This article was adapted from original text by Sarah Lacey, parisioner at St Giles, Hartington.

St Giles’ Church sits dreaming quietly in the beautiful village of Hartington, and has done so since around 1250 AD.

This is not to say that it hasn't had some lively moments, I'm sure it has, but none in my time of some 20 years as a resident.

How we have prayed for a change to come, for the Holy Spirit to take notice and 'do' something, anything even, to create life, energy and purpose for God within and without this slumbering church.

Guess what? Something has gradually been changing over the last few years, new shoots have sprouted in the form of new church goers moving into the village.

In each we see gifts put to willing use in the service of God, through the Spirit - it's exciting!

There is a problem, (isn't there always?!), we don't have a vicar, we are in 'vacancy', and have been for some time.

In fact, for me, it is the fourth time of being without the person in a dog collar, the visible presence of God's servant within the community that everyone wants to see and take tea with.

Does it matter? Yes, of course it does, but you can, we have learnt over the years, manage very well if you have someone to share the load with, and this time there is a team of ‘someones’ who are willing and able to step up and become a committed group of lay people, prepared to help and enable us to grow.

As Paul said in his letter to the Romans (12:6): ‘We have gifts that differ according to the grace given us.’

The team committed to offering a regular time of worship on a Sunday.

Between us we deliver two family type services every month, and we plague other vicars and retired clergy (PTOs) to undertake the other two Sundays, one to offer Holy Communion, which recharges our spiritual batteries beautifully, the other to bring some variety and friendly support, for which we say a big ‘thank you’ to the priest concerned.

Mission Action Plan

We dug out our 2011 version of MAP (Mission Action Plan) and updated it with realistic challenges and plans, having first canvassed as many people as possible for their opinions, which we listened to.

We established a rota, we bulked up our PCC with some new blood and we established a pastoral team.

The pandemic has shown on numerous occasions how important regular outreach is, especially in our rural farming community.

There is a great deal of isolation and loneliness, masked by pride and the words, 'I don't want to be a nuisance / burden / trouble to anyone,' if we do but take time to be that good neighbour Jesus calls us to be and take notice. 

We held a thoroughly enjoyable Rogation service last month, 40 people joined us on our 'worship walkabout’, and the farmer, at whose farm we stopped to read scripture and pray, is still talking about it... in a good way!

We are creating a 'Walk of Words' around our church yard, an idea first developed at St Oswald’s, Ashbourne, which we are gratefully adapting as something creative for the many visitors that come to the village, to read and perhaps encounter Christ, as they do so, alongside the many wildflowers and far-reaching views that our church yard offers them. 

A pilgrim church

St Giles is a pilgrim church, on the pilgrim way from Ilam to Eyam, many people pre-pandemic, visited the church to get their little books stamped, we always welcomed them and look forward to doing so again soon.

It seems wrong not to have the door to God’s house open every day, as was our custom, but that is how it is just now. Strange times!

However, we are not wasting time, there is much to do, a new heating system for one thing, followed by a kitchen (we are known for our cakes after services with a cup of 'proper' coffee and lots of chat, which we miss very much!) and loos must happen, they really must.

The essential people - and their skills!

This leads neatly on to the essential people we are blessed to have, those who are good with money, our treasurer is one, every PCC needs one of those!

Other skills recently discovered include, skilled engineers, singers, readers, fundraisers, trained safeguarding officer, artists and multi-taskers and planners - one of whom supplied this quote when asked where they see God at work: 'Right here - encouraging and building up our Church family, both in numbers and faith, so that we can serve the community that we are in, being both light and salt.'

Another: 'By showing God’s love in action we are building new confidence in God.'

We want to be good listeners, who are rooted within the community, visible and active, carrying out jobs for God, with love, humour and compassion.

None of these require a vicar, but it will be good to have one somewhere, sometime soon, please God, to teach, nourish, support and lead us, someone to share things with, someone we can grow with, oh, and someone who can take the weddings and baptisms, because much as we would like to, we are not allowed to!

We have learnt to think outside our boxes, to listen to others, to try to create a sense of belonging within our growing congregation, to believe that if God wants us to do something He will show us how, and He does, thank you Lord.

Our story continues...

Learn more about St Giles Hartington at: www.hartingtonchurch.org

Bishop Libby has been encouraging us all to pray ahead of Sunday's Euro 2020 final between England and Italy.

Over the past few days, Bishop Libby, who is the Church of England's designated bishop for sport, has appeared on BBC East Midlands Today, BBC Radio Derby and BBC Radio 5Live to relect on the tournament and to pray for fairness and respect during England's semi-final match against Denmark and Sunday's final between England and Italy.

(Video courtesy BBC East Midlands Today)

Here is a prayer you can use ahead of Sunday's final:

God of grace and mercy,

for all that gives us joy and offers us hope,

we give you thanks.

We rejoice that we are brought together,

across our rich and vibrant diversity, in celebration and shared experience  -

and we pray the goodness of all that will last long beyond Sunday

(whatever the result).

You know the desires of our hearts,

and we know those hopes are echoed in hearts across Italy,

as they were in Denmark and Spain over these past few days.

And so, as we turn to you again in prayer,

we do not ask for victory (though we are honest in naming that want it) –

rather we ask, one more, that striving for excellence

will be marked by humility and fair play

and rooted in respect for others, on and of the pitch.

May our desire to win not overwhelm our common humanity

and may we, finally, find our hope and peace in you,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Bishop Libby has ordained 15 new deacons and eight new priests in the Petertide ordination services at Derby Cathedral.

>> See photos from the ordinations of deacons (on Flickr)

>> See photos from the ordinations of priests (on Flickr)

>> Meet the new deacons

Those ordained deacon were:

Becky Reeve (Walbrook Epiphany Team Ministry)
Bex Allpress (Swadlincote & Hartshorne, Newhall & Gresley)
Charlotte Wallington (Hathersage with Bamford & Derwent, & Grindleford)
Chris Nowak (Whitfield)
Ellie Launders-Brown (East Scarsdale Team Ministry)
Gill Ball (Newbold)
James Lee (Stanton-by-Dale with Dale Abbey & Risle
Jeff Golding (St Werburgh BMO, Derby)
John Ferguson (St Barnabas, Derby)
Julius Anozie (St Mary, Ilkeston & St John Ilkeston)
Melanie Hartley (Baslow & Eyam)
Mike Fitzsimmons (Barlborough & Clowne)
Nick Parish (St Peter & Christ Church with Holy Trinity, Derby)
Rachel Burdett (Christ Church, Belper with Turnditch)
Sam Dennis (All Saints, Sawley)

and those ordained priest were: 

Alan Winfield (Melbourne, Ticknall, Smisby & Stanton-by-Bridge)
Catrin Hubbard (Buxton with Burbage & King Sterndale Team Ministry)
Kate Smedley (St Werburgh, Spondon)
Malcolm Pyatt (Brimington)
Nicola McNally (Tideswell)
Rachael Brooks (Littleover and Blagreaves)
Sandra Till (Alvaston)
Sharon Murphy (Derwent Oak BMO)

Meet our ordinands: Bex Allpress

Bex used to work in the NHS and will start her curacy in Swadlincote Minster. See More

Meet our ordinands: Jeff Golding

Jeff is a former pen salesman (yes, really!) and will start his curacy at St Werburgh's Derby. See More

Meet our ordinands: Sam Dennis

Sam, who works in education, will start her curacy at All Saints’ Parish Church in Sawley. See More

Meet our ordinands: Charlotte Wallington

Charlotte, who came to faith at the age of nine, will start her curacy in Hathersage, Bamford and Grindleford. See More

Meet our ordinands: Mel Hartley

Mel, a former music lecturer, will serve her curacy in Eyam, Baslow and Foolow. See More

Meet our ordinands: Ellie Launders-Brown

Ellie, a former aircraft engineer, will begin her curacy in Shirebrook and Pleasley. See More

Meet our ordinands: Julius Anozie

Julius, who has studied law and theology, will start his curacy at St Mary’s, Ilkeston. See More

Meet our ordinands: Becky Reeve

Becky, a former teacher, will start her curacy at St Augustine’s, Derby See More

Meet our ordinands: Rachel Burdett

Rachel, a former teacher in Japan, will serve her curacy at Christ Church, Belper. See More

Meet our ordinands: John Ferguson

John, a full-time IT manager, will be an SSM at St. Barnabas, Derby See More

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Canon Carolyn Lewis has been invited by the Rt Rev Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, after consultation and agreement, to lead the work of Derby Diocesan Board of Education for an interim period, initially for a year from September 2021.

Carolyn is currently Diocesan Director of Education in Leicester, and will undertake this new role in addition to her role in the Diocese of Leicester. She will become one of the first  Executive Diocesan Directors of Education (DDE) in the Church of England, and this is a pioneering step for both Derby and Leicester’s education teams.

Through this partnership working both dioceses will be exploring how to be innovative in supporting their respective Church school families and in placing schools at the heart of the Church’s mission. This is an exciting opportunity for both dioceses and shows commitment to our values of generosity and creativity.

Bishop Libby said: “ Our Church Schools are examples of the good news of the Kingdom of God: their work and life are at the heart of the Diocese of Derby. I am delighted that Carolyn has agreed to take on leading our Board of Education through this next season, sharing her experience of leadership and passion for Christ across both the Diocese of Derby and the Diocese of Leicester.”

Having grown up in Warwickshire, Carolyn began her teaching there before moving to schools in Leicestershire. Carolyn has been the DDE in the Diocese of Leicester since 2014. Before that she was a headteacher in a Voluntary Aided primary school supporting  a rapid journey of improvement there.

During this time, her leadership extended to executive headship, working with a Teaching School and inspecting for Ofsted and SIAMS.

Carolyn is supported by her family; husband Seth, two boys and Rosie the cockapoo. Having been to university in Wales and being married to a Welshman, life is infused with a Celtic flavour – namely Welsh rugby, RS Thomas, singing and holidays in Wales!”

On hearing of her new role, Carolyn Lewis commented: “I cherish my vocation as Director of Education and feel extraordinarily privileged to be supporting the work of Church schools across both the Diocese of Derby and the Diocese of Leicester.

"When I was a headteacher at a Church school, after some years I was asked to be an executive headteacher and lead another school. As I took on that particular professional challenge, I wondered what might be lost. Yet, I was surprised by the fact that over time, both schools gained so much from this way of working. And so, I am excited at the possibilities for what this partnership may bring.

“For Church schools to be distinctively Christ-like is a challenging task for school leaders, governors and clergy. Please pray for me and the DBE teams as we work to encourage and inspire our schools – now across both Derby and Leicester Dioceses - to meet that challenge with courage and conviction.”