Items filtered by date: November 2025

Season of Creation: St Francis 

In the church calendar early autumn brings with it the Season of Creation. It is a five-week period beginning on 1st September.  Many churches throughout the diocese of Derby will have kept the season in some way, even if it was simply by keeping harvest festival. 

The season ended on 4th October and this is the day the Church of England calendar commemorated St Francis of Assisi. The popularity of St Francis has grown. Not only did the late pope take the name Francis but many seek to follow St Francis’ example in the way that he relates to creation. He is the patron saint of the environment movement and influences many in the secular world who care deeply about global warming and its consequences. 

St Francis grew up in Italy, in the later twelfth century, as part of wealthy, merchant family. At the age of twenty he was badly injured in a local war, and became seriously unwell. During this time, he gathered friends around him and began to live simply in community. He had a vision of Christ who was inviting him to ‘re-build my church’. At the time he saw a ruined church building in front of him but his vocation was not to restore the material fabric of damaged buildings but the restoration of the spiritual and human fabric of the church, so that it might advance and grow in different ways. May people across the world follow his example in the way that they set out to be disciples of Jesus, not least because of the attractiveness of his vision for God’s creation. 

St Francis was a poet, and his most famous poem draws out how he sees the relationship between human beings and the created order. It begins: 

O Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord God, 

All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings……. 

Praised be you my Lord with all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun 

Who is the day through whom You give us light 

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour 

Of You Most High, he bears the likeness 

Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars. 

In the heavens you have made them bright, precious, and fair. 

Praised be You, my Lord, through brothers Wind and Air…… 

Praised be you my Lord through sister water 

So useful, humble, precious, and pure…… 

(from Catholic Online, 2022) 

The key point is that Francis sees human beings in a kinship relationship with all creation. Later he refers to ‘our sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us’. It is a relationship of fellowship or community, a given mutual relationship that requires nurturing. To take care of nature is to create community including the relationship between human beings across the globe. 

In his encyclical letter, Laudato Sí, named after the first Italian words of St Francis’ poem, the late Pope Francis taught the importance of ‘integral ecology’. This means that true environmental sustainability includes reconciliation and restored relationships between human beings. Fractured human community will mean the continuing of a broken world, the failure of care for the environment and the ongoing disruption of our biological ecology. 

This insight links us to the most well-known part of St Francis’ life, that moment when two years before his death in 1224 he received the stigmata, the marks of crucifixion on his own hands, feet, and side. It was Francis’ wish to know only Jesus Christ and him crucified that appeared to take form on his body. Francis knew that it was only in and through the suffering of creation which includes the brokenness of human community that God in his Son Jesus would save the world. 

May I commend St Francis to you, his poetry, his profound thinking on God’s creation and his conviction that in the sufferings of God we will find not only wisdom but also our redemption. 

O God, you ever delight to reveal yourself 

to the childlike and lowly of heart: 

grant that, following the example of the blessed Francis, 

we may count the wisdom of this world as foolishness 

and know only Jesus Christ and him crucified, 

who is alive and reigns with you, 

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

The Very Rev’d Peter Robinson 

The Dean of Derby 

The Diocese of Derby Disability Inclusion Action Group (DIAG) successfully launched their recognisable symbols project; all housed in one website – www.accessiblechurch.net.

The symbols enable churches to make a positive difference by openly displaying the accessibility available to support worshippers with all kinds of disabilities and neurodiversity.

As a result of this project, Helen James, Disability Project Manager for the Church of England confirmed that the symbols will be made available for all parishes throughout all dioceses to use and implement.

They will feature in a free national webinar on Tuesday, 4 November 2025.

As the diocesan lead on the project, Bishop Malcolm Macnaughton said “‘All people, including those with all kinds of disabilities and neurodiversity’s, are made in God’s image, and called to be disciples of Jesus, reflecting God’s glory by the way we live. Church communities want to be welcoming and inclusive to everyone, but we struggle to make everything equally accessible for all needs. These symbols make this easier by making it clear to everyone what is possible in a particular church building and what is not. My prayer is that churches will find that communicating clearly helps people with a range of needs feel at home in church, and able to play their part. ‘

Carl Veal, Chair of DIAG, said “The Disability Inclusion Action Group comprises clergy and lay people with a range of disabilities, from across the Diocese of Derby.  Their aim is to see disability inclusion taken seriously in our churches and across the Diocese. Their work is focused around three key themes - Attitude, Access, and Agency.”

>> Book your free webinar place

>> View and download the symbols

>> Contact the DIAG team

Journeying together: a summary of Diocesan Synod, 18 October 2025

Diocesan finances and our Net Zero Carbon strategy were the focus of conversation at the Derby Diocesan Synod, as it met for its 147th session on Saturday, 18 October in St John’s Church, Walton.

This was a really active meeting and our thanks to everyone who attended and provided their input.

If you want to know more, read the summary of the meeting here.

Role Description & Person Specification

Specific Role Requirements 

• In the Infinity Garden Village development.
  • Oversee the identification and implementation of multiple new ways of doing church.
  • Gather, empower, and equip others to participate in identifying, cultivating and growing New Worshipping Communities, whether lay or ordained.
  • Establish effective lay ministries to enable NWC leadership sustainability.

St Peter's Church in Hartshorne is delighted to announce that we have been awarded a generous grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support essential repairs to our historic building and develop a hub for our local history. The restoration work is scheduled to begin next spring and will focus on preserving the church’s architectural integrity for future generations. 

As part of the project, there will be opportunities for the local community to get involved. This includes educational activities and engagement sessions with our local schools and the village community, offering a chance to learn about heritage conservation and the church’s rich history. 

Debbie Patrick, Churchwarden of St Peters Church. “We are very excited to get this project going; giving us the opportunity to do much needed repairs to our village church, which has stood on the hill in Hartshorne since the 15th century and has played a significant role in the life of our village for many generations; seeing the villagers through good times and bad, feasts and famines, peace time and wars. The restoration works, undertaken by ASBC of Melbourne - www.asbc.ltd - will be the beginning of ongoing work to ensure that our church remains a vital part of our community for many years to come; not to mention the fantastic opportunity this project gives us to explore and display the history for visitors and locals alike for years to come”. 

We are grateful for the support of the The National Lottery Heritage Fund and look forward to working closely with the community throughout this exciting project. 

We are seeking a compassionate and Jesus-centred leader, who will lead this growing and flourishing church in our faith journey and take us to the next stage of all that God is calling us to.

We are seeking a godly, engaging and collaborative leader who:

The breadth of funding streams potentially available for your project

Note: Many of these funders flow in and out of funding so it will be necessary to check directly to see if they are currently open to applications.

 Youth Work Project

• · National Lottery Funding – Flexible, supports salaries, equipment, and community-led youth projects.
• · The Childs Charitable Trust– Supports Christian organisations sharing the gospel, including youth work.
• · John James Charitable Trust – Supports Christian education and youth ministry.
• · The Cinnamon Network – Offers micro-grants for churches starting youth-focused projects.
• · Laing Family Trusts – Support Christian youth initiatives, including capital improvements.
• · Joseph Rank Trust – Supports youth-focused Christian projects and church property improvements.

Community Outreach Project

• National Lottery Funding– Strong fit for community-led outreach, especially in disadvantaged areas.
• Benefact Trust – Supports projects with community impact and Christian ethos.
• MB Reckitt Trust – Funds Christian social action and community cohesion.
• Sir Halley Stewart Trust – Supports innovative social projects that promote human flourishing.
• The Bishop Radford Trust – Supports Christian ministry with community impact.

 Mental Health Support Project

• National Lottery Funding– Supports mental health initiatives, especially in underserved communities.
• Sir Halley Stewart Trust – Funds pioneering social and medical projects.
• Benefact Trust – Supports projects tackling social issues, including mental health.
• Joseph Rank Trust – May support if framed within practical and spiritual needs.
• MB Reckitt Trust – Supports Christian social thought and action, including mental health.
• The Bishop Radford Trust – Supports Christian ministry, including pastoral care.

Funders that May Support Equipment (with the right framing):

• Benefact Trust – Typically funds capital projects, so if the equipment is part of a building upgrade or a tangible, lasting asset, it may be eligible.
• Biffa Award– Focuses on building improvements, but may include fixtures and fittings (e.g. kitchen equipment, heating systems).
• National Lottery Funding– Very flexible and can fund equipment, especially if it supports community benefit.
• Joseph Rank Trust– May support equipment if it’s part of a broader Christian community or educational project.
• Laing Family Trusts– Could support equipment if it’s essential to a Christian youth or community initiative.
• The Cinnamon Network – Their £2,000 micro-grants could be used for small-scale equipment needs tied to a recommended project.

 Possibly Suitable for Salaries or Staff Costs

• The Childs Charitable Trust – Supports Christian organisations sharing the gospel; may fund staff if aligned with mission.
• The Cinnamon Network – Offers micro-grants (£2,000) for churches starting recommended projects, which could include staffing.
• John James Charitable Trust – Supports individuals in ministry training and Christian education; may support youth workers if aligned.
• Slavanka Trust – Supports Christian ministry and education, possibly including staffing.
• The Bishop Radford Trust – Supports Christian ministry broadly; may include staffing.
• Benefact Trust - This is another fairly funders which can support salaries for community-based projects.

Building Renovation Project

• Biffa Award – Excellent for community building renovations; must meet location criteria and provide 10% match funding.
• Benefact Trust – Funds capital projects with Christian ethos and community impact.
• Joseph Rank Trust – Supports church property improvements for community use.
• Laing Family Trusts – Fund capital improvements for Christian organisations.
• John James Charitable Trust – May support building improvements for Christian youth work.

 Funders Likely to Offer 100% Funding

• National Lottery Funding flexible and equity-based; can fund full project costs including salaries, equipment, and delivery.
• The Childs Charitable Trust No mention of match funding; supports Christian organisations sharing the gospel.
• The Cinnamon Network offers fixed micro-grants (£2,000); no match funding required.
• John James Charitable Trust supports individuals and organisations; no match funding mentioned.
• Sir Halley Stewart Trust focuses on innovative projects; no match funding requirement stated.
• Slavanka Trust supports Christian ministry and education; no match funding mentioned.
• Saltley trust funds Christian learning and education; no match funding requirement noted.
• The Bishop Radford Trust supports Christian ministry; no indication of match funding needed.
• MB Reckitt Trust Funds Christian social thought and action; no match funding required.

Funders That Require or Prefer Match Funding

• · Biffa Award requires a 10% third-party contribution. This is a strict condition for eligibility.
• · Benefact Trust typically funds only a small percentage of the total project cost to support more causes. Match funding is expected.
• · Joseph Rank Trust While not explicitly stated, they often fund part of a project and expect applicants to have other sources of funding.
• · Laing Family Trusts may not fund 100% of a project; co-funding is often expected, especially for capital projects

Madelaine Goddard retired from Derby city deanery after over ten years as their lay chair. At the most recent meeting of the Deanery Synod (October 2025) Madelaine offered a typically grace—filled retirement speech.

Rev’d Sarah Watson, Area Dean of Derby city, thanked Madeline for her support and wisdom and presented her with flowers and a crowd-funded gift as a token of the deanery’s great appreciation.

Archdeacon Matthew Trick, Archdeacon of Derby and South Derbyshire, commented, “Madelaine Goddard has been a faithful servant of Christ, guiding Derby City deanery from the two city deaneries merging into the present deanery, and successive Area and Asst Deans. She has held the deanery as Lay Chair with care and prayerfulness, offering helpful wisdom and insight into discussions across diocesan life. We are truly grateful for Madelaine's long and faithful service”.  

Photo: Revd Mina Mumms presents Madelaine Goddard with a bouquet of flowers.