Author Archives: Dean Atkins

‘Some are on their way from afar, others from the north and west.’ ‘(see Isaiah 59:8-15) In his selection of poems ‘On the Move: Poems about Migration,’ Michael Rosen writes, “Everyone comes from somewhere | Everyone has a past | Everyone is somewhere first | Everyone is somewhere last.”   There are occasions when some mayContinue reading “Just Lent | March 22”

‘Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails.’ (see Ezekiel 47:1-9,12) Forests still cover about 30 percent of the world’s land area, but they are disappearing at an alarming rate. Since 1990, the world has lost 420 million hectares or about aContinue reading “Just Lent | March 21”

‘Now I create a new heaven and a new earth, and the past will not be remembered.’ (see Isaiah 65:17-21) ‘There is no Planet B’ say many placards on environmental demonstrations organised by groups such as Extinction Rebellion and so many others.  The words were also waved in the air when school children from allContinue reading “Just Lent | March 20”

We continue our JUST LENT course this week, as we gather at St Paul’s Church Grangetown on Wednesday at 7pm. We explore justice for God’s Creation. Here’s a brief introduction. This monument, moved from just outside Central Railway Station to Cardiff Bay Wetland is intended to reflect the mountains which surround Cardiff, and the lifeContinue reading “Mountains and Molehills”

‘Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.’ (see Luke 18:9-14) Kevin Maxwell was a dream candidate for the police force—passionate, hard-working and keen to serve his community.  And, as a gay black man from a working class family he could easily have been a poster boyContinue reading “Just Lent | March 18”

‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ (see Mark 12:28-34) These days, far more people are aware of (and are open and honest about) Mental Health.  There have been so many campaigns encouraging people to talk about their feelings, and offering many ways in which we can improve our mental health andContinue reading “Just Lent | March 17”

‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.’ (see Luke 11:14-23) There is a saying, favoured by Citizens UK, a Community Organising group, that goes, ‘If you don’t have a seat at the table then you’re probably on the menu.’  Citizens UK is made ofContinue reading “Just Lent | March 16”

In this week’s JUST LENT course, we explored poverty and how our Christian Faith compels us to respond to need, and the causes of poverty. This prayer wraps up our conversation as we reflect on the poverty of Christ. You were poorwhen they wrapped you in tight bands of cloth,and placed you in a feedingContinue reading “You were poor”

‘Do not forget the things your eyes have seen. Rather tell them to your children, and your children’s children.’ (see Deuteronomy 4:1,5-9) ) In a 2022, in a BBC documentary about the identity of Wales called ‘Who do We Think We Are?’ the broadcaster Huw Edwards interviewed Gaynor Legal, a Butetown resident and the firstContinue reading “Just Lent | March 15”

‘We have no leader, no prophet, no prince.. no place where we can offer you the first fruits and win your favour’ (see Daniel 3:25,34-43) Freedom of Religion of belief is a human right which has been guaranteed under international law since 1966.  Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted inContinue reading “Just Lent | March 14”