Welcome to Clergy Wellbeing

“I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” 

The pitfalls of ministry are many and various and when the going gets tough there is almost always a personal cost both to ourselves and those amongst whom our lives are set.  The Apostle’s frustration is rooted in an honest self-understanding, a recognition that alone we will adopt unhealthy or misconceived ways of living that take us away from the person God yearns for us to be.

Wellbeing is not an add on.  Wellbeing is not an optional extra for those who have the time.  Wellbeing is not a matter for people less busy than us.  Wellbeing is a Gospel value, for it is about choosing to be the person God intends, indeed yearns for us to be… to have life and life in all its fullness.  Taking wellbeing seriously is a non negotiable part of our ministerial lives if we are to flourish as God’s people and for those who have made ordination vows, live them out with integrity.

You will find here resources to help you do that.  They are intentionally diverse, as not everything will speak to everyone and they are not the solution to anyone’s problems in themselves, but a starting point offered to help each of us in our different contexts take responsibility for our own wellbeing.

There will be, as we progress, information, signposting to guidance, shared experiences so that hopefully we may all get a sense that we are not alone when dealing with these issues, problem solving kits and perhaps most importantly contact details so you may pick up the phone or press the send button on an email and get the help you need and get it quickly.

You will notice there is also a section for you to make contact and tell us what you think is lacking here.  This is really important.  We are unashamed in these pages being constantly under review, so that we may all receive assistance and appropriate advice in a quickly changing ministerial environment.

Who ‘we’ are:

The Interim Clergy Wellbeing Group:

Revd Canon Karen Hamblin (Convenor)
karen.hamblin@derby.anglican.org
khnedeanery@gmail.com
01246 913688
07432 705285

Fr. Julian Holywell
fatherjulian@btinternet.com
01332 673573

Revd Alicia Dring
alicia@stpeterlittleover.org.uk
01332 767802

Sheila Pigott
Diocesan Counselling Co-ordinator
sheila.pigott@derby.anglican.org
01433 639641
0775 4113 462 (mobile signal poor)

Kat Alldread
kat.alldread@derby.anglican.org
07710 094946

Virtual Clergy Wellbeing Programme

These papers were produced by St. Luke’s Virtual Wellbeing programme on a weekly basis through lockdown. They are still useful, particularly as we continue to navigate Covid-19 waters with a level of uncertainty and anxiety.

They are helpful at a personal level, but could also be used in a range of other settings.

Downloads:

Covid 19 crisis fatigue and you [PDF]

Making a start on long-term recovery from a crisis [PDF]

Prayer, wellbeing and our rootedness in God [PDF]

Response to stress during Covid-19 [PDF]

Self-care at a time of loss [PDF]

Thoughts from a trauma-informed perspective [PDF]

Meditation on lament [PDF]

Here be dragons [PDF]

Understanding the body [PDF]

Use of the scriptures [PDF]

Creating a safe space (PDF)

Easing out of lockdown (PDF)

Liminality in a time of Covid (PDF)

Ministering to Uncertainity (PDF)

Reflections on Transitions (PDF)

Relatedness and wellbeing (PDF)

Pastoral Care of the Clergy and their Families

There is a free counselling service available to all clergy and their immediate families in this diocese, which if you are struggling, could be of significant value to you personally. We offer individual and couples counselling and counselling for the children of the clergy.

The service provides a safe and confidential space to unpack any sort of emotional distress, whether it is from relationships inside or outside of the family, or issues related to your working ministry that just aren’t working at all well. Maybe you have experience some losses and bereavement, depression and anxiety, a sense of loss of vocation, or anything else that is getting you down and is draining your energy and good will.

Please contact me by phone or email so that I can start the process of placing you with one of our experienced, qualified and accredited counsellors near to you.  The Diocese of Derby pays in full for eight sessions of professional counselling which is completely confidential.

Over the years, many of the clergy and their family members in the diocese have used this service, so please don’t feel that you must soldier on alone, or that you are the only one who cannot manage sometimes.  Others have benefited enormously from the private and confidential support that counselling provides.   This service is here for you too so please get in touch.

My good wishes

Sheila

Sheila Pigott
Coordinator: Derby Diocese Clergy Counselling Service 
MBACP Senior Accredited Psychotherapist and Supervisor
Email:   sheila.pigott@derby.anglican.org
Telephone: 01433 639641
Mobile: 0775 4113 462

Pastoral supervision for clergy

Pastoral supervision provides a safe and confidential space to be supervised or to ‘look over’ pastoral ministry with another person who is experienced and trained in this specialised service. Along with spiritual direction and counselling, this is another valuable resource in support of your ministry.

>> View more information on this service [PDF]

Covenant for Clergy Care and Wellbeing

The Covenant for Clergy Care and Wellbeing was made an Act of Synod at the February 2020 Group of Sessions of the General Synod. The Covenant is the expressed view of the mind of the Church of England on issues relating to clergy care and wellbeing.

“Our vision is that the work of supporting clergy in their ministry will become an integral part of the life of the Church and part of the DNA of every aspect of our mission and ministry.”
Revd Canon Simon Butler, Head of the Clergy Covenant Working Group

At this time, please follow this link to the national website to find out more.

If you would like to read the main document behind the Covenant (GS 2072 Clergy Wellbeing) you can access it here.

The Church of England has initiated a ‘Big Conversation’ around Clergy Wellbeing and is encouraging all of us to take part. There are three resource papers to help encourage reflection and action available here.

They are not long, but do ask some searching questions of us as clergy, of the local church and of our Bishops and the wider Church.

Information for Churchwardens on Clergy Wellbeing

>> Resources for churchwardens on wellbeing

Take some ‘Time out’

These resources were gathered together for a couple of ‘Time Out’ sessions hosted by Bishop Libby in aimed at giving some online space for quiet and reflection.

Please feel free to use any of these resources if you find yourself in need of a quiet space and something to help you reflect.

Get in touch

As we’ve already said, please use any of the numbers and/or emails above to get in touch, especially if you need help and support.

Please also drop us an email if there is information missing from here that you, or others, would find helpful. There are a couple of areas ‘in the pipeline’ that should be on the page soon but you know better than us what would be of benefit to you.

The Interim Clergy Wellbeing Team.
October 2020

Update: 16 September 2019

Nadine Waldron, the diocesan registrar, writes:

I have now had an update from Dr Sandra Millar, Head of Life Events, at the National Church Institutions, to the effect that no start date has yet been set for the commencement of the new rules relating to registration of marriages.  We have, therefore, cancelled the sessions which were due to take place at the end of October.  When we know that the new rules are to be introduced and when, we will arrange further sessions and let you all know.

For the moment, please continue with marriage registration in the normal way.  

20 August 2019

Nadine Waldron, the diocesan registrar, writes:

Major Changes to the Registration of Marriages

As I'm sure many of you will be aware, an Act of Parliament has recently been passed to introduce major changes to the way marr ia ges are to be registered. The Regulations to give precise details of the changes have not yet received parliamentary approval, although the Archbishops' Faculty Office has intimated that the Government wants the new syste m to be operative from 2nd December 2019. That is the date we must work to, even though it is not, as yet, the confirmed start date.

The new method of registration will be very similar to that which has been operating in Scotland and Northern Ireland for a long time. I am assured by a member of our clergy who ser ved for a number of years in Scotland, that it is not something to be frightened of! It will, however, mean the end of our marriage registers and their replacement by a 'Marriage Document'. The couple will be responsible for taking that Document to the civil registrar within seven days of the marriage. Someone can do this on their behalf, but it won't be the priest's responsibility to ensure that is done.

Banns, Common Licences, Special Licences and a Superintendent Registrar's Certificates (SRC) will continue, as will Qualifying Connections, although the usual two SRCs will be replaced by a single one. At present, I only have a rudimentary knowledge of the proposals but I am assured I will be trained as soon as practicable. In the hope that I will have received training in September, the Mission and Ministry team are planning three workshops across the Diocese when I will be able to explain the process in more detail. It is hoped that these will be at:

a) in the Peak Deanery
b) Danesmoor
c) Derby City

Dave King, our Media Officer, will make sure there is something on the Diocesan website, e·news and Facebook and, eventually, we shall try to have Questions and Answers on the website.

In the meantime, please be aware of the fact that changes are coming in and please do your best to attend one of the workshops. Don't panic; go through your normal procedure for banns or whatever the marriage preliminaries are in any individual case; warn your marriage couples that changes are coming in and that they may need to register their 'Marriage Document' at the civil Register Office.

Kat and Ellie, from the Mission  and  Ministry  Team,  will  be in  touch with details of the workshops.

To download a copy of the Clergy Housing Guide please click here

For enquiries regarding clergy housing please contact the Property Team

email: propertyteam@derby.anglican.org

Tel: 01332 388650

Property Repairs and Maintenance during new lockdown restrictions

Please contact the property team  during normal working hours on 01332 388650 or email propertyteam@derby.anglican.org

Any out of hours emergency please refer to the Emergency Contractors list provide with your Clergy Housing Guide or visit the link on the website.

All our contractors have confirmed that they are still fully working and taking the necessary safety measures.

Introduction 

To ensure the best use of our resources we have compiled a list of suitably approved contractors for your reference. Please remember try to ensure that only emergencies will be dealt with out of hours. As you will appreciate an emergency out of hours repair costs the Diocese substantially more than a repair carried out during normal office hours. 

Please ensure all emergency repairs are to be reported to the Church House Property Team as soon as possible. You should contact us on 01332 388650 Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm. You will need to provide a brief description of the repair, the contractor who attended, and most importantly your contact details. This way the repair can be monitored, audited and managed. 

What is an emergency?

An emergency repair is any fault which threatens harm to persons or property. Examples include; 

1 Heating and hot water 

Where you or your home is at risk due to a major water leak from any part of the heating system, and where the heating system fails. 

Please note: Not having hot water is not considered an emergency if you have an electric immersion heater and/or an electric shower. An exception to this would be for household members who are frail, elderly or registered disabled.

2 Gas leaks 

If you smell gas, please telephone (British Gas) on 0800 111 999 who will attend to isolate the meter and make safe where necessary. 

3 Total lack of water supply 

Before contacting a plumber, please check with the water utility company to ensure that works are not being carried out in the area. 

4 Total lack of electricity supply 

Before contacting an electrician, please check with the electricity utility company to ensure that works are not being carried out in the area. 

Please check the electrical distribution box – has one or more fuses tripped? 

5 Plumbing leaks 

If the leak is causing damage, then it will be considered an emergency - especially if penetrating into an electrical fitting. In the interim you should turn off your water supply at your stopcock or gate valve, and your electricity supply. 

6 Blockages 

If you have access to more than one WC, and only one is blocked, then please arrange for a plumber to attend during normal working hours.

7 Roof leaks or other damage 

Where the damage to the roof is likely to worsen or when it is hazardous (eg roof tiles may fall onto a path, drive or highway), then please ring a roofing or general building contractor identified within this handbook. Please be aware that in the event of adverse weather conditions, the contractor will only make the roof safe. The Church House Property Team, will then liaise with the contractor to arrange a permanent repair for a later date when good weather permits. 

8 Downpipes and gutters 

Please only contact an emergency building contractor if water is entering the building causing major damage or the loose part is dangerous. 

9 Broken windows & Doors 

Where the damage is caused as a result of a crime. In this case, please notify the local police force who will supply you with a crime reference number, which we will need for our records and report the matter to the Church House Property Team. 

For other breakages, if they pose a security risk or are letting rainwater in, then please arrange for a contractor to attend.

10 Door locks 

Please arrange to contact the locksmith: 

1. If you cannot open or secure a door. 

2. In the unfortunate event that you have been the target of criminals who may have stolen your keys, then please report this matter to the police and obtain a crime reference number, and report the matter to the Church House Property Team. 

11 Dangerous trees 

Trees are particularly vulnerable to the effects of high winds during a storm and sustain various types of damage as a result. If a tree is unsafe and unstable and there is imminent danger to persons and property, where possible please take supportive photographic evidence and contact the emergency tree work specialist outlined within this booklet. 

We are committed to offering a first class repair service. If you have to arrange for a contractor to attend to an emergency, then please ensure the Church House Property Team are informed as soon as possible at the following address: 

The Property Team 

e-mail: propertyteam@derby.anglican.org 

Tel: 01332 388650

 Please click the links below to download information

All Derby Deaneries and Carsington Emergency Contacts

Hardwick and North East Deaneries Emergency Contacts

High Peak Deanery Emergency Contacts

All clergy wishing to exercise a public ministry must be granted either Permission To Officiate (PTO) or a licence by the Diocesan Bishop.

The following guidance explains how to request PTO and outlines the formalities for the application and renewal process.  

Click here for the Policy Document

Click here for the Information Sheet

Click here for the Application Form

Chaplaincy to Retired Clergy

Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD) and applications for CMD grant

The Director of Discipleship, Mission and Ministry, the Revd Canon Matt Barnes, has responsibility for the CMD programme for clergy and for authorising applications for CMD grants.

The application form was revised in 2019. Please note applications should be made on the new form and in advance of the event rather than retrospectively.

Download the CMD grant application form (Word doc)

Application forms should be sent directly to Marietta Forman at Derby Church House or by email to marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org. 

If you have any queries, do please get in touch with Marietta on 01332 388673.

Applications for Sabbaticals and Study Leave

The Guidelines and applications form have recently been revised. 

If you are interested in applying for a Sabbatical or Study leave in 2022, do get in touch with Matt Barnes by the end of Feb 2021 to allow sufficient time to meet with him to plan and prepare your application for submission in June 2021. Appointments can be arranged through Marietta Forman tel 01332 388673. 

The process is set out in the Sabbatical and Study Leave Guidelines (Word doc).

All applications will be considered at the Bishop's Staff meeting in June.

Other sources of funding

Clergy seeking funding for personal development or for academic courses might also consider applying to Lichfield Theological College Trust: Please note that Application Forms for grants from the Lichfield Theological College Trust must be submitted via The Revd Canon Matt Barnes, to be counter-signed before they are sent to the Trust.

Download the Lichfield funding form for personal development (Word doc)

Download the Lichfield funding form for academic courses (Word doc)

It is also worth looking at the following sites:

ministry bursary awards ecclesiastical.com/insights/ministry-bursary-awards/
ministrydevelopment.org.uk/wcmet

Dear Friends

I am happy to write that Bishop Alastair has commended me to the post of Chaplain to the Retired Clergy within the Diocese, assisted by my wife Rachel Mookerji. The Bishop is very keen to see that all the Retired Clergy are given all help, care and support particularly in their time of need, realizing how much time and effort they give to maintain the much cherished parish ministry within the Diocese. Our personal initiative will be to maintain the relationship with each other and to this end importantly praying and where necessary visiting them.

I am grateful my predeccessors have already established the link between the local Retired Clergy and the Retirement Officers so called the Deanery Representatives. We will continue with the tradition of an annual phone call to each one knowing how valuable this could prove pastorally for all of us. However, we believe the Pastoral Care of the Retired Clergy is of course primarily the responsibility of the local Parish Priest, and where necessary they would contact wither their Deanery Representatives, or us directly for any specialist care and support, and if any particular need arising we would then liaise with the Bishop.

We have been in the Diocese for over 30 years, and now happily retired and live in the Parish of Church Gresley in Repton Deanery. Our journey to this diocese began in the year 1985, when I served my title at the Parish Church St Lawrence, Heanor, and then moved to St James, Codnor, my first incumbency; in the same deanery stretching over 17 years; and which laid a firm foundation to our life and ministry in this country. We finally retired from the Parish Church of St Marks Winshill, in the Repton Deanery after having served the parish for over 13 years. It has been a priviledge to serve this diocese and now commended by the Bishop to serve the Retired Clergy in the diocese.

We have two sons Michael (Jr) married to Bryony and they have a daughter called Elsa and live in Norway, Noel married to Nathalie and have two children Noah and Yasmin, and live in London. by God'd grace they are all doing well in their respective families, and we all have a happy family bond. 

We now joyfully look forward to serving our Retired Clergy friends within the diocese, and take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed year 2016, and may God bless is all richly with good health and happiness. 

Regards

Revd Michael Mookerji

michael.mookerji@live.co.uk

01283 335582

Role descriptions were introduced into the diocese to complement and inform Ministerial Development Reviews (MDR), and are a requirement of the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations 2009.

The following documents will help you write a role description which you are advised to develop after you have been in post for six months, and when you have met with your Archdeacon at the six month review point:

How to write a Role Description

Role Description Template Curate

Role Description Template Incumbent

Role Description Worked Example

Should you have any questions or queries regarding the development of your role description please contact Mandy Roberts at Derby Church House: 01332 388650, mandy.roberts@derby.anglican.org

Introduction to the Handbook

The role of the Rural Dean

The role of The Assistant Rural Dean

The role of the Lay Chair of Deanery Synod

Really useful resources for new Rural Deans

Rural Deans guidelines for payment of expenses

Specimen contract for the use of Rural Deans