News and Events
When Youlgreave first started to consider how to remember the First World War 100 years on, little did the villagers know how the project would develop.
A poem by Revd Roy Bradshaw
Standing before my great uncle's grave in the still, silent and peaceful Gommecourt New Wood Cemetery in France, I wondered if I was the first. Was I the first member of the King family to have visited him?
A poem by Michael Bust
More than 100 volunteers in the Diocese of Derby have been awarded a Bishop’s Badge for service to their church community. The awards were made in two special services in Derby Cathedral by the Bishop of Repton, the Rt Revd Jan McFarlane.
Bishop’s Badge was introduced by Bishop Alastair a few years ago as a way of commending those who had gone the extra mile to help their local parishes and associated communities.
> In pictures (on Flickr):Bishop's Badge - Chesterfield Archdeaconry | Derby Archdeaconry
Among those receiving a Bishop’s Badge this year were:
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Jean Redfern from Hulland Ward. She was awarded her badge for 75 years' service to the RBL Poppy appeal. She started when she was 10, is now 85 and hasn't missed a single year. At the age of 71 she had a pacemaker fitted. The operation was on a Monday and by the Thursday she was out selling poppies again.
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Neil Seviour, who gave life-saving first aid
- Jackie Ainley, who continued to do administrative work for All Saints, Mugginton, from her hospital bed after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. Sadly, Jackie died a week after being told she was to be awarded a badge, but her family were able to tell her about the award and show her pictures before she died. Her Badge was collected on her behalf by her Daughter, Carlotte.
- Alison Barnett is the Tower Captain at St Wilfrid's, West Hallam. She has completely revitalised and re-energised the ringing crew and spent hours training a number of new ringers. They will take part in the ringing event to mark the end of WW1 next month too.
Bishop's Badge has historic links, based on a medal that the very first Bishop of Derby, Bishop Edmund Pearce, had struck to celebrate this new beginning.
Medals were presented to distinguished members of the Diocese and to all those being confirmed in that year. In recent years, Bishop Alastair arranged for a replica of this medal to be minted and mounted in the form of a badge.
Each year, the diocesan Bishop awards these badges, based upon recommendations made, to acknowledge outstanding service to the church.
Ever wondered what it's like to be a churchwarden?
Hazel Massey, the churchwarden at St Wilfrid's, West Hallam, says it's more than just a position, it's a vocation.
So if you've ever thought that you might be called to do work for the church, but not inclined to be ordained, read on...
Hazel writes:
I’m sure most of you are aware that as a churchwarden generally we have responsibility for the fabric of the building and work with the Priest to enable worship to happen.
I am a volunteer and this a part of how I can give back to my faith and church.
The next Bishop of Derby will be the Right Reverend Libby Lane.
Bishop Libby is currently the Suffragan Bishop of Stockport, in the Diocese of Chester – a post she has occupied since 2015.
Libby describes Derbyshire as ‘the place that holds my heart’. She grew up in Glossop in the north-west of the county and was selected for ordination while working in the parish of St Thomas Brampton, Chesterfield.
Jacqueline Stober decided at the age of nine that she was going to work for God.
And as well as her own route to ordination, she’s been exploring those of other BAME clergy in the Church of England.
Remembering the ‘light-bulb moment’ is something many people do when it comes to discovering God or hearing His call.
Dr Alison Brown is one of a group of 35 who have visited Kolkata, India, to build and strengthen the Derby Diocesan Board of Education's links with the area.
Once described as a “stone-built preaching box” St Mary’s in Cromford has evolved into a uniquely decorated Derbyshire church.
“Wow! Really impressive”, reads a comment in Cromford St Mary’s visitors’ book. It’s not untypical of the many remarks.
They are, no doubt, referring to the collection of magnificent murals painted around the inside of the church.
Ilkeston's first Winter Shelter is proving to be a huge success.
Based at St John's Church, Ilkeston, the shelter was originally set up to sleep 12 people each night - but demand has meant that number has expanded to 17, plus a dog, during the freezing cold nights at the end of January.
Guests not only get a warm bed for the night, they also get hot drinks, supper, breakfast and a lunch bag. They get access to a shower and the offer of clean clothes and a warm coat.
The Rt Revd Libby Lane legally became the Bishop of Derby on Monday, 11 February 2019.
At a service at St Mary-le-Bow in London, The Archbishop of Canterbury confirmed Bishop Libby's Election by the College of Canons.
It was attended by members of Libby's family, Bishop Jan, Archdeacon Carol and other representatives from the Diocese.
Mention the Derbyshire village of Eyam, and the chances are that the word ‘plague’ will also end up being part of the conversation.
Eyam (pronounced ‘eem’, by the way!) had its extraordinary history shaped around 350 years ago when the village quarantined itself to avoid the plague spreading beyond its locale.
God of hope,
