News and Events
Couples who are thinking of marrying are invited to attend the “How to plan a great wedding” event at St Nicholas Church Allestree on Monday 20th January 7.30pm.
The relaxed, non-commercial event will allow couples thinking of marriage to meet couples who married in 2013 and share advice and tips on the planning process whilst enjoying a drink and canapés. For those that are considering getting married in church there will also be a chance to talk to a vicar about the process and options available including blessings in church after a civil ceremony in this country or abroad.
Revd William Bates said: “When I talk to couples the expense is clearly a big factor in delaying getting married and there is often a feeling that prices increase simply because it’s a wedding.
We planned this event to allow newly married couples to share their experiences and offer advice to couples thinking of getting married. It’s also a chance for couples who perhaps hadn’t considered getting married in church to come along and see what we can offer.
Planning a wedding and getting married should be a special time and I hope this event can help demonstrate that there are lots of options to allow you to have a great wedding without too much expense. “
The event is free but please book to reserve your place : 01332 550224 williambates@btconnect.com
A new Business Innovation Centre is due to launch next month to support new and growing businesses and social enterprises. St. Peter’s in the City will utilise space within the Church and Centre by offering desk space to new or existing businesses and social ventures.
The launch will take place on Tuesday 4th February, 12 noon at St Peter’s in the City.
The church will offer office space at significantly lower than average rents and support from professional mentors. There will also be help with sourcing available funding through the Church Urban Fund, Local Enterprise Partnership and individual donors.
St. Peter’s already supports local people in a number of ways including debt advice, Refugee and Asylum Seekers, food parcels, a children’s clothes bank and to retail and business through the chaplaincy service, and their involvement in the St Peters Quarter Business Improvement District (BID).
Canon Paul Morris from St. Peter’s In the City explained: “In light of the Redfern Commission, an Innovation Centre offers a very practical and co-operative response to the employment pressures faced by many – including young people and those who have been made redundant and want support to set up their own businesses.
“Our research shows that businesses would greatly benefit from having the DE1 postcode but cannot always afford the city centre rents and rates.
“This will therefore support businesses and organisations who are working to address social needs in the city with space for up to eight ‘hot desks’ with greatly reduced rents and the support they need to start new businesses or grow existing businesses – creating much needed local jobs.
“We believe St. Peter’s is uniquely placed in our region to take this model that has worked so well elsewhere and adapt it to local needs, priorities and aspirations.”
The Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern, Bishop of Derby said:
"I welcome this exciting new venture. It shows the church working in partnership with businesses and with those seeking to create employment. It will enable new ventures to develop and to enhance the life of our city. We have a particular role in bringing together people from different backgrounds and perspectives to create new life - very appropriate for a city of innovation."
St John’s Church, Ridgeway joined up with their local community last night to perform an open air nativity. The event , started at the church and was hosted by the Bridge Inn at Ford. It was scripted by Sharon Taylor, a children’s dramatist who lives in the village. Children from Ridgeway primary school starred in the performance and joined the choir.
Around 200 people attended the event which included a mixture of traditional carols, a folk wassail and a nativity-adjusted version of Slade’s “Merry Christmas Ev’rybody!” all played by a folk band from Dronfield (which includes curate, Revd Ian Price).
The local WI also provided refreshments, and a local farmer supplied the bales.
Revd Ian Price said: “It was nice to see the community come together and importantly, the Gospel of what Christmas is about was shared in public, and people were invited to contact and find out more. Plans are already afoot to do another one next year.”
Christmas is about beginnings says Revd Ben Griffith in a new video broadcast today on the Diocesan website www.derby.anglican.org
He says: “For many Christmas has become an event, a party, a day to get together, and all these things are good but surely there must be something more?. The Christmas story doesn’t end with an event it begins with one. The birth of Jesus is astounding, but it’s astounding because of what happens next. Jesus went on to challenge the way we view our existence, our self-centeredness and to open us up to the possibility of a life with God, here and now.”
He continues “ Perhaps this Christmas we can go further than events and deepen our relationships with God and each other, Christmas is about beginnings.”
A different video has been shown each week in advent featuring people from all around the Diocese and what advent means to them. They are all available to view on our Youtube channel.
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Welcoming communities at Christmas is the subject of a new video broadcast today on the Diocesan website www.derby.anglican.org
Church warden Kat Alldread from St Bartholomew, Clay Cross shares a reflection on how we prepare for Christmas in the three minute video.
She says: “All around people are preparing for Christmas dinners and parties, the streets are decorated and the shops filled with goodies, but as Christians we know Christmas is about more than that. We have the real Christmas story, the story of Jesus of coming to be with us and it’s for us to share with people in our communities.
She continues “Churches throughout the diocese are holding events to welcome their communities into church over Christmas”
A different video will be shown each week in advent featuring people from all around the Diocese and what advent means to them.
The Diocese of Derby is gearing up for one of the busiest months of the year as churches and community groups hold special events during the Advent season.
A series of posters advertising events taking place throughout Derbyshire have been released and further information is available on the diocesan website www.derby.anglican.org
A variety of events are taking place this year including Christmas Tree Festivals, Carol and Crib services, Christingles, Christmas fairs and concerts.
For further information about the events taking place you can visit: www.derby.anglican.org/index.php/home/parish-events-
Getting ready for Christmas is the subject of a new video broadcast today on the Diocesan website www.derby.anglican.org
Revd Alicia Dring from St Peter’s Church Littleover shares a reflection on how we prepare for Christmas in the three minute video – complete with special Christmas Pyjamas!
She says: “ Advent is about getting ready. Most of us seem to get ready with outward stuff for Christmas but we forget to prepare what’s going on inside. It’s not just the run up to Christmas, where we buy lots of cards and presents. Advent isn’t just opening the door of the advent calendar and eating the chocolate. Advent is supposed to help us get ready for the most exciting day ever. The day we remember God coming to Earth, not as a mighty warrior but as a tiny baby.”
She continues “ With each Chocolate ask God to bless you, with each bit of tinsel ask God to show you that he is the light of the world and with every gift remember God’s gift of Christ to the world”
A different video will be shown each week in advent featuring people from all around the Diocese and what advent means to them.
Members of the Derby Diocesan Synod met in Darley Dale on Saturday (9 November) to discuss the governance, mission and financing of the Church of England in Derbyshire.
It was the first time the members have met under the new governance structure as the Diocesan Board of Finance. The meeting was also the first for new Diocesan Secretary, Maureen Cole.
In his presidential address, The Bishop of Derby, Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern described how the diocese was experiencing a new chapter, with a real sense of new thinking combined with shifts in the organisation. He shared his reflection on some research into the decline in church growth in the early 20th century. He challenged synod to look at the reasons and question whether the church today could use the lessons of the past to influence how we lead today.
Mark Titterton, Chairman of the Board of Finance then led a discussion on the budget for 2014. He described the budget as ‘a mission led budget for a year of transition’ and said that despite a deficit of nearly half a million pounds Derby diocese was not alone and many dioceses are in the same position. He described how the board intended to pay for the deficit by using reserves and a reduction to the parsonages grant. He added that despite a deficit the budget included £145,000 of growth projects to allow the diocese to continue to be a living, growing body. He underlined the importance of this investment to be able to do new things in order to grow.
The Synod then voted and passed the 2014 budget. The Archdeacon of Chesterfield then updated the group on governance. The synod then voted and passed the “Memorandum and Articles of Association of the DBF as amended by the special resolution of the DBF on 4 July 2013.”
Carole Lloyd, stewardship officer, then led an update and discussion on stewardship and gift aid.
Synod were then asked to vote on the formula used to calculate the number of lay representatives on each deanery synod for the elections held in 2014. After synod closed there was a short meeting of the Derby Diocesan Board of Finance. The Registrar, Nadine Waldron, led an introduction and described the legal entity and responsibilities of the new structure.
Mark Titterton then asked for an open and honest conversation about finance. He indicated that a top priority will be to make the figures more accessible and to put systems and procedures in place to be able to give monthly updates of where the Diocese really is. He added that the message to take away from the meeting is one of opportunity.
“Derby is average in terms of diocesan finances, we are neither the richest nor the poorest, but given the plans we have described and investment opportunities we have a real chance to grow.”
The meeting closed at 1.15pm
The Bishop of Derby will be presenting his “Bishops Badge” to people in the community who have shown an outstanding contribution to their community or church at two special services at Derby Cathedral (3pm) and St John’s Buxton (6pm) on Sunday 29 September.
123 people from all over Derbyshire have been nominated to receive the Badge.
The Bishop of Derby, Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern said: "The Bishops Badge is an important event each year for the Diocese. It's a moment when we stop to say thank you to people who selflessly, week after week, just get on with doing what the Gospel is about. Nobody can apply for it. You are nominated by your community. It's a real pat on the back to people who aren't looking for recognition."
A video introducing a few of those nominated was published on the diocesan website, www.derby.anglican.org today.
Brian Hamilton said “I was delighted to receive a letter from the Bishop saying I was going to be awarded the Bishop’s Badge which is very much unexpected. It’s a privilege and an honour to be able to receive it in acknowledgement of the work I do in the parish.”
Vernon Mather MBE said: “ I was quite shocked when I got the letter from the Bishop saying I’d been nominated for one of his badges, that coming on top of an MBE from Buckingham Palace a few years ago was quite something.“
The Bishop of Derby, Dr Alastair Redfern has announced that this years’ Harvest Appeal will raise money for a building project in the slums of Peru.
Dr Redfern has worked with The Bishop of Peru, Bishop William Godfrey, who has a family link to Chesterfield, on the project.
The Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern, Bishop of Derby, has welcomed the European Union’s new guidelines on promoting and protecting freedom of religion and belief and warned that they must not be ‘left on the shelves of EU missions gathering dust’.
A key event in the Diocese of Derby’s calendar takes place this weekend with 6 people being ordained deacon and a further 13 candidates to be ordained priests.
It is traditional for candidates who are called to ordained ministry in the Church of England, to take part in special services known as the Petertide Ordinations.
Norman William Shaw is to be ordained deacon by the Bishop of Derby, Alastair Redfern, on Sunday 30th June (10.45am) at Derby Cathedral. He will subsequently be taking on the role of assistant curate at Glossop Parish Church of All Saints.
The General Synod meets in York on 5th - 9th July for the first time since the rejection of the draft legislation on Women Bishops last November. A large period of time on the Saturday will be devoted to work on this issue with a debate on the Monday. The Friday afternoon will see the first Presidential Address by the new Archbishop of Canterbury, which will be an opportunity for him to outline the main challenges facing the Church of England over the coming period.
