Online Easter retreat: Together on Pilgrimage

Online Easter retreat: Together on Pilgrimage

israel-107949_1280_pixabay_pilgrim-crosses_CROP_lowres

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

A smiling man with a grey beard, wearing glasses and a dark blue based-ball cap and a blue body-warmer. He is sat on a bench in a garden with trees and bushes behind him. 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