Items filtered by date: May 2025
On 19 January 2023, the bishops issued A response from the Bishops of the Church of England about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
The Church of England's press release, Bishops propose prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and for God’s blessing for same-sex couples, can be seen here followed by a joint statement from Bishop Libby and Bishop Malcolm.
Bishops propose prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and for God’s blessing for same-sex couples
For the first time, under historic plans outlined today, same-sex couples will be able to come to church to give thanks for their civil marriage or civil partnership and receive God’s blessing.
The Bishops of the Church of England will be issuing an apology later this week to LGBTQI+ people for the “rejection, exclusion and hostility” they have faced in churches and the impact this has had on their lives.
And they will urge all congregations in their care to welcome same-sex couples “unreservedly and joyfully” as they reaffirm their commitment to a “radical new Christian inclusion founded in scripture, in reason, in tradition, in theology and the Christian faith as the Church of England has received it – based on good, healthy, flourishing relationships, and in a proper 21st Century understanding of being human and of being sexual”.
The proposals, which follow a six-year period of listening, learning and discernment known as Living in Love and Faith, will be outlined in a report to the Church’s General Synod, which meets in London next month.
It will offer the fullest possible pastoral provision without changing the Church’s doctrine of Holy Matrimony for same-sex couples through a range of draft prayers, known as Prayers of Love and Faith, which could be used voluntarily in churches for couples who have marked a significant stage of their relationship such as a civil marriage or civil partnership.
There will be a commitment to produce new pastoral guidance in relation to the discernment of vocation, replacing the 1991 statement “Issues in Human Sexuality”, to which all clergy currently are asked to assent.
Drawing from the feedback received through Living in Love and Faith, the bishops also identify a number of key areas for further reflection and work.
Under the proposals, same-sex couples would still not be able to get married in a Church of England church, but could have a service in which there would be prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or for God’s blessing on the couple in church following a civil marriage or partnership.
The formal teaching of the Church of England as set out in the canons and authorised liturgies – that Holy Matrimony is between one man and one woman for life – would not change.
The prayers would be voluntary for clergy to use and could be used in different combinations reflecting the theological diversity of the Church.
The proposals for the Church of England follow a discussion at the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops from around the world last year on topics including same-sex marriage and blessings.
During that discussion, the Archbishop of Canterbury made clear that the majority of the churches in the Anglican Communion continue to affirm traditional teaching on marriage, but that some have already come to a different view on sexuality “after long prayer, deep study and reflection on understandings of human nature” and now bless or celebrate same-sex unions.
Alongside the published report the bishops of the Church of England will be publishing a letter in which they apologise to LGBTQI+ people.
The letter will also speak honestly about their ongoing disagreements over the possibility of changing the Church’s teaching on marriage itself.
But they will emphasise a clear and strong desire to continue to “walk together” amid their differences.
The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who chaired the group of bishops which led the process of discernment and decision making, said: “I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to all who have participated in the process which has brought us to this point.
“I know that this has been costly and painful for many on all sides of the debate and has touched on deeply personal matters and strongly held beliefs.
“We have been moved by what we have heard and seen. And what has come through very clearly, even though there continues to be disagreement among the bishops and among the wider church on these questions, is a strong desire to continue to share our life together in Christ with all our differences.”
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said: “Over the last six years, we have been confronted time and time again with examples of the rejection, exclusion, and hostility that many LGBTQI+ people have received in churches.
“Both personally and on behalf of my fellow bishops I would like to express our deep sorrow and grief at the way LGBTQI+ people and those they love have been treated by the Church which, most of all, ought to recognise everyone as precious and created in the image of God.
“We are deeply sorry and ashamed and want to take this opportunity to begin again in the spirit of repentance which our faith teaches us.
“This is not the end of that journey but we have reached a milestone and I hope that these prayers of love and faith can provide a way for us all to celebrate and affirm same-sex relationships.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: “I would like to thank all those across the Church of England who have participated in this deeply prayerful and theologically grounded process of discernment over the last six years.
“This response reflects the diversity of views in the Church of England on questions of sexuality, relationships and marriage – I rejoice in that diversity and I welcome this way of reflecting it in the life of our church.
“I am under no illusions that what we are proposing today will appear to go too far for some and not nearly far enough for others, but it is my hope that what we have agreed will be received in a spirit of generosity, seeking the common good.
“Most of all I hope it can offer a way for the Church of England, publicly and unequivocally, to say to all Christians and especially LGBTQI+ people that you are welcome and a valued and precious part of the body of Christ.”
Once the proposals have been debated by Synod, the House of Bishops will refine the prayers and then commend them for use.
Meanwhile a new group would be set up to produce new pastoral guidance to explain the practical implications of the bishops’ proposals and replace previous guidance and statements including Issues in Human Sexuality.
Synod will be asked to discuss the proposals in detail during its meeting from February 6 to 9, with the main debate on the proposals due to take place on February 8.
Joint statement from Bishop Libby and Bishop Malcolm
We wholeheartedly endorse the Response from the Bishops of the Church of England about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage, and encourage you to read all the resources and material it offers.
We join our voices to the pastoral letter, we commend consideration of the Prayers of Love and Faith, we will support the work of the Pastoral Consultative Group, and we commit ourselves to continuing engagement.
We are grateful to all those who have contributed to the Living in Love and Faith over the past five years.
Bishop Libby and the Diocesan General Synod representatives, who reflect the breadth of the Church of England in their conviction about these matters, will engage fully February’s General Synod.
We will continue to listen, and bring to our Diocese further consideration as appropriate.
We trust that, as a diocese, we will continue to journey across our diversity, as we have done thus far, with generous faith, courageous hope and life-giving love.
As is said in the Pastoral Letter included in the Response: ‘Our conversations, learning and prayer continue. We have reached one milestone, but there is further to go as we seek God’s coming kingdom together’.
Be assured of our continuing prayers.
+Libby Derby +Malcolm Repton
>> Draft prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and for God’s blessing for same-sex couples published
More about LLF
Living in Love and Faith (LLF) explores Christian teaching and learning about human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
The Church of England's extensive LLF resources draw together the bible, theology, science and history with real-life stories.
They were commissioned by the House of Bishops and include a book, a series of films and podcasts and a course following three years’ work by a group of more than 40 people from across the Church.
They are intended to initiate a process of whole Church learning and engagement in 2021, within a clear timeframe, that will contribute to the Bishops’ discernment of a way forward in relation to questions of human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
The Living in Love and Faith resources include a 480-page book, a series of films and podcasts and an online library of other publications.
Introducing the Diocese of Derby’s Disability Inclusion Action Group (DIAG)
Disability inclusion and access is taken very seriously by the Diocese of Derby.
Volunteers, with a range of disabilities and challenges, who all share the passion of making positive change across the diocese launched the DIAG to support the diocese and parishes to become as inclusive to disabled people as they possibly can be.
Our work is focused around three key themes - Attitude, Access, and Agency.
These themes arise from the paper ‘Disabling Church’ researched and written by Cptn Tim Rourke, which was received and endorsed by Diocesan Synod in October 2021.
The report focused on changing attitudes towards disabled people, improving access to all the church’s activities, and ensuring disabled people are enabled to exercise agency by participating at all levels in church life and governance.
The group meet regularly and is chaired by Carl Veal. The group always welcomes interest and/or enquiries from congregation and churches across the diocese.
What can we do for you?
We view our purpose as serving the needs of the disabled within the Diocese of Derby.
All of our activities and tools are designed by the group towards making the lives of those with challenges easier within the churches across our diocese.
Our information is intended for all the people of the diocese; clergy, church leaders and parishoners alike and currently includes:
- The provision of accessibility advice and you may contact us directly at diag@derby.anglican.org. We would love to hear from you.
- As we progress, we will be offering seminars both online and in groups – keep a look out for announcements.
- We can offer advice based on the very personal experiences of living with a range of disabilities. The members of the diag group are comprised of volunteers mostly with disability or multiple disabilities of some form.
We are currently working on making available a Braille print toolkit; and a BSL toolkit which willl include how to engage British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters. We are also liiking into access to completing a successful accessibility audit through an audit toolkit.
NB: All contact is treated in confidence and information will only be shared with express consent.
Getting Involved
We’d love to hear from you as your thoughts and experiences of church life and disability are important in developing best practice.
So whether you’re an individual with ‘lived’ or ‘caring' experience of disability, or a church, or community organisation, do get in contact with us.
We love to hear of new projects and events, and if you want to get more involved then we're always welcoming to new members joining our steering group.
DIAG related stories on the Diocese of Derby website
>> Bishop Malcolm experiences church from a wheelchair user’s perspective
>> Special service raises awareness of disability inclusion in churches
Events
Please note - unless otherwise stated, events listed here are external and not endorsed by the Diocese of Derby but we are happy to share the information on them.
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Resources
Ramps - improving wheelchair access
Disability Awareness Sunday [webpage]
Supporting Autistic individuals in our churches [YouTube]
DIAG Chairman's report 2021-2022 [PDF]
All Stand brochure [PDF]
Disabling Church - report by Cptn Tim Rourke C.A. [PDF]
'Support Reimagined' - CofE and Livability [webpage]
Christian BSL
Songs, hymns, and carols in British Sign Language (BSL) signed by Deaf Christians.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day
2025 date to be announced. Purpose of the day is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.
Through the Roof
A registered charity that exists to transform lives through Jesus with disabled people.
A service of celebration and thanksgiving for the ministry of the Venerable Carol Coslett, Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales, will take place on Saturday, 11 February 2023 at 3 pm at St John’s Buxton.
This will be an opportunity to say farewell as Carol leaves for her new post in the Diocese of Southwark.
Several choirs will be participating and offering different musical contributions during the service.
Archdeacon Carol would love you to come and join the choir to sing at her Farewell Service.
There will be a rehearsak in church at 1.30 pm with the service taking place at 3 pm.
If you are interested, please email Archdeacon Carol or Michael Williams by Monday, 30 January 2022 indicating with your contact number, whether you are Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bass, and brief details of your choral experience.
Contact Archdeacon Carol at Carol.coslett@derby.anglican.org
Contact Michael Williams at mwilliams@bemerton.co.uk
With New Year resolutions all done with for another year, now could be the perfect time to start a community choir!
But where to start? What should you know before taking on this venture?
The Revd Dwayne Engh, Ordained Ministries Development Officer for the Diocese of Derby, has the answers and is sharing his knowledge in his book “Starting a Community Choir: Using Music in Outreach and Mission” which has been published by Grove Publishing.
Dwayne has been blessed to work around the world as a composer, conductor, percussionist, and educator.
The book covers both practical steps to take and some theological underpinnings of using music as an evangelistic outreach tool.
Throughout our history, the church has used the potential of music and art to be propositional, conveying both theological and devotional meaning.
Singing sacred (including both traditional and contemporary worship) music allows people to connect with God and be led to Christ while they explore their spiritual questions in a non-threatening environment.
Dwayne said, “I’m really pleased to have published this small Grove book – as well as to be able to combine my passion of music from my previous roles as conductor, composer and percussionist with my current roles as a priest and Ordained Ministries Development Officer, doing mission by loving people into God's kingdom. I hope the book helps churches and communities see how easy it is to start a community choir and encourages them to ‘give it a go’. (And, of course, to encourage them to buy as many dozens of copies of the book as they would like)!”
27 January 2023
The Bishop of Derby has announced the new Diocesan Secretary will be Will Hagger, who is currently Director of Housing and Investment Property in the Diocese of London.
Will brings with him a wealth of experience, having worked for the London Diocesan Fund for eight years. He is a chartered surveyor and has previously worked for property fund management business, Newcore Capital.
Will said: “I am really excited by the opportunities and challenges that my new role in Derby will present, both professionally and personally. Whilst I will be sad to leave the Diocese of London, I am looking forward to getting acquainted with the Diocese of Derby and the whole of Derbyshire.”
On announcing the appointment, Bishop Libby said: “I know you will join me in warmly welcoming Will to the Diocese of Derby. He will be a great asset to the diocese and in leading DBF colleagues from Church House. Please keep him and his family in your prayers as they prepare to move, and through all their transitions.”
Will’s first day with us will be 1st May 2023.
26 January 2023
The Revd Neil Barber, Vicar of Normanton-by-Derby, has also been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Sinfin St Stephen in the same diocese.
The Revd Will Eley, Assistant Curate of Normanton-by-Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (known as Associate Minister) of Normanton-by-Derby and of Sinfin St Stephen.
The Revd Lynn Hayler, Team Vicar in the North Wingfield Team Ministry, has announced her resignation. Lynn’s last day in post will be Sunday, 30 April 2023.
12 January 2023
The Revd Jenny Simpson, Assistant Curate of the St Werburgh’s Derby Bishop’s Mission Order (BMO), Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (known as Associate Minister) of the same BMO.
6 January 2023
The Revd Stuart Baxter, Curate of Kirby (Diocese of Liverpool) 1970-1973, Curate of Ainsdale 1973-1976, worker for the Church Mission Society, including time in Sierre Leone 1976-1984, Vicar of Nelson in Little Marsden (Diocese of Blackburn) 1984-1992, Vicar of Lostock Hall (1992-1999), Priest-in-Charge of Hatton (Diocese of Derby) 1999-2004, Assistant Chaplain of HMP Sudbury 1999-2003, Assistant Chaplain of HMP Foston Hall 2003-2006, who retired in 2006 and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate, died on Saturday, 31 December 2022.
The funeral will take place on Friday, 13 January 2023 at 12.30 pm at St Peter’s Belper.
5 January 2023
The Revd Trevor Beedell, Curate of Walton (St Edmundsbury and Ipswich) 1965-1968, Rector of Hartshorne (Derby) 1968-1979, Rural Dean of Repton 1974-1979, Chaplain to HMP Foston 1979-1980 Vicar of Doveridge 1979-1986, Diocesan Director of Christian Stewardship 1979-1997, who retired in 1997, was Retirement Chaplain with his wife Mary until 2009, and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate until 2018, died on Tuesday, 20 December 2022.
A thanksgiving service will be held on Monday, 23 January 2023 at 11.30 am at St Wilfrid’s West Hallam, following a private service at the Crematorium. If you plan to attend please email mdleb@icloud.com.
A service of celebration and thanksgiving for the ministry of the Venerable Carol Coslett, Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales, will take place on Saturday, 11 February 2023 at 3 pm at St John’s Buxton. This will be an opportunity to say farewell as Carol leaves for her new post in the Diocese of Southwark. Several choirs will be participating and offering different musical contributions during the service.
The Revd Sandra Doore, Team Vicar in the Gateacre Team Ministry, Diocese of Liverpool, has been appointed Team Vicar in the Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby.
The Revd Nicola McNally, Assistant Curate in the benefice of Tideswell, has been appointed interim part-time Priest-in-Charge of ‘The Peak Five’ Benefice (comprising Fenny Bentley, Thorpe, Tissington, Parwich and Alsop-en-le-Dale) and interim part-time Assistant Curate (known as Associate Priest) for Carsington Deanery.
Advent is a time to prepare our hearts, minds and homes for Christ's birth in the world as it is today.
It is a time for faith communities and families to remember, through prayer, reflections, music, and good deeds, the true meaning of Jesus' birth.
Our reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Advent comes from the Right Reverend Malcolm Macnaughton, Bishop of Repton.
St Francis Church, Mackworth, hosted a fun-filled night of carols and beer at the Woodpecker Pub on the Derby estate.
The evening was led by a choir and band that was specially formed for the event by church members and friends and helped reinforced the message that everyone is welcome to go to church at Christmas and beyond.
Many of the traditional favourites were sung and some really good discussions followed with people intending to go along and join a service soon.
The vicar, Revd Andy Bond, said: “We had around 25 singing in the choir and about the same amount from the pub who got stuck in and sang along.
“It’s the first time we've done this since I've been at St Francis.
“The event was a complete success; a lot of fun was had and there were some really positive comments about how much people enjoyed it.”
This is one of many festive events taking place across the diocese that it’s hoped will lead to transformed lives through growing church and building community.
Why not share your own Christmas successes with us at communications@derby.anglican.org.
Join the 2027 Community of Prayer and receive the Cycle of Prayer either daily or monthly to your inbox.
Cycle of Prayer - May 2025
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Cycle of Prayer - March 2025
The Advent Season is a time to prepare our hearts, minds and homes for Christ's birth in the world as it is today.
It is a time for faith communities and families to remember, through prayer, reflections, music, and good deeds, the true meaning of Jesus' birth.
Our reflection for the Third Sunday of Advent comes from the Venerable Carol Coslett, Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.
A member of the Diocese of Derby's Safeguarding Team has had her poetry selected to help highlight the national 16 Days of Activism campaign to end gender-based violence.
Sue Griffin, the diocese's safeguarding co-ordinator, wrote two poems about the horror and turmoil of abuse, which she knows all too much about after years of working in the social work and safeguarding industry.
She said: "I was in a meeting where there was a lot of talk about black eyes and bruises.
"I shouted up 'It's not just black eyes and bruises' at which point someone suggested it would be a good catchline for the campaign - and I decided to write a poem about it."
It’s not just black eyes and bruises
by Sue Griffin
The handsome man, the beautiful wife
A love affair, a family life,
Pressure grows, pleasure and woes,
Life’s events and sagas grow.
No peace, No love
No trust, no voice,
No money, No hope,
No time to be yourself.
The sideward glance,
The push, the punch,
The shout, the scream,
The No, you’re not!
You’re lucky – you should be grateful.
The fear, the isolation,
The pain, the desperation,
The control, the demands.
‘You’re mad’, ‘you’re fat’
‘You’re boring’, ‘you’re stupid’,
Who will listen, who cares?
It’s not just black eyes and bruises.
"The second poem, If You Told Me, was inspired by a campaign being run by our colleagues in the Diocese of Blackburn.
"For me, the messaging is the important thing - abuse doesn't only happen to women and writing about the underdog is important."
Sue said she has written poetry before but needs to feel inspired: "I like writing about people but I also find that having rhymes helps me to remember things.
"So generally a poem comes into my head and I put it down on paper.
"I try to come up with rhyming phrases and sometimes that can be frustrating; other times, though, the words just fall into place."
The 16 Days of Activism campaign runs until 10 December.
If you told me
by Sue Griffin
If you told me, I’d listen,
I’d try to understand,
If you told me,
I’d help you, with a future plan.
If you told me, I’d empower you,
I would stand by your side.
I’d respect your wishes.
Help restore your pride.
If you told me, I’d believe in you,
I’d show you that I cared.
If you told me, I’d be supportive,
Let you know someone was there.
If you told me, you’re ready,
You are growing strong,
You’re seeing things with clearer eyes
And know that things are wrong.
If you told me, you took a step,
A leap, to set you free
If you told me
I’d be there for you on your new journey.
