Items filtered by date: August 2025

Diocese of Derby 2022 Budget (PDF)

General synod report following the inauguration of the eleventh General Synod and group of sessions 15 - 17 November 2021.

Download this report as a PDF.

Janice and Sarah, who were involved in this venture in Hathersage, write:

Hathersage held its first Repair Cafe on a Saturday morning which was very well received and well supported.

From the initial trepidation of ‘will anyone come’, we moved to an excited buzz with customers arriving at 9.45am even though we didn’t open until 10am!

Our experts were kept busy throughout the morning as the attached photos show, and tackled a range of requests which they met with skill, expertise and good humour.

A steady request for bacon butties kept Paul and Lucy busy in the kitchen, although they still managed to pop out from time to time to socialise.

Not everyone needed the assistance of our experts and it was lovely to see friends who had popped in for a coffee and a natter, ably overseen by Charlotte, our curate and chief natterer!

Our thanks to those who gave their time and talents so willingly and to all those who came along, with or without an item needing repair.

We hope to repeat the Repair Cafe in the new year and we will publicise it when details have been finalised.

A reflection by Revd Ellie Launders-Brown

As a Christian and a veteran of the Royal Navy, Remembrance Sunday is always an important part of the calendar and will always hold a special place in my heart.

I have spent Remembrance Sunday, at sea, on land in both the UK and abroad, during conflict and at peace.

To stand alongside my serving comrades in remembrance of the sacrifice of all who gave their lives in the service of their country is quite a poignant moment and never fails to stir up many emotions.

As there are very few veterans remaining of the two world wars, it always felt important to me that all people of every nationality should stand together as a living memorial to the fallen in all conflicts.

Hearing the guns fall silent as a mark of respect, gives an insight into how that silence must have felt on 11/11/18, it is quite a deafening and spine-tingling silence to behold.

As I begin my ordained ministry, I feel that this living memorial is still important, but also that our act of remembrance should be a journey.

Yes, we should still look back and remember the sacrifice of others for a freedom that we are fortunate enough to enjoy today, but we should also learn from the past as we look to the present, and how our fellow human beings are still suffering oppression, discrimination, and abuse.

That living memorial we make on Remembrance Sunday is futile if we still allow the mistreatment and injustice that is around today.

I am always drawn at this time of Remembrance to the Words of Micah: ‘Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.’ (Micah 4:3-4).

My prayer as we enter the season of Remembrance is that if we can come together and unite with our fellow human beings, regardless of race, nationality, gender, sexuality, ability or disability, can we then look with hope towards a new future where we can accept and embrace our differences and live together as children of God in peace.

Ellie Launders-Brown was ordained a deacon in 2021 and is currently serving her curacy with East Scardsale Team Ministry.

She is also a veteran of the Royal Navy.

The 15th - 21st November 2021 is National Safeguarding Adults Week which is led by the ann craft trust who work to act against abuse.

In Derbyshire the Derbyshire Adults Safeguarding Board is supporting the week with the provision of a number of free webinars and events. They write in thier latest newsletter (which may be downloaded in full here)

"The week is an opportunity for us all to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues, facilitate conversations and share examples of best practice.

The theme of this year’s National Safeguarding Adults Week is ‘Creating Safer Cultures’.  Promoting safer cultures is all about how organisations and individuals can take steps to minimise harm occurring in the first instance, whilst simultaneously ensuring correct policies and procedures are in place so that safeguarding concerns that are raised, are recognised and responded to effectively.

We are already planning our activities for the week, which include the launch of a new awareness-raising campaign, a special edition newsletter, social media posts, as well as some exciting webinar sessions on a variety of safeguarding topics.  Please check our events page for the latest information.

We will be hosting the following FREE webinar sessions during National Safeguarding Adults Week, which are all aimed at front-line practitioners and managers across all our partner agencies working with adults who have care and support needs.

1. Fire prevention and safeguarding (15 November 2021)
2. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and safeguarding adults (15 November 2021)
3. Professional curiosity and the challenges of disguised compliance (16 November 2021)
4. Modern slavery awareness (16 November 2021)
5. Cyber awareness, fraud and scams (17 November 2021)
6. Cuckooing and county lines (18 November 2021)
7. Trauma-informed practice: safeguarding adults (19 November 2021)"

#safeguardingAdultsWeek

Natasha's Law

On 1 October 2021, Natasha’s Law came into effect for all foods produced and prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) with food labelling changing in the UK.

This new labelling will provide potentially life-saving allergen information on packaging for consumers.

A full list of ingredients will be required by law to be stated on the label, along with the name of the food.

Parishes are subject to the general law in relation to the sale and supply of food and drink.

This includes complying with the Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019 which add Natasha’s Law to the Food Information Regulations 2014.

Regulations definition 

The Regulations apply to a “food business” which is defined as any undertaking, whether for profit or not and whether public or private, carrying out any of the activities related to any stage of production, processing and distribution of food.

The regulations define a “food business operator” as the natural or legal persons responsible for ensuring that the requirements of food law are met within the food business under their control.

As a result of these definitions, PCCs fall within the scope of food business and food business operators.

Private individuals who occasionally sell or offer food at church events are exempt from the allergen information requirements.

However, if an individual is providing food as a food business operator or provides products for consumption to one, such as a church café or regular lunch club, then the necessary allergen information should be provided.
 

Natasha's Law has extended the 2014 Regulations.

The 2014 Regulations originally applied to foods that are not pre-packed, and Natasha’s Law has extended the Regulations to pre-packed for direct sale to a final consumer.

Where food is not pre-packed, the information must stuill be provided, though in this case it can be provided verbally and either a label attached to the food or notice, ticket or label must be readily visible stating that details of the substance or product can be obtained by asking a member of staff.

Pre-packed food will need to clearly display on the packaging the name of the food, full ingredients list, within allergenic ingredients emphasised.

Learn More

>> What is Natasha's Law?

>> Natasha Allergy Research Foundation

>> Food Standards Agency

>> FSA Allergy Poster (bilingual) 

Christian Aid is asking people to join the global day of action on Saturday, 6 November, as people around the world take to the streets to march together for climate justice.

Many walks and marches are planned throughout the country, and for those who are unable or prefer not to join an organised event, there is the opportunity to join a virtual march, for which thousands have already registered.

The COP26 climate talks provide a unique opportunity for the nation to call on the UK Prime Minister and world leaders to take action that will end climate injustice.

Christian says our leaders must:

• increase financial support to the world’s poorest countries to confront the climate crisis take action
• limit global temperature rises to 1.5C
• take action to stop the expansion of fossil fuel energy and to support clean energy

Find out more on the Christian Aid website.

Parishes are being urged to mark the start of the COP26 climate change summit by ringing bells.

The plan is for church and cathedral bells to be peeled for 30 minutes at 6pm on Saturday, 30 October.

The idea of the mass bellringing was devised by Edward Gildea, the adventurer and environmentalist, who is a member of St Mary's church in Saffron Walden, Essex, as a vivid warning of the danger from the climate emergency.

He said: “Church bells would normally be used to call people to church on Sundays.

"But this time, they'll be ringing out a warning - a 'code-red for humanity' warning.'

Mr Gildea created a Facebook page to support the idea. 

A post from him reads: "Wouldn't it be great if every church, chapel and cathedral bell around the world were to ring out its warning to humanity on the eve of COP 26?

"This website is for people of all faiths and none, who share a common concern for the future of humanity."

Bell ringers across the country are supporting the initiative.

Simon Linford, President of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, commented: “Bellringers understand how important the bells they ring are not only to the church but also to the local community. 

“The sound of bells was missed during lockdown, and it is now being welcomed back as part of the nation’s soundscape. 

“Many bellringers are planning to join in with “ring out for the climate’, lending their powerful voice in support of efforts to halt climate change.”

Where churches participate, a notification on social media or in newsletters can help make the local community aware of the significance of the bells.

Vigils

Meanwhile, Derby Cathedral, and other churches within the Diocese of Derby, are holding vigils.

The Dean of Derby, the Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson, will lead a prayer vigil at the cathedral on Saturday, 30th October, at 11am.

Dean Peter said: "This is such a pivotal moment. Carbon emissions and temperatures continue to rise, the biodiversity of the planet is decreasing and the very future of the human race is threatened.

"Now is the time to act and the faith communities across the globe have the capacity to act together and influence the outcome of COP26 for the better.

"Not only will be praying for radical change in policies and practice by all nations but we will be demonstrating our solidarity with the global poor who suffer disproportionately from the impact of global heating.

"Please do come and join us for this critical moment in history and let’s take action together!"

And Saint Michael's Kirk Langley will hold a vigil on Wednesday, 3 November at 7.30pm

Edward Gildea's video message to all churches in the country

The count of votes for the election of members to General Synod for the Diocese of Derby took place on Thursday 14 October 2021 and have now been verified.  The Presiding Officer is pleased to announce the following candidates are elected to the six places available (three for the House of Clergy and three for the House of Laity as per GS 2214) for the term 2021 to 2026: 

House of Bishops:

As a diocesan bishop, Rt Revd Libby Lane is a de facto member of General Synod. 

As well as the archbishops and diocesan bishops, there are five suffragan bishops - none of those elected are from this diocese.

Election results with a breakdown of the elections in stages can be found here.

About General Synod

The proctors and members represent the concerns of your community and our diocese at a national level by being on General Synod, the legislative body of the Church of England. 

As a member of general Synod, they have a say in national legislation that affects all parts of the Church of England. They can also raise issues and contribute to debates on social and policy matters.

The General Synod has three Houses:  Bishops, Clergy and Laity. Diocesan Bishops are automatically members of Synod by virtue of their office. In addition, each province of the Church of England elects two Suffragan Bishops from each Province. Each diocese is allocated a number of seats in the Houses of Clergy and Laity – the number of seats varies according to the size of each diocese - for the Diocese of Derby there are six seats. 

Clergy:
Any member of clergy who holds ecclesiastical office in a diocese or cathedral or who has permission to officiate can stand in an election to the House of Clergy for their diocese. Clergy representatives (known as “Proctors”) are elected by their peers, i.e. other clergy persons in that diocese. 

Laity:
To be elected to the House of Laity in the Diocese of Derby, a person must be a communicant member of the Church of England, at least 18 years old and have their name on the parish roll or on the community roll of Derby Cathedral. In certain circumstances, members of a Bishop’s Mission Order can also stand for election.

Local contact:
Please feel free to get in touch with any questions by emailing presidingofficer@derby.anglican.org

More information:

>> Full details about standing for election to the General Synod

>> Stand for Synod Promotional Flyer

>> Bishops letter re. General Synod elections 2021

>> 2021 General Synod Elections Timetable