Items filtered by date: May 2025

Solicitor Embarks on Second Career with Church of England

 A high flying solicitor is swapping his 35 year legal career for one in the pulpit as he is ordained Deacon at a special service at St Laurence, Long Eaton on 3 July 2016.

Giles Orton, 56, from Kirk Langley, will become Assistant Curate to the parishes of Long Eaton St Laurence and Ilkeston Holy Trinity. Married to Jane, an Amber Valley Borough Councillor, and with three grown up sons, Orton was a pensions litigation partner in the national firm Eversheds until April this year when he retired from the partnership to become a part-time legal consultant and trustee and to prepare for ordination as a self-supporting minister.

Giles said: “My new role will be an exciting journey and an awesome responsibility. I am looking forward to being involved in the life of the parishes and to help the people in my community come to know and serve God better through word and sacrament.“

Giles, whose work included acting for the Maxwell pensioners and working with the government to establish the Pensions Protection Fund, continued:

“In my legal career, I did much to help pensioners in their retirement from work. In the next stage of my career I hope to be able to help people prepare for the next retirement and to meet their Maker in the next life that Christ promises.

“My motivation to take this step came from being called to follow in the footsteps of my late grandfather, who was also a priest.

This page is currently being updated, in the interim period please contact the Bishop's Office for further information 01332 840132.

We all recognise the tensions between our crowded, contentious mass society of competing views and values, and the Christian ideal of God’s children as a harmonious or ‘whole’ (holy) community. Such tensions run rife within and between our churches, as well as providing a key context for contemporary mission.

Running at Different Speeds

Part of the challenge is to recognise that God creates a bewildering variety of opportunities and possibilities. The Easter story reports the story of John and Peter running to the tomb – towards meeting the mystery of Resurrection. They ran at different speeds. John, the poet and person of imagination, the ‘mystical’ gospel writer, arrives first. He does not enter the tomb but he sees and believes - an intuitive faith. Peter, practical leader and organiser, comes afterwards but goes straight into the empty space – to check, question, seek more reassurance. Peter, the rock, displays the characteristics of the person concerned with structures, responses, solidity - less intuitive, more experiential. These two forces have been in tension within the church ever since. The art of being church in a way that creates community is to be able to live with discipleship running at different speeds and being gifted with different insights.

A Common Foundation

But there is a common foundation. This month we recall Matthias, chosen to take the place of Judas as one of the twelve apostles. His story reminds us that some discipleship, as with Judas, can run at a speed which is disloyal and destructive: too caught up with its own agenda. But the story of Matthias has another message. Two candidates were proposed, Joseph (or Justus) and Matthias. Doubtless they brought different possibilities. The choice was made by ‘lot’, not by detailed criteria. However, one qualification was essential – to have accompanied Jesus on His journey from baptism to Ascension, and thus to be a witness to the Resurrection.

From Baptism to Ascension

In our complex and challenging times, each of us is called to run more closely towards the reality of Resurrection. We will journey at different speeds, and bring different gifts and insights. Too often such a collection of Christians can look (and feel!) like a disorderly crowd. We need to make a witness to that deeper truth that unites crowds into community. The truth that each of us is called to be joined together in accompanying Jesus from baptism to Ascension – the journey of the Christian year – and to be a witness to the Resurrection. Even if our differences seem to be as profound as those between Peter and John.

The Month of May

May is the month of Matthias. The call to be on the team of committed disciples. It is the month of the Ascension – joining us in worshipping the Risen Lord and beginning the next cycle of accompanying Him on the earthly journey. Finally, May is the month of Pentecost when the Spirit who called and blessed Matthias was poured out on a vast range of people and perspectives, baptising them all with grace. So none of us have an excuse!

Be prepared to be called and to be challenged.

+Alastair

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Hardwick Deanery Synods 2023

Dates and details to be added when confirmed.

 Page Includes Training Opportunities & Grants / Sabbaticals

Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD) 

Revd Dwayne Engh, Ordained Ministries Development Officer, has responsibility for the CMD programme for clergy. A number of programmes are in development.  Check back here often for more information.  (And please feel free to share any ideas or requests you may have)!

Training Opportunities within the Diocese

Resilience Course: ‘Developing Resilience, Maintaining Well-Being’ - with James Lawrence 

Ordained life is demanding, and the ability to ‘bounce back’ is an important part of maintaining well-being.  Drawing from a framework cpas has developed working with hundreds of clergy in this area, these days provide practical tools to develop resilience that engages with the realities of ordained ministry.  (Note to Curates: You will receive this training in the second year of your curacies).

It has been a huge success again this year!  Because of the positive feedback over the past two years, we are running the course again for the 2025 year (together with the Diocesan Clergy Wellbeing Advisory Group).  There is room for a maximum number of 24 people total for the 2025 cohort. Please make certain you are available for all three days before signing up.  One learning community of clergy will attend this course, which occurs on three different days over the course of the year.  Please contact marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org if you are interested.  

For the 2025 year:

Power & Conflict Transformation Session - with Sandra Cobbin

As the Church of England evolves in the coming decades, our awareness of p will become increasingly important.  What kind of church is being presented to both those inside and outside of the institutional church?  In the wake of the Makin report, our power and how we use that power is paramount.  Led by Sandra Cobbin from Clarity Development and Bridge Builders.  Please contact marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org to register.

Pre-Retirement Course for Clergy and Spouses/Partners

The Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham are holding an online pre-retirement course, taking place over two mornings on Wednesday 21^st May and Thursday 22^nd May, and clergy from the Diocese of Derby are invited to attend.

This free to attend online course is aimed at clergy who are coming up to retirement age and will provide helpful information and advice. It is run in conjunction with the Nottingham & District Pre-Retirement Council and will include representatives from the Church of England Pensions Board, as well as a panel of local recently retired clergy sharing their own experiences. Clergy are encouraged to attend with their spouses/partners. 

For further information and to book a place, please follow the link below:

https://learning.southwell.anglican.org/resources/pre-retirement-course-2025/

If you have any questions, or problems using the booking link, please contact Julie Fowler on 01332 278172 or Julie.fowler@derby.anglican.org

Oversight Ministry Training - with cpas

As the Church of England moves from a 'one priest, one parish' model to overseeing multiple parishes, several clergy have requested explicit training in the area.  We have therefore arranged a pilot course, led by cpas, to assist those leading a church in moving from pastoral, sacramental, and ministry tasks for the benefit of others towards equipping all God's people for mission and ministry.   Recognising that all God's people have gifts and have a share in God's mission, the Oversight Minister works to empower and journey with them as they take on more responsibility.

There is room for a maximum number of 24 people total for the 2025 cohort. Please make certain you are available for all three days before signing up.  One learning community of clergy will attend this course, which occurs on three different days over the course of the year.  Please contact marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org if you are interested.  

For 2026: Diocesan Leadership Course - with James Lawrence 

We are pleased once again run the Diocesan Leadership Course led by cpas starting in January 2026 and running for the entire calendar year. The cohort of 19 people met once a month for content and once a month with a mentor throughout 2024.  The feedback was overwhelminghly positive.

Leadership of churches is an exciting and complex role.  Changes have occurred in our missional landscape and in the ordained role over the past 30 years.  These have an impact on the leadership aspect of our priestly clergy roles.  The course focusses on (a) the inner life of the leader as one who follows Christ and (b) the outer life of the leader as one who, with others, leads missional churches.  We will also explore the practical aspects of our journey together, including mentors, leadership groups and developmental goals.

Desired Outcomes of the Course - Participants will have:

• Identified a helpful pattern of working with a core group to lead well with others.
• Embedded two evangelism practices in their church(es) life to make a shift towards a faith-sharing culture.
• Led through an adaptive challenge and reflected on lessons learned.
• Experienced ministry enhancing collegiality amongst other clergy.

There is room for a maximum number of 24 people in total. Please make certain you are available for all days before signing up. One learning community of clergy will attend this course over the course of the year.  Attendance is at invitation of the Bishop and/or Archdeacons.  Bishop Libby will invite a number of participants individually but, if you would like to register interest for the anticipated 2026-2027 year, please do get in touch with your Archdeacon or with dwayne.engh@derby.anglican.org. 

Training Opportunities with West Midlands Ministerial Development Partners 

Grants & Sabbaticals

Applications for Clergy Retreat Grant

The Ordained Ministries Development Officer, the Rev'd Dwayne Engh, has responsibility for authorising applications for Clergy Retreat grants.

Download Clergy Retreat Grant Information form here.

Download the Clergy Retreat Grant application form here (Word doc).

Application forms should be sent directly to Marietta Forman at Derby Church House or by email to marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org. 

If you have any queries, do please get in touch with Marietta on 01332 388673.

Applications for CMD Grants

The Ordained Ministries Development Officer, the Rev'd Dwayne Engh, has responsibility for authorising applications for CMD grants.

Download the CMD Discretionary Grant Application Information form here.

Download the CMD grant application form here.

Download the Additional Discretionary Academic Grant Application form here.

Application forms should be sent directly to Marietta Forman at Derby Church House or by email to marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org. 

If you have any queries, do please get in touch with Marietta on 01332 388673.

Applications for Sabbaticals

The Guidelines and applications form have recently been revised. 

Sabbatical and Study Leave applications for 2025 and 2026 have closed.  Do get in touch with the Rev'd Dwayne Engh by the end of February 2025 if you wish to pursue the possibility of an application for submission for a Sabbatical or Study Leave in 2026 - there is the potential that the bishop may be willing to approve more than the usual number if there is demand.  Appointments can be arranged through Marietta Forman at marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org or 01332 388673. 

Download the process as set out in Guidelines for Clergy Sabbatical

Download Application for a Sabbatical - Form A

Download Grant Application for a Sabbatical - Form A1

Applications for Study Leave

The Guidelines and applications form have recently been revised. 

Sabbatical and Study Leave applications for 2025 and 2026 have closed.  Do get in touch with the Rev'd Dwayne Engh by the end of February 2025 if you wish to pursue the possibility of an application for submission for a Sabbatical or Study Leave in 2026 - there is the potential that the bishop may be willing to approve more than the usual number if there is demand.  Appointments can be arranged through Marietta Forman at marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org or 01332 388673. 

Download the process as set out in Guidelines for Study Leave

Download Application for a Study Leave - Form B

Download Grant Application for a Study Leave - Form B1

Other sources of funding

It is also worth looking at the following document, which lists possible external sources of funding as well:

Download the Diocese Derby Grants for Clergy & Their Families handbook

Lichfield Funding

Clergy seeking funding for personal development or for academic courses might also consider applying to Lichfield Theological College Trust: Please note that Application Forms for grants from the Lichfield Theological College Trust must be submitted to The Revd Dwayne Engh to be counter-signed before they are sent to the Trust.

Download the Lichfield funding form for personal development (Word doc)

Download the Lichfield funding form for academic courses (Word doc)