follow this link.
Why not learn a new skill in 2025 and communicate the love of Jesus in Makaton?
