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Welcome to the Forest Parish

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​A Place of Hearth, Home, and Holy Ground ​ Dear friends in Christ, ​Welcome to this clearing in the woods. Just as the forest offers shelter to all and the hearth provides warmth to the weary, I hope this space serves as a sanctuary for your spirit. ​There are many voices in the world, but here is the rhythm of my own heart and ministry—a way of life rooted in the ancient soil of the Gospel and the quiet light of the home fire. ​The Three Great Trees: A Foundation of Faith ​In my journey, three truths stand like ancient oaks, providing shelter and strength: ​ The Living Word: Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. Apart from Him, the true God cannot be fully known. In Jesus, we see the face of a God who is Love, and whose Gospel is the path of Peace. ​ The Gift of Grace: Salvation is found by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. Like the rain that falls on the forest floor, grace is a gift—unearned, refreshing, and life-giving. ​ T...
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The "Sing Instead of Yell" Secret: How Neuroscience Turns Tantrums into Tunes

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Ever find yourself on the brink of a yelling match with your kids, wishing there was a magic button to hit reset? Well, according to neuroscience, there kind of is! It turns out, embracing your inner Mary Poppins might be the most effective parenting hack you're not using. ​It’s less about hitting the right notes and more about hitting the right brain pathways. We're talking about a strategy that calms both you and your child, turning potential meltdowns into manageable (and sometimes hilarious) moments. ​A Note from the Front Lines ​ Please note: I am still in the early stages of learning about the full depth of this technique, but I have already seen it in action with incredible results. At the Children’s outdoor nursery where I work, I’ve watched the practitioners use singing very effectively to guide groups of children through transitions and tricky moments without ever raising their voices. Seeing how well the kids respond in a professional setting has inspired me to...
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Finding "Home": Why We’re Choosing Local Over "Perfect"

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If you’ve ever been to Ps & Gs in Edinburgh, you know why it’s a beacon for families in the Lothians. Their ministry is, mega. From the dedicated ASN provisions to the vibrant energy of a city-centre church, they seem to provide a "gold standard" of inclusion that makes people feel seen, supported, and understood. We were going to go back there the last few Sundays, but it didn't work out.  ​For a time, we started to consider that "official provision" was the only way we could thrive as a family at church. We were willing to brave the A7, the Edinburgh parking hunt, and the sensory marathon of a large-scale service because we knew the support might be there. Then we started to remember why we left going to the city for worship.  ​We are now   feeling a different kind of pull. ​We’ve realized that while a flagship church offers a fantastic program , a local church offers a life and a community.  ​We are being drawn back to Gorebridge . On paper, our loca...
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Gateway Weekly Evidence Checklist: Week 3

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Focus: Active Seeking & Neuro-Inclusive Rhythm ​1. Volunteering (Walk for Autism) ​ Evidence:   ​2. Fitness & Nature (The Sensory Connection) ​ Activity: Nature walks + deepening the connection through literature. ​ Evidence: ​ Note: These books represent a rekindling of love for nature and serves as a tool for visual regulation/inspiration. I also ordered copies of BBC Wildlife which I use to buy as a teen.  ​3. Hobby (The Digital Parish) ​ Evidence: Continuing Daily Office,seeking membership of Friends ​ Link:  See  Blog Post: Thoughts on a Neuro-Inclusive Lent. ​4. Personal Challenge (The "Real Help" Evolution) ​ Concept: Merging the search for "Dad support" and "Spiritual support." Active self-advocacy to find spaces that actually fit. ​ Activities: Attended Dad & Me ; connected with Autism Consecrated. Evidence: Autism Consecrated Book: ...
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The Monk, the Painting, and the Father Who Runs: A Journey into Abba’s Love

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Rembrandt van Rijn, The Return of the Prodigal Son (c. 1668), Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons. A shorter version of a message originally shared at Whyte’s Causeway Baptist Church: ​Years ago, during my time with the L'Arche community, I was sent on a silent retreat. After days of profound quiet, we gathered in a large hall for a final meeting. At the front of that room hung a massive reproduction of Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son . ​As I sat there, I witnessed something I’ve never forgotten: a Franciscan monk began to dance down the aisle. ​Watching him move in his habit with such uninhibited joy, I realized I was seeing someone who truly understood the heart of God. He wasn't just thinking about theology; he was experiencing the welcome of a Father. It was a physical manifestation of the joy of the Kingdom—the kind of joy that comes when you stop trying to earn a place at the table and realize you were invited all along. ​The True Self ​The late Br...
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Degrees, Valleys, and Gateway Awards: Why My "Spiky Profile" Needs Both

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It might seem a bit unusual: I hold two Bachelor's degrees, I'm an autistic adult, and yet, I'm currently working on the Mencap Gateway Award. On paper, it looks like a "mismatch," but in reality, it's a perfectly logical step in my journey. ​Many neurodivergent individuals, myself included, experience what’s called a "spiky profile." This means our skills and development aren't uniform. We might have impressive strengths in academic areas—like my degrees demonstrate—but find other aspects of life incredibly challenging. Think of it like a beautiful mountain range: towering peaks in some areas, and deep valleys in others. ​University taught me how to research, write, and think critically. What it didn't teach me was how to navigate the overwhelming sensory input of a grocery store, manage executive dysfunction to maintain a consistent routine, or decode the nuanced social cues essential for building community connections. ​The Gateway Awar...
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A Congress of Nations: A Two-Century Legacy of Christian Nonresistance - A Summary and Devotion

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In a world where conflict often feels like an inevitability, we rarely look back to the radical voices of the past who believed a different way was possible. In 1843, a group of believers at Oberlin stood against the tide of nationalistic fervor to propose something revolutionary: a world governed not by the edge of a sword, but by the "great law of mutual love." As we revisit their visionary Constitution today, we find that their call for a "Congress of Nations" and a reliance on Divine Providence is more than just a historical curiosity—it is a timeless challenge to every follower of the Prince of Peace. ​ Matthew 5:9 — "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." ​Summary ​The 1843 Constitution of the Oberlin Peace Society outlines a radical commitment to Christian nonresistance, asserting that the spirit of war is fundamentally incompatible with the Gospel of Christ. The document argues that both individuals and nations are ...
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The Church at the Crossroads: Summary & Devotion

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The Summary The Church at the Crossroads Declaration is an urgent call for the global church to choose Jesus’ way of nonviolence over political militarism. Responding to the crisis in Gaza, the document repents for "theological scandals" that justify violence and rejects any ideology that values "ancient stones over the lives being buried beneath them." It demands an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the recognition of every person—Palestinian and Israeli alike—as a precious "image-bearer of God." Ultimately, it challenges Christians to move past silence and prioritize "costly love" and human dignity over nationalistic security. ​ The Devotion Standing at a crossroads requires us to decide if our primary allegiance belongs to a kingdom of force or the Kingdom of God. Matthew 5:9 reminds us that the "children of God" are defined by their work as peacemakers, not by their ability to justify wrath. To follow Chris...
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