Items filtered by date: August 2025
Role descriptions were introduced into the diocese to complement and inform Ministerial Development Reviews (MDR), and are a requirement of the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations 2009.
The following documents will help you write a role description which you are advised to develop after you have been in post for six months, and when you have met with your Archdeacon at the six month review point:
How to write a Role Description
Role Description Template Curate
Role Description Template Incumbent
Role Description Worked Example
Should you have any questions or queries regarding the development of your role description please contact Mandy Roberts at Derby Church House: 01332 388650, mandy.roberts@derby.anglican.org
All are called to serve in God’s world, and we strive to be inclusive of all in vocational discernment.
The Church of England supports inclusive discernment through its extensive network of mentors throughout the country.
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.
