Items filtered by date: April 2026
Reader Renewals
Renewing a license or Permission to Officiate is not just a piece of administration, but a really good opportunity to take stock of the ministry that you offer with the people around you, as well as in the quiet of your own heart and mind. In line with national guidance, licenses need to be renewed every three years. Our rhythm is that this needs to happen by Advent of the year written on the back of the license. We do also send reminders though.
The only paperwork we need to renew a license (other than confirming that the safeguarding training and DBS are up to date - which is the strict responsibility of the LLM(R)) is approval from the PCC, and an up-to-date working agreement, signed by both the Reader and their incumbent or Area Dean if in vacancy. We have templates for all these which we send out with the reminders, or they can be downloaded using the links below. Once we have all the paperwork, the Lay Ministries Officer (who is also Warden of Readers) will read through the Working Agreement and, if they are happy, recommend to the Bishop that the minister’s license or PtO is renewed. Once we have confirmation, we will be in touch to confirm.
It is important that we have the paperwork in good time. If an LLM(R)s license or PtO has not been renewed by the end of their renewal year, their license or PtO is no longer active and they cannot minister. They will receive confirmation of this. If this does happen, the paperwork should be sent as soon as possible, and the LLM(R) must wait for confirmation from the Bishop that their license or PtO has been returned before ministering again.
LLM(R)s are also offered the opportunity of a chat and catch-up with one of the Deputy Wardens, who make contact in the first few months of the year. This could be to talk about what ministry has looked like, or consider what the next stage of life and ministry will look like.
Annual Returns
Each year, those admitted to the Office of Reader (all LLM(R)s) who are in active ministry, should complete a Reader Return. This helps the Parish Support Office understand the breadth, scope, and scale of Licensed Lay Ministry across the Diocese, and allows us to contribute to the national picture too. This is sent directly to all Readers who hold a current and active license or permission to officiate and is filled out online however if you require a paper copy, please contact the Lay Ministries Officer PA.
Key Contacts
Fiona Bennett - Fiona.Bennett@derby.anglican.org or 01332 388670
Ben Martin - Ben.Martin@derby.anglican.org or 01332 278139
Document templates
Applying for Permission to Officiate
>> Reader working agreement [Word doc]
>> Reader licence renewal - PCC support form [Word doc]
See also: What is a Reader? | Becoming a Reader | Readers Handbook | Reader Returns and Reviews | Reader Licence Renewals | Get in touch
Advent Seasonal Eucharistic Resorces
To download a PDF click here
To download a word file click here
Gifts Galore
A distinctive feature of the way we celebrate Christmas is the giving of gifts. As society has become more materialistic, and driven by an increasing desire for ‘growth’ (economic, social, personal) – our gifts have multiplied in number and expanded in range. The challenge of finding the right thing for a particular person.
Of course we want to please the recipients of our giving, and to spend our money well (good investment!). These criteria are important to givers and receivers. An expression of the greater perfection we try to act out at Christmas. Along with the provision of favourite foods and special treats.
From Presents to Presence
But what is really happening in the giving and receiving of gifts? An acknowledgement of a valued relationship. An expression of love and affection. An ownership of obligation or duty. In each or any of these transactions, the core is the giver making themselves present in the life of the receiver – as an act of grace (freely offered) and as a sign of connection not taken for granted, but enhanced by being expressed generously. Presents make present the giver into the life of the receiver – for good, with grace.
Presence as Present to Us
And this is the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ. A gift to Mary and Joseph in the stable. A gift of a chorus of glad tidings and peacefulness to shepherds in their ordinary lives. A gift of authority, welfare and organised worship to Wise Men from the high civilisation of the East.
A gift to each of us if we will acknowledge the presence of God in the presentation to us of this life. A gift bringing real goodness and grace into ordinary lives, into the structures and rituals we need to hold us together and help us to make sense of our deep instinct to find peace on earth, goodwill among people, and a sign of that Glory which gathers all these fundamental human conditions into the hope of heaven.
Hark – Herald Angels Sing
I am sure that each of us will choose the presents we give with great care. To show our love and affection to family and friends, and to make ourselves present to them in goodness and grace.
May we take time to allow our Father, to give His gift to us – a Son, a person who can be present in our lives - a Saviour bringing and enabling goodness, grace and glory.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing,
Glory to our new born King.
The Worship Advisory Group (WAG) is a small group appointed by Bishop Alastair to help with encouraging and supporting liturgy of the highest quality, transforming worship across the Diocese of Derby. We hope the information below is useful and help you when planning liturgy. Please do contact us if you need any help or advice.
Click on the link to find services and prayers from The Book of Common Prayer and Common Worship.
Eucharistic material
You can find links to all the principal services of the Church here.
Common Worship also provides Eucharistic Prayers for use with Children
Lay Ministers of Communion. Training Session Handbook
Seasonal Material
Look at Common Worship Times and Seasons
Saints days and festivals
Look at Common Worship Festivals resources
For Collects and Readings for the Festivals and Lesser Festivals of the Calendar of the Church of England from Exciting Holiness click here
Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
Resources for Prayer, Preaching and Reflection
