The Revd Dr Elizabeth Thomson has been appointed as Rector and Provost of St Paul’s Cathedral, Dundee, in the Diocese of Brechin in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Today, Bishop–designate Malcom and I, join with the whole United Kingdom, and friends across the world, in expressing our sorrow at the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. 

Though sorrowful and grieving, we give thanks to God for his long life, dedicated service to the nation and Commonwealth, and unfailing support to Her Majesty The Queen, for 73 years. 

After so many decades in public service, I expect we will each have a memory or image of Prince Philip – perhaps alongside Her Majesty, engaged and enquiring in every circumstance, as they travelled the globe, or as he championed causes close to his heart, for example, in conservation, design and engineering, and inter-faith dialogue, or of the legacy he has left for young people through The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.

As the Archbishop of Canterbury has said: “Prince Philip consistently put the interests of others ahead of his own and, in so doing, provided an outstanding example of Christian service. As we recover and rebuild after the terrible trial of the coronavirus pandemic, we will need fortitude and a deep sense of commitment to serving others … I pray we can take inspiration from his example”.

His commitment to our Queen and our nation has been total, and I know you will join us in sending our sincere condolences to Her Majesty and the Royal Family, with the assurance of our prayers as they grieve.

We pray they know the comfort and peace of the risen Christ in their loss. 

May His Royal Highness rest in peace and rise in glory.

Prayer

God of our lives, 
we give thanks for the life of Prince Philip, 
for the love he shared among us,   
and for his devotion to duty.  
We entrust him now to your love and mercy, 
through our Redeemer Jesus Christ.
Amen.

>> Guidance For parishes

>> Live coverage from BBC News

>> Add your message to the online Book of Condolence

Church buildings are not currently required to close and there is currently no obligation for churches to re-open in the event of a royal death. It will remain at the discretion of individual PCCs.

Private prayer should not be discouraged for those who feel the need to do this in a church building, but social distancing MUST be maintained for as long as the government restrictions dictate.

Having received one or more doses of the vaccine does not exclude anyone from adhering to the rules.

People should not be allowed to gather in groups.

Any church that wishes to consider re-opening MUST submit a risk assessment and have it approved by their archdeacon prior to opening.

Churches that are already open for private prayer etc may experience an increase in numbers and in some cases it may be necessary for them to re-assess their arrangements to allow for the increase. This may necessitate additional marshalling in and around the building.

Condolence books 

An online condolence book is now open for individuals and communities to record messages. Government guidance under the current Covid-19 precautions is that physical books should not be offered.

Flags

Flags should be flown at half-mast during the mourning period(the correct procedure is to lower flags completely and then raise them to half-mast).

Flower Tributes 

Visitors should not be allowed to leave flowers inside church buildings as this maybe a route for infection.  Flower tributes outside should also be discouraged.

Bells 

Guidance on how and when bells should be tolled will come from the cabinet office in due course, and we will share this information to you as soon as we are ableon this page.

Easter was, again, a little different this year.

The usual plethora of events in churches and communities was much scaled-back because of the prevailing Covid restrictions.

However, the Easter message remained the same and some were able to hold worship and a limited range of events.

Here are a few that caught our eye.

Messages from the minster

Swadlincote Minster went virtual for Easter Day. Revd Mike Firbank told us: "The vicar was only needed at the beginning, but he was involved in the background throughout the planning. This service included some special messages from friends of the church." They shared messages, stories, songs, prayers and bread together.

Virtual Experience Easter

Revd Becky Mathew, vicar of St Nicholas' Allestree & St Paul's Quarndon, told us that they filmed a virtual Experience Easter for schools this year.

Both church and non-church schools took them up on the offer, including The Curzon CofE, Mugginton CofE, Portway Infants, Portway Juniors and Denby. They used the videos and suggested craft/prayer activiites.

>> See the full Experience Easter

Overseal's ringers

St Matthew’s church, Overseal, brought its Easter Day bell-ringing activies firmly down to earth. June Hart, secretary to the church council, told us: "Nothing stops our bellringers... the tower isn’t accessible so they stood outside and rang the handbells before the start of the service this morning. It was just wonderful!"

Easter Garden

Bishop Libby and her family created their own Easter Garden - complete with roll-away stone - to illustrate the Easter story. Bishop Libby used it in her Easter video message.

Happy Christmas!

[This video e-card has sound]

With grateful thanks to Florence and her family and to Christ Church Belper

With blessings for a safe and peaceful Christmas

From Kate Godfrey, Diocesan Secretary,

and all at the Parish Support Office.

What's your Easter story? Share it with us - communications@derby.anglican.org

>> Download a printable map of Mercia Deanery here (suitable for A4 and A3) [JPG]

>> Download a printable map of the Archdeaconry of Derby City and South Derbyshire from this page.

Welcome to the Mercia Deanery.

We are part of the Archdeaconry of Derby City and South Derbyshire.

The deanery stretches down as far as Croxall and up to Elvaston.

The parishes are a mix of rural and market town and developing industrial communities. There are 33 churches and 30 parishes in the deanery. Within the borders, there are the historic churches of Melbourne and Repton. There have been archeological digs at Repton’s vicarage that have uncovered Viking activity... very exciting!

Archdeacon: The Ven. Matthew Trick - matthew.trick@derby.anglican.org

Area Dean:  Revd Mike Firbank - mjfirbank@hotmail.com

Assistant Area Dean with responsibility for Chapter: Revd Steve Short - stephen.short71@btinternet.com

Deanery Synod Leadership Team 

Lay Chair: Maggie Fenby-Taylor, from St George, Ticknall

Treasurer: Liz Ballinger, of St Mark, Winshill 

Lay member:  

Synod Secretary: Debbie Patrick, member of St Peter, Hartshorne

Mercia Benefices

1. Aston-on-Trent, Elvaston, Weston-on-Trent and Shardlow, Barrow-upon-Trent with Twyford and Swarkestone (Parishes of Aston on Trent; Elvaston; Weston upon Trent; Shardlow; Barrow-on-Trent with Twyford; Swarkestone)
2. Foremark and Repton with Newton Solney (Parishes of Foremark; Newton Solney; Repton)
3. Gresley (Parish of Gresley)
4. Melbourne, Ticknall, Smisby and Stanton-by-Bridge (Parishes of Melbourne; Smisby; Stanton-by-Bridge; Ticknall)
5. Newhall (Parish of Newhall)
6. Stapenhill with Caudwell (Parish of Stapenhill)
7. Stapenhill Immanuel (Parish of Immanuel, Stapenhill)
8. Swadlincote and Hartshorne (Parishes of Hartshorne; Swadlincote)
9. Winshill and Bretby (Parishes of Bretby; Winshill)
10. Seale and Lullington with Coton-in-the-Elms (Parishes of Coton in the Elms; Lullington; Netherseal St. Peter; Overseal St. Matthew)
11. Walton-on-Trent with Croxall, Rosliston with Linton and Castle Gresley (Parishes of Croxall; Linton and Castle Gresley; Rosliston, Walton-on-Trent) (including Catton)

>> Spotlights on parishes in Mercia Deanery

Mercia Deanery Synod

11 March 2025
3 July 2025
18 November 2025

When Bob Glassey recently received a package delivered by Royal Mail, little did he realise how 'royal' it would be.

Bob is one of the driving forces behind Creswell Breakfast Club, based at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in the village. 

The club ensures that local children continue to receive proper meals during school holidays and closures, as well as socialise and take part in activities.

Bob Glassey at work at Creswell Breakfast Club

The package Bob received was from Buckingham Palace.

He said: "It's not every day I get an envelope with the Crown and ER special delivery on it!

"I had knowledge of what was in the package and very carefully inserted a sharp knife into the padded envelope to open it.

"Inside were two other envelopes with instructions on how to open them, and a red and a white purse.

"Again, cautiously, I opened them.

"In the first envelope was a signed letter from her Majesty and in the other was a letter from the Right Reverend Dr. John Inge, the Lord High Almoner, explaining what the history of the Maundy Gift and what the two leather purses contained.

"The red purse contains £5.50, an allowance for clothing and provisions: the £5 coin commemorates Her Majesty's birthday and the 50 pence coin commemorates the 50th anniversary of Decimal Day in 1971.

"The white purse contains Maundy coins: silver pennies, twopences, threepences and fourpences, totalling 95 pence, corresponding to the Sovereign's age.

"All the coins were newly minted this year."

The letter from the Queen begins: 'I am delighted to send you the Maundy Gift which I hope you will accept as an expression of my personal thanks for all you that have done to enrich the life of your community."

Covid restrictions mean that the annual Maundy Service, due to have been held at Westminster Abbey today have had to be cancelled and the Maundy Money distributed by post.

Bob said: "This year Her Majesty will be 95 on 21 April, so 95 men and women will receive the Royal Maundy gifts, and thanks to Bishop Libby I have been selected as one of those lucky few."

"My thanks to Bishop Libby for nominating me for this Honour for Christian service from our Monarch, who has taken to heart the words and actions of Jesus and given such unstinting Christian service herself."

Though Bob was also typically humble in his response to receiving such an important gift. He added: "It is an honour for the village really.

"It's the team that has got this because I'd never have done it on my own.

"It's always a great team effort."

But he did confess to being "flabbergasted" and "more than happy" with his gift.

"I shall treasure these for ever,"  he said.

See also: Cresswell Breakfast Club

>> What is Maundy Money?

>> What is Maundy Thursday?

This fund offers parishes an exciting opportunity to develop their local church or hall premises, making them more community and mission shaped, and accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Your project needs to meet outcomes which achieve and support mission, community or growth. A preference will be given to applications from parishes in deprived areas of the Diocese. The maximum grant available will be £25,000 and requires match funding. Parishes will be required to take up grants within two years of a successful application. 

The fund is not available for maintenance or repair and cannot be applied for retrospectively.

To download the fund criteria and general information click here

To download an an application form click here

Applications will be assessed by the Business Committee at their regular meetings.

2025 deadlines:

Thursday 26th June - signed application and supporting documents scanned in and emailed to gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org - Business Committee consider application on Thursday 24th July

Wdnesday 20th August - signed application and supporting documents scanned in and emailed to gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org - Business Committee consider application on Thursday 11th September

Wdnesday 17th September - signed application and supporting documents scanned in and emailed to gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org - Business Committee consider application on Thursday 9th October

Wdnesday 5th November - signed application and supporting documents scanned in and emailed to gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org - Business Committee consider application on Thursday 27th November

For any further information about applying for the Raymond Ross Large Grants, email: gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org or call on 01332 338690

This fund is aimed at supporting local congregations to act with a generous faith, through engaging with and embracing the communities they seek to serve. The Diocesan Vision encourages us to be outward facing, rooted in and connected to our communities.

There is an expectation that parishes will work in partnership and create networks for the common good, with particular care for the marginalised and vulnerable. The projects this fund is seeking to support are those which see the church proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom in word and action. The church needs to be good news for all, and this means projects that look to include and/or partner with, other groups or individuals in the host community, demonstrating meaningful and open engagement with those who have had little or no contact with the congregation.

The Diocese wishes to particularly encourage churches to reach out to those who have not considered the church community as a group to which they can relate. Projects that build on the notion of tolerance, reconciliation and friendship will be of particular interest, as will projects that clearly demonstrate the key characteristic of outward-facing generosity, impacting the world for good​.

You can apply for up to £2000 without match funding required. Further information, criteria and application forms can be downloaded here or requested from the Church Buildings Support Officer, Gareth Greenwood by email at gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org

2025 application deadlines

Thursday 26th June - signed application and supporting documents scanned in and emailed to gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org - Business Committee consider application on Thursday 24th July

Wdnesday 20th August - signed application and supporting documents scanned in and emailed to gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org - Business Committee consider application on Thursday 11th September

Wdnesday 17th September - signed application and supporting documents scanned in and emailed to gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org - Business Committee consider application on Thursday 9th October

Wdnesday 5th November - signed application and supporting documents scanned in and emailed to gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org - Business Committee consider application on Thursday 27th November

For any further information about applying for the Building Community Fund, email: gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org or call on 01332338690

You can download the application form and criteria here

Do you have a small church project that could have a big impact?

Are you looking for a relatively small grant that requires no match funding?

If so, this could be just right for you; £5,000 to fund small but not insignificant capital projects that will generate outcomes which achieve and support mission, community or growth.

There are always good ideas on the boil to enhance welcome, improve accessibility, or perhaps to make small but much needed changes to internal areas. So now is the time to make a significant impact through a small change.

Details, including a full list of criteria and downloadable application form, are available below.

If you are successful, you will be expected to draw on the grant within 12 months.

Applications will be considered by Business Committee at their regular meetings.

2025 application deadlines

Thursday 26th June - signed application and supporting documents scanned in and emailed to gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org - Business Committee consider application on Thursday 24th July

Wdnesday 20th August - signed application and supporting documents scanned in and emailed to gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org - Business Committee consider application on Thursday 11th September

Wdnesday 17th September - signed application and supporting documents scanned in and emailed to gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org - Business Committee consider application on Thursday 9th October

Wdnesday 5th November - signed application and supporting documents scanned in and emailed to gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org - Business Committee consider application on Thursday 27th November

For any further information about applying for the Raymond Ross Large Grants email: gareth.greenwood@derby.anglican.org or call on 01332338690 (Mondays/Tuesdays)

Download information and criteria here

Download Application Form here

On 4 May 2021, the long-trailed changes to the way marriages are registered come into force.

Clergy have already been sent links to the government's training pages. 

Clergy may share the link to the online training with parish administrators – and it should be shared with churchwardens where the parish or benefice is in vacancy.

Register of Marriage Services, 

Churches will need a new Register of Marriage Services which is now available to pre-order via this link:

Register of Marriage Services - Hardback (chpublishing.co.uk)

Obtaining the Marriage Document 

GRO will be sending out very clear information about the marriage document and where clergy can get it from.   The free on-line admin tool provided by the Church of England www.lifeeventsdiary.org  will be updated to enable printing of the marriage document after 4^th May.

Charge for Marriage Certificate

From May 4^th  Marriage Certificates will be issued by the Register Office and not the church, so couples should no longer be charged for a certificate.  The Fees table , fees form and fees information for couples will be updated to reflect this change. 

There is an FAQ regarding the changes available on the LRSA's website.

How will this impact the work and responsibilities as a member of the Clergy?

What won’t change:

• You will still be required to ensure couples meet the requirements to marry in your building.
• You will still be required to ensure couples complete the relevant preliminaries, i.e.: the calling of banns, issue of common or special licence or, where required, the prior attendance of the couple at the relevant register office to give their notices of marriage in the correct timescale.
• You will still be required to conduct pre-marriage checks and confirm that the details contained on the marriage document or marriage schedule are correct before the marriage proceeds.
• The marriage will still be performed by Church of England or Church in Wales rites.
• You will still use registration ink to complete the marriage schedule.

What will change:

• You will be required to create a marriage document or obtain the marriage schedule prior to the date of marriage.
• You will no longer complete the formal register for the marriages you solemnize (There will still be a register kept by you for the records of your church).
• You will no longer issue the legal marriage certificates.
• The completed marriage document or marriage schedule must be returned to the register office for the registration to take place in the electronic marriage register before a certificate can be issued.
• You will no longer need to complete quarterly returns for marriages which take place in your building.
• You will no longer be responsible for corrections in marriage registers. After the changes are introduced, all corrections to marriage entries will be carried out by the registration officers or GRO.
• The electronic register will also allow for the names of parents of the couple (mother / father / parent) to be included in the marriage entry instead of only their fathers’ names as is currently the case.