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The Forest Parish: Above All Love

The Forest Parish: Above All Love

Seasons

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- July 15, 2023

Cherry blossoms bloom,

Autumn leaves drift calmly -

Seasons are changing.

David Timothy Holdsworth BA.Soc.Sc, BA.Theol.

A Highland Theological College graduate and non-conformist follower of Jesus living at the crossroads of neurodiversity and faith. Writing through the lens of the proverbial Forest Parish on the wild grace of the Gospel.

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"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." - John 3:17

Welcome to The Forest Parish

David Timothy Holdsworth BA.Soc.Sc, BA.Theol.: Gorebridge, Scotland, United Kingdom; A Highland Theological College graduate and non-conformist follower of Jesus living at the crossroads of neurodiversity and faith. Writing through the lens of the proverbial Forest Parish on the wild grace of the Gospel.

In short...

A Christian/Neurodiversity blog focused on pacifism, devotion and the personal journey of an autistic writer.

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BIBLE CHALLENGE

"Who did Jesus say are the children of God?"

CLICK FOR ANSWER

The Peacemakers
(Matthew 5:9)

"Search & Study"

"Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

— GALATIANS 1:3 —

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17

The Prince of Preachers "The Church of Christ is a peace society. If she were true to her Master, she would be the greatest power for peace in the world... I wish that Christian men would exert their influence against war in every shape and form." — C.H. Spurgeon

A Light for Peace

Prayer Requests and Comments Welcome!

Make Poverty History

I look upon all the forest and world as my parish!

St Francis of Assisi reportedly said "The world is our cloister." John Wesley famously said, "I look upon all the world as my parish." In this season, I look upon the forest and my own home as mine. The Forest Parish is a metaphor for my current ministry—a rhythm of faith held between the silence of the trees and the "quiet" of the hearth. This is a literal reality as much as a spiritual one; I spend my days in the woods as an Outdoor Learning Assistant (ASN) at Vogrie Early Years Centre. When I return home, that hearth is often beautifully messy, shaped by the high-energy demands of raising a young family with complex needs. My journey is supported by a foundation of radical faith as a member of Red Letter Christians and a commitment to peace expressed through Christian CND and the Red Cross. These roots find a daily rhythm through the 'Daily Office' of the Northumbria Community. As a late-diagnosed autistic person and a carer, I have navigated this season with the support and advocacy of Number 6 One Stop Shop, VOCAL Midlothian, Health in Mind, and Midlothian Access Point. As part of this season, I am undertaking the Mencap Bronze Gateway Award, which serves as a structured framework to document my personal growth as an autistic adult. This Bronze Gateway Journey or Pilgrimage is built on five active pillars. For Volunteering, I am planning and completing my Walk for Autism alongside my mascot, Fluffy. My Fitness and Wellbeing pillar involves utilizing local nature trails for sensory regulation and engaging in mindful activities such as journaling and coloring. For my Hobby, I am developing this Digital Parish blog and integrating the Northumbria Daily Office into my life. The Lifestyle pillar focuses on Sensory and Advocacy work, where I manage daily regulation through Squiggle Society art supplies, fidgets, and sensory snacks, while also conducting advocacy work for my wee family. Finally, my Personal Challenge involves engaging with the Dad and Me group and searching for an ASN-friendly spiritual home. Whether I am in the solitude of the trees, engaging in home worship as a family, or joining the shared life of our local church, these anchors guide my steps and bring a deeper peace to our shared life. You can follow the "Gateway Evidence" label on this blog for weekly logs and advocacy updates.

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Christian CND
Gateway Awards
Gorebridge Parish Church
Health in Mind
No.6 Autism Initiatives
Northumbria Community
Red Cross
Red Letter Christians
Vocal Midlothian
Vogrie Outdoor Early Years Center

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