Author Archives: Dean Atkins

‘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”

‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.’ (see Luke 4:24-30) In what turned out to be a humorous exchange between an MP and the Archbishop of Canterbury at the end of 2022 (as bishops preached about the decision of the UK Government to send refugees to Rwanda) a ToryContinue reading “Just Lent | March 13”

This week, our third session of our JUST LENT course aims to explore poverty, its presenting needs and the causes of poverty and how and why Christians should respond. Join us at St Saviour’s Church, Splott on Wednesday 15 March at 7pm. The following reflection sets the scene. In the shadow of the Wales MillenniumContinue reading “A Song for the Poor”

A meditation featured in our JUST LENT course focussing on the dignity of humanity and all of creation From the dust you raised us, breathing into our lungs as we emerged into a startling world, finding our way. You looked at us and saw that all was good. And as the first light reflected inContinue reading “You saw that all was good”

‘Lead your people to pasture.  As in the days when you came out of Egypt grant us to see wonders. (see Micah 7:14-15,18-20) In a memoir called, ‘In the Wars,’ Dr Waheed Arian, tells the story of his childhood caught up in the war in Afghanistan, finally fleeing to the UK where he trained asContinue reading “Just Lent | March 11”

‘It was the stone rejected by builders which became the keystone.’ (see Matthew 18:18-20) Famously, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for a total of 27 years.  He became President of South Africa in the early 1990s, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for bringing apartheid to an end. ‘I have fought against white domination, andContinue reading “Just Lent | March 10”

‘At his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, who longed to fill himself with scraps that fell from the rich man’s table’ (see Luke 16:19-31) The gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow.  Globally, the richest 10% of the global population currently take home 52% of the income.  The poorestContinue reading “Just Lent | March 9”