Items filtered by date: December 2015
Christine McMullen, the Diocese of Derby's former chair of the House of Laity, has been awarded The Canterbury Cross in this year’s Lambeth Awards, in recognition of her exceptional service to both the Diocese of Derby and the Church of England for over 40 years.
The Bishop of Derby, The Rt Revd Libby Lane said: “Christine has been an extraordinary servant of Christ and His church.
"I am delighted her contribution over so many decades and in so many spheres has been recognised and celebrated in this way.
"Her faith and sense of duty have sustained and equipped her to serve at a local, diocesan and national level.
"In the Diocese of Derby, she has been an advocate and champion of lay voice and ministry especially in rural contexts. For 40 years, she has held licence and now has permission to exercise ministry as Reader, for two decades she served as Chair of the House of Laity for Diocesan Synod and is a member of the Bishop’s Council. For many years she held the roles of Deanery Lay Chair, School Governor and Business Committee member. She has also sat on the Vacancy-in-See Committee and acted as Warden of Readers.
"Christine has been Diocesan President of the Mothers' Union, National Vice Chair for the MU and member of the Central Council at Mary Sumner House, London. Christine was the manager of Salcare before, in 1994, she became lecturer and then Vice Principal at the Northern Ordination College, where she taught Pastoral Studies, Human Relationship, Ethics and New Testament Greek. Christine was subsequently on the Governing Council of Trinity Theological College Bristol.
"Whilst a member of the General Synod Christine was a member of many committees and working parties, including at Ministry Division considering Clergy Stipends and working conditions. She was a member of the working party on The Family which produced its report in 1995. She was the founder member of WATCH which campaigned for the ordination of women first as clergy, then the Episcopate.
"We are deeply grateful to Christine for the generous ways she has used her gifts and experience for God. We congratulate her on being awarded the Canterbury cross.”
On receiving the award Christine said: “I was not very excited when I read the email offering me the Canterbury Cross. I thought it was just a hoax!
"I decided I had better check so I phoned Bishop Libby to ask her if it were genuine, and when the Bishop stopped laughing, she reassured me it was true and I had better send a reply!
"This was a few weeks ago and the hardest thing has been not able to share the news!
"What I have done with my life is based on the support of my friends and what my family taught me - to trust God, to be kind, to look into people’s eyes when talking to them and to listen carefully to what they are saying ( and not saying) without making judgements.
"There was a lot of noise round our family table, my mother was a great giggler, and my father was quieter but had a canny eye for the idiosyncrasies of people in everyday life and had a great gift for doing things in his own way, and my children were unbelievably honest. I owe a lot to them.”
Congratulations to Christine on this amazing achievement!
Notification of pending faculty petition for Buxton St Mary the Virgin, dated 29th November 2024
See attached Form 4a (PDF)
If you wish to object to any of the works or proposals, you should write giving reasons for your objection to:
The Diocesan Registrar at 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JT
Derby.registry@1thesanctuary.com
so that it reaches the Registry no later than 21 days after the day of this notice (ie by 20th December), stating your name and postal address, and whether you live in the parish and/or your name is entered on the electoral roll of the parish or any other capacity in which you write.
Archdeacon Nicky preached at the Safeguarding Sunday service at Ashbourne on Sunday 18 November 2024
As we gather here today on this Safeguarding Sunday, our hearts and minds can’t help but be troubled and heavy in the light of the findings of the Makin Report. We are shocked and disturbed by the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. We are ashamed of the institutional failures of the Church of England and many of its senior clergy.
As Archbishop Justin has resigned and prepares to step down, we can’t help but wonder what comes next? How will we continue to learn from the mistakes of the past? What might the future of the Church look like?
The prophet Jeremiah tells us that God’s plan is always to give us a future and a hope. The two Bible readings we’ve read today help us to think about what that future and that hope might look like and how we might contribute to bringing God’s plans and purposes to fruition.
God’s desire is that all people might know his love and come to live within his kingdom. The kingdom of God which is good news for all. The way into that kingdom is open for all who will enter by putting their faith and trust in Jesus, the one who died that we might have life.
In our liturgy, we sometimes talk about Jesus’ death as opening his arms for us upon the cross – a gesture of welcome, invitation and drawing us in. When you watch a priest presiding at the eucharist, the sleeves of our vestments look very much like wings. That is imagery which the psalmist picks up in our first reading today, Psalm 91:1-4.
God offers us the opportunity to live within his kingdom, to find shelter under his protection. To lean upon his strength, and rest in the shadow of his wings, to be truly and deeply safe and secure. God’s kingdom sets us free from anything that would enslave us as God’s perfect love casts out our fear and helps us grow into wholeness and fullness of life. God’s desire for us is that we will flourish and thrive and become the people we were created to be.
Our Diocesan Vision is nothing less than a vision of the kingdom of God. In our different roles and responsibilities, we are seeking to be good news for all the people God sends our way. In all our churches across the diocese, we are creating safe spaces where people can flourish and thrive and live out their God-given calling. Knowing that we are loved beyond measure by God in Christ, we are learning to love without measure or restraint.
As we reflect on the faithfulness of God and remember with gratitude all he has done for us, our love for him grows, our relationship with him deepens and that love overflows into service of our local contexts. And when we see things around us that are not how God wants them to be we try and find a way to speak out and challenge injustice. And as we do that, other people are impacted and affected and we pray that as they encounter Christ in us and between us and through us, that they too will become disciples and their lives are transformed by Christ.
Today as we gather, it is good to remember that the work we do in safeguarding is absolutely central to all we are and do and to helping our churches reflect the life, values and vision of God’s kingdom.
Thank you for the part that you are playing. It is good that our amazing safeguarding team are here today and we thank God for the faithful and diligent way in which they serve us. But, as we all know, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility- though without some really committed volunteers who are willing to devote their time, energy and focus their ministry around this area, our churches would be less safe and people would be at risk.
The work that our churches are doing in safeguarding is often unseen and unnoticed. No-one knows how much time is spent updating Parish dashboards. No-one (other than our trainer Nick Harding) sees the thousands of individuals sitting on their laptops completing their training. No-one is there in the middle of the night when you can’t get to sleep because something traumatic has occurred and you’ve been part of the Case Management Meeting trying to find ways of moving forward.
But God sees all those things. His arms of love surround and enfold you, his wings are spread over you giving you protection and shade. His strength helps you to stand and be strong. He catches your tears in a bottle and treasures it for ever. So you are never on your own – God is always with you and has promised to never leave or forsake you. His grace is sufficient, his power is perfected in weakness and his mercies are new every morning for great is his faithfulness. And can I encourage you to allow our Safeguarding team to help and support you too for that is what they are there for. And as well as that professional help and support, can I encourage you to offer peer support to one another through the PSO network and make the most of the resources available to you.
Part of being human is accepting that no-one is perfect, we are all fallen, we all make mistakes, we all need help and we all need God’s forgiveness. As we remember with gratitude all who work within our churches supporting the work of Safeguarding, we pray for the ways in which we as individuals, and our Church as an institution, has failed in our duty to protect people. And failed in our calling to love as we have been loved and provide a safe place for all to thrive. We need to learn from those failures and do everything in our power to move forward in the way God wants us to be.
For those who have been the cause of pain, we pray that the love of God will show them the error of their ways and grant them the grace to repent and change, and opportunities to atone and make amends, where that is appropriate and possible. And for all perpetrators we ask that God will convict them of their sin and change their hearts.
And as we close, I invite you to hold before God all survivors and especially those who have suffered as a result of the failings of our Church. Each one is a unique individual made in God’s image, known and loved by God, infinitely precious and treasured by him. Let us commit ourselves to praying for them, for their healing and protection and that they might encounter the love of God and find safety in the shadow of his wings.
Ben says he had a sense of God calling him for a long time and that he was called because of his love of being around people.
All of us are invited to follow Jesus and to serve God faithfully in our everyday lives, and some people are called to serve God in a specific ministry or role.
If you feel a sense of calling, a nagging voice inside your head, see our Vocations page for information about how to explore what God is calling you to do.
More to watch:
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A statement from the Right Reverend Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, following the resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby:
The victims and survivors of abuse will have suffered unimaginable distress at the findings of the Makin Report, and I want to convey my thanks for their bravery in telling their stories.
I also commend Archbishop Justin for his honourable decision to take both personal and institutional responsibility for the failings described in the report.
The Church of England has made a commitment to safeguarding, to creating a safer Church, and to learning from the Makin Report - and the Diocese of Derby and I echo those commitments wholeheartedly.
We will continue to put victims and survivors of abuse first and to prioritise their care.
We will continue to work together with survivors to build a safer Church in which they, and anyone who has suffered as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, receive the support they need and deserve.
It must also be a church where, collectively, we promote a culture in which victims are heard and responded to well, and children and other vulnerable people can know that they are protected and safe. That is the responsibility of us all.
Please pray for all those who have been harmed, for Archbishop Justin and for the wider Church that it may truly become a place of welcome, compassion and safety.
>> Read Justin Welby's resignation statement in full
>> A sermon for Safeguarding Sunday (Archdeacon Matthew Trick)
>> A sermon for Safeguarding Sunday (Archdeaon Nicky Fenton)
The Diocese of Derby has a new gold Eco Church, and new silver and bronze awards were awarded to a number of parishes over the summer months.
St Peter's Church in Belper is the second recipient of the gold award in the diocese.
Achieving gold means that creation care is embedded in the life of a church for the long term.
To achieve this, churches must reach a gold level across all five categories of the Eco Church survey (worship and teaching, buildings, land, community and global engagement, and lifestyle) and showcase their activities by presenting supporting evidence.
A spokesperson from A Rocha, the Eco Church scheme organisers, said: "Well done to everyone who has worked so hard to reach this milestone.
"Thank you for becoming a beacon for saving nature, for joining A Rocha UK’s Eco Church movement and for answering the missional call for creation.
"And thank you on behalf of the insects that are now buzzing, the birds that are singing, and the plants that are springing into life."
Silver Eco Church awards have been made to:
And bronze has been awarded to:
- Newbold St John the Evangelist
- North Wingfield St Lawrence
- Chesterfield Ss Augustine
- Etwall St Helen
- Old Brampton St Peter and St Paul
- Dinting Vale Holy Trinity
- Sutton on the Hill St Michael
- Derby St Peter (St Peter's in the City)
The Diocese of Derby has also been awarded bronze Eco Diocese status and provides a framework to support parishes in taking practical action to care for God’s earth.
On hearing of the awards, Bishop Libby said: "It is heartwarming and incredibly encouraging that more and more churches in the Diocese of Derby are demonstrating their commitment to caring for God's creation and inspiring others to follow their lead.
"All these individual actions, be they small or large, collectively make a positive difference to the local environment and, ultimately, to the planet."
15 November
The Revd Max Marsh, Assistant Curate of St Mary the Virgin Lewisham, Diocese of Southwark, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Ilkeston Holy Trinity and of Long Eaton St. Laurence, Diocese of Derby.
The Revd Charlotte Wallington, Assistant Curate of Hathersage with Bamford & Derwent and Grindleford, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Wickham Market with Pettistree, Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.
14 November
The Revd Adele Barker, Bishop’s Chaplain, has been appointed Interim Chaplain to Retired Clergy in the Archdeaconry of Derby City and South Derbyshire, until such time as a permanent appointment is made.
7 November
The Revd Onyekachi (Julius) Anozie, Assistant Curate of Kirk Hallam, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Vicar of St Hilda Ashford, Diocese of London. Julius will be licensed to his new post on 16th December, 2024.
The Revd Canon Peter Jenner, Curate of Upperby St John The Baptist (Carlisle) 1985-1988, Chaplain of the University of Reading (Oxford) 1988-1996, Priest-in-Charge of Mellor St Thomas (Derby) 1996-1999, Vicar of the same benefice 1999-2006, Vicar of Mellor St Thomas (Chester) 2006-2012, Rural Dean of Chadkirk 2008-2011, Senior Chaplain and Dean of Chapel at the University of Chester 2012-2022, Canon Residentiary of Chester Cathedral 2012-2015, who retired in 2022, and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission To Officiate, died on Friday 1st November 2024. Funeral details will follow in due course.
The Revd Simon White, Curate of Chadkirk St Chad (Chester) 1990-1994, School Chaplain Stockport Grammar 1994-1999, Curate of Stockport St George 1994-1995, Team Vicar of Stockport South West 1995-1999, Priest-in-Charge of Stanley All Saints and St Andrew (Derby) 1999-2002, Priest-in-Charge of West Hallam and Mapperley 1999-2002, Rector of West Hallam and Mapperley with Stanley 2002-2013, Vicar of Tideswell 2013-2023, who retired in 2023, died on Saturday 2nd November 2024. A service of thanksgiving will be held in the New Year.
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Churches in the Diocese of Derby that have tried contactless giving have hailed the devices a success.
Contactless giving has become an important tool for encouraging generosity within parishes and, to help parishes understand the advantages, the Church of England’s National Giving Team distributed 50 free contactless devices to parishes in the Diocese of Derby, thereby facilitating easier giving in an increasingly cashless society.
The devices - essentially simple card readers - allow visitors and congregation members to make donations effortlessly during services, weddings, christenings, and even quiet moments of reflection in the church.
This is particularly relevant as fewer people these days are carrying cash.
One church to try contactless giving is Horsley St Clements, which installed a card reader in August 2024.
The church reported that income soon increased considerably and that more than £300.00 was donated in September - money that the church says would not have been received without the device.
Many churches in the UK are adopting cashless methods to encourage spontaneous donations, especially from visitors or infrequent attendees who are inclined to give but want to pay digitally.
This has led to the launch of a Try-Before-You-Buy scheme, whereby a church can use a contactless donation device to assess how it may work in its own church context without the risk of capital outlay.
Making it easy for people to give
Steve Johnson, the Diocese of Derby's Living Generously Adviser, has been a key figure in this initiative.
He said: "What we have to do is lower barriers to participation and engagement in church life, making the church more accessible and appealing to the broader community.
"The Diocese of Derby has embraced this as part of efforts to make giving easier, more convenient, and aligned with today's digital habits."
St Bartholomew’s Church, Hognaston, used the Try-Before-You-Buy option.
Treasurer Kay Wright said: "Our village church installed a contactless giving station in June this year.
"Within the first three months we collected £280.
"Whilst a portion of this may have been cash in the collection plate, it has made it so much easier for our congregation and visitors too!"
And Revd Sarah Watson, Derby City's area dean and priest-in-charge in Allestree, Quarndon and Darley Abbey, said: "Steve has been a tremendous support to our parishes giving his time & expertise which has really helped.
"The CollecTin trial led to us purchasing one. Increasingly people give and spend by phone or contactless card which can be (but not exclusively) generational and younger visitors have especially commented favourably."
The benefits of contactless giving are that congregations and visitors can give easily, without needing to carry cash, and that they can give quickly via card or mobile.
This in turn makes it easier for both the church and donors to keep track of the funds and churches are reporting higher donation amounts.
And St Werb's in Derby has reported that the advantages have gone beyond occasional giving.
Alex Dann, the Operations Manager there, said: "We now have a contactless donation point by way of a grant, QR codes linking with Give A Little and the majority of our regular givers using the Parish Giving Scheme, which has resulted in regular automatic gift aid payments boosting our cash flow."
Many contactless systems allow donors to add Gift Aid to their donations, meaning churches can reclaim an additional 25% on eligible donations. This provides a significant boost to the funds raised, especially during a period like Christmas when giving increases.
Steve Johnson said: "Churches that have adopted these devices have praised their ease of use and the financial benefits they bring, helping ensure their sustainability in the future.
"Contactless donations continue to increase month by month, with September 2024 being the highest month so far and they will surely rise further at the end of the year."
And so as we approach Advent and Christmas 2024, a season of generosity and reflection, our churches find themselves at the intersection of tradition and modernity. While the heart of Christmas remains unchanged, the way people give has evolved, with contactless giving becoming a vital tool for churches.
In 2024, contactless giving is more than a modern convenience—it’s a critical tool for Diocese of Derby churches during Advent and Christmas.
It ensures that the spirit of generosity is met with accessibility, helps churches adapt to changing financial habits, and supports their ongoing missions.
By embracing these technologies, churches can focus on what truly matters: spreading the message of hope, love, and compassion during this sacred season.
