Posts

Featured Post

Welcome to the Forest Parish

-
Image
​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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ash Wednesday: Dust and Breath

-
Image
Ash Wednesday, 2026 Today many churches mark the start of Lent. They put ashes on people's foreheads in the shape of a cross. They say: "Remember you are dust, and to dust you will return." Not everyone does this. Some Christians don't celebrate Lent at all. Some people find the ashes too much. Maybe it feels too busy, too public, or just not right for them. If Ash Wednesday feels like too much for you — that's okay. You don't need ashes on your forehead to know God loves you. But whether you do this today or not, there's something old and beautiful in this tradition. It's about being dust and being loved at the same time. The Tau Mark:   God Saves His People Long ago in the Old Testament, God showed the prophet Ezekiel a vision. Bad things were coming to Jerusalem. But before anything bad happened, God told an angel to do something important: Ezekiel 9:4 (Easy English Bible): "Go through Jerusalem city. Go among the people. Make a mar...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where do you love to get steps in?

-
Image
Sponsors welcome! 
Post a Comment
Read more

Gateway Evidence Week 4

-
Image
​For a long time, I tried to fit into spaces that weren't built for me. My Personal Challenge for the Bronze Award is in part a commitment to stop masking and start seeking. ​By attending Dad & Me, I am seeking the community help I need to be a regulated parent (it is the February break in Midlothian and Solomon was a bit poorly so we did skip a week). By searching for an ASN-friendly church, I am seeking the spiritual help I need to practice my faith without burnout. This week we went local. These aren't separate tasks; they are two sides of the same journey toward Autism Acceptance. ​1. Volunteering: Walk for Autism ​Activity: Planning routes and tracking fundraising. ​Evidence:  ​2. Fitness: Nature Walk ​Activity: Daily walks for sensory regulation. ​Evidence: Snow, Cake-Topped Trees , and a Little Help from My Friends  ​3. Hobby: The Digital Parish ​Activity: Daily prayer using the Northumbria Office and blog reflections. ​Update: Shifting focus...
Post a Comment
Read more

Snow, Cake-Topped Trees, and a Little Help from My Friends

-
Image
​I went for a wander today—though, if I’m being honest, it wasn’t entirely by choice! The roads were so tricky I ended up having to abandon my car and trek the rest of the way to my job at Vogrie. ​Luckily, the views made the hike worth it. The trees were absolutely caked in snow; on some branches, it sat so thick and white it looked exactly like delicious royal icing on a Christmas cake. Just as I was starting to feel the chill near Newlandrig, a kind parent saw me trudging along and offered me a lift. It was such a lovely reminder of how great our community is when the weather gets wild! Here are the shots I grabbed of our "sugar-coated" landscape along the way.
Post a Comment
Read more

A Mission for World Peace: The Story of the Oberlin Peace League

-
Image
​📖 Reading Level: Easy English / Simple Language This post explains the history of the Oberlin Peace League using simple words and short sentences. In 1850, a group of people in Oberlin, Ohio, started a group called the Oberlin Peace League . They believed that war was completely against the teachings of Jesus. At a time when many people thought war was glorious, these people said that war was a sin that destroyed families and hurt the poor. They wanted to change the world by teaching people to love everyone as brothers and sisters, no matter what country they came from. ​Summary ​The Oberlin Peace League was a group that tried to stop all wars between nations. They wrote a set of rules (a constitution) to explain their goals. They wanted to teach people that war is expensive, foolish, and wrong. They also asked the government to solve problems by talking and making deals instead of fighting. They believed that if people stopped paying for war and started treating everyone like fam...
Post a Comment
Read more

The "Sing Instead of Yell" Secret: How Neuroscience Turns Tantrums into Tunes

-
Image
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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Finding "Home": Why We’re Choosing Local Over "Perfect"

-
Image
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...
Post a Comment
Read more