Let's be honest - the world is struggling.

Our county, our country and our planet are full of luscious landscape and wonderful wildlife. 

But large swathes of it are on the verge of being in tatters or even disappearing completely.

For some, it's already too late.

Climate change, pollution, a growing human population and an over-reliance on Earth's resources mean that now, more than ever, we as the custodians of the planet must act to take care of God's creation.

So this year, the Bishop of Derby's Harvest Appeal will support three causes all working to help protect wildlife and the natural resources it relies on:

• ► Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's rewilding projects
• ► The Anglican Communion Forest Initiative
• ► Restoring Kenya's coral reefs - an A Rocha project

► Click here to make an online donation

► Other ways to donate

Each in turn will help provide vital resources for the wildlife that depends on it - creatures in the air, creatures on the land and creatures in the sea.

Whilst these are just three of the many tens of thousands of projects around the world that help to preserve the planet of which we are custodians, each is hugely important in its own right as well as being a part of connected projects to help balance - even reverse - the damage humankind has done to this Earth.

Every donation will help make a difference to each of the three projects the Bishop of Derby's Harvest Appeal is supporting this year.

The generations of humans thus far have had an adverse effect on this planet - it is now incumbent on us to further the process of rectifying that damage to those precious resources so that future generations can still know the beauty, richness and diversity of God's creation.

► More useful information on how you can help fight climate change

Please help in whatever way you can.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's rewilding project

In the Diocese of Derby, we are incredibly lucky to live either in, or on the doorstep of, some of the country's most beautiful landscapes. 

But like everywhere else, we are guilty of causing many of these places to become severely depleted of wildlife because of, for example, pollution, over-population, poor management and our own human greed and selfishness.

Rewilding allows the land to ‘go back to nature’ so wildlife can thrive.

As far as possible, humans stay well back …no vehicles, no pollutants, no heavy boots on the ground.

What we then see is remarkable: nature takes charge and increases the abundance of plant and animal communities to levels that are far higher and more complex than human management could achieve.

Seeds and plants are free to germinate and grow.

Insects, birds and mammals start to explore these areas - some make them their home, others use them as wildlife "service stations" as they travel around.

The likes of bees and butterfies, birds and bats, hedgehogs and badgers, and otters and beavers then have a place to feed undisturbed and their very survival is made a little easier.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust manages 50 sites for nature as well as other work to promote rewilding and land management, and every donation really is used to it's full potential.

The re-wilding projects include Allestree Park in Derby (pictured above), Thornhill Carrs near Edale, Willington Wetlands and the Wild Peak region.

• £50 could help reserves officers support landowners in re-wilding their land
• £250 could help maintain and manage half an acre of wildlife meadow for one year
• £500 could plant trees in more than half an acre of woodland

As well as the work that directly affect wildlife in Derbyshire, DWT is building Team Wilder - a movement supporting individuals to act for nature.

Together, we can make more space for nature to become abundant once again, give our struggling wildlife the chance to recover and restore beautiful wild places - places that store carbon and help to tackle the climate crisis. 

Big and small there is a role we can all play. https://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/teamwilder.

The Anglican Communion Forest Initiative

The Communion Forest was first conceived in late 2019 when the Lambeth Conference Design Group asked for ideas for a lasting legacy of the forthcoming conference.

This formed the basis for the Communion Forest initiative that exists today and will significantly increase Anglican tree-growing and landscape protection around the world and deepen care for creation within the life of the Church.

Together, these real-life planting projects will form a virtual, global “forest”, and its activities will be determined locally by provinces, dioceses and individual parishes so that they are geographically, culturally and environmentally appropriate.

The first tree was planted this year as part of the Lambeth Conference - a tree that Bishop Libby helped to plant (pictured above).

The Communion Forest is a global act of hope which involves a wide range of creation care activities.

Restoring Kenya's coral reefs - an A Rocha project

Kenya’s coral reefs are impacted by global and local threats, including a warming ocean.

Reefs in Watamu, where A Rocha Kenya’s field study centre focuses on marine conservation work, are struggling to recover.

Fish, crabs, and many other sea creatures depend upon certain types of corals which provide shelter and resources.

These reefs can provide an abundance of food for local communities when healthy.

Some species of coral that were abundant in the past, particularly those that provide the most shelter for other creatures, are low in number or absent from these reefs.

A Rocha plans to restore these coral reefs by carefully selecting corals from areas nearby, that will replenish low numbers or return coral species to these reefs.

How to donate

Individual online donations

► Click here to make an online donation

There is the option to Gift Aid these donations.

Church and School donations

Where possible, participating churches and schools should send their donations (including any reclaimed Gift Aid) by BACS transfer – details for this transaction are:

Bank account name: Derby Diocesan Board of Finance
Bank account number: 85463671
Sort code number: 60-12-01
Payment Ref: HARVEST2022

When churches / schools send their donation by BACS, please notify us by email to finance@derby.anglican.org and include payment details – (i) date & (ii) amount.
This is important to us, as your email will ensure your donation is identified and a “thank you” will be sent.

Cheques should be made payable to DDBF Ltd and sent to
“The Bishop of Derby’s Harvest Appeal 2022”
c/o Derby Church House
Full Street
Derby
DE1 3DR

Useful information

Gaia

Dont forget to visit Derby Cathedral's Gaia installation from 22 September – 16 October 2022.

Gaia is a touring artwork - a giant globe measuring seven metres in diameter and created from detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. 

Great Big Green Week

Be part of Great Big green Week - the UK’s biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.

Eco Church

A Rocha UK’s award scheme for churches, designed to equip your church to express your care for God’s world in your worship and teaching; in how you look after your buildings and land; in how you engage with your local community and in global campaigns, and in the personal lifestyles of your congregation.

ARC's Living Churchyards

More than 6,000 British churchyards run their small plots of land as sacred eco-systems – without pesticides, and mowing the grass only once a year – ensuring that birds, reptiles, insects and bats can thrive. Could your churchyard become one too? Find out more.

Prayer resources

Climate Intercessors is a global network of people whose prayers are as real and urgent as the climate crisis, where you will find some useful prayers and information. Please take time to pray.

The Queen’s Green Canopy

It's not too late to "plant a tree for the jubelee" - perhaps as a tribute to Her Late Majesty.

Anglican Communion Environmental Network

The Anglican Communion Environmental Network website has liturgical material for Seasons of Creation 2022, climate vigil songs album, and webinars on prophetic indigenous voices on the planetary crisis from Amazonia, Africa, Aotearoa and Polynesia.

Climate justice

Please consider signing Christian Aid’s justice petition to the prime minister to ensure that the UK fulfils its responsibilities and its promise to "build back better".  

Please take time to look at USPG’s campaign for climate and ecological justice. You can read USPG's advocacy and church resources booklet "Faith in a Changing Climate". It includes information on climate change, stories from around the world, prayer material, Bible studies and information on how to lobby your MP.

‘And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations’ - Revelation 22.2

The Bishop of Derby's Harvest Appeal 2023 will help the people in the Diocese of Bujumbra, Burundi, fight the catastrophic effects of seasonal rains that wash away their farms, homes, land and livelihoods.

Trees for Life Burundi will assist communities there plant thousands of saplings to help stabilise and strengthen the land, whilst at the same time helping wildlife and the environment in the area and beyond.

On launching the appeal, Bishop Libby said: "Burundi is ranked as the world's poorest nation and people there desperately need help to stop their crops, livestock and buildings disappearing down a hillside as the land gets eroded by the rains.

"It is a complex situation but, fortunately, the remedy is relatively straightforward, and I am delighted that this year's appeal will offer hope to those people and communities in danger of losing everything they have."

The Bishop of Repton has recently visited Bujumbura and seen for himself the need to help the people of the East African state.

Bishop Malcolm said: "On the edge of Bujumbura in the Commune de Kanyosha there are two ‘Collines’ greatly at risk, Colline Gisovu and Colline Nyamaboko. There is currently no agro-forestry there.

According to the administrator of this commune, Kanyosha, following torrential rain and strong winds, recently more than ten dwellings, a church and a school were destroyed, and many fields were damaged; domestic animals were swept away by lightning and others by landslides.

"These hills’ inhabitants have not yet been able to take action to  secure resilience to the effects of climate change."

The Diocese of Bujumbura, based in and around Burundi’s largest city, is marked by rolling hills and valleys and in that respect alone, not unlike Derbyshire.

The impact of climate change is felt by those who try to make a living by cultivating the hillsides.

Recent years have seen particularly dry dry seasons and torrential rains in the wet season, often causing flooding and devastating mudslides.

Bujumbura is working in various areas to mitigate the effects of climate change by helping local residents plant trees.

Trees hold hillsides in place, prevent erosion, and protect lives and livelihoods.

They make all the difference locally,  and contribute globally to carbon capture.

Saplings ready to be planted in Burundi to help stabilise the soil

Landslides can have a far-reaching impact on communities, not only through the loss of houses and fields, but also through the destruction of critical facilities.

The loss of a school means that opportunities for education and qualifications in that community can be lost. In turn that greatly reduces the chances of getting a job, and that reduces the chances of being able to support yourself and a family adequately.

And that can lead to a loss of hope.

But the people of Bujumbura have a lot of determination and know that by planting trees - thousands of trees - the roots will grow and help stabilise the land.

They turn out in numbers to dig trenches and get planting - but they can only do that when viable saplings are available.

►Donate now◄

Locals dig trenches to start the tree-planting process

How will the Bishop of Derby's Harvest Appeal help?

The focus of the Diocese of Bujumbura’s work, with our support, will be:

1. to reduce soil erosion by 20% on Gisovu and Nyamaboko hills by marking out the contours of the hillsides and planting trees strategically to offer the best protection to the land, and
2. to initiate 20 climate resilience local economic groupings amongst women and young people, with a savings and credit approach to enable beneficiaries to set up a fund to help them purchase tree nursery equipment to sustain a tree planting project for the long term.

£5,000 will make possible all this possible.

If any more is raised, it will enable this immensely valuable work to be expanded to benefit residents of other collines in the neighbourhood.

Bishop Libbs said: "It is a privilege to work together with the Diocese of Bujumbura in this way. Climate change is, of course, a global phenomenon and trees planted in Bujumbura also address, to some degree, climate change in Derbyshire!

"We are one world, and one human family.

"The people of Bujumbura need our help, so let us gift them generous faith, corageous hope and life-giving love."

 ►Donate now◄

Land is washed away by seasonal rains, leaving a large chasm where crops used to be

How to donate

Maybe you and your church or community could work together to organise an event for the appeal.

Or you can make a personal donation using your debit or credit card at our JustGiving page.

Thank you for your support!

The success of the Bishop of Derby's Harvest appeal, Trees for Life, Burundi, means that extra help can be given to the people of the Diocese of Bujumbura after suffering more climate-change devastation.

Last year, the appeal set out to raise £5,000 for a tree planting project in the world's poorest country, where the roots will help stabilise the land to reduce erosion and prevent lives, livelihoods, buildings and livestock being washed away by worsening seasonal rains.

Once again, the people of the Diocese of Derby showed extraordinary generosity and the final total raised is £12,428.

The Diocese of Derby pledged to get the project under way on two of the hillsides around Bujumbura, Gisovu, and Nyamaboko, but because more was raised than originally expected, the work can be extended to the Buhina and Kabumba hillside communities.

Recent floods and mudslides in the area have made the work all the more urgent.

Announcing the final total, Bishop Libby said: "Thank you for the generosity that enabled this money to be shared with our friends in Bujumbura for such vital work.

"Thank you even more for the care-filled prayers that continued to be offered for our sisters and brothers in Christ there.

"We do pray that as work continues to protect and sustain the physical environment from ongoing damage caused by erosion and mudslides by planting trees on vulnerable hillsides, congregation and communities would also know the continuing presence of the risen Christ, and put down deep roots into His love to grow resilient and fruitful for His Kingdom."

The Revd Bernard Rwambigo, who is managing the project for the Diocese of Bujumbura, has recently sent Bishop Malcolm an update, detailing the current situation and how the work is expected to progress.

People in Bujumbura watch their land being washed away

The Revd Bernard Rwambigo writes:

‘The province of Bujumbura is one of the 18 provinces that make up the Republic of Burundi.

It comprises nine communes, including Kanyosha.Bujumbura province, commonly known as rural Bujumbura, is also one of the provinces crossed by the Congo-Nile ridge.

The province's most mountainous communes are Isare, Kanyosha, Kabezi and Mubimbi.

Among these more mountainous Communes, Commune Kanyosha lies on the edge of the city of Bujumbura, where houses abound, continuously under threat from the consequences of erosion from the Commune's non-afforested hills.

Bujumbura's housing at the foot of these four hills is at the same risk.

From July 2016 to March 2022, a project funded by Norwegian Church Aid in the Communes of Mutimbuzi, Kanyosha, Kabezi, Isare, Mugongomanga and Kabezi, one of whose activities was the reforestation of bare areas was not able to cover all their hills, including those in Commune Kanyosha.

The hills in the commune of Kanyosha that are high risk are Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills.

The effects of climate change on the these hills continue to be felt: according to the administrator of this commune. Following torrential rain and strong winds, more than 10 dwellings, a church and a school were destroyed, and many fields were damaged; domestic animals were swept away by lightning and others by landslides, to name but a few. See photos of recent flooding and mudslides.

Yet the hill's inhabitants have not been able to take economic action to achieve resilience to the effects of climate change. The Diocese of Bujumbura is committed to protecting the environment and combating climate change, and is standing by these communities to help them address these issues.

As a result of the bare soil caused by the lack of reforestation, natural erosion is in full swing and continues to carry away everything that can be transported by water: small living creatures made up of animals and plants, resulting in genetic erosion where even native trees no longer grow. As a result of this natural erosion, food production is no longer improving.

The consequences of lack of reforestation:

• Erosion manifests itself in the loss of fertility of arable and non-arable soil, which makes it impossible for farmers to sustain their livelihoods.
• Climate change: climate change is causing temperatures to rise, increasing respiratory illnesses and the disappearance of some animals and plants.
• Both of the above contribute to persistent and worsening poverty and ill health.

The overall objective of this extended project is “To contribute to the reduction of the bare soil of the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills, Commune Kanyosha, Province of Bujumbura".

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Specific objective no. 1: Reduce soil erosion by 20% on the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills in high-risk areas.

Specific objective no. 2: Initiate 16 climate resilience economic groupings.

EXPECTED RESULTS

Expected outcome 1.1: By September 2024, 40% of the 280 women and 40 young people beneficiaries in the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills will have traced contour lines on their landholdings.

Expected Outcome I.2: By December 2024, 20% of the open spaces on the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills will be planted with trees.

Expected outcome 2.1: By July 2024, at least 16 savings and credit groups, including 14 for women and 2 for young people, will be operational.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project aims to solve the problem faced by the inhabitants of the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills in Commune Kanyosha, Province Bujumbura. The problem concerns the bare soil of the four hills.

This problem will be solved by contouring all cultivable and non-cultivable areas. Awareness-raising campaigns for members of the local administration and the population will be carried out on the importance of contour marking, contour protection and tree planting.

The beneficiaries will be the heads of households and young people up to the age of 45. These beneficiaries and young people will be given nurseries. Beneficiaries will operate in groups of 20 people each. 16 groups will be formed, including 2 youth groups and 14 adult groups (women mothers of households). The number of direct beneficiaries will therefore be 280 women and 40 young people, making a total of 320 beneficiaries representing 320 households. According to Burundi Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (ISTEEBU), a household consists of 8 family members. The number of indirect beneficiaries is therefore 320x7= 2,240 people.

Other indirect beneficiaries are the population of the four hills and those living below the four hills in the intervention zone.

In these groups, a savings and credit approach will be introduced, so that beneficiaries can set up a fund to help them purchase nursery raising equipment to sustain the project after it ends. The savings and credit approach will use the Self Help Group (SHG) process.

A project team will be set up, consisting of a focal point living in the same locality of Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills, two agricultural monitors who are already in the field on salary, an agronomist already on the payroll of the Diocese and the Coordinator, also on the payroll of the Diocese. The accountant will be from the Diocese.

A database will be developed at the start of the project. Data collection sheets to monitor the indicators will be drawn up and made available to the monitors and the focal point. These sheets will be collected on a monthly basis, and the narrative and financial reports to be sent to the donor (Diocese of Derby) will be drawn up on a quarterly basis and whenever necessary.’

(A slightly abridged version of the extended Project Proposal prepared by the Revd Bernard Rwambigo, Diocese of Bujumbura. April 2024)

Please keep this extraordinarily important and valuable work in your prayers.

+Malcolm

Bishop of Repton

Recently, many Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) came together with Bishop Libby at St Barnabas Centre in Danesmoor for a quiet day.

LLM(R)s play an important role in the public ministry of the Church by teaching the faith, enabling mission in the everyday, and leading in church and society.

They are key leaders in our churches, and work collaboratively with clergy colleagues across the diocese.

On Saturday, 3 May 2025, 12 LLM(R) candidates will be admitted to the Office of Reader 2.30pm in Derby Cathedral, after which they will take up their new ministry.

We’ll be sharing details on the LLM(R) candidates in the coming weeks.

The Bishop of Derby's office has announced that a Thanksgiving Service for the Revd Ian Mountford will be held on Thursday, 9th January at 12.45 pm at St Alkmund’s Derby (DE22 1GU).

A private family funeral service will take place earlier that day.

Refreshments will be provided in the church hall. Any donations will go to the Nightingale Macmillan Unit – Royal Derby Hospital.

Revd Ian Mountford died on 7th December, 2019.

Derby Cathedral will host a public interfaith vigil for Ukraine on Sunday, 3rd April.

Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Jewish, and Quaker representatives are scheduled to speak at the vigil which starts at 3pm, and everyone in attendance will have the opportunity to light a candle, reflect in silence and sign the Book of Solidarity.

The vigil has been organised with the support of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Derby branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain,, and co-ordinated by Derby's Multi-Faith Centre.

Peter Robinson, the Dean of Derby said: "What people in Ukraine have experienced is beyond comprehension.

"This vigil is a way for people of all faiths and none to show their support for all those affected by this crisis. It is an opportunity for everyone to offer their prayers to God that all those affected should find comfort, that there will be an immediate end to bloodshed and a speedy and peaceful resolution.

"The fact that this demonstration of support is coming from different faith traditions is, I think, especially powerful and an opportunity for faiths to both pray and work together for the common good."

According to research carried out by the International Organisation for Migration between 9 and 16 March, the United Nations refugee agency estimates ten million people have now fled their homes in Ukraine because of the Russian invasion. As well as the 3.6 million who have left for neighbouring countries, another estimated 6.5 million people are thought to be displaced inside the war-torn country itself.

Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby Cathedral comments: "What people in Ukraine have experienced is beyond comprehension. This vigil is a way for people of all faiths and none to show their support for all those affected by this crisis. It is an opportunity for everyone to offer their prayers to God that all those affected should find comfort, that there will be an immediate end to bloodshed and a speedy and peaceful resolution. The fact that this demonstration of support is coming from different faith traditions is, I think, especially powerful and an opportunity for faiths to both pray and work together for the common good".

Around ten faiths will be represented at the vigil, a hugely significant moment for both cathedral and city.

Dr Vivekanand Sharma, Temple Priest at Hindu Temple Geeta Bhawan in Derby, said: “The suffering and pain of the Ukrainian people is felt by the Hindu Community and we sincerely pray that a lasting solution to the current crisis is found very soon and life returns to as normal as could be under the circumstances. On behalf of the Hindu Temple and Membership, we pray for peace and tolerance in Ukraine”.

Chief Imam, Mufti Hafiz Fazal Ahmed Qadri from Derby Jamia Mosque, said: "We believe there's power in prayer. We're not going to change the course of events, but we can certainly express our pain and our commiseration with the people of Ukraine.

"We stand united with all those affected by war and conflict in Ukraine, Kashmir, Afghanistan and many other places around the world."

A series of reflections for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day.

Palm Sunday

What do we look for in a leader amidst the violence, anguish and confusion of our world today?

Physical strength, smooth talking, intelligence or the common touch?

Or would we welcome anyone who might make things a little better?

Perhaps this is how it was for the crowds of Jewish pilgrims who travelled the difficult desert road up from Jericho to Jerusalem, shortly before Passover so many years ago.

From the top of the Mount of Olives, they would have gained their first glimpse of the ‘City of Peace’.

Thankfulness and awe would have welled up from deep in their hearts as they began to sing the great pilgrim psalms of praise and victory.

Then suddenly a man appeared amongst them on the road.

Some said he was a wise teacher from Galilee in the north, a miracle-worker and healer; some said he was the Messiah, a long-awaited liberator who would drive out the Romans and make Israel great again.

Others claimed he was a peace-maker, riding a young donkey in fulfilment of ancient prophecies.

Some said he was Jesus, the one who saves.

Crowds hacked palm branches from the trees, waving and crying out in welcome.

Some spread their cloaks on the road for him to ride over. Excitement mounted. What was going to happen?

Hopes were soon dashed. This was no glorious liberation or victory.

Apparently the man was just another trouble-maker with no respect for Law or Temple.

A quick arrest and trial; another miserable cross on Golgotha…

End of story - or was it?

Who was this Jesus? Many today are still asking the same question, drawn by his compelling journey to the cross - and beyond.

Perhaps here is a leader we can follow?

April McIntyre
Derby Cathedral Café Writers’ Group
St. Michael’s Church, Breaston

Maundy Thursday

As Christians, on Maundy Thursday we remember Jesus ‘new commandment’ to love one another as he has loved us, and we commemorate the institution of the Lord's supper.

Additionally in some churches on Maundy Thursday, in memory of Christ’s action at the Last Supper, foot washing takes place.

I’ve been reflecting on John’s recounting of Peter’s reaction to Jesus approaching him to wash his feet, what it says about him, and the example he presents to us.

Because I sometimes wonder if Peter gets a bad press – often he’s thought of as someone who speaks hastily, without really thinking about what he is saying.

But I often reflect that even in those moments of speaking hastily he reveals a heart that, though it may not always have understood, revered and deeply loved Jesus.

And the same is true in this instance.

Foot washing was the job of the lowliest person in the room.

So naturally for Peter the idea of Jesus undertaking this role would be unthinkable - Jesus was his Lord, not his servant. So he argues.

But when Jesus replies that the alternative is for Peter to have no share with him, Peter immediately wants to be completely washed by Jesus - not just his feet.

His love and strength of desire for relationship with Christ shine through his reply.

Though he perhaps didn’t realise it at the time, Peter desired what was accomplished on the cross. A complete washing away of his sin.

Foot washing is an intimate action.

It is possible to feel quite vulnerable when someone washes your feet.

And I wonder what my reaction would be if Christ had approached me as he approached Peter that day.

I hope that it would resemble the strength of honour and love that Peter showed:  ‘Lord, not my feet only…’

Charlotte Wallington
Curate
Benefice of Hathersage, Bamford with Derwent, and Grindleford

Good Friday

What do we do when our prayers have gone unanswered, our hopes have been left hanging and our dreams are dry and withering?

Jesus’ disciples had to face this very challenge on the day that they saw their saviour hanging on a cross dying.

He was supposed to save them.

He was supposed to set them free.

He was supposed to fulfill the promise long waited for.

They had given up everything to follow him because they believed that he was the one.

He had healed, spoken and loved like no man they had ever seen.

And hadn’t they seen him stand alongside Elijah and Moses? Robed in white as though heaven was touching earth?

How could they have fallen so far in such a short space of time?

How could things have gone so wrong?

The thing is… they couldn’t have known the hope that was embedded in the cross.

They couldn’t have known the healing that this one action would release.

They had no clue that this moment of incredible loss would lead to freedom for all creation.

They just needed to look beyond their moment to see that God had a larger salvation than they could have possibly imagined.

They needed to see past their own lives to see that their land, their people weren’t the only ones that needed to be set free.

They needed to extend their vision to see that promises are always fulfilled… in God’s time.

But it is hard, and we are tired.

When our prayers go unanswered, we can become so transfixed in this moment that we forget to remember that God is eternal. We can hang all our hopes on such fragile things, forgetting that God holds the whole universe in his hands, and we can trust him to hold our lives there too.

And, when our dreams die, as they sometimes do. We forget to ask God to give us new dreams. Dreams bigger than this moment, bigger than our own land our own ‘world’. Dreams that will go beyond our time and reach into eternity.

Good Friday is good because it isn’t the end.

Let us hold on to the hope that wherever we are in this moment, it isn’t the end but the beginning.

Debbie Patrick
Reader - Swadlincote and Hartshorne
Gresley and Newhall

Easter Day

The experience of the past two years of Covid, and now of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, causing terrible suffering there and repercussions for people across the globe, have changed the atmosphere of our lives and of our time.

It is harder for people to be optimistic.

People are tired, anxious, and fearful.

On the positive side, there is much kindness and sympathy for those at the sharp end.

Offers of hospitality to refugees, donations given and sent – all this follows hard on the heels of the dedication of so many key workers, so much appreciated in the thick of the pandemic.

If we are to win through in these times, it will be because of love.

In 1930 Russian communist leader Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin, one of the most feared and powerful men of his time, travelled from Moscow to Kyiv to promote the atheist teaching of his party.

Speaking to a large crowd he heaped as many insults as he could upon the Church and the Christian faith.

He appealed to the people of Kyiv to reject Christ, and embrace atheism.

At the end of the meeting the local parish priest stood and calmly dismissed the crowd with the usual Orthodox easter greeting - Christ is Risen!

The crowd thundered back in response – ‘He is risen indeed – Alleluia!’

Russian Orthodox have looked to Kyiv as the origin of their faith, since in 988AD Vladimir the Great, whose sculpture stands outside the Kremlin, was baptised there, leading to the majority of the Russian and Slavic peoples turning to Christ.

Jesus wept for Jerusalem.

I am sure he has wept for Kyiv.

At this new turning point, perhaps, in world history, we must look to Jesus who by the cross faced down the powers of darkness, violence and evil, suffering apparent defeat, before rising to victory, ‘disarming the principalities and powers’. (Colossians 2.15)

How did he do this?

By faithfulness to God, by humble service, by costly self sacrifice, by love.

Our thoughts this Easter must be with those traumatised by violence and evil, and our faith, hope, and love turned into prayer and action that can change the world.

Remember, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us.

Love wins.

Malcolm Macnaughton
Bishop of Repton

The Avenue Church of England Primary School Application Approved!

Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) is delighted to announce that the Department for Education has approved an application to establish a new Church of England primary school at The Avenue development site, near to Wingerworth.

The new school will be developed as part of the Government’s Free School programme.

It will create much needed nursery and primary school places for families as the number of residential dwellings on The Avenue site increases alongside other developments in the local area.

The proposed Church of England primary school and nursery will be inclusive and open to pupils from families of all backgrounds and faiths (including no faith) where every child will be welcomed, respected and nurtured.

The school will offer a family-friendly approach with breakfast club and after-school provision offering a wide range of enrichment activities, operating as a community hub and supporting community cohesion.

DDAT is a multi-academy trust of 28 schools situated across Derby and Derbyshire and has a successful track-record of working with schools (including in the Chesterfield area) to improve provision.

In September 2018, DDAT successfully opened the first Church of England secondary school within the Diocese of Derby when Derby Cathedral School opened its doors to its first cohort of students.

DDAT has the experience of both rapidly improving schools and supporting established high-performing schools. DDAT is excited to create this new provision and will ensure the new primary school at the Avenue is a success from day 1.

Chief Executive Officer of DDAT, Mark Mallender, said: “I am thrilled that the Department for Education has approved our application for a new primary school and nursery serving the Wingerworth and Clay Cross areas of Chesterfield.

"We now have the opportunity to work with parents and the community to develop a highly effective school that will ensure our pupils make exceptional progress and leave fully prepared for their secondary education.

"The DDAT team are ready and excited to begin detailed work on developing this school and will ensure that plans are shared with the community as part of future consultations.”

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Young People, Councillor Alex Dale, said: “We’ve worked with Derby Diocesan Academy Trust on planning for this school and I’m sure that they will do an excellent job in getting it built and ready for the students who will attend.

“It’s great to see the government supporting the council in investing in first-class educational facilities to help give children and young people in Derbyshire the best possible start in life.”

The Trust will start planning its pre-opening programme, including consultations and events in the local area, leading up to the opening of the school.

The Trust will share its programme as soon as it is developed and agreed with its strategic partners including the Department for Education and Derbyshire County Council.