Dean Atkins

Refugee Week 2023

It’s almost here! A whole week of events and activities with compassion at its heart! Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of people seeking sanctuary It’s been running in the UK since 1998. This year is its 25th Anniversary. The theme is compassion and throughoutContinue reading “Refugee Week 2023”

A message from God

Saturday 6 May, 2023 | Fourth Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 13:44-52; Psalm 97(98):1-4; John 14:7-14 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) In his poem called ‘Message,’ RS Thomas writes: “A message from God /delivered by a bird / at my window, offering friendship. / Listen. Such language?Continue reading “A message from God”

Christ be with me

Friday 5 May, 2023 | Fourth Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 13:26-33; Psalm 2:6-11; John 14:1-6 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) On one occasion, when sending out his followers who were faced by a crossroads, St Francis of Assis instructed them to quickly spin on the spot. Continue reading “Christ be with me”

Who are we?

Thursday 4 May, 2023 | Fourth Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 13:13-25; Psalm 88(89):2-3,21,22,25,27; John 13:16-20 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) Gerard Hughes, in his book, God of Surprises, asks the question, “Why is it that so many movements and organisations spring up within the Church andContinue reading “Who are we?”

To pastures green

Tuesday 2 May, 2023 | Fourth Week of Easter |Readings: 1 Acts 11:19-26; Psalm 86 (87); John 10:22-30 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) Over 360 million Christians suffer persecution and discrimination in the world today according to the organisation Open Doors. Open Doors originated in 1995 whenContinue reading “To pastures green”

More in common

Saturday 1 May, 2023 | Fourth Week of Easter | St Joseph the Worker |Readings: 1 Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 41(42):2-3,42:3-4:1-4,8-9,13-14,17-18; John 10:11-180 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) “We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.” These are words fromContinue reading “More in common”

The measure of love

Saturday 29 April, 2023 | St Catherine of Sienna |Readings: 1 John 1:5-2:2; Psalm 102(103):1-4,8-9,13-14,17-18; Matthew 11:25-30 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) In many areas of work, employees are used to undertaking a Performance Management Review to evaluate the productivity of their work. Even if this doesn’tContinue reading “The measure of love”

Praying for preachers

Friday 28 April, 2023 | Friday of the Third Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 116(117); John 6:52-59 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) In 1857, Anthony Trollope wrote in Barchester Chronicles, “There is, perhaps, no greater hardship at present inflicted on mankind in civilized and freeContinue reading “Praying for preachers”

Miracle Food?

Thursday 27 April, 2023 | Thursday of the Third Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 65(66):8-9,16-17,20; John 6:44-51 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) We all know the importance of eating a healthy and balanced diet. However, food which has been branded ‘miracle foods’can come with boldContinue reading “Miracle Food?”

St Mark the Evangelist

Tuesday 25 April, 2023 | St Mark the Evangelist |Readings: 1 Peter 5:5-14; Psalm 88(89):2-3,6-7,16-17; Mark 16:15-20 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here) There are many sayings ascribed to St Francis, often with little evidence that he ever said them. One such saying is his alleged instruction toContinue reading “St Mark the Evangelist”