Items filtered by date: May 2025
Download a copy of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook 2019. [PDF]
How your church can start taking card payments!
As fewer people carry cash, it’s becoming increasingly important for parishes to look at alternative ways to receive payments and donations.
There’s a new category on the Parish Buying website to help churches consider the different types of reader for contactless and chip and pin card payments.
Alongside small hand-held card readers (which cost as little as £19 each) there now are more sophisticated self-service donation units available for churches to buy.
To find out more visit www.parishbuying.org.uk/contactless
>> Churches that have trialled a digital collection box have reported a 97% increase in donations! Read more (from BBC News)
How can my Church start taking card payments? 
Watch this short video from the National Stewardship Team: https://vimeo.com/album/5118798/video/265190588
How do I download an app to use my card reader?
Watch this short video from the National Stewardship Team: https://vimeo.com/album/5118798/video/265198072
Why should I set up products?
Watch this short video from the National Stewardship Team: https://vimeo.com/album/5118798/video/265201230
How do I claim Gift Aid on a card donation?
Watch this short video from the National Stewardship Team: https://vimeo.com/album/5118798/video/264576213
>> See also: Parish Giving Scheme
"If God is in control of your life then nothing is impossible."
Jan Hutchinson: ordained priest, 29 June 2019
Hi, my name is Jan Hutchinson; the Reverend Jan Hutchinson.
Gosh! That’s taking some getting used to, especially so in that it involved a long journey of discovery.
My Brother and I were streetwise kids, left to our own devices, we learned to survive in any way we could. Along with my mother we often found ourselves sleeping on the streets.
I didn’t attend school until I was 11 and left school at the age of fourteen, barely able to read.
Shortly after leaving school I also left home.
Finding low paid work, I mostly sheltered in empty houses.
At 17, I joined the Army where, during tests, it was discovered that I was dyslexic.
Despite this, I scored well on the intelligence scale. The Army placed me into special education and brought me to a good reading standard.
I went on to train as a radar operator and spent most of my time in the Outer Hebrides with the responsibility for air traffic control.
I have to say that the Army was my first experience of a stable home; it was my family.
On leaving the Army I married my Husband Peter, we had our 48th wedding anniversary in June 2018. We have one son, also called Peter, and four Grandchildren.
I suppose I could say my journey to faith was an “on the road to Damascus experience.”
I was in my mid- thirties when one morning I went to buy a Sunday paper and found myself walking past the shop and into the nearby church.
Despite never having attended a church, I can only describe that experience of being one of an instant understanding and an acceptance of God in my life.
I continued to attend church, was baptised and confirmed.
Growing in faith over the years (which included a good deal of growing pains) I went forward by being licensed as a Reader in 1999. I was licensed in York Minster by Archbishop John Sentamu, who gave me a personal message which I have carried over the years and continue to do so.
That message played a massive part in my journey to ordination.
Directed by God and prompted by others, and with the support of my family, I set out on what appeared to be another impossible journey.
I think we can all agree, though, that if God is in control of your life then nothing is impossible.
Needless to say, the impossible did indeed become possible and my journey continues.
>> See also: Vocations - hearing God's call
That journey is incredibly important to me, simply because people are incredibly important to me, especially those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who feel they have little worth.
God gave me worth, my mission is to do likewise - to give of myself and to share my life experiences to inspire others to not only find worth in themselves, but to find the loving God in their lives.
Therefore, in trepidation, in the vulnerability of who I am, I hope to serve those in my benefice, in my community and those I meet in the circumstances of everyday life.
Jan is now serving as Assistant Curate at St Wilfrid West Hallam, Holy Trinity Mapperley and St Andrew Stanley.
Just because it’s on the web, it doesn’t mean you can use it!
Copyright – a quick guide
Whenever you produce material for the diocese, your parish, church, group or organisation, you need to be aware of copyright law and best practice.
This applies to both printed material (posters, magazines, leaflets etc) and digital work (websites, e-newsletters, social media, including video and audio).
Here’s a quick guide to help you not fall foul of copyright law.
The Rt Revd Libby Lane legally became the Bishop of Derby on Monday, 11 February 2019.
At a service at St Mary-le-Bow in London, The Archbishop of Canterbury confirmed Bishop Libby's Election by the College of Canons.
It was attended by members of Libby's family, Bishop Jan, Archdeacon Carol and other representatives from the Diocese.
Notice of Death - The Revd Alan MacGregor, non-stipendiary minister of Worting 1997-2000 (Winchester), Permission to Officiate 2001-2002 (London), Permission to Officiate 2003-2008 (Salisbury), Permission to Officiate 2012-2017 (Derby), died on Saturday, 9 February 2019. A service of thanksgiving will be held on Tuesday, 5 March 2019 at 12 noon at St Stephen’s, Borrowash.
Notice of Death - The Revd Charles Roy Wilson, Curate of Kirkdale St Paul North Shore 1959-1962 (Liverpool), Curate of St Helens St Mark 1962-1966, Vicar of Wolverhampton St Matthew 1966-1974 (Lichfield), Vicar of Ripley 1974-1988 (Derby), Vicar of Willington and of Findern 1988-1995, who retired in 1995 and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate in retirement, died on Thursday, 21 February 2019. The funeral will be held on Friday, 15 March 2019 at 1 pm at All Saints Ripley.
The Revd Naomi Barraclough, Assistant Curate of Ashbourne with Mapleton with Ashbourne St John and Pioneer Curate throughout the Carsington Deanery, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Associate Pioneer Minister in the Over Wyre Group of Parishes, Diocese of Blackburn.
The Revd Jonathan Bell, Assistant Curate of Stanton-by-Dale with Dale Abbey and Risley, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Minister of Grace Church, Highlands, Diocese of London. Mr Bell last day in his current post will be Tuesday, 9 April 2019, with his licensing taking place on Wednesday, 10 April 2019.
The Revd Geoffrey Borrowdale will be instituted as Rector of Hasland and Vicar of Temple Normanton, Diocese of Derby, on Saturday, 13 April 2019 at 4 pm at St Paul’s Hasland by the Bishop of Repton (Acting Bishop of Derby) and inducted by the Archdeacon of Chesterfield. The Bishop of Ebbsfleet will preside at the Eucharist.
The Revd James Durrant, Assistant Curate of Derby St Alkmund and St Werburgh, Diocese of Derby, will transfer his curacy and become Assistant Curate of the Cathedral Church of All Saints Derby in the same diocese with effect from Sunday, 19 May 2019. Mr Durrant’s contact details will remain the same.
The Revd Peter Hallsworth, Associate Vicar of the benefice of Clifton, Diocese of York, has been appointed half-time Assistant Curate (to be known as Pioneer Minister) in Langley Mill and Aldercar. Mr Hallsworth will be licensed on Tuesday, 7 May 2019 at 7.30 pm at St Andrew’s Langley Mill by the Bishop of Repton.
The Revd Darren Howie, Assistant Curate of Derby St Peter and Christ Church with Holy Trinity, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Pioneer Missioner for Derby Methodist Circuit, based in Derby City Centre. Mr Howie will take up his new post on Sunday, 14 April 2019 and will also have the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Derby.
The Revd Lee Martin, Priest-in-Charge of Hatton, Diocese of Derby, will retire in April 2019. Mrs Martin’s last day in post will be Sunday, 21 April 2019, with her retirement taking effect from Monday, 22 April 2019. She will continue to live in the Diocese.
The Revd Canon Michael Mitton, Priest-in-Charge of Derby St Paul, will retire with effect from Monday, 1 July 2019. Canon Mitton will be appointed Canon Emeritus of Derby Cathedral in retirement and will continue to live in the Diocese.
The Revd Lindsay Pearson, Assistant Curate in the Wirksworth Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby, will transfer her curacy and become Assistant Curate of Chesterfield Ss Augustine in the same diocese with effect from Sunday, 5 May 2019.
The Revd Jane Plackett-Ferguson, Assistant Curate of the Derwent Ward Bishop’s Mission Order and of Aston on Trent, Elvaston, Weston on Trent and Shardlow, Barrow upon Trent with Twyford and Swarkestone, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Rector at St Martin’s Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas, USA. Mrs Plackett-Ferguson expects to finish her current post in May 2019.
The Revd Kate Plant, Assistant Curate of Holbeach, Diocese of Lincoln, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Breadsall and of Morley with Smalley, Diocese of Derby. Mrs Plant will be licensed on Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 7.30 pm at St John the Baptist Smalley by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby.
Learning in Faith png splash promo image - for use with screens, PowerPoint, Parish magazines etc
Ilkeston's first Winter Shelter is proving to be a huge success.
Based at St John's Church, Ilkeston, the shelter was originally set up to sleep 12 people each night - but demand has meant that number has expanded to 17, plus a dog, during the freezing cold nights at the end of January.
Guests not only get a warm bed for the night, they also get hot drinks, supper, breakfast and a lunch bag. They get access to a shower and the offer of clean clothes and a warm coat.
