Items filtered by date: June 2025
Statement from the Archbishop of York on the plane crash in Ahmedabad
It is terrifying, and heartbreaking, to hear the news of the plane crash in Ahmedabad. Carrying 242 people, including many UK nationals, the plane crashed into a residential area.
My prayers are with all the victims who were on the plane, those on the ground, and all those who are going through the unimaginable suffering of losing loved ones so unexpectedly.
I’m praying for everyone affected, and hoping beyond hope that more survivors will be found.
Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York.
In the Diocese of Derby our hearts go out to all those in the Gujarati community across the midlands who have lost members of their family in this terrible tragedy. We stand with you in sorrow, and pray for you as all those affected seek to both to take in what has happened, and to begin the hard journey of grief. You are in our prayers.
Malcolm Macnaughton –Bishop of Repton
Full time, permanent stipendiary role
Set in a lively, thriving market town in the High Peak these two churches are working together across the area pioneering exciting mission amongst children, young people and in a deprived housing estate.
They seek an enthusiastic, pastorally hearted, missional priest to work with them to:
• Grow the churches, reaching out to more people and making new disciples
• Nurture a rich variety of church experience and worship tradition, reviewing and refreshing the mechanisms and provision that support church members in deepening their faith and encouraging lay ministry
• Develop the ministry, mission and community partnerships already in place and create new initiatives and partnerships in response to identified needs and missional opportunities
• Lead the Growing Faith Hub across Glossopdale, investing in work with children and young people, actively recruiting and training volunteers, strengthening relationships with schools and children/youth organisations, exploring potential for forming new worshipping communities with schools
• Increase the Christian presence in Simmondley and re-establish a church presence in Gamesley
• Support the churches in becoming financially sustainable into the future
You would be supported by a strong team of volunteers with a heart and passion for reaching out in creative and innovative ways and a commitment to team working across boundaries to build God’s kingdom.
The Diocese of Derby is committed to safeguarding. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. For information on safeguarding, recruitment checks and how we process your data, visit https://bit.ly/DODSaferRecruitment
Enquiries to: Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales, nicky.fenton@derby.anglican.org
Closing date: 12 noon, Friday 18 July 2025
Interview dates: Thursday 7 August 2025
Notification of pending faculty petition for Sutton-on-the-Hill St Michael, dated 8th June 2025
See attached Form 4a (PDF)
If you wish to object to any of the works or proposals, you should write giving reasons for your objection to:
The Diocesan Registrar at 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JT
Derby.registry@1thesanctuary.com
so that it reaches the Registry no later than 21 days after the day of this notice (ie by 30 June 2025), stating your name and postal address, and whether you live in the parish and/or your name is entered on the electoral roll of the parish or any other capacity in which you write.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of Thy Kingdom Come - a world-wide prayer movement inviting Christians around the world to prayer. Launched by the Church of England’s archbishops it now takes place in over 170 countries and involves 85 different denominations. Bishop Malcolm has been visiting churches and schools in Carsington, Bonsall, Wirksworth, Elton and Kirk Ireton - cycling between venues!
We have also asked people around the diocese to reflect on the Lord's Prayer, you can watch the video on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofDerby
12 June
The Revd Christine (Chris) Nowak will be licensed as Assistant Curate (Associate Priest-SSM) of the benefice of Chapel-en-le-Frith and of the benefice of Chinley with Buxworth and Hayfield, Diocese of Derby, on Monday 14th July 2025 at 7 pm at St Mary’s Church, Chinley by the Bishop of Repton, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.
5 June
The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd Dwayne Engh, Ordained Ministries Development Officer and Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of the Cathedral Church of All Saints Derby, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Ashbourne with Mapleton, of the church of Ashbourne St John, of the benefice of Clifton and of the benefice of Norbury with Snelston, in the same diocese, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.
The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd Dr Ailsa Hunt, Assistant Curate of the benefice of Kirk Hallam, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Assistant Curate of the benefice of West Hallam and Mapperley with Stanley in the same diocese. Ailsa will start in her new post on Saturday, 28th June 2025, the day of her priesting at Derby Cathedral.
The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd David Ridley, Team Vicar in the benefice of Sittingbourne with Bobbing, Diocese of Canterbury, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Hadfield and of the benefice of Glossop, Diocese of Derby, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.
Utility Bill Increases
Several parishes have recently reported significant increases in their utility bills over the past year. One of the most common reasons for this is the expiration of a fixed-term energy contract, which often results in being moved to a more expensive “out-of-contract” rate. These contracts typically last between 1 to 3 years and can easily be overlooked.
Understanding Your Utility Charges
Utility bills generally consist of two main components:
- Standing Charge – A daily fixed fee, regardless of usage.
- Unit Rate – The cost per unit of energy used (usually measured in kWh).
If your monthly bills seem unusually high, it’s worth checking both your standing charge and unit rate. As a rule of thumb, if your standing charge exceeds 100p per day for either gas or electricity, it’s a good idea to contact your supplier. Ask for your contract’s end date and, if you’re out of contract or nearing the end, consider renegotiating your rates.
Tips for Renegotiating Your Contract
- Know Your Usage: Smaller parishes with lower energy consumption might benefit from a plan with a slightly higher unit rate but a lower standing charge.
- Compare Services: Some suppliers, like British Gas Lite, offer cheaper rates but only provide online support. If having access to phone support is important to you, factor that into your decision.
- Plan Ahead: Contact your supplier about two months before your contract ends. This gives you time to shop around and puts you in a stronger position to negotiate.
Success Story
One parish recently had separate suppliers for gas and electricity. The treasurer contacted the gas supplier two months before the contract ended and successfully negotiated a new rate of under 6p per unit for a 3-year term. His key advice: track your contract end dates and start negotiations early—suppliers are more flexible when they know you have time to explore other options.
This year sees the 10th anniversary of Thy Kingdom Come, a prayer movement launched by the archbishops of Canterbury and York 10 years ago.
Since its launch, Christians in 172 countries now participate and more than 85 denominations are involved.
Thy Kingdom Come is truly global in its reach!
Thy Kingdom Comes focuses on the 10 days between Ascension Day and our celebration of Pentecost.
Think back to the story of the disciples after Easter, waiting patiently in Jerusalem, full of expectation and anticipation, for the gift of the Spirit which Jesus hadnpromised.
If they were honest, it was all a bit frightening as they didn’t quite know what the gift would involve.
They may not have realised what the impact of the Spirit would be – for them all it would be a costly gift involving the giving of their own lives in witness to the risen Jesus - yet they waited in
obedience to Jesus’ instructions.
This year the focus is on the words of the Lord’s Prayer, the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray and which we pray in every act of Anglican public worship.
The published materials say: ‘the prayer Jesus taught us transcends the ages, uniting people across different denominations, generations, and nations.
We believe that now, more than ever, we need to pray Thy Kingdom Come over our homes, communities, nations, and our world.’
The resources include reflections on the Lord’s Prayer from a range of different voices from across the world to help us experience something new in a prayer that many of us are familiar with.
Thy Kingdom Come has travelled a long way in 10 years.
Let’s engage with it this year and become part of the story with global Christians.
Let’s enter the hope and expectation that the first disciples experienced in those days before the first Pentecost in Jerusalem.
Let’s create an opportunity every day in the 10 days between the Ascension of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit, to notice where God is active in the world, in the church and in our own lives, and
to commit ourselves to cooperate with God’s work.
Why not visit thykingdomcom.global and see how you can get involved in your parish?
There are resources to help the Church pray and especially there is an encouragement to pray for individuals close to us.
We are encouraged to pray for five people each that we with them may know the gift of God’s Spirit in their daily lives.
On Friday, 30 May, from 7pm to 10pm, Derby Cathedral is holding a prayer vigil for Thy Kingdom Come to which all are invited.
Why not hold a vigil in your parish church and open your own parish community to the growing involvement in Thy Kingdom Come
The Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson
Dean of Derby
The Standards are broad statements of what the Church of England wants to achieve in the most important dimensions of its safeguarding work.
Each Standard has several ‘What Good Looks Like’ indicators, to identify safeguarding strengths as well as areas for learning and development.
Using the Standards is NOT a compliance-based, tick-box exercise.
The Standards and their indicators have been developed over a three-year period, working with dioceses, cathedrals, parishes and victims and survivors and were approved nationally in 2023.
A series of tools and resources have been developed to assist in measuring or evidencing of how well the Standards are being met, as well as help share best practice.
There are 3 handy documents for parishes to use: Parish Booklet Parish Poster 1 Parish Poster 2
(0.5 FTE: Sunday & 3 days)
We are seeking an engaging, prayerful and collaborative leader who:
The Bishop of Derby hosted the Department for Work and Pensions Minister, Baroness Sherlock OBE, to see projects and meet people involved with Derby Food4Thought Alliance and other anti-poverty work.
The visit was arranged to showcase the vital contribution of churches and other faith communities in Derby supporting children and families experiencing poverty, as part of stakeholder engagement the Government is undertaking ahead of the publication of its child poverty strategy.
The Minister visited the Osmaston/Allenton Family Hub, a partnership between Alvaston Churches Together and the Jubilee debt advice project. She met with people who use the services, volunteers and staff to discuss the resources available, including debt and benefits signposting, food support, and activities for young children.
At the Padley YMCA Centre, the Minister heard from service users about services that have particularly helped them and their children through difficult times. This was followed by a policy-focused round table meeting with representatives from local churches, schools, the council, former service users who have become volunteers, and others involved in the Derby Poverty Commission, enabling a rich discussion of the different initiatives and joined up work taking place within Derby to tackle child poverty, and some of the barriers still faced in offering provision.
Reflecting on the visit, the Bishop of Derby, Libby Lane, said: “It was good to give the Minister a flavour of the work taking place out of faith communities in Derby to support children and families. These examples of faith in action in Derby give hope that every child can know that they are loved and enjoy a happy, healthy start to life. I pray for an ambitious and effective child poverty strategy that draws on the skills and potential of our communities, not just to deal with the consequences of poverty but address the root causes.”
Baroness Sherlock said: "I am deeply moved by the dedication and impact of the faith communities in Derby, and I’m very grateful to Bishop Libby for her invitation to visit these projects.
“The projects I saw were inspiring, and demonstrate how essential partnerships between local organisations, churches, faith-based projects and government are in addressing the particular needs of the community.
“As we continue to engage with stakeholders across the country, the insights gathered during my visit will help inform our upcoming child poverty strategy. We are determined that our strategy not only addresses the immediate needs of those affected by poverty but also tackles its root causes, breaking down barriers of opportunity and ensuring every child can thrive, as part of our Plan for Change."
Paul Brookhouse, Senior Manager of Derby Food4Thought Alliance, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Baroness Sherlock and some of her team to highlight the great partnership work we have here in Derby and the collective working to tackle the high rates of child poverty. I appreciate Bishop Libby organising this so that we could specifically highlight the faith led projects and their unique offer to the residents of Derby.”
