Andrew Salt
This is a summary of the monthly Church Leaders' mailing which was sent on Friday, 10 April 2026.
The full version can be found here
Looking ahead
- Visitation Services & Election of Churchwardens
- Could you be the Parish Support Team Chaplain?
- Spirituality Group - updated course programme is now available.
Mission and Ministry
- Vocations Exploration Day - An event not to be missed for anyone wanting to explore their vocation.
- Fresh Expressions of Church - Contact Paul Desborough for details of upcoming Greenhouse meetings in Mercia and Derby City.
- Parish Accessibility Fund to help parishes to enhance accessibility and inclusion for those who are deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent - details
- Living Alongside Bats in Churches Grant - apply for a grant before 27 April 2026
- Complete this year's Energy Footprint Tool before 30 June 2026
- Discipleship Training - Opening the Bible and Leadership, Worship & Ministry modules open for registrations.
Upcoming Diocesan Events
- CMD Ministry Mondays: AI in Ministry - Monday 20 April, 1 pm to 2 pm - Join online via Zoom
- Air Source Heat Pumps In Churches - Weds, 22 April 2026, 10 am - 12.30pm - Derby Urban Church (Osmaston Road Baptist Church) - Contact Gordon netzero@derby.anglican.org to book.
- Women in Ministry Day - Monday 6 May, 10 am to 3 pm - St Alkmunds, Kedleston Rd, Derby - Book your place.
- Working with Teams, led by Rev Nicky McGinty - Tues, 19 May, 10 am to 4 pm - St Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor - Book your place
- Growing a Younger Church conference 2026 - Sat, 6 June 2026, 10 am – 4 pm - St Johns Walton - book your place
Safeguarding
- Notes from the PSO Drop-in on 1 April 2026 are available. Contact Hannah Cliff if you could like a copy.
External Events
- Coming up to retirement - Weds, 6 May 2026 - free session for the Clergy & Spouses of Southwell and Nottingham, Derby, Leicester & Lincoln. Book your place.
- Reconnect Faith, Mission, and the Outdoors - Arthur Rank Centre - 18 : 20 September 2026 - Cliff College, S32 3XG - inspiring weekend course explores fresh approaches to ministry in rural settings - book your place
Future dates for your diary
- Lay Ministry conference - Save the Date for Generous Faith - Sat, 12 September 2026 - Cliff College, Calver. Prebook your place.
- Annual Clergy Conference - Monday 12 to Tuesday 13 October 2026 - The Hayes Conference Centre
Let’s not be April fools.
At school I was taught that the French say ‘Cocorico’ instead of ‘April Fool’. I have believed this for years - but it turns out to be fake. I may be the last credulous victim of a long running prank. The French equivalent of ‘April Fool’ is not ‘Cocorico’ but Poisson d’Avril!’ or ‘April Fish’. All a bit fishy, anyway.
Nonetheless, ‘cocorico’, or ‘cockadoodledoo’ can be a bit of a tease too. There’s history here. In Edmond Rostand’s 1910 play Le Chantecler the rooster’s self-important delusion is that it is his duty to announce the day – that if he fails to do his duty the sun cannot rise and day will not begin.
And in the gospels, Jesus tells Peter that by the time the cockerel crows he will deny knowing Jesus three times. When this happens, Peter weeps bitterly. The truth about ourselves is sometimes hard to swallow.
Cockadoodledoo is a mocking signal of untruths told and loyalties lost. Of moments missed, and opportunities wasted. Wake up! Wake up! Wake up to what is going on around you! Don’t sleepwalk into disaster. The events of the first Easter, and the events that lead up to it, are remote from our 21st century world, but they are real. And they are relevant as ever.
They are real because of the places they happened, still there today. A so called ‘Holy Land’ brutalised by violence, hatred, and division. Jerusalem, towards which Jesus set his face, to the city and the confrontation that would inevitably happen there. To the upper room, where he would break bread and share wine with them. Where their weary, dusty feet were washed by the one who would next day give his life for the world. To the place also where Jesus, three days later, would suddenly appear, behind locked doors, and startle them all with his greeting, ‘Peace!’
Not dead at all, but alive, with them: a new beginning, and a whole new world.
This is the city where Jesus gave himself in love. ‘Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.’ Whilst they could be a comment on current events, these words were Jesus’ prayer for his torturers and executioners, and for all who colluded with the scandal of an innocent man condemned to die. God is with us the suffering and death of Jesus. God is with us in the joy of resurrection, and in the new creation that springs from the love of God in Jesus.
How we long for Easter peace this year! How we pray for the peoples of the Holy Land, and for real, just, and lasting peace! We think especially of the people of the Anglican churches across the Middle East at this time. We don’t know how or when this prayer will be answered. Though, as the writer to the Hebrews says, ‘but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.’ Hebrews 2.9
The Rt Revd Malcolm Macnaughton
Bishop of Repton
If in addition to praying for peace in the middle east you would like to give, please join Bishop Libby and me in contributing to the Good Friday appeal for the work of the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza, serving the sick and injured of that community at this time? Donations can be sent directly via this link: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/24585
1 April 2026
The Revd Benedict (Mark) Crowther-Alwyn, Curate of Fenny Stratford and Water Eaton (Oxford) 1977-1980, Curate of Moulsecoomb St Andrew (Chichester) 1980-1981, Team Vicar of the same benefice 1981-1983, Rector of Glasgow St Serf (Glasgow and Galloway) 1983-1987, Rector of Baillieston St John 1983-1987, Rector of Bassingham St Michael and All Angels (Lincoln) 1987-1990, Vicar of Aubourn St Peter with Haddington 1987-1990, Vicar of Carlton-le-Moorland St Mary with Stapleford 1987-1990, Rector of Thurlby St Germain with Norton Disney 1987-1990, Vicar of Elmton (Derby) 1990-2003, Priest-in-Charge of Matlock St Giles 2003-2005, Rector of the same benefice 2005-2014, Rector of Matlock St Giles, Dethick, Lea And Holloway 2014-2023, who retired in 2023 and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate 2023-2026, died on 25 March 2026.
Mark will be brought into St Mary and All Saints Chesterfield at 4.30 pm on Friday, 10 April, followed by a service of Evening Prayer.
The Funeral (Requiem) Mass will be held at 10 am on Saturday, 11 April, followed by burial at Barlow churchyard.
The Revd Malcolm Pyatt, Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of the benefice of St John Newbold with Dunston, Diocese of Derby, has announced his retirement. Malcolm’s last day in post will be Friday, 3 April 2026, with his retirement taking effect from Saturday, 4 April 2026.
The Revd Prebendary Romita Shrisunder will be collated as Canon for Community Outreach and Social Justice at Derby Cathedral, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday, 26 April 2026 at 5.15 pm at Derby Cathedral by the Bishop of Derby and installed by the Dean of Derby.
The Revd Lindsay Pearson will be collated as Canon for Worship and Music at Derby Cathedral, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday, 21 June 2026 at 5.15 pm at Derby Cathedral by the Bishop of Derby and installed by the Dean of Derby, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.
Growing a Younger Church Conference - Saturday, 6 June 2026 from 10am - 4pm.
The conference is tailored to clergy, paid or voluntary leaders, and helpers who want to be equipped and encouraged in their children’s and youth ministry.
A full day of teaching and learning, and chance to connect with others.
Discover practical, creative approaches to discipling Gen Alpha and making church life welcoming and accessible for every child.
Hear how to begin new worshipping communities for young people, learn to run retreat days for your local primary schools, and explore much more.
Secure places for yourself and others today!
Find out more and sign up - https://bit.ly/GYC2026
Visit a Religious House in Person
Anyone can visit a Religious House as a guest by prior arrangement whether for a few nights or even just for half a day. This will include being invited to join the community in their corporate prayer. It may also include eating with the Sisters or Brothers.
>> Find a Religious House near you
Attend a Religious Vocation Event in Person or Online
Throughout the year all kinds of “Zoom hangouts” and Monastic Taster Days take place around the country to help those wishing to find out more about Religious Life.
The easiest way to stay aware of upcoming events is to subscribe / check the Anglican Religious Life Project X feed
Other Valuable Resources
>> The Anglican Religious Life Project website
>> The Anglican Religious Life Directory
Derby Cathedral has launched a search for a new Head Verger, offering an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated leader to play a central role as the Cathedral approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027.
This pivotal position comes at a transformative moment in the Cathedral’s story. The successful candidate will help shape the next chapter of a historic and much‑loved institution, supporting major events, growing visitor numbers, and ambitious development projects.
The Head Verger will lead the Cathedral’s Vergers and Facilities team, ensuring the smooth and dignified delivery of worship, events, and daily operations. Working closely with clergy, staff, and volunteers, the role is key to maintaining the Cathedral’s reputation for welcome, hospitality, and high‑quality visitor experience.
Derby Cathedral welcomes applications from current Vergers and Deputy/Head Vergers, as well as experienced managers from heritage, hospitality, operations, or similar settings.
The Most Reverend Sarah Mullally will be installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral
The 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, will be installed at Canterbury Cathedral on 25 March 2026, the Feast of the Annunciation.
The live stream will start at 2.30 pm.
>> BBC website
>> Download the order of service [PDF]
