Items filtered by date: December 2015
As I write it is not even December yet but by 4pm it is already nearly dark! All the darker as the weather gets wilder and wetter, with the promise of the white stuff coming any day now. At least in the dark the snow will bring its own unique reflective brightness.
Whilst officially still autumn until December 21st – by which time the last leaf in Derbyshire will surely have fallen - these rapidly shortening days and lengthening hours of night shroud us in this season with foreboding, as much as in anticipation. These are the days we learn to appreciate the light, and begin to pine for more of it long before Spring comes.
Our regular seasonal gathering gloom is more than matched by the dark shadows which prevail in our nation and in the wider world. Like buses it seems existential crises all arrive at once – poverty and inequality, destructive weather events caused by climate change, and persistent conflict erupting in devastating wars. Dark days indeed for a world that had come to believe in progress. And most especially, for the poor, the vulnerable, and the dispossessed.
At our churches in Advent, Sunday by Sunday we hear the words of the Hebrew prophets. They were realistic about darkness, about human failure and sin, and its impact on the whole of society, especially on those who were most vulnerable – in that time the orphan, the widow, the alien or stranger. A society that failed to live up to God’s call to justice, integrity, and compassion was doomed to fail. Judgment was inevitable where people turned their back on the responsibilities of being human.
In the days of the Hebrew prophets there were those who thought you could away with thinking of your own nation only. But this was not the whole picture. In the scriptures and most especially in the New Testament we see a different perspective emerging – the recognition of the whole human family as created by God, invited to share in the ‘fullness of life’ which is Jesus’ gift to us.
The internationalism of the Gospel is a core value of the Christian faith. Contemporary versions of Christianity that revert to the attitudes of the Crusades are perversions of our faith. As the established church in England we have to be careful not to misrepresent Jesus, the Saviour not just of our people, but of all people. Why? Because ‘God so loved the world.’ Not just me and the people who agree with me. Not just my people, not just my ethnic group or my country, but the whole wide world. This includes everyone:
The orphaned child taken care of within a family fleeing the fighting in Sudan. The elderly woman who cannot understand why she has to leave her pacific island home, soon to be devoured by the rising sea. The young man fleeing persecution for his faith. All these, along with our friends and neighbours here at home and at school and at work, are part of that same human family into which Jesus was born, and for which Christ died and rose again. And yet the journey is so hard, and the way is so dark, for many today.
John Donne, 16th Century poet and Dean of St Paul’s in London, published a poem expressing the darkness of his grief at the loss of his beloved. On St Lucy’s day, 13th December, then believed to be the shortest day, he wrote of his experience of loss: ‘It is the year’s midnight, the Dies Lucies’. Not from 13th December, but from the end of the month, the days do begin to turn brighter and longer again. Donne in his darkness did not despair absolutely – he knew the light would return. So even in the thick darkness of December we detect the seeds of hope. As someone reminded me recently, during the winter there is life and growth – we just don’t see it because it is going on underground.
This theme of light and darkness stays with us throughout Advent, and then on Christmas morning the Gospel hope resounds: with Jesus coming ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.’
May the light of Christ shine ever more brightly in our world and in our time, and in each one of us. We do well to learn from the Jewish Rabbi who asked his students: “how do we know when the night has ended and the day has begun?”
One bright student offered an answer: “When I look out at the fields and I can distinguish between my field and the field of my neighbour’s, that’s when the night has ended and day has begun.”
The rabbi shook his head. That was not it.
Another student answered: “When I look from the fields and I see a house and I can tell that it’s my house and not my neighbour’s house, that’s when the night has ended and the day has begun.”
No – that wasn’t it either.
A third student suggested: “When I can distinguish the animals in the yard – and I can tell a cow from a horse – that’s when the night has ended.”
Disappointed in his students, the Rabbi replied, and went on to say:
“When you look into the eyes of the person who is beside you and you can see that that person is your brother or your sister, when you can recognize that person as a friend, then, finally, the night has ended and the day has begun.”
May God open our eyes to the true light that has come into the world, and make us able to live in this light always.
‘The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world’ John 1.9. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The Rt Revd Malcolm Macnaughton
The Bishop of Repton
The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people ...’
Luke 2.10-11
The Church of England’s Advent and Christmas theme for 2025 revolves round a single word: Joy! Our churches will - as always - be seeking to make the most of the opportunity December brings to share The Joy of Christmas with their communities.
The great joy of Christmas, of course, is the good news the angel declared to the shepherds - the news of Jesus’ birth as Emmanuel (God With Us).
Click here to find a church near you
On this page you will find Advent and Christmas resources for churches, individuals and schools designed to help all ages to be drawn into the joy of the first Christmas.
We will be posting weekly videos and daily prayers on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Watch Advent Sunday with Bishop Libby here
Watch 'What brings you Joy at Christmas' with St Peter's Belper community here
Watch 'Hope in the season of Advent' with Canon Julian Hollywell here
Watch 'What's your favourite Christmas Carol?' here
Watch ' Christmas Joy' with Steve Johnson here
Under the Church of England Learning and Development Framework, safeguarding training must be renewed every three years, in addition you must also have a valid DBS check, which also needs to be renewed every three years.
Currently, the Diocesan Safeguarding Team sends reminders at 6, 4, and 2 months before expiry. From 1 January 2026, this process will change to a single reminder sent 4 months before expiry for both safeguarding training and DBS checks.
This change coincides with the Diocese of Derby becoming the first in the country to implement a Diocesan Safeguarding Hub. The Hub will:
- Automatically send renewal reminders
- Allow you to access your own records and check expiry dates
- Put you in control of keeping your training and DBS up to date
Access to the Hub will be restricted to those who need it, including the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, the Bishop’s Office and Warden of Readers. All information will be managed in line with GDPR regulations.
If you have any questions or require further clarification, please contact us at safeguarding@derby.anglican.org
Thank you for your continued commitment to safeguarding.
Diocesan Safeguarding Team
Diocese of Derby
Based at All Saints’ Church, Ockbrook near Derby (Available Full-time, term time only, or part-time)
Would you like to join a thriving, community-minded church to continue, grow, and develop our varied ministry with the children and young people in our local villages, supported by our committed and enthusiastic volunteers? All Saints’ Ockbrook has a growing congregation of different ages and a desire to bless all those around us. Our worship services are relatively informal, with a music group and variety of leaders and preachers.
Existing weekly activities include Shining Stars, a busy pre-school group, a Wednesday after-school Youth Café, Sunday Night Saints (a lively teenage group), and Rise & Shine (a Sunday morning group for 4 to 12-year-olds). We run a summer holiday club and a youth weekend away, enjoy periodic interactive all age (4ALL) services, and have experimented with breakfast services for families with pre-school children and babies. There are strong connections with the 3 primary schools in our parish, where the children’s coordinator is warmly welcomed to take assemblies and be involved in their activities.
You will have a strong Christian faith, have worked or volunteered with children or young people, and be passionate about encouraging children, young people, and their volunteer helpers. You will be educated to A-Level (or degree standard) or have an equivalent level of experience of working with children and/or young people.
This is available as a full-time position (37.5 hours a week), or as two part-time positions for a children’s coordinator and a youth coordinator (19 hours a week). In both cases, candidates can choose to work 52 weeks a year or 41 weeks a year mainly in term-time. You will receive close support including at the weekly church leadership meetings, and during regular one-to-ones with our vicar.
The salary for a full-time, full-year position is £27,441 with 28 days’ holiday including bank holidays. Salary and holidays will be pro-rata if working part-time and/or fewer weeks.
For more details, and an application pack, please email Tim Sumpter, Vicar of All Saints Ockbrook with St Stephen’s Borrowash, tmsumpter@hotmail.co.uk
On 16 November 2025, a special diocesan service was held for Safeguarding Sunday at St John’s Church, Walton, to give thanks for those working in safeguarding in our parishes and to remember victims and survivors of abuse. The service was led by both Bishop Libby and Bishop Malcolm, and the Diocesan Safeguarding team.
Safeguarding Sunday is an annual campaign led by the Christian safeguarding charity thirtyone:eight. Churches are encouraged to reflect on and improve their safeguarding practices to ensure vulnerable people are protected. The key theme for 2025 is "Action Speaks Louder".
Bishop Libby gave thanks for all those working for the good of our church and communities: to repent of our failings and hold before God all those who have been hurt or harmed by our action or inaction; and to look to the future, committing ourselves afresh to seek the Kingdom of God by playing our part in being a safer church.
Bishop Malcolm focused his sermon on the reading in the service from 1 John 3.16-24 where St John said, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth. Loving in action and in truth”.
He highlighted that “we should model ourselves on the example of Jesus, in whom the truth is spelt out in both action and words. It’s all very well expressing sympathy, or empathy – but if “I am not willing to lift a finger to help”, or to “dig deep in my pocket to help”, what use am I? ‘I hear what you say’ or ‘I hear your pain’ is all very well – but what do I do to make up for the damage done? Action speaks louder than words”.
“As St Theresa of Kolkata taught, we should spend more time washing feet, so there is less time for throwing stones. How we and the world all need to learn that lesson”.
“Talking of words, truth matters. In the media, in daily life, and especially when it comes to safeguarding. Listening well, getting it right, telling it clearly, not twisting others’ words, but speaking and acting, in love”.
Lisa Marriott, Head of Safeguarding and Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, gave her thanks to Parish Safeguarding Officers for their ongoing commitment to safeguarding, highlighting that their vigilance, care, and willingness to embed safeguarding into the life of our churches makes a real difference.
She said, “Together, we are creating communities where everyone feels safer, valued, and protected. This work is not always easy, but it is vital, and your dedication is deeply appreciated. Safeguarding is not a tick-box exercise. It is a reflection of our faith, it embodies the core values of care, protection and justice that lie at the heart of Christian teaching. Let’s continue to build a church where safeguarding is not just a standard, but a way of life”.
The Parish of St. Alkmund’s in Derby is seeking to appoint an energetic, imaginative, experienced and suitably qualified person to the position of Youth and Young Adult Ministry Leader. This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of the ministry team in the parish, working with clergy, lay leaders and volunteers to realise the parish vision for effective youth and family ministry.
Able to connect with young people both inside and outside of church, you will be passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus and committed to nurturing faith in our youth. St. Alkmund’s is a lively, charismatic evangelical church in the Diocese of Derby. The appointment is for an initial period of 3 years. Hours are part time constituting 20 hours per week. Salary is £27,000 - £30,000 per annum pro rata.
Closing date for applications: Friday, 28 Nov 2025 at 5pm
Shortlisting: Monday, 1 Dec 2025
Interviews: Wednesday. 10 Dec 2025
Provisional starting date - as soon as possible.
An application pack and form are available by emailing mina@stalkmunds.org.uk
For further information or an informal chat, please contact Revd Mina Munns on 07960 250497.
>> Job advert
Full-time stipendiary post
This benefice of three Anglo-Catholic parishes, under the extended episcopal care of the Bishop of Oswestry, on the southeastern edge of the Peak District offers a rich and rewarding ministry across village, suburban, and semi-rural contexts. The churches share a commitment to sacramental worship, pastoral care, and community engagement, and are praying for a priest who will lead them into a renewed season of growth, collaboration, and mission.
28 November
The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the Revd Gillian (Gill) Ball, Assistant Curate (SSM) of the benefice of Old Brampton and Great Barlow and of the benefice of Loundsley Green, The Ascension LEP, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (Associate Priest-SSM) of the same benefice, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled
21 November
Revd Matthew (Matt) Green will be instituted as Rector of the Benefice of Aston-on-Trent, Elvaston, Weston-on-Trent and Shardlow, Barrow-upon-Trent with Twyford and Swarkestone, on Saturday, 24 January 2026, at 3 pm at All Saints, Aston-on-Trent by the Bishop of Derby and inducted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.
Revd Frances (Fran) Smettem will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Eyam with Foolow and Baslow, and Priest-in-Charge of the parishes of Curbar and Stoney Middleton, on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, at 7 pm at St Lawrence’s Eyam, by the Bishop of Derby, assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.
Thomas (Tom) Smith has been appointed full-time Administrator to the Bishop of Derby. He started in post on Thursday, 13 November 2025. His contact details are: thomas.smith@derby.anglican.org.
6 November
Canon Jack Cooper, Lay Canon of Derby Cathedral until 17th October, when his term of office came to an end, has been appointed Lay Canon Emeritus with effect from 18 October 2025.
The Revd Susannah (Susie) Curtis, Ordained Ministry Development Officer and holder of the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate, Diocese of Derby, has stepped down as Assistant Area Dean of Derby City. Her last day in this role was 14 September 2025.
The Revd Alan Winfield, Associate Priest of Melbourne, Smisby, Stanton-by-Bridge and Ticknall, Diocese of Debry, has been appointed Assistant Area Dean of Mercia. His first day in this role was 3 November 2025.
The Bishop of Derby wishes to appoint a Canon for Worship and Music at Derby Cathedral.
A unique opportunity has arisen to join the team at Derby Cathedral where we are working towards ambitious and innovative plans to continue our development and growth, with the Chapter’s strategic development plan providing a framework for the future.
The Bishop of Derby wishes to appoint a Canon for Community Outreach and Social Justice at Derby Cathedral.
A unique opportunity has arisen to join the team at Derby Cathedral where we are working towards ambitious and innovative plans to continue our development and growth, with the Chapter’s strategic development plan providing a framework for the future.
