Over Ascension Weekend, about 35 people gathered at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Parma, Ohio for a parish retreat.

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The retreat was an invitation to open our heart to Jesus' mercy and to the people around us — family, neighbors, coworkers, strangers — right where we already are.

We anchored ourselves in Jesus' promise in Acts 1:8: "...You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

​ Listen to the Sunday Homily: the scripture assigned for that day shows the way of grace when we face the unwelcome transitions of life.

"Witness has taken on a more vital spiritual presence for me. Not only to those I come in contact with — but Sunday when I worshiped, it took on a presence I had not experienced before."
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“Your question, "What would be the thing I care about?," pierced my soul and mind. I asked myself what things I presently care more about…, and if these concerns should actually be my focus in life. Rather, my focus should be on Christ and on His commands. When I read the Holy Scriptures, I want to be present with Him—focused on what He is saying to me rather than the “noise” surrounding my mind. My time communing with my Heavenly Father will strengthen me to be His witness to my family, my brothers and sisters in Him, and in my community. I learned what it meant to be present with people whom I know or will meet, and the gift of listening to people and carrying one another’s burdens.”

You can access the retreat recordings and resources.

✅ All seven session recordings — Friday evening through the closing Sunday liturgy, including the homily above.

✅ A PDF workbook — including guided reflections, questions, and activities to dig into the retreat at a pace that works for your life.

✅ Follow-up emails — short, practical, and spaced to help the retreat's themes take root in your daily life.

Give What You Can

Rather than setting a price, we ask you give as generously and cheerfully as you can. Scroll to the bottom to give a different amount than the recommended $100.

Every dollar goes into our ministry travel fund which brings retreats like this to others.

This Resource is for You if:

  • You need to be reminded that you are deeply beloved and what you have to give is enough; without losing the desire to grow.
  • You've felt the tug to be more present — to God, to your family, to the people right in front of you — but haven't had a framework to make that concrete.
  • You want language for what it means for your household / parish to be Christ's witness in your Jerusalem, your Judea, your Samaria, and beyond.

FAQs

What exactly do I get? Playlist with session recordings (Friday evening through the Sunday liturgy homily), the full seven-week follow-up workbook as a downloadable PDF, and enrollment in the follow-up email series.

How does delivery work? As soon as your contribution is processed, you'll get an email with access to the recordings and workbook, and you'll be added to the follow-up email series starting this week.

Do I need to be Orthodox to benefit from this? No. Several participants at the original retreat weren't Orthodox or were new to the faith. The material is built from an Orthodox sacramental worldview, but the invitation — to show up, to be present, to open your heart — is for anyone.

Where does the money go? 100% goes into our ministry travel fund, covering travel costs to bring this same retreat to other parishes.

Can I bring this to my parish? Absolutely! If your parish is within this radius, that's a weekend drive for us, and we'd love to visit — let's talk.

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The Founder's Bundle - Only 10 Available.

A small collection of items from the weekend retreat can be mailed to you:

  • The journal and pen set retreatants received.
  • One of the engraved stones that was carried, exchanged, and blessed across the weekend.
  • A prayer rope handmade by Geoff.
  • A little bouncy ball — you'll understand why once you watch the second session.

This is first come, first served to those who can give over $100. Once these 10 bundles are shipped, they're gone -- the recordings, PDF workbook, and email series remain available to everyone regardless.

Give what you can. Receive what you need. Fund future ministry.

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$ USD