Items filtered by date: December 2015
Help shape the future of our communications
We are conducting a survey to find out what you think about how we share messages, our website and social media. We would like to hear from everyone connected to the church, whether you attend services or events, volunteer or are paid. The responses we get will help us shape how we communicate with you allowing us to share the Good News more effectively.
How can you help us?
You can take part in a number of ways:
- by taking ten minutes to complete the survey yourself
- by encouraging your friends and family to complete it too
- by sharing the link to it with your church congregation
- by following the Diocese of Derby Facebook and Instagram pages and sharing our messages
Follow this link to complete the survey. It should only take ten minutes of your time.
The Church of England has recently released a new records retention schedule and accompanying guidance which helps you and your parish ensure best practice when it comes to data compliance:
>> Records and Information Management | The Church of England
This schedule (published in 2025) replaces the previous guides on retention, including: Keep or Bin, Cherish or Chuck, Chapter and Verse, and Save and Delete. Your retention policy may need amending considering this new schedule.
It is primarily designed for use by the following: Cathedrals, Minsters, Bishops Offices, Diocesan Offices (Including DBF’s DBE’s), Archdeacons, Deaneries, and Parishes of the Church of England.
Why should you use this schedule?
The schedule sets out how long records should be retained for, and the justification for that retention and what the disposal action should be. It was developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders from across the Church of England. It provides best practice for applying retention and disposition of records held by church bodies.
- • It is far more comprehensive than the previous schedules
- • It provides defensible reasons for retaining, archiving and destroying records
- • It should give you confidence that you can destroy records at the appropriate time
- • It supports the requirements of Data Protection Legislation
- • It supports good record keeping practices
Please note that this is a living document and so it will be regularly revised and updated as the need arises, for example to include new records, or when legislation or business practice changes. Keep an eye out for further guidance notes being released in the coming months
The Diocese of Derby is seeking an inspiring and experienced priest to take on the pivotal role of Ordained Ministries Development Officer. This is a unique opportunity to lead the development of clergy across the diocese, from curacy through to their first posts of primary responsibility and beyond.
The main responsibilities will be to lead IME2 in the diocese ensuring that curates are assessed appropriately to national and diocesan standards in readiness for a post of responsibility or
associate ministry; to provide appropriate training and development opportunities for all licensed clergy in the Diocese of Derby paying particular attention to those moving to first responsibility posts.
The successful post holder will be an employee of the Derby Diocesan Board of Finance. You’ll be part of a passionate and supportive People & Ministry Development team, working alongside lay and ordained colleagues to shape a hopeful and vibrant future for the Church in Derbyshire. With opportunities for national engagement, flexible working, and a generous benefits package this is a role where your ministry can truly make a difference.
Participants will be placed in one of four ministry placements across the diocese. After successful applications and interviews, the Diocesan team will work with the candidates to work out the placement where they are most likely to flourish. This decision will be based on location, church tradition, ministry interests and where there is most likely to be the best working relationship with placement supervisors. This allocation will be a conversation where successful candidates will have a chance to meet with placement supervisors and agree focuses for the placement.
The range of placements offered will offer diverse opportunities to minister with CYPF across urban, post-industrial, estate and rural contexts, with a wide range of theological and pastoral contexts available. The three placement contexts for the FY MES 2025/2026 are:-
- Churches of Stanton-by-Dale, Dale Abbey and Risley, supervised by Revd Phil Selby
- Christ Church Cotmonhay and Shipley, supervised by Rev Dawn Knight.
- St Francis Church Mackworth, supervised by Rev Andy Bond.
The national and diocesan aim for the scheme is to encourage and equip more people to discern a calling to CYPF ministry and the hope is that a significant proportion of participants will go on to be CYPF ministers in their placement contexts beyond the conclusion of the scheme. However, there is no commitment from either party beyond the initial Future Youth Scheme.
Salary: £23,588.00
Hours: 35 hours per week.
Duration: Fixed Term - 1 September 2025 to 24 July 2026
Application closing date: 20 July 2025.
>> FUTURE YOUTH Role Description and Person Specification 2025-2026 (Word)
>> More details about the FYMES
>> Email Aidan.Watson@derby.anglican.org, Strategic Lead for Youth Ministry
>> To Apply, please forward a current CV and covering letter to mandy.francis@derby.anglican.org
To view photographs from the service please click here
Four people were ordained as Deacon in the Church of England on Sunday 29 June. Here are their testimonies.
Rebecca Landers
"My journey towards ordination began with a couple of dreams I had nearly 20 years ago, but it wasn’t until I was preparing for baptism in 2018 that I started to take their message seriously, and so began a lengthy process of discernment followed by training for three years part-time at St Hild college in Sheffield.
"I’m really looking forward to serving my curacy at Newbold Parish Church, getting to know the people and the land of Newbold and Dunston, walking the parish, and walking alongside others. My hope for ministry is that it be both comforting and challenging, creative and fruitful, and that its roots are embedded in prayer, sacrament, scripture and tradition. I’m particularly interested in contemplative prayer, and the use of art in prayer and discipleship; perhaps it might be good, during curacy, to explore these areas as a community. My primary intention on starting, however, will be to listen, and then to listen some more, and try not to let my preconceived ideas get in the way of God’s better and more surprising plans!"
Lianne Green
"I have always been involved in church ministry, both paid and lay, since my early twenties. This includes youth work, children’s church, outreach, and family support roles. One particularly formative role involved working with extremely vulnerable women in the city centre, offering chaplaincy, support, and signposting. These experiences helped shape a vocation that has always centred around evangelism, discipleship, and mission to the margins of community life. For me, ordination felt like a natural next step, not a sudden shift, but part of a long journey of faithfulness. It’s a way to be better equipped for the mission of God and more deeply rooted in the life of the Church.
"I am also married and have three amazing children. We love exploring the great outdoors together – often with a bit of geocaching thrown in for good measure!"
Gael Browne
"It's usually during a hair appointment where the inevitable conversation around what one does for ‘work’ comes up. In my experience, it’s often followed by a slightly bemused, “What made you want to do that?” …Trying to explain to someone using non-churchy language that you didn’t really want to do the thing you’re doing, but you felt intensely ‘called’ by God and can’t imagine doing anything else with your life other than being faithful to him and living it out is a tricky task! It’s not a desire that’s self-given; it’s planted and nurtured by God, expanding and becoming increasingly exciting as you trust him. This trust-journey took me to Trinity College in Bristol, where I’ve been living and training full-time for the past three years.
"I’ve grown up knowing Jesus and long felt a call to ministry, exploring it pre-marriage and motherhood. However, when both of those life changes (joyfully) happened, I felt as if the ‘ship had sailed’. I’ve wrestled through many questions during discernment and training, but at the fore has always been, “How do I wear all my hats well?” Although this is something I’m sure no one ever perfects, I’ve been blessed with many amazing forerunners who’ve modelled being a woman in ministry. I hope I can join their company and live in a way that shows other mamas that following the call on your life and using the gifts God has given you does not need to hinder your ability to love your family fiercely. If you are reading this and you’ve had similar reservations, I am here to tell you it IS possible. More than that – it’s wonderful!
"I’m married and we have two primary-aged girls, who we’ve just begun to home-educate. My hobbies revolve around the kitchen and garden – feeding and tending (God’s work!). I’m hugely passionate about theological education and chatting doctrine, and I enjoy exploring creativity in worship, incorporating the arts in a way that helps different learning styles engage and understand. I also have a growing interest in emotions and embodied spirituality, in particular how crying and tears image God in humanity.
"It's going to be super getting to know the community in Sinfin Moor! I am a Derby girl, through and through, so it’s just lovely to be back in the Midlands where the accent is familiar again!! All four of us are looking forward to worshipping and serving the church, and I’m praying that God would open my eyes to see all the opportunities to daily love the people here and be his hands and feet in this place."
Jim Wigglesworth
"Derby is my hometown, and growing up I would never have expected to end up getting ordained in the Church. Sport was my real passion, and was I fortunate enough to have a brief rugby career before injuries put a stop to that. It was during those years that I became a Christian and my life was changed.
"It was during this time that I sensed a call to ordained ministry and started exploring. It has been an incredible journey, in which two daughters have also come along, and training has been a real blessing to me. I am excited to start my curacy in Duffield and Little Eaton, and continue to learn through this process. I still have a great love for sport, psychology and evangelism, and therefore look forward to seeing how this all interweaves along the journey."
Please pray too for our newly-ordained priests
Please pray for Benjamin Andréo-Boosey, Kara Gander, Ailsa Hunt and Sue Leather who were ordained as priests on Saturday, as they continue with their curacies, serving their communites and extending the kingdom of God in their local contexts.
Is God stirring something in you?
All of us are invited to follow Jesus and to serve God faithfully in our everyday lives. To discover more about what this might mean for you, please see our Everyday Faith page. Alongside our everyday faith, some people are called to serve God in a specific ministry. You can find out more about that on our vocations page.
The Diocese of Derby has announced the launch of its new accessibility project, designed to improve access and inclusion for all churches.
The project includes a range of downloadable icons, designed to easily identify church assessable features allowing people with disabilities to easily find a church that will suit their needs.
The project comes from two years of work by the Disability Inclusion Action Group (DIAG), who have researched the need and designed the icons with the help of a local design agency.
Churches are encouraged to download the icons relevant to their church and display them on their websites. All the icons and more information is available www.accessiblechurch.net.
Carl Veal, Chair of DIAG said “The accessibility symbols, two years in the making, represent a wonderful opportunity for the churches of the Diocese of Derby to be open and accessible to all and allow us all to worship Christ together as a cohesive community. I look forward to this initiative from the Diocese leading the way for these icons to be rolled out nationally, to the whole of the Church of England later this year."
As the Diocesan lead on the project, Bishop Malcolm Macnaughton said ‘ These symbols will help local churches be welcoming to disabled people, by giving them accurate information about what we can offer in our churches. Disabled people bring new gifts to the table, and important perspective to our life as a community. We need one another – and this project will help change attitudes, improve access to our activities, and release agency, empowering disabled people to get involved and take a lead. We are one body in Christ – we need each other.’
As a result of this project, Helen James, Disability Project Manager for the Church of England stated that, from the summer, the symbols will be made available for all parishes throughout all dioceses to use and implement on their own pages.The Disability Inclusion Action Group comprises clergy and lay people with a range of disabilities, from across the Diocese of Derby. Their aim is to see disability inclusion taken seriously in our churches and across the Diocese. Their work is focused around three key themes - Attitude, Access, and Agency.
Hosted by Bishop Malcom Macnaughton, one of our wonderful young people Hadassah, and the Growing Younger Team (on one of the hottest days of the year so far!), over 100 youth and children’s leaders, parents, and clergy from across the Diocese of Derby gathered for our first annual Growing a Younger Church Conference.
Our Diocesan vision is ‘The kingdom of God; good news for all - transformed lives, growing church, and building community.’ This obviously includes children, young people, and families (CYPF) and one of our priorities as a Diocese is to grow a younger church.
On the day, we heard stories about ways that God is moving across our parishes, and shared practical solutions on how to join him in what he is doing, as well as taking time to acknowledge the challenges that come with all things CYPF and the hard work invested by all those involved.
Fuelled with tea, coffee, and pastries, attendees heard throughout the day from keynote speakers including Naomi Wadswoth from Open Doors Youth, Nicola Wigglesworth from The Child Behaviour Network and Andy Saunders from Lighthouse Ministries, as well as other wonderful speakers from across the diocese and beyond. It was fantastic to hear from such a diverse range of speakers and topics, and to see so many church communities from across the diocese represented.
The day was a real opportunity to connect and chat with others (some folk even picnicking outside in the beautiful grounds of St John’s Walton), and the chance to discover the part that we can all play in growing a younger church.
We hope that all our attendees left not only with some fabulous goody bags, but that each person left feeling connected, encouraged and equipped to nurture the faith of CYPF in their own contexts.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive from participants around the diocese. Comments included:
“It was a really good day – the best youth training I have attended!”
"I wanted to say how helpful the day was. It was great to meet other people and learn from their experience and ideas, and I thought the variety of speakers available was brilliant. I came away feeling energized and excited. Thank you for arranging the conference!"
“Really inspiring”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
To close the day, Bishop Malcom shared this Diocesan Growing Younger Vision Prayer:
“Gracious God, in your mercy and for your glory, renew, reshape, and revive our children, young people, and families. Instil in them generous faith, courageous hope, and life-giving love, so that, as active young disciples, their transformed lives may inspire the faith of others, and together we may grow in greater love with you. Through their witness, may the good news of your kingdom be received by all. Amen.”
A huge thank you to all who came together to make the day a success and chose to spend a sunny Saturday in June committing to growing a younger church!
Please email growingyounger@derby.anglican.org if you would like any more information on the seminars, resources or talks from the day.
The Diocese of Derby Diocesan Synod met for the 146th time on Saturday 14 June, at St Werburgh’s Church in Derby City. Synod gathered for a day of worship, updates and bold conversation, covering everything from diocesan finances to disability access and the role of education in our schools.
Opening worship and vision
The morning session was chaired by Canon Julian Holywell, chair of the House of Clergy. The day began with prayer, scripture, and remembrance of the late Rev Prebendary John Baines, celebrated for his humour and ministry, and life of service, most recently at St George’s Church, New Mills.
Before business, Synod gathered for worship, led by Rev Dawn Knight, Area Dean for South East Derbyshire Deanery, which included a reading from Romans 3:21 to 31 – that all who believe are ‘…justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.’
Opening reflections, led by Rt Rev Malcolm Macnaughton, Bishop of Repton (who was acting as president for the meeting while Bishop Libby is on sabbatical) focused on being ‘on the front foot’, embracing faith, mission, and creative possibility despite current pressures. +Malcolm referenced the joys and challenges of parish life, the upcoming ordinations of deacons and priests, and the national Thy Kingdom Come initiative, which recently marked its tenth year, pointed to signs of renewal and resilience.
Annual General Meeting and financial overview
The meeting moved seamlessly into the Annual General Meeting of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF). Canon Mark Titterton was reappointed as Executive Chair of the and members approved the 2023 financial statements. Martyn Marples, Director of Finance, noted an overspend of £265,000 and investment gains of £1.3 million, lifting net assets to £110 million, though these have fallen back since by £2.6 million due to turmoil in the global financial markets. He also highlighted that free cash flow remains under pressure. He announced a shift to a total return investment strategy, allowing sustainable use of capital gains to support ministry, especially stipends, while preserving long-term asset value.
Will Hagger, Diocesan Secretary, reported on safeguarding improvements, streamlining governance, and development of a multi-million-pound bid to the national church’s Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board.
Martyn also shared that, following a thorough assessment by Bishop’s Council and other diocesan governance structures, the DBF is viable as a going concern. It was also recommended that BHP be reappointed as auditors.
The floor was opened for questions from Synod members, covering topics such as parish finance pressures (especially common fund expectations), sustainability of clergy numbers and lay ministry pathways, transparency about diocesan budgets and spending priorities, and call for creativity and urgency. Martyn reminded Synod of the need to make the most of the current window we have around finances, and that the decisions we take now will help offset making even harder decisions three to five years from now.
Derby’s response to so-called ‘Hereford Motion’
The second session was chaired by Rev Bryony Taylor, and included a debate brought to Diocesan Synod from Carsington Deanery. At its meeting on 1 February, Carsington Deanery Synod passed a motion calling for a debate at Diocesan Synod on a proposal to call upon the Church Commissioners to redistribute over £2 billion back to Diocesan Stipends Funds. This motion was first passed by the Diocese of Hereford last year, and will be debated at General Synod in July.
Synod debated the motion, which was moved by Carsington Deanery representative Peter Kelsey:
“That this Synod:
(i) call upon the Church Commissioners and Archbishops Council to undertake everything necessary to effect a redistribution of financial resources directly to Diocesan Stipend Funds to reflect the value of contributions made by Diocesan Boards of Finance to the Church of England Funded Pension Scheme since it was established by the settlement of 1997 (£2.6 billion)
(ii)call upon Diocesan Boards of Finance to manage the funds redistributed as a result of the above to support parish ministry in the ways discerned locally to be most effective in enabling growth and sustaining the Church of England's commitment to be a Christian presence in every community.”
A debate followed that addressed the desire for funds to be released to fund clergy posts that could sustain or revitalise parishes that have been struggling. It was argued that after a long period of the Church Commissioner’s fund benefiting from legacy contributions made by the dioceses, now is the time for some of that money to be returned and put towards funding frontline mission and ministry. It was also noted by Synod delegates opposed to the motion that it did not solve the underlying issue that parishes face around their financial health, and that these funds would only delay the inevitable. It was argued that releasing more money into sustaining parishes without focusing on the core task of the church, to share the gospel and bring people into faith in Jesus Christ, would undermine the effectiveness of what the Church is called to do. It was also noted that any funds released, should the Hereford Motion be passed by General Synod, would be to fund stipendiary clergy only, and that parishes would not be able to be access these funds for spending on mission and ministry at their own discretion.
The motion was passed by approximately three quarters of synod in support, with the remaining voting against or abstaining.
Accessibility and disability inclusion in focus – the symbols project
A presentation from Carl Veal and Lynda Herbert on behalf the Diocese of Derby Disability Inclusion Action Group (DIAG) highlighted the need for greater accessibility and inclusion in church life. They spoke movingly drawing on their own experiences of the barriers that can exclude people from full participation in worship and community.
They introduced the web-based self-assessment tool that DIAG have produced. Inspired by the accessibility legend used by places like National trust, and with sponsorship from the Archbishops’ Council, DIAG have commissioned a series of symbols that can be used on church literature and publicity to highlight the accessibility features of their buildings. These include symbols covering the presence of accessibility ramps and toilet facilities, hearing loops, and measures to recognise and serve neurodiverse people.
The full catalogue of symbols and how to use them can be found online at www.accessiblechurch.net
Diocesan Board of Education: Challenges and opportunities
The afternoon session was chaired by Peter Kelsey, this time in his capacity as Chair of the House of Laity. It included a presentation from Carolyn Shoyer, Diocesan Director of Education, around the work of the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE), sharing updates on school partnerships, collective worship, RE provision and spiritual development.
She talked about strengthening relationships between church schools and parishes, advocated for Christian distinctiveness in education, and navigating the landscape of national policy and inspection frameworks. Synod was invited to consider how churches can better support schools as places of hope, hospitality and leadership.
Final deliberations
Final pieces of business included receiving a written report on Safeguarding, notification of upcoming conversations around Living in Love and Faith in both the Houses of Clergy and Laity, and finally formal notice of amendments to Canon law by General Synod, relayed by Diocesan Registrar Ian Blaney.
The meeting closed by sharing ‘the grace’.
Diocesan Synod gathers again on Saturday 18 October at St John’s Walton, Chesterfield.
Statement from the Archbishop of York on the plane crash in Ahmedabad
It is terrifying, and heartbreaking, to hear the news of the plane crash in Ahmedabad. Carrying 242 people, including many UK nationals, the plane crashed into a residential area.
My prayers are with all the victims who were on the plane, those on the ground, and all those who are going through the unimaginable suffering of losing loved ones so unexpectedly.
I’m praying for everyone affected, and hoping beyond hope that more survivors will be found.
Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York.
In the Diocese of Derby our hearts go out to all those in the Gujarati community across the midlands who have lost members of their family in this terrible tragedy. We stand with you in sorrow, and pray for you as all those affected seek to both to take in what has happened, and to begin the hard journey of grief. You are in our prayers.
Malcolm Macnaughton –Bishop of Repton
Full time, permanent stipendiary role
Set in a lively, thriving market town in the High Peak these two churches are working together across the area pioneering exciting mission amongst children, young people and in a deprived housing estate.
They seek an enthusiastic, pastorally hearted, missional priest to work with them to:
• Grow the churches, reaching out to more people and making new disciples
• Nurture a rich variety of church experience and worship tradition, reviewing and refreshing the mechanisms and provision that support church members in deepening their faith and encouraging lay ministry
• Develop the ministry, mission and community partnerships already in place and create new initiatives and partnerships in response to identified needs and missional opportunities
• Lead the Growing Faith Hub across Glossopdale, investing in work with children and young people, actively recruiting and training volunteers, strengthening relationships with schools and children/youth organisations, exploring potential for forming new worshipping communities with schools
• Increase the Christian presence in Simmondley and re-establish a church presence in Gamesley
• Support the churches in becoming financially sustainable into the future
You would be supported by a strong team of volunteers with a heart and passion for reaching out in creative and innovative ways and a commitment to team working across boundaries to build God’s kingdom.
The Diocese of Derby is committed to safeguarding. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. For information on safeguarding, recruitment checks and how we process your data, visit https://bit.ly/DODSaferRecruitment
Enquiries to: Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales, nicky.fenton@derby.anglican.org
Closing date: 12 noon, Friday 18 July 2025
Interview dates: Thursday 7 August 2025
