Items filtered by date: May 2025
Melbourne Parish Church is the star attraction in this year's Church of England TV advert.
St Michael and St Mary's features as the church attended by one woman through many Christmases throughout her life – from her first starring role as the baby Jesus in the village nativity play, to childhood and teenage years, joining church youth groups, getting married, parenthood and facing bereavement.
Despite life's ups and downs, she finds joy and support in the church, faith and friendship, not only during Christmas but throughout the year.
The church's rector, the Revd Steve Short, said: "Melbourne features right at the start and midway when my daughter, Sophie, goes to put a star on the Christmas Tree.
"It was a great experience and such a privilege to host colleagues from the Church of England and support their making of this film.
"They had such passion, drive and joy for what they were doing, and it’s such an exciting initiative."
The Church of England's campaign this Christmas is Follow the Star: The Great Invitation and it encourages people to try church for the first time or, if they have visited churches before or been supported by a church through difficult times, to gather again as we reflect on the year and pray for those finding it hard.
Watch the advert
In the week leading up to Advent Sunday, Chesterfield's Crooked Spire opens its doors to visitors far and wide to celebrate the start of the Advent season with its annual Christmas Tree Festival.
This year’s festival - the ninth - ran for ten days from 17 November and the festival continues to grow in numbers of both trees and visitors!
This year, more than 120 trees, set up by businesses and organisations from across Chesterfield, were on display.
>> See pictures from the Crooked Spire Christmas Tree Festival
Warm and welcoming volunteers were there to greet visitors before they were hit with a visually stunning sight – the array of varied Christmas trees shining beautifully in the church itself nd set against its altars and stained glass windows.
The Revd Canon Patrick Coleman, Vicar of Saint Mary and All Saints in Chesterfield, is often asked why they have a Christmas tree festival at the end of November.
His response is that the church prepares for Christmas with the season of advent: “We want to bring God’s blessings to Chesterfield by sending out the trees all over the town after they have been blessed by being in the church.
"We hope and pray that all in Chesterfield will be blessed this season.”
In the weeks leading to Christmas Day, every inch of the church is needed to fit in the hundreds of people who go to services and concerts.
If we needed an example that the church is truly alive, then this is a fine one!
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 Second Sunday of Advent comes from the Venerable Matthew Trick, Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire.
The latest Safeguarding Newsletter has just been sent to all Parish Safeguarding Officers. If you do not receive a copy and would like to read more about the work happening in Safeguarding in the diocese and a little more about one of the safeguarding team you can download the newsletter here.
Derby Cathedral is encouraging parishes, churches and congregations to spread the glow of love and kindness during the festive period by writing a message to be displayed on Derby’s beautiful Tree of Light, which will be in the Cathedral from 3rd December to 6th January.
Messages could be in remembrance of a loved one, a Christmas greeting or a prayer.
To help support the care and work of the cathedral, people of Derby and Derbyshire are invited to write a message and make a donation, keeping the cathedral doors open for welcome and warmth.
Everyone is welcomed to take some time away from the hustle and bustle at this time of year and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Cathedral building for reflection, sanctuary and light.
The Dean of Derby, The Very Revd Peter Robinson said: "At this special time of year, we invite the communities of Derby and Derbyshire to come and enjoy their cathedral and the sparkling Tree of Light.
"Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect, and come together to spread a glow of kindness.
"All are very welcome to share their messages."
The Tree of Light will be available for visitors to see between 3 December and 6 January during cathedral opening times.
For more information, to write an online message or to donate online, please visit:
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 this First Sunday of Advent comes from the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.
Technology can help to keep people safe. But abusers can also use technology to cause harm.
This day marks the start of 16 Days of Action for Violence Against Women and Girls. So to support this campaign, The ann craft trust is raising awareness of the role technology has in exacerbating instances of domestic abuse.
A poster is avaialble to download highlighting that technology could be used to empower domestic abusers and can be had to spot and difficult to escape. You may download it here.
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Todays theme for Safeguarding Adults Week is Elder Abuse.
Elder abuse is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.
The World Health Organisation has found that rates of elder abuse have increased since the pandemic. Around one in six people aged 60 years and older experience some form of abuse in a community setting. Also, rates of elder abuse are high in institutions such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Two thirds of staff report that they have committed abuse in the past year.
A poster to promote awareness can be downloaded here
Continuing the week of contemporary safeguarding issues today we look at safeguarding in everyday life. One of the main ways we can achieve this is to promote safer cultures. This is all about how our Churches and individuals can take steps to minimise harm occurring in the first instance. It’s also about embedding appropriate policies and procedures. In this way, people will know what to do if they have a concern to report. In addition, the churches will have a plan in place for acting on concerns. All PCC's must have a Safeguarding Policy in place.
You can download a poster to promote Safer Cultures here
