Items filtered by date: May 2025
The Church of England’s National Giving Team made 50 contactless giving devices available to parishes in the Diocese of Derby for free and this week they have been distributed ready for immediate use.
The National Giving Team recognises the many new challenges which influence our ability to sustain Gods work in our parish churches.
As we evolve into a cashless society, parishes need to consider the various methods available to allow generosity.
Steve Johnson, Living Generously Advisor for the Diocese of Derby said “This is an amazing opportunity to enable church visitors to support the ministry in our parishes, whether they are members of the congregation, attending a special event, or just taking some quiet time in your church, a contactless giving device allows their generosity to become a reality. God calls everyone to be generous. Generosity through contactless donations enables transformed lives, a growing church, and the building of community. The Kingdom of God – Good News for all”
Quotes from the Diocese of Derby Digital Contactless Donation Device Rollout 2023
Representatives from St Helen’s Etwall said "I just wanted to thank Steve for a very well-prepared session, you've done a great job here! We were impressed by the device, ease of use and functionality…The great news is that it can be left in church, plugged in permanently".
Representatives from All Saints Youlgreave said "A huge, huge thank you for organising today. I was so excited to pick up the device and it is so easy to manage. I cannot believe all the campaign pages and screens were set up for each church! Just in time for well dressings too which is just amazing! This is such a wonderful way for small churches in parishes to help themselves grow financially and with the sharp decline in cash in recent years, such a wonderful and timely grant to support parish churches like our beautiful church here in Youlgreave. I know it will do wonders for our fundraising and the sustainability of the church in the future.
For more information on contactless giving and living generously, please contact Steve Johnson, Living Generously Advisor at steve.johnson@derby.anglican.org or 01332 278151.
Anne Sherwood, church warden at St Philip’s Chaddesden has received the “Community Hero Award” at the Derby Volunteer Awards on Thursday, 1 June 2023.
She received the award for her tireless work each week as the church warden and chief caterer at St Philip’s, and community shop volunteer at the Aspire Community Alliance at St Marks Derby.
Anne is a key part of the church community. You can find her providing meals and caring for the those who visit the community café on Thursdays, serving breakfasts on one Saturday each month, supporting school events, running toddler and craft groups and assisting other groups who use the space and need a hand, such as Derby County Community Trust and Derby Adult Learning Service.
She pours her heart and soul into the community and without her so much would cease to function.
Anne said, “I am so pleased to accept the award and share it with my colleagues in Aspire (St Mark’s) and at St Philip's. Five hundred years ago, St Teresa of Avila wrote, ‘Christ has no body on earth but yours.’ and so challenged Christians to demonstrate God’s love through personal service to others. Volunteering provides opportunities to pay back a lifetime of blessings, but it is certainly not one-sided. It’s a social experience working alongside others and supporting each other to achieve results. Volunteering can be FUN. – Try it!”.
Revd Sarah Watson, Area Dean for Derby City Deanery and Enabling Minister for St Philip’s Chaddesden, said “I am absolutely delighted that Anne has won this award. She really is an unsung hero who gives so much to this community as an outworking of her faith in Jesus. In her acceptance speech she spoke of the teams she works with; this is a real example of the Body of Christ in action, all playing their part in seeing lives transformed and touched by the Kingdom of God”.
The event took place during Volunteers Week 2023 and was presented by Community Action Derby and Derby Volunteer Centre in partnership with Derby Homes.
>> Learn more about Community Action Derby
>> Learn more about St Philip’s Chaddesden
Photos taken by S.H Photos and used by permission of Community Action Derby.
29 June
The Revd Mina Munns will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Derby St John the Evangelist, Diocese of Derby, on Thursday 27th July at 7 pm at St John’s Derby by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Area Dean of Derby City.
22 June
The Revd Phil Mann, Pioneer Minister of Derby St Werburgh’s BMO and Priest-in-Charge of Mackworth St Francis, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the parish of Allenton and Shelton Lock (within the benefice of Pride Park, Wilmorton, Allenton and Shelton Lock)
The Revd Jeff Golding, Assistant Curate of Derby St Werburgh’s BMO, Diocese of Derby, will transfer his curacy and become Assistant Curate in the parish of Allenton and Shelton Lock (within the benefice of Pride Park, Wilmorton, Allenton and Shelton Lock)
Phil and Jeff will be licensed to their new posts on Sunday, 25 June 2023 at 2pm at St Edmund’s Allenton and Shelton Lock by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire.
The Revd Chris Neilson will be licensed as Interim Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Whitfield, Diocese of Derby, on Monday, 21 August 2023 at 7pm at St Luke’s Whitfield by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Acting Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.
19 June
The Revd Dr James Hughes, Vicar of Duffield and Little Eaton, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Area Dean of Dove and Derwent. James will take up this appointment from Friday, 1 September 2023.
The Revd Jonathan Page, Vicar of Belper Christ Church and Turnditch, Priest-in-Charge of Hazelwood, Holbrook and Milford and Assistant Area Dean of Dove and Derwent, has also been appointed Acting Area Dean of Dove and Derwent with immediate effect. Jonathan will step down as Acting Area Dean with effect from Friday, 1 September 2023 and also resign as Assistant Area Dean from this date.
The Revd Stella Greenwood, Priest-in-Charge of Etwall and Egginton and Assistant Curate (Minister Responsible) of Dalbury, Sutton on the Hill and Trusley, has been appointed Assistant Area Dean of Dove and Derwent with immediate effect.
1 June
The Revd BJ Facey, Vicar of Chellaston, Diocese of Derby, has announced her retirement. BJ’s last day in post will be Friday, 28 July 2023 with her retirement taking effect from Saturday, 29 July, 2023. BJ will be staying in the diocese in retirement.
National Sports Sunday aims to both encourage people to engage with sport and to become sports chaplains.
Is being a sports chaplain something you could consider?
Here are the thoughts of Revd Sarah Watson, herself a sports chaplain - and a recreational tennis player!
When people think of a sports chaplain, they may imagine the chaplain of a professional football club, and although some work with elite sportswomen and men, many serve at a much more grass-roots level serving all members in the club regardless of playing ability or role.
A sports chaplain's role will vary from club to club and sport to sport, and my role is as chaplain to Derbyshire Tennis and I am there to offer support, pastoral and spiritual care.
As a priest in the Church of England of course I am passionate about my Christian faith and the Gospel being good news to all, but I always operate by permission and I am always inclusive. I am not just there for the Christians but to serve the whole tennis community, irrespective of beliefs or lifestyle.
I am passionate about sport; I love participating and watching. It has always played a big part of my life and is unsurprisingly a big part of discipleship and ministry.
Jesus said he came to bring life in all its fullness. This is a holistic view of well-being, including both the physical and spiritual, of all involved in the community of sport to which chaplaincy has something to offer.
Most of the time I would describe my role as "holy loitering", spending time around the Derbyshire tennis world getting to know people, being a Christian presence.
Essentially I am there to serve and not be served, seeking to follow the model of Jesus.
Being a sports chaplain is both an honour and privilege.
Find out more at: https://sportschaplaincy.org.uk/
25 May
The Revd Duncan Ballard, Priest-in-Charge of Ashbourne with Mapleton, Ashbourne St John, Clifton and Norbury with Snelston, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Vicar and Ministry Area Leader in Cowbridge, Diocese of Llandaff.
The Revd John Ferguson will be licensed as Assistant Curate (Stipended) of Ripley and of Swanwick and Pentrich, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday, 25 June 2023 at 2pm at Repton House by the Bishop of Repton. The licence will take effect from 1 July 2023.
The Revd Ally Kay will be licensed as Team Vicar in the Walbrook Epiphany Team, Diocese of Derby, on Wednesday, 28 June 2023 at 5.30pm in the Bishop’s Chapel, Duffield by the Bishop of Derby.
The Revd Mina Munns, Vicar of Derby St Alkmund and St Werburgh, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Derby St John the Evangelist in the same diocese.
The Revd Chris Neilson, Assistant Curate of St John the Baptist Burscough, Diocese of Liverpool, has been appointed Interim Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Whitfield, Diocese of Derby.
The Revd Anne Wilkins will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Sawley, Diocese of Derby, on Monday, 2 October 2023 at 7pm at All Saints Sawley, by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.
11 May
The Revd Ally Kay, Rector of Wyke Regis, All Saints and St Edmunds, Diocese of Salisbury, has been appointed Team Vicar in the Walbrook Epiphany Team, Diocese of Derby.
The Revd Anthony Till, Assistant Curate (SSM) in the Walbrook Epiphany Team, Diocese of Derby, will transfer his curacy and become Assistant Curate (SSM) at Spondon and in the parish of Derby St Andrew and St Osmund in the same diocese.
The Revd Anne Wilkins, Rector of Hutton and Locking, Diocese of Bath and Wells, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Sawley, Diocese of Derby.
4 May
The Revd John Ferguson, Assistant Curate (SSM) of Derby St Barnabas, will transfer his curacy and become Assistant Curate (Stipended) of Ripley and of Swanwick and Pentrich with effect from Saturday, 1 July 2023.
Bishop Malcolm has crowned King Charles in a special service in Derbyshire.
Charles (his real name) aged 7, was crowned King at Melbourne Infant School.
The Coronation was watched by scores of pupils and teachers at the school, who cheered as the new King greeted them wearing his ancient crown and robe and carrying his ceremonial sceptre.
Following the ceremony, the Year 2 pupil said: "It was very exciting.
"The best bit was when the crown was put on my head.
"As King, I will visit every class during the day and take part in their lessons."
Bishop Malcolm said: "It was a privilege to be asked to be part of this historic occasion and to meet so many of the pupils at Melbourne Infant School.
"Apparently, there is another coronation happening tomorrow in London, so the pupils will hopefully now have a good idea of what it's all about!"
King Charles and Bishop Malcolm were assisted by Revd Steve Short, Vicar of Melbourne, and by the school's headteacher, Mrs Gibbs, who said: "This is a historic event in the lives of our children and something that they will not have seen before!
"We felt it was important to mark the event in a special way.
"All week in school we have been doing coronation crafts, lessons and workshops and today’s coronation ceremony will top off our celebrations!
"All the children were so excited for the coronation – especially our King Charles himself!"
Derbyshire has its very own version of the Bayeux Tapestry to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Residents in the parish of Brailsford and Ednaston worked together to create the impressive embroidery, which measures 10.85 metres.
The project was organised by Brailsford and Ednaston Churches Together.
Planning committee member Lucy Thompson had the idea of creating the commemorative embroidery, drawing on the history of All Saints Church in Brailsford and village resident Laura Burrill, a community arts practitioner, was commissioned to design the embroidery and facilitate workshops throughout March.
Working together with residents, Laura created a design depicting an imagined scenario of the coronation day, with villagers parading from community buildings to the King and his royal party.
The section depicting the Coronation is flanked by hundreds of small squares embroidered with motifs inspired by the things villagers love about the place they live.
The connection between Brailsford and Ednaston goes back to the Domesday Book where Brailsford was awarded ‘a priest and half a church’ and Ednaston ‘half a church’ resulting in All Saints Church, situated between the two villages.
The Brailsford Bayeux was unveiled at a special service in All Saints Church on Saturday, 29 April attended by Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, the Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby and Revd Andy Fyall, Nottingham and Derby Methodist District Chair.
The tapestry will be on display over the Coronation weekend.
After the Coronation celebrations, it is hoped that the tapestry will be on display in various places locally throughout the year.
Some interesting facts about the Brailsford Bayeux:
- 406 small squares (4x the original goal) were completed by individuals and groups in the community. Each square shares memories, love, and gratitude.
- A team of 26 worked the main panel in just seven weeks.
- 292 members of the community were involved, the youngest being 2 and the eldest 94.
- The tapestry went from idea to finished result in less than 16 weeks.
The Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, has admitted ten new readers in a special service held at Derby Cathedral.
Seven were admitted and licensed as readers and three were admitted as readers with permission to officiate.
Speaking to them at the service, Bishop Libby Said: "I am pleased and privileged to admit you as readers in the Diocese of Derby.
"Readers are a really important part of ministry as together we seek to help more people in the diocese to know Jesus.
"May the Lord give you wisdom, courage, strength and love to do his will."
>> See the photos from the Celebration of Reader Ministry with the Admission & Licensing of Readers
Those admitted are:
David Beale, to serve in Parish of Longstone
Caroline Carr, to serve in the Benefices of Swadlincote and Hartshorne, Gresley and Newhall
Sara Eames, to serve in the Benefice of Alvaston
Alison Henshaw, to serve in the Benefice of Chellaston
Terry Nash, to serve in the Parish of Allenton and Shelton Lock
Margaret Roberts, to serve in the Benefice of Glossop
Garry Sherwood, to serve in the Benefice of Stanton by Dale with Dale Abbey and Risley
Christine Walker, to serve in the Benefice of Matlock Bank and Tansley
Andrew Walley, to serve in the Benefice of Etwall with Egginton
Judi Witcomb, to serve in the Benefice of Mickleover and Radbourne.
Please pray for them all and for the communities where they will serve.
Readers in the Church of England are licensed lay ministers whose ministry can include a range of responsibilities including preaching, teaching and leading worship.
There are more than 8,500 readers actively involved in ministry in the Church of England today.
The new readers are welcomed by family, friends and colleagues
Past Cases Review 2
The Diocese of Derby has taken part in the most extensive review of safeguarding records ever conducted by the Church of England.
The purpose of PCR2 was to identify both good practice and institutional failings in relation to how allegations of abuse have been handled, assess any identified risks and respond to these where appropriate, and to provide recommendations to the Church that will lead to improvements in its safeguarding work.
The Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, writes:
I, along with diocesan colleagues and Derby Cathedral, welcomed the opportunity offered by PCR2 to reflect on our practice.
We also welcome the advice and challenges arising from the report.
We are grateful for the level of detail in the 40 recommendations made by the Independent Reviewers for consideration by the diocese, cathedral or Church of England.
Many of these recommendations reiterate a process change that had been recognised by senior officers, and are underway or have already been completed.
We are committed to attending to the recommendations made and have been glad of the opportunity this process has provided to learn and improve.
Executive Summary of the Diocese of Derby Report
The PCR2 was jointly commissioned by the Diocese of Derby and Derby Cathedral.
It was completed between 26th April and 29th October 2021 by two independent safeguarding professionals.
The review process was overseen by a PCR Reference Group with an appointed independent chair.
The process achieved the PCR2 specific objectives and complied with the PCR2 Practice and Policy Guidance (PCR2 PPG) issued by the Church of England PCR2 Management Board.
In compliance with PCR2 PPG, the diocese was in Category B - those dioceses who did not need to carry out a repeat of the original PCR but who have not conducted further review work since January 2007.
The diocese did not seek any exemptions in the file review phase.
Derby Cathedral and the Diocese of Derby actively engaged with the PCR2 process, meeting all the requirements specified in the PCR2 PPG and the review was welcomed as a learning opportunity by the bishop and all those supporting the review, many of whom were new in post and seeking to benchmark their ongoing work.
The content of the PCR2 report was drawn from documented information, and discussion between the independent reviewers and key stakeholders in the diocese and Derby Cathedral.
In the Diocese of Derby, the file review phase consisted of 1,164 files and, as a result, one new case was identified.
Of the files reviewed, 70 were cathedral files.
>> Download the Diocese of Derby's Executive Summary [.pdf] (Republished on 7 October 2022 with a data amendment)
The PCR2 report can be read in full on the Church of England website.
Support
Support is available for anyone for whom this prompts the need to talk or seek help and the diocese is keen to help anyone who contacts them about safeguarding matters, however long ago they may have happened.
Contact details for the Safeguarding Team:
safeguarding@derby.anglican.org | 01332 388678
Further information - Downloads
>> PCR2 Background and Overview [PDF]
