Items filtered by date: June 2025

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

This session is for clergy, PSOs, and anyone responsible for appointments and line-management. This course explores the national Safer Recruitment and People Management guidance. It is increasingly clear that safeguarding issues often arise when a safer recruitment process has not been followed, or corners have been cut.

This course can be done as a national e-learning course available online via the Church of England Training Portal, which takes about 75 minutes to complete. If you have difficulties logging on or sharing an e-mail address with someone else who also uses the portal please contact the administrators by e-mail following the link on their Portal. This is managed nationally and we are unable to help. 

Alternatively we offer this as a Zoom course, which gives more opportunity to share good practice, discuss your specific context and challenges, and ask questions. The following dates are now available for booking: 

There are no Zoom courses available at present.

If you are unsure if you need to complete this training, please contact Amanda Sandland at amanda.sandland@derby.anglican.org for clarification.

If you feel you may be affected by the contents of any safeguarding training and would like to discuss an exemption for a specific training course please contact Sue Griffin sue.griffin@derby.anglican.org our Victim and Survivor Lead, or Lisa Marriott lisa.marriott@derby.anglican.org our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor for a confidential discussion.

Safeguarding training courses

Select a course to view and book

The Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse course is required for all churchwardens, clergy, readers, and many other church officers. It is recommended for PCC members and is available for any church members. The course highlights this area of abuse which is a major issue in many of our communities and looks at the indicators of abuse in the home context and how we respond. 

Some people can find the content of this course upsetting, and can lead to some people feeling retraumatised. There are three different ways to complete this course, please choose the method which best suits your needs.

If you feel you may be affected by the contents of any safeguarding training and would like to discuss an exemption for a specific training course, please contact Sue or Lisa for a confidential discussion:

• Sue Griffin sue.griffin@derby.anglican.org our Victim and Survivor Lead, or
• Lisa Marriott lisa.marriott@derby.anglican.org our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor

There is support and information for those impacted by domestic abuse available here.

eLearning

• The course can be completed as independent eLearning using the national safeguarding portal and takes delegates around 1-1.5 hours to complete. There is a coffee cup icon for you to click if you need to take a break.
• You will need to log on to the portal to access the course. The link is below: Course: Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse (24-25) | Safeguarding: Training Portal
• Please ensure that you list Derby as your Diocese, so we are notified of your completion of the course. If you do not indicate Derby, we will not be notified and your records will not be updated.

Zoom or in-person

• The course is delivered through one session of 1.5 Hours. The in-person course offers different venues across the diocese, and includes some national and local statistics.
• All Zoom and in-person course have pastoral support available for delegates.  

2025

Cohort AW1 - Wednesday 2nd July - 7-8.30pm - Zoom - Book Here  LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Cohort AX1 - Tuesday 8th July - 1-2.30pm - Zoom - Book Here

Cohort AZ1 - Tuesday 5th August - 9.30-11am - Zoom - Book Here

Cohort BA1 - Tuesday 12th August - 9.30-11am - Zoom - Book Here

Cohort BB1 - Tuesday 16th September - 2.30-4pm - Derby Church House, Full Street, Derby - Book Here

Cohort BC1 - Wednesday 17th September - 7-8.30pm - Zoom - Book Here

Cohort BD1 - Saturday 11th October - 9-11am - Zoom - Book Here

If courses are listed as closed or you are not able to join any of the courses above, please email amanda.sandland@derby.anglican.org

Safeguarding training courses

Select a course to view and book

The Leadership Course is a requirement for all those who have any leadership responsibility in the church.

All those with Bishop’s licence (Clergy, readers and Lay Ministers), Churchwardens, and many others who hold positions of leadership in work with children, young people or adults who may be at risk or are vulnerable must complete this course. Others in the church are also welcome to attend, as training promotes to culture change in the church. The evaluation task includes preparing an action plan, so you may find it helpful to do this course at the same time as other leaders from your church if that is possible.

The Leadership module is a mixture of reading and preparation work, two ‘Zoom’ or in person sessions of 90 minutes each and some review and evaluation work.

If you have not previously completed the online Basic and Foundations Courses, this is a requirement to complete these before you complete the Leadership course. To complete the Basic and Foundation online training the link is: Safeguarding Training Portal (cofeportal.org)

Bookings must be done through the Church of England Portal here: Safeguarding Training Portal (cofeportal.org). The booking will automatically book you a place on both sessions for the Cohort you choose. Further guidance on how to access the Portal can be found here.

If you are unable to access the Portal and wish to attend an in-person course, please email amanda.sandland@derby.anglican.org with the date of the course you wish to attend.

If you have any queries regarding the National Safeguarding Portal (Username or password reset), then please email: elearning@mail.safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org as we are unable to help with this.

All planned dates are listed below. You will be able to select your preferred dates via the Portal.

Cohort L/22 - Wednesdays 2nd & 9th July - 1-2.30pm - Zoom                                                                 

Cohort L/23 - Tuesdays 8th & 15th July - 7-8.30pm - Zoom                                                                       

Cohort L/24 - Thursday 10th July - 9.30-11 & 12-1.30pm - In-Person - Hayfield

Cohort L/26 - Thursday 24th & 31st July - 9.30-11am - Zoom                                                                   

Cohort L/27 - Tuesday 29th July - 10-11.30 & 12-2pm - In-Person - Derby Church House

Cohort L/28 - Tuesdays 5th & 12th August - 1-2.30pm - Zoom                                                                

Cohort L/29 - Tuesdays 5th & 12th August - 7-8.30pm - Zoom                                                                

Cohort L/30 - Tuesdays 9th & 16th September - 7-8.30pm - Zoom                                       

Cohort L/31 - Tuesday 16th September - 10-11.30 & 12.30-2pm - In-Person – Derby Church House                                    

Cohort L/32 - Wednesdays 24th Sept & 1st Oct - 9.30-11am - Zoom                                   

Cohort L/33 - Thursday 25th & 2nd October - 1-2.30pm - Zoom                                             

Cohort L/34 - Mondays 13th & 20th October - 1-2.360pm - Zoom                                         

Cohort L/35 - Tuesdays 14th & 21st October - 9.30-11am - Zoom                                         

Cohort L/36 - Tuesdays 14th & 21st October - 7-8.30pm - Zoom                                           

Cohort L/37 - Thursdays 6th & 13th November - 9.30-11am - Zoom                                     

Cohort L/38 - Thursdays 6th & 13th November - 7-8.30pm - Zoom                                       

Cohort L/39 - Monday 10th November - 9.30-11am & 12-1.30pm - In-Person                  

Cohort L/40 - Mondays 24th November & 1 December - 1-2.30pm - Zoom                       

Cohort L/41 - Tuesdays 25th November & 2nd December - 7-8.30pm - Zoom

If you feel you may be affected by the contents of any safeguarding training and would like to discuss an exemption for a specific training course please contact Sue Griffin sue.griffin@derby.anglican.org our Victim and Survivor Lead, or Lisa Marriott lisa.marriott@derby.anglican.org our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor for a confidential discussion.

Safeguarding training courses

Select a course to view and book

Foundations Training is for those who hold responsibility for the safeguarding of others within church settings and activities. It can be completed by any member of the congregation, to support awareness raising and a culture of support and vigilance in the Church.

This is a pre-requisite for completing Leadership training for clergy, readers, churchwardens, and others in leadership roles.

This is self-directed learning available online via the Church of England Safeguarding Training Portal.  It generally takes between 90 and 120 minutes to complete. If you have difficulties accessing the portal, logging on or sharing an email address with someone else who also uses the portal please contact the portal administrators by email at elearning@mail.safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org as this is managed nationally and we are unable to help.

Parishes are able to deliver this in small groups using the on-line e-learning course. Clear requirements are available from amanda.sandland@derby.anglican.org or nick.harding@derby.anglican.org 

There are a limited number of Foundation sessions offered in-person for those unable to access on-line sessions.  We currently have the following sessions available for booking:

No courses planned

For more information, please contact amanda.sandland@derby.anglican.org

If you feel you may be affected by the contents of any safeguarding training and would like to discuss an exemption for a specific training course please contact Sue Griffin sue.griffin@derby.anglican.org our Victim and Survivor Lead, or Lisa Marriott lisa.marriott@derby.anglican.org our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor for a confidential discussion.

Safeguarding training courses

Select a course to view and book

The Basic course is for everyone who has contact with the public, whether face-to-face or on the phone. It can be completed by any member of the congregation, to support awareness raising and a culture of support and vigilance in the Church.

This is a pre-requisite module for completing any other core training module.

This is self-directed learning available online via the Church of England Safeguarding Training Portal. It generally takes between 60 and 90 minutes to complete. If you have difficulties accessing the portal, logging on or sharing an email address with someone else who also uses the portal please contact the portal administrators by email at elearning@mail.safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org as this is managed nationally and we are unable to help.

Parishes are able to deliver this in small groups using the on-line e-learning course. Clear requirements are available from amanda.sandland@derby.anglican.org or nick.harding@derby.anglican.org 

There are a limited number of Basic sessions offered in-person for those unable to access on-line sessions.  We currently have the following sessions available for booking:

No courses planned

For details of other available courses, please contact amanda.sandland@derby.anglican.org 

If you feel you may be affected by the contents of any safeguarding training and would like to discuss an exemption for a specific training course please contact Sue Griffin sue.griffin@derby.anglican.org our Victim and Survivor Lead, or Lisa Marriott lisa.marriott@derby.anglican.org our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor for a confidential discussion.

Safeguarding training courses

Select a course to view and book

From this page you can view and book safeguarding training sessions.

Everyone who works for and/or volunteers for churches, parishes and worshipping communities within the Diocese of Derby needs some level of training.

The matrix, which can be downloaded here for reference, is subject to change as the National Safeguarding team and House of Bishops implement changes.

Basic Awareness and Foundation courses are national e-learning courses.

Domestic Abuse Awareness is available as a national e-learning course and is available on Zoom or in-person.

Leadership is available as a national e-learning course, with sessions provided on Zoom or in-person

Leadership for those with PtO is available on Zoom or limited in-person and places must be booked.

Safer Recruitment is available as a national elearning course

Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) Induction/Refresher is only available on Zoom.

Modern Slavery briefing is an optional session that takes place on Zoom

Basic Awareness, Foundation, Safer Recruitment and Domestic Abuse Awareness can be done by delegates individually at home. Delegates for the Leadership course must be enrolled via the national e-learning portal. If you do not have access to the Internet or a computer or are unable to do this, please contact amanda.sandland@derby.anglican.org.

Each term we offer up to two ‘in person’ Training Days delivering Basic, Foundations and Leadership. These take place at venues across the diocese and are provided only for those unable to do e-learning or Zoom sessions. For more information on bookings please contact amanda.sandland@derby.anglican.org

Nick Harding delivers the training for Derby Diocese. For more information on the content of training please contact nick.harding@derby.anglican.org

Parish Safeguarding Officers should also see the Resources for Parish Safeguarding Officers page which has resources and support relevant to their role or that of DBS Administrators.

If you feel you may be affected by the contents of any safeguarding training and would like to discuss an exemption for a specific training course please contact Sue Griffin sue.griffin@derby.anglican.org our Victim and Survivor Lead, or Lisa Marriott lisa.marriott@derby.anglican.org our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor for a confidential discussion.

Safeguarding training courses

Select a course to view and book