Items filtered by date: May 2025
We said goodbye to my last parish eight years ago on Easter Day. Having been very happy there, it felt odd to have the sadness of farewell in the context of Resurrection celebration: “Alleluia. Christ is Risen!” in floods of tears!
This time our farewells are to be made on the eve of Lent, maybe a better liturgical fit. Lent is kept in imitation of Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness after his baptism. In that time he reflected on his calling, on what God was asking of him. He broke new ground, away from the comfortable and familiar, and wrestled (in those strange, dream-like stories of temptation) with who he was and how he was to be faithful. Oxfordshire and Ripon College Cuddesdon is hardly the wilderness (!) but the sense of stepping out into the unknown to discover what blessings and challenges God has for the future is strong for me just now.
And, I hope, for all of us. Famously the Hebrews were reminded them that “here we have no abiding city” (Hebrews 13. 14) and the metaphor of journey is powerful for Christian discipleship. Specifically journey through the wilderness: Moses led a rabble of runaway slaves through the Red Sea out into the desert. There, through long ramblings and hard experiences, they were forged into God’s people and prepared for the Promised Land beyond the Jordan. That is the pattern for the Christian life between the waters of the baptism (the Red Sea) and death (the Jordan). Lent is an annual rehearsal in miniature of this pattern.
For further help or information on any aspect of using MAP for Derby Diocese, please contact:
Jason Kennedy Diocesan Missioner
e jason.kennedy@derby.anglican.org
t 07539 483733
Derby Church House, Full Street, Derby DE1 3DR
The Church of England has committed to work towards net zero carbon after a motion by General Synod.
Our target date is 2030.
This is because we know emissions of carbon dioxide - and other green house gases, need to be reduced to arrest the damage we are doing to the planet.
They are currently rising and are above the target for carbon dioxide 350 parts per million (ppm) at 420ppm [June 2022].
To do this we have to rethink how we operate our buildings.
Six principles are to:
- maintain buildings
- buy renewable
- waste less
- electric not gas/oil
- generate more
- offset the rest
How is Net Zero measured?
Energy use (oil, gas, electricity) + fuel (travel)= gross carbon footprint.
From that value we takeaway 100% renewable energy and carbon offset/sequestration.
This calculation gives us ‘net zero’ carbon figure.
Which energy providers count as renewable?
>> View this list issued by the Church of England
A fuller and more technical explanation, resources and film are available.
Renewable energy generation
Generating our own electricity is a solution that should be seriously considered. The aim of the recent The way finder project is a pilot study looking at high energy use buildings and how to get them to net zero. It has advice for people responsible for all sizes of building.
Net zero webinars - include the Wayfinder project [this is a pilot of renewables on a range of Cof E buildings and plans for net zero on these premises, commissioned by General Synod], heating, lighting, solar panels, EV car charging, and more.
They are available as a single YouTube playlist here.
Many of our buildings can be used more sustainably by adjusting in ways that are simpler. There are case studies and guidance available.
There are renewables case studies and you can search for local churches with existing renewables on the renewables map.
If your church is considering replacing a boiler and want to review renewable options, please consult Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) colleagues as you deliberate.
>> CofE sustainable buildings national guidance
Smaller churches might also like to see a film from a group of rural churches in the Diocese of Leeds: https://youtu.be/13LF_waQFpU
Beginning
Practical path to net zero
The practical path to Net Zero is a two page checklist and a great place to start.
Download the Practical Path to Net Zero here.
The Energy Footprint Tool or EFT
Measure your parish carbon footprint now to set a baseline measurement. This can be done simply using the parish return system, the resource from the Church of England. Go to your where you add your normal Stats for Mission return or see Energy Footprint Tool | The Church of England. This is currently closed for analysis and will be live from January 2023 to end of July 2023.
To measure your personal energy footprint see: WWF Footprint Calculator The UK average is just over 12 and to meet our target to get to net zero by 2045 10.5. We aim to reduce this towards a fair share globally which would be 1 tonne which would require a huge change of current infrastructures.
Carbon Literacy
Although embedded carbon footprint isn’t current measured, we need to know about it. A very rough guide it is related to cost, so make large expenditure decisions slower and research them thoughtfully.
This autumn 2022, we intend to increase Carbon Literacy amongst the Diocese of Derby leadership. This is externally accredited training.
Resources are available at: Home - Centre for Alternative Technology (cat.org.uk) and Climate Stewards.
Offsetting
Climate Stewards is one place you can use to calculate offset to get to net zero carbon.
Link to Climate Stewards: Climate Stewards
The advice is to keep the percentage of offset as low as you possibly can. If you have got to Net Zero Carbon this should become your target.
Action Packs
Routemap Net zero carbon routemap now has specific tools for different organisations:
Where to get help locally
John Beardmore, is an engineer and adviser on renewables for the DAC John@T4sLtd.co.uk John.
Funding
>> Diocese of Derby funding resources
Map of renewables CoEngland.
Please add your example to the map. The CofE is seeking renewables, transport and community engagement case studies from this area.
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Mission Action Toolkit
The Mission Action Toolkit is a set of resources that can help any church, of whatever tradition, size, context or type, to join in with responding to the missional aims of the Diocesan Vision. If you would like to know more about the Diocesan Vision and its missional aims, you can do so here.
The Toolkit is based on Mission Action Planning for the Diocese of Derby, which we have been using since 2010 to help churches grow as healthy, worshipping communities that engage in God's mission in the world. However, it is a more focused, streamlined toolkit that is flexible and light-tough enough for any church to use. Churches can use the Toolkit in many different ways and adapt it to suit their own context and style.
The Toolkit isn't another thing to do or an extra initiative. It is a process to help with that which has always been central to the identity, calling and purpose of every single expression of church - to engage in God's mission in the world. It can help churches to acknowledge and celebrate what God is already doing in and through them in mission, and to hear God's call to grow and develop in their mission further.
The Toolkit consists of six core resources, which are all downloadable below. More resources will be added in the future, and all the resources of the existing full MAP process, found in these pages, are also available to use with the Mission Action Toolkit.
- Quick Start Guide - an accessible introduction to the Mission Action Toolkit, suitable for anyone in the church.
- Introduction for Church Leaders - a more detailed guide intended for use by any church leader, lay or ordained.
- Missional Aims Summary - a single-sheet overview of the different aspects of each missional aim.
- Resource Sheets - a rich set of theological reflections, discussion questions, prayers and ideas for actions for every aspect of our missional aims.
- Questionnaire - one way in which to gather information from the church as a part of the Mission Action Toolkit process.
- Action Sheet - a way of recording and tracking the actions a church decides to undertake.
The Mission Action Toolkit is designed to be adapted and used independently by any church. However, help and support is available to help churches as they use the Toolkit. To find help, please send an email to missioner@derby.anglican.org.
Missional aims videos
Please watch and enjoy these five-minute videos, each offering a light Biblical reflection by Revd Jason Kennedy on one aspect of our missional aims, ‘Transformed Lives’, 'Growing Church' and 'Building Community'.
They form a part of the Mission Action Toolkit, which helps churches to engage with God’s mission in an approachable, practical and flexible way.
The videos can be used for individual reflection, as a light sermon or an introduction to a conversation in small groups or, for example, a Lent group.
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Help and Information
For more help and information about MAP for the Diocese of Derby, please please send an email to missioner@derby.anglican.org.
Bishop Alastair writes....
November is a month for remembering the terrible challenge of war – or what we now call ‘military action’.
There are, understandably, many views about the rights and wrongs of war, the priorities for peace, and the best means of combatting evil and promoting goodness. These are important debates, and Christians have much to contribute.
But – beneath debate about options and actions, the reality of war contains a humbling stream of sacrifice for the sake of others. And in this November season of remembering with thanks all who have given or risked their lives for their neighbours, we are publishing a book in the Diocese – ‘Sacrifice Remembered’.
It brings together an amazing and moving collection of memories and reflections from the people of the county – including some of our current primary school children.
If your church has missed the deadline for any returns or would like to submit any updated data for a previous year, they may do so directly to the national team by going to Parish Returns Online (churchofengland.org).
Recording Online Attendance
Every Statistics for Mission return asks for a range of attendance data throughout the year; both an 'average' Sunday attendance throughout the year as well as a more detailed account of October attendance across a range of categories. But how do we do that when people are attending online church?
Measuring attendance of online church is difficult and problematic. Online platforms such as Youtube, Facebook and Zoom do allow content creators to view an analysis of who has viewed their output. However, these figures don't equate well to 'attendance'. Many of those who view will do so only for a few seconds and it still counts as a view; in addition, one single 'view' might represent the attendance of several people who are watching one device in a household.
The national Research and Statistics team of the Church of England have produced some forms and guidance on what and how you can keep track of attendance and they are asking for feedback from churches on how useful and easy to collect this information might be. You can download a simple Excel form that can be used to record information on your online church and attendance at services. It was originally designed for the periods of COVID lockdowns, but may still be useful for general online church.
In addition, the Church of England Digital Team have produced some good articles on how to use the analytics available on each of the major platforms you might be using:
Youtube
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/church-resources/digital-labs/labs-learning-blog/how-use-youtube-analytics
Facebook
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/church-resources/digital-labs/labs-learning-blog/understanding-facebook-insights
Zoom
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/204654719-Getting-Started-with-Dashboard-#h_6a8f039a-5ad2-47b8-b125-39c9c4de3995
General Introduction
Each year the national church asks parishes to collect a range of information about the number of people coming to church through the year and at special times, about baptisms, weddings and funerals, and about the worshipping community of the church.
A huge thank you to all those parishes who have collected and submitted their Statistics for Mission returns for 2020. It really is appreciated! Do start thinking about your 2021 return - you may like to download the collection tools below to help you keep track and make the job at the end of the year easier.
Why collect statistics?
Good quality statistics can present a facts-based window on the world, as well as help predict where things might be heading for the future. They can help with forming strategy, show whether current strategies are working well and highlight where more support might be needed.
Statistics can help us see more clearly what the church and the community we serve is like and inform the planning for the mission and ministry of the church.
Statistics can also help the wider church put her resources in the right place. They can help us to share good news widely, inside and outside the church.
Good statistics are a powerful weapon in the mission and ministry armoury of local parishes, dioceses and the national church. Not for nothing do we call them Statistics for Mission!
If you are new to Statistics for Mission, you can download a helpful introduction here.
How we collect the statistics
In Derby diocese, parishes use the Church of England online Parish Returns system to submit both their Statistics for Mission and Finance data. You can find out more about this system by downloading a short briefing here. The system can be accessed via any web browser - simply go to https://parishreturns.churchofengland.org/. You'll need a username and password to gain access. Each parish has an administrator for the system who can set up, amend and delete users for that parish. If you're not sure who the administrator is for your parish, your deanery administrator should be able to help.
A full and up to date user guide for the parish returns system can be downloaded from within the system.
When should the data be submitted?
Electoral Roll and Easter figures can be entered any time soon after annual general meetings are due to be complete. The rest of the data input opens at the end of September, but much of the information can't be completed until the end of the year. All data must be submitted by the end of January of the following year.
If you need further help and support concerning the collection and submission of the Statistics for Mission return, please contact your deanery administrator.
Statistics Collection Tools
Experience has shown that if parishes collect data week by week through the year, it makes completing the Statistics for Mission return at the end of the year much easier and produces much more accurate results. To help you to do that, we’ve provided some statistics collection tools that you can download from the links below.
These are not extra forms that you have to fill in. If you find them helpful, then please use them, and feel free to adapt them. We don’t need you to submit them – they’re for your convenience and use only.
Attendance Calculator (Excel) - assists in collection Usual Sunday Attendance and October counts, as well as recording figures for Advent, Christmas and Easter. Click the link below for the year you require:
- Attendance Calculator for 2022 data
- Attendance Calculator for 2023 data
Pastoral Care Register (Word) - a simple sample register that can be adapted to help keep track of attendance patterns across various services. Click the link below for the year you require:
- Pastoral Care Register for 2022 data
- Pastoral Care Register for 2023 data
Worshipping Community (PDF) - A document explaining the Worshipping Community statistics; their importance for the church (both locally and more widely), alongside some tips to help collect them.
Worshipping Community List (Excel) – Assists in collecting Electoral Roll, Worshipping Community, Joiners and Leavers figures.
Fresh Expressions Choice Tree (PDF) – A simple tool to help you decide whether you should include a group as a Fresh Expression in your Statistics return.
My father, Walter Mansey, was in the First World War. He was invalided out after being gassed in the battle at Ypres (Wipes as the soldiers called it) of course, we now realise the gassing probably saved his life. He was one of the temporarily blinded soldiers who walked to safety with one arm on the shoulder of the soldier in front. I have been to Ypres and have seen the trenches and the awful conditions the men fought under – horrific! My going was in the tradition of my father, who, whilst he seldom spoke of his experiences, was keen for his children to understand the horrors of war. To this end he never hid from us the shocking events of World War Two. I would have been 8 or 9 at the time and we then lived on Harvey Road, Alvaston, Derby. My father took us all out one night and told us to look up the road; on the horizon was a great glow of light. He said ‘that is Coventry on fire’. From Coventry to Alvaston the horror of bombing, burning and death was laid upon us. Speaking for all his children, we never forgot.
Celia Walters
