Around 40 children have received Bishop's Badge Awards at a special service in Derby Cathedral.

Bishops Libby and Malcolm celebrated the contribution the children have made to the mission and ministry of the Diocese of Derby.

Individuals and groups of children were honoured for their commitment to generous faith, courageous hope and life-giving love after Bishop Libby invited headteachers to nominate the child in their school who they feel best exemplifies the diocesan values in an age-appropriate way.

Speaking directly to the youngsters during the service, Bishop Libby said: "Don't ever let anyone tell you that you're not good enough or not valued - you are someone special and Jesus has seen that in you all. Thank you for all you are doing."

Each child presented with a badge also received a certificate of excellence.

• See the photos from this event [on Flickr]

| Children from Scargill CE Primary School led the congregation in prayer

Information About the Recipients

Breadsall CE Primary School - Bella, Bobby, Ronnie, Kathryn, Agnes, Ellen, Xander, Maisie, Poppy, Edward, Isabelle, Harper, Eilis, Callum and Rhys.
Generous Faith

The children joined with the congregation of Breadsall All Saint’s Church to take part in their annual Lent Challenge to support Kumi Primary School in Uganda to purchase some locally produced desks for their school.

Children undertook a variety of jobs for family and friends throughout the 40 days of Lent and were paid small amounts for these jobs.

The idea of using the period of Lent to take positive action rather than “giving up” something resonated with our community and thanks to the generous gift of time given by the pupils, the generosity of the families and friends who paid them to do a wide variety of jobs and the support of the Church, four desks (made by local people in the Kumi region) will be given to the Ugandan school.

Jacob - Monyash CE Primary School
Generous Faith

Jacob has been a shining light in our school all year. As an active member of the worship team he has led prayers which have been thoughtful, caring and reflective. He has never failed to amaze us with his maturity.

Ben – Church Broughton CE Primary School
Courageous Hope

Ben embodies courageous hope as he has shown an amazingly positive attitude towards his treatment and changes that his body and life has undergone. The plan has often changed, but he takes everything in his stride. Ben is able to talk openly about his condition and his treatment, showing others that there is hope.

Lily – Coton-In-the-Elms CE Primary School
Courageous Hope

Lily has personally taken it upon herself to set up a small enterprise, selling eggs from her chickens to raise money for toys for the local preschool in Rosliston. She is always offering to help around the school - in her own time as well. She has faced her own challenges in life but continues to put others first and outwardly be positive encouraging others to be so too.

Izzy – Dinting CE Primary School
Generous Faith

Izzy is so giving with her time to others, she is an incredibly thoughtful and caring human being, who always thinks of others.

Hudson-Lee – Langley Mill CE Infant and Nursery School
Generous Faith

Hudson-Lee has raised £465 for the ‘Little Princess Trust’ and donated his hair to make wigs for children who have lost their hair because of life changing medical conditions.

Isla – Loscoe CE Primary School
Generous Faith

Isla is an outstanding, dedicated worship leader, whose faith shines out and inspires those around her. She is a supportive, kind role model for everyone within our community.

William – Loscoe CE Primary School
Generous Faith

William is an inspirational, committed worship leader, who always shows dedication and resilience. He mentors younger worship leaders and inspires everyone to be the best that they can be.

Millie – Norbury CE Primary School
Generous Faith, Courageous Hope and Life-Giving Love

Since her diagnosis of diabetes, Millie has shown incredible courage, managing medication, sharing her awareness of signs and symptoms by running events and assemblies and raising £6,000 for diabetes charities.

Isla – Ripley St John’s CE Primary School 
Life-giving Love

For spreading our school values all day, every day. Isla is an upstanding member of our school community, she is always making the right choices and supporting her peers. She lives through our Christian values every day and models our school rule of 'treat other people how you would like to be treated' at all times.

Seth – Ripley St John’s CE Primary School
Generous Faith

For leading our Worship Team with enthusiasm and courage and wants to encourage all of our children to be the best that they can be! Seth spreads our worship values and messagesdaily and wants to encourage all of our pupil to see things from different points of view.

Scargill CE Primary School - Edith, Lucia, Edward, Beatrix, Una, Hattie, Kauan, Reggie, Anya, Ava.
Generous Faith

Being part of the Collective Worship Committee of Scargill Church of England Primary School who work together as a team to inspire others through our Bible message ‘Let all that you do, be done in love’

Isla – St Chad’s CE Nursery and Infant School
Courageous Hope

Isla has overcome some personal challenges this academic year. She demonstrates so much bravery and courage. With ongoing love and encouragement from her wonderful mummy and school she has learnt that her voice matters.

Abdulrahman – St Chad’s CE Nursery and Infant School
Courageous Hope

Abdulrahman has not been in the UK long after arriving from Afghanistan with his father. He has faced personal difficulties and continues to show fierce bravery. He has a smile that brightens up any room. His thirst for learning is infectious.

Charlie – St Werburgh’s CE Primary School
Courageous Hope

Charlie is a courageous advocate for hope and inclusion. He uses his actions and words to stand up for what he knows to be right, respectfully challenging injustice.

Olivia – Turnditch CE Primary School
Generous Faith, Courageous Hope, Life Giving Love

For being a real team player, showing compassion for others and being determined to help raise money for the school.

Oriel  – Youlgrave All Saints CE Primary School
Life-giving Love
Oriel has lived out our school ethos since her first day in school. She has an obvious love of learning and looks to help everyone, always with a smile.

To be ordained deacon on Sunday 30 June 2024, at 10:45 in Derby Cathedral

When I was discerning a call to ordination the words of the hymn ‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing’ spoke deeply to me.

As I now approach ordination, I still find myself drawn to this hymn.

Ordination is a turning point at which I want to look back and thank God for all that he has done: in the words of the hymn, ‘here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I’ve come’.

It is a point of deep commitment which a line in the hymn also captures beautifully: ‘here’s my heart, oh take and seal it’. It is also a time for looking to the future.

I am looking ahead with hope and anticipation to serving my curacy in Kirk Hallam.

I love this verse from Psalm 27 – ‘I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living’ (13) - and I hope that, as I learn to minister in Kirk Hallam, I will always keep my eyes open to the goodness of the Lord and all he is doing in that place.

For the past three years I have been training at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, whilst living in Leicestershire.

Previously I worked as a Lecturer in Ancient History (most recently at the University of Birmingham) and I come to ministry with a passion for education and widening access to education, with a particular interest in developing chaplaincy in secondary schools.

I have lived in a number of different places, but grew up in North Yorkshire near the moors, which gave me a love of wild, open spaces; I am looking forward to having the Peak District on my doorstep.

To be ordained deacon on Sunday 30 June 2024, at 10:45 in Derby Cathedral

My heart ached for those who faced barriers in their relationship with God, and I knew I had to take action.

I saw the ways in which the church was discriminating against those who thought differently, behaved differently, and worshipped differently, and I felt God prompting me to do something.

I was frustrated with how people in the past had been disempowered, and I was determined to find a way to dismantle these barriers and rebuild a more inclusive community.

That's when I realised that formal ministerial training was the best route to equip myself for this important work.

Through my ministry, I have come to understand the power of forgiveness and absolution, and how it can truly transform lives.

It is this gift of pronouncing God’s absolution that comes with priestly ministry that has led me to pursue ordination.

I am excited to come alongside those who find themselves on the edge of church, community, and society, and to help them flourish as individuals.

I believe that by working together, we can bring about positive change in the structures that have left them feeling excluded.

My passions lie in working with LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and those who have mental health needs, and I am committed to developing the skills required to communicate with sign-language users.

I believe that everyone deserves to feel seen and heard, and I am dedicated to using my ministry to make sure that happens.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire, and I look forward to the journey ahead.

I am finishing my training at Trinity College Bristol and live in Milton Keynes with my husband Ben and three children.

I have previously worked in fashion and boardgame sales and distribution when we lived in London previously.

As a family we enjoy strategic boardgames, Lego and outdoor activities.

Resourcing and empowering churches to engage with a General Election period

The General Election has been announced for 4 July, so now is the time for churches and individuals to take action.

The church has long been involved in politics in various ways, and we continue to be called to ‘seek the welfare of the city’ (Jeremiah 29:7), including on environmental issues and addressing poverty and inequality in our communities.

Political parties' manifestos have been written, so we have an opportunity to ensure our local candidates are committed to focusing on the important issues and holding those elected accountable to deliver on their promises.

There are a number of ways you can engage locally with the election period, with parishes uniquely placed to advocate on behalf of the issues and needs of our communities.

Pray Your Part

First, dont forget that Pray Your Part is an invitation from the bishops of the Church of England to encourage prayer and participation in the life of our nation and communities, both as voters and as citizens. 

This 21-day journey of prayer and reflection is designed for use in the run-up to the UK General Election. Each day explores a different theme, with a short Bible reading, reflection and prayer for a different aspect of our common life.

• See the resources

Want to get involved?

What can I do?

As a church

1. Become a Voter Registration Champion

The Electoral Commission estimates that around 26 million eligible voters will miss out on voting at the next General Election because they haven't properly registered, don't have photo ID, or won't turn out to vote on the day.

You're at greater risk of not being able to participate in the democratic process if you are young, a non-UK national, rent your home, have moved recently, live in an economically-disadvantaged community, or are from an ethnic minority.

Your church can encourage democratic participation in your area by giving reminders on registration, ID, and voting dates in your pew sheets or e-news, sharing in service notices, running a voter registration event after your Sunday service or at your community groups. Even if people aren't British Citizens, they may still be eligible to vote (eg if they're from Commonwealth countries), so encourage people to check using the Can I Vote? search tool.

Find out how to accredit as a Voter Registration Champion with Citizens UK.

2. Host a hustings event

A hustings is an election meeting during a general election period. Hustings support the democratic process, facilitate public debate, and help people know who their local candidates are and what they stand for.

They can also be the start of relationship-building.

Continuing to work with MPs between elections is crucial for building good working relationships, raising issues important to your community, and keeping them accountable.

Hustings are normally organised locally by churches (often ecumenically through Churches Together networks) and communities.

If a hustings isn't being planned in your constituency, your church could host it.

Resources for running a hustings:

• Churches Together's guidance for running a hustings
• Register your hustings event with Churches Together here

With the general election only a few weeks away, you need to move quickly if you want to host a hustings event. If you can start planning now, we'd recommend you:

1. Gather your planning team
2. Decide on a venue (church building, community hall, school etc) and find out its availability
3. Invite your local constituents (you may want to choose a date or offer a couple of dates, or to find out candidates' availability first)

3. Pray and preach

As a church, be praying for the election period; for your candidates, for respect and kindness during political debate, and that whoever forms the next government takes issues of poverty, inequality, and the environment seriously.

It can feel daunting to preach on politics during the election period, but it's vital for us to explore how our faith speaks into and interacts with politics today, and to encourage our congregations to be active citizens and voters.

Resources for prayer and preaching:

• Join with the Church of England's call to pray for our nation using the #PrayYourPart resources
• Watch the preaching politics part of this recorded webinar from the diocese
• Read blog Praying and Preaching from JPIT

As an individual 

Unlike churches, parishioners are able to support a specific political party and to engage in any range of political activity or campaigning, assuming it is within the boundaries of the law.

Here's four things you could do this election season:

1. Sign up for free daily reflections ahead of the election to join in prayer for our nation and play your part as a citizen and voter.
2. Vote - register to vote, check what photo ID you need to take to the polling station, and find out who you can vote for. (Even if you're not a British Citizen, you may still be able to vote, so check here.)
3. Attend a hustings - a public meeting where election candidates speak to potential voters, allowing you to hear directly from them and ask questions. Find out where your local hustings is and go along. It might even be at your church!
4. Read Citizens UK’s General Election Manifesto setting out eight key issues they are asking the next UK Government to address.

Support and training

• Citizens UK Churches’ Community for Practice

A series for churches to explore the theological take on the General Election, including strategies for mission and ministry in the context of General Election strategy: voter ID, voter registration, community engagement, and how we can prepare for the election.

Underlying all these themes will be the agenda of working at all times for social justice.

• Thursday 6 June, 4pm
• Thursday 5 September, 4pm

• Faith in Public: Political Theology for Mission

A three-day residential in London by Church Mission Society and Theos.

• 11-13 July 2024

Beyond the election

Elections aren’t the only time you can help shape the political direction.

Here are some ways you can engage beyond the elections...

Join a political party

Don’t sit on the sidelines - get involved with a political party to help be part of a team working to shape the agenda.

You join others to get involved with events and campaign days to help elect candidates, and vote on aspects of the party. You might even stand as an election candidate yourself one day.

You’re unlikely to find a party with whom you agree with on everything, but join one with whom you agree with most and help shape their policies.

Run the Influence Course

Run this interactive six-week course in small groups to explore the Biblical basis of our call to public life, and how we can be active participants not just armchair commentators.

Meet your MP

JPIT explains how you can build positive links between you and your MP, more than just sending an occasional email.

This gives your MP an opportunity to better understand the activities and concerns of their local community – update them on the good things you and your church are involved in, and the difficulties or challenges facing those in your community. See some top tips here.

You can also...

• Write to your MP about the things that matter most to you. Not sure what to say? Try a template from Hope for the Future.
• Track your MP’s activity in Parliament on Parallel Parliament

Even if there’s nothing specific you need your MP to do at this point, engagement now can still be important to grow a strong relationship which will aid you in the future if something important arises.

Join Citizens UK

Explore joining Citizens UK, an alliance of local faith groups, schools, charities, and unions in Reading, Oxford, or Milton Keynes, to act on issues related to the needs of local people. This might be through forming and joining campaigns, conversations with powerholders, and engagement with MPs.

Read

Some suggestions:

• Those Who Show Up, Andy Flannagan (Christians in Politics) – a book on the importance of being involved in politics, not just watching from the sidelines, and how this fits with faith.
• Just Mission: Practical Politics for Local Churches, Helen Cameron – an introduction to political and public theology for churches to see how to use the democratic process to achieve justice
• Politics & Mission: Rediscovering the Political Power of what Christians do, Bishop of Kingston, Martin Gainsborough – looking at how the church’s liturgy is powerful counter-cultural, and through this, the church is uniquely political
• Faith in Democracy: Framing a Politics of Deep Diversity, Jonathan Chaplain – considering the place of faith in public life, finding a third way beyond ‘secularism’ and the ‘Christian nation’

To be ordained deacon on Sunday 30 June 2024, at 10:45 in Derby Cathedral

I asked Jesus into every area of my life while at a Christian Camp at Lee Abbey, Devon, when I was 17 years old.

It was a good decision!

What a faithful, loving God we serve!

Over the years, I have been part of several different churches (Pentecostal and Anglican) and have had the privilege to serve in a variety of roles.

I trained as lay minister while serving at Westerham Parish Church, then continued there as ordinand through context-based dispersed ordination training.

This loving church community, in a rural town, are now sending us out.

Life following Jesus is never boring! 

Following a wonderful two-year training based at Trinity College, Bristol, being built up for the next adventure, I am very much looking forward to this unexpected and exciting step.

While on retreat, I sensed the Lord directing us back to an urban setting.

And so, I am delighted to be serving my title as curate at St Peter’s in the City! 

Over many years, I have had a rewarding career as a community paediatrician, working in special schools and neurodevelopmental clinics.

Prior to hanging up my stethoscope in 2021, I specialised in the health of looked-after children.

I also developed a refugee focus, addressing health needs of unaccompanied minors.

I have been involved in local church-based refugee ministry in London and on steering committees of national and European refugee ministry networks.

The dissertation that I am currently undertaking relates to refugee ministry in the CoE.

All this has led to a growing passion for accessibility and inclusion.

I look forward to joining in with all God is doing within the diocese, particularly among those often marginalised.

Enjoying being outdoors, I spend time off with my husband Andrew, family, and friends, walking in the countryside, bird watching, gardening, and working the allotment.

Yes, I have my name down for an allotment in Derby!

We enjoy being hospitable and relish time with our extended family.

Your prayers are greatly appreciated as we set sail for Derby!

Are you raising money for projects to help you cut your carbon footprint?

You could access a matched grant of up to £10k

Give To Go Green is a match-funding project from the Church of England helping you double your locally raised donations for carbon-cutting projects.

The scheme is available only in certain dioceses, including the Diocese of Derby!

Through a targeted digital fundraising campaign you will be able to engage your community in building a sustainable future for your church and the world around you.

Applications have re-opened with the following timetable:

.

Funding is available for churches that want to carry out small to medium sized projects that will reduce their carbon footprint and cost between £5,000 - £20,000.

Churches can access a matched grant of up to £10k towards their project if they can raise the same amount through digital giving (through Give A Little) during a targeted six-week campaign in the autumn.

Ideally, this should cover the total cost of the project so you can get straight on with implementing it after you receive your grant.

>> Start by downloading the application pack

What can be funded?

• Carbon-cutting projects in churches and church halls.
• Eligible measures from the Practical Path to Net Zero.
• Eg: quick win projects to improve heating efficiency, fixing broken windows, heated seat cushions, solar PV (if you’ve done other efficiency measures), insulation, electrical upgrades, LED lights, pew heaters, draught proofing etc. A list of eligible measures can also be found in the Project Pack
• Other measures not on the list can be considered, if it has been recommended for your church to reduce energy and carbon.

Please note if your project will require a faculty or planning permission it will be very challenging to complete this in the required time. Please speak to the DAC office as early as possible to find out what permissions you will need.

What do you need to do?

1. Read the Project Application Pack to find out whether your project could be eligible.
2. Set up a small project team, and set up a Give A Little account if you don’t have one.
3. Think about your project, ideally you’ll need to get three quotes – but if you have a good project and only estimated costs please consider applying.
4. Complete the Energy Footprint Tool (see page 8 of the application pack)
5. Submit your application by the 16 March 2025.
6. If accepted, attend the onboarding webinars and plan your fundraising campaigns.
7. Run your fundraising campaign between 17 May - 28 September 2025.
8. Deliver your project and spend the grant within 12 months of receiving it.

If you have any questions, please contact: Samuel Ojok, Diocesan Environmental Engagement Officer, 01332 423368 | samuel.ojok@derby.anglican.org

Apply here

>> Use this link to access the Diocese of Derby application form (opens in a new window)

>> Read the Give to Go Green Privacy Policy which relates to the data collection of these forms.

>> If you need it, you can download a Sample Application Form for reference.

Bishop Malcolm is going the extra mile for vulnerable communities around the world during Christian Aid Week 2024.

He is taking part in ‘70k in May’ – a challenge to cover 70 kilometres in whatever way you like, in solidarity with millions of people who have to walk long distances for clean water or to sell their produce.

This year’s Christian Aid Week - from May 12–18 - is focussing on work in Burundi, one of the most densely populated and poorest countries in Africa.

Bishop Malcolm said his connections with Burundi are spurring him on to complete the challenge: “Every year, during Christian Aid Week, people across this country raise funds, act and pray for their global neighbours in a celebration of hope for a fairer world.

“I’m doing 70k in May not only to get more exercise, (though that in itself is going to help me) but mainly to encourage folks to give to Christian Aid’s work.

"With family and friends in Burundi, I want to help Christian Aid empower local communities facing extreme poverty and the impact of climate change.

“Here in the Diocese of Derby, we have been supporting the Diocese of Bujumbura’s work with people on the fringe of the city whose property is vulnerable to mudslides due to climate change.

"Christian Aid’s work with people in Burundi, on most counts the country with the world’s lowest per capita income, can make an immense difference.

“I plan to walk, cycle, and on a good day run a bit every day, to encourage people to join with me in supporting this work.”

Money raised during Christian Aid Week will help the organisation’s partners empower vulnerable communities to find practical and sustainable ways out of poverty.

Heavily reliant on agriculture, Burundi is also one of the least prepared to combat the effects of climate change, including droughts, floods and landslides.

The global cost of living crisis has intensified the challenges: more than 70 per cent of the population live in poverty and more than half of children are chronically malnourished.

To support Bishop Malcolm, please visit his fundraising page.

A total of 72 local men who died in service during the First World War are now remembered in a Roll of Honour mounted in the Church of Saints Augustine on Derby Road, Chesterfield.

Their names are on permanent display for the first time in around 100 years, after the original roll was taken down to allow the construction of the existing church building.

The church only realised the roll was missing in 2022, when military historian Michael Orme produced a 1920 newspaper cutting confirming that a roll of 72 names had once hung in the original building on the site.

The church’s vicar, Revd Sally-Anne Beecham, believes it is likely to have been lost when that building was demolished.

Revd Beecham said: “It’s extraordinary to think that no-one living has ever seen the original roll of honour and its whereabouts remain a mystery.

"It very quickly became a priority for us to replace the Roll and ensure these men are forgotten no longer, especially as the majority are not remembered anywhere else in the UK.”

In 2023, Michael Orme wrote Only Remembered, a book based on his research of the 72 local men who perished. 

A local committee was also formed, led by Revd Beecham, and together they planned, designed and raised money for the replacement. 

Mr Orme said: "The writing of Only Remembered was entirely motivated by the hope that, in sharing its story with a wider audience, Birdholme's lost roll of honour might eventually be replaced.

"It should, therefore, be obvious that I am both delighted and humbled by the fact that this has now been accomplished.

"I can only express my sincerest thanks to all those volunteers who shared this vision and have done such splendid work to make it a reality.”

The Roll has now been hung in the Lady Chapel of the church following a short ceremony on Saturday, 27 April.

The Rt Revd Malcolm Macnaughton, Bishop of Repton, marked its return along with uniformed personnel representing a number of military organisations.

The success of the Bishop of Derby's Harvest appeal, Trees for Life, Burundi, means that extra help can be given to the people of the Diocese of Bujumbura after suffering more climate-change devastation.

Last year, the appeal set out to raise £5,000 for a tree planting project in the world's poorest country, where the roots will help stabilise the land to reduce erosion and prevent lives, livelihoods, buildings and livestock being washed away by worsening seasonal rains.

Once again, the people of the Diocese of Derby showed extraordinary generosity and the final total raised is £12,428.

The Diocese of Derby pledged to get the project under way on two of the hillsides around Bujumbura, Gisovu, and Nyamaboko, but because more was raised than originally expected, the work can be extended to the Buhina and Kabumba hillside communities.

Recent floods and mudslides in the area have made the work all the more urgent.

Announcing the final total, Bishop Libby said: "Thank you for the generosity that enabled this money to be shared with our friends in Bujumbura for such vital work.

"Thank you even more for the care-filled prayers that continued to be offered for our sisters and brothers in Christ there.

"We do pray that as work continues to protect and sustain the physical environment from ongoing damage caused by erosion and mudslides by planting trees on vulnerable hillsides, congregation and communities would also know the continuing presence of the risen Christ, and put down deep roots into His love to grow resilient and fruitful for His Kingdom."

The Revd Bernard Rwambigo, who is managing the project for the Diocese of Bujumbura, has recently sent Bishop Malcolm an update, detailing the current situation and how the work is expected to progress.

People in Bujumbura watch their land being washed away

The Revd Bernard Rwambigo writes:

‘The province of Bujumbura is one of the 18 provinces that make up the Republic of Burundi.

It comprises nine communes, including Kanyosha.Bujumbura province, commonly known as rural Bujumbura, is also one of the provinces crossed by the Congo-Nile ridge.

The province's most mountainous communes are Isare, Kanyosha, Kabezi and Mubimbi.

Among these more mountainous Communes, Commune Kanyosha lies on the edge of the city of Bujumbura, where houses abound, continuously under threat from the consequences of erosion from the Commune's non-afforested hills.

Bujumbura's housing at the foot of these four hills is at the same risk.

From July 2016 to March 2022, a project funded by Norwegian Church Aid in the Communes of Mutimbuzi, Kanyosha, Kabezi, Isare, Mugongomanga and Kabezi, one of whose activities was the reforestation of bare areas was not able to cover all their hills, including those in Commune Kanyosha.

The hills in the commune of Kanyosha that are high risk are Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills.

The effects of climate change on the these hills continue to be felt: according to the administrator of this commune. Following torrential rain and strong winds, more than 10 dwellings, a church and a school were destroyed, and many fields were damaged; domestic animals were swept away by lightning and others by landslides, to name but a few. See photos of recent flooding and mudslides.

Yet the hill's inhabitants have not been able to take economic action to achieve resilience to the effects of climate change. The Diocese of Bujumbura is committed to protecting the environment and combating climate change, and is standing by these communities to help them address these issues.

As a result of the bare soil caused by the lack of reforestation, natural erosion is in full swing and continues to carry away everything that can be transported by water: small living creatures made up of animals and plants, resulting in genetic erosion where even native trees no longer grow. As a result of this natural erosion, food production is no longer improving.

The consequences of lack of reforestation:

• Erosion manifests itself in the loss of fertility of arable and non-arable soil, which makes it impossible for farmers to sustain their livelihoods.
• Climate change: climate change is causing temperatures to rise, increasing respiratory illnesses and the disappearance of some animals and plants.
• Both of the above contribute to persistent and worsening poverty and ill health.

The overall objective of this extended project is “To contribute to the reduction of the bare soil of the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills, Commune Kanyosha, Province of Bujumbura".

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Specific objective no. 1: Reduce soil erosion by 20% on the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills in high-risk areas.

Specific objective no. 2: Initiate 16 climate resilience economic groupings.

EXPECTED RESULTS

Expected outcome 1.1: By September 2024, 40% of the 280 women and 40 young people beneficiaries in the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills will have traced contour lines on their landholdings.

Expected Outcome I.2: By December 2024, 20% of the open spaces on the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills will be planted with trees.

Expected outcome 2.1: By July 2024, at least 16 savings and credit groups, including 14 for women and 2 for young people, will be operational.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project aims to solve the problem faced by the inhabitants of the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills in Commune Kanyosha, Province Bujumbura. The problem concerns the bare soil of the four hills.

This problem will be solved by contouring all cultivable and non-cultivable areas. Awareness-raising campaigns for members of the local administration and the population will be carried out on the importance of contour marking, contour protection and tree planting.

The beneficiaries will be the heads of households and young people up to the age of 45. These beneficiaries and young people will be given nurseries. Beneficiaries will operate in groups of 20 people each. 16 groups will be formed, including 2 youth groups and 14 adult groups (women mothers of households). The number of direct beneficiaries will therefore be 280 women and 40 young people, making a total of 320 beneficiaries representing 320 households. According to Burundi Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (ISTEEBU), a household consists of 8 family members. The number of indirect beneficiaries is therefore 320x7= 2,240 people.

Other indirect beneficiaries are the population of the four hills and those living below the four hills in the intervention zone.

In these groups, a savings and credit approach will be introduced, so that beneficiaries can set up a fund to help them purchase nursery raising equipment to sustain the project after it ends. The savings and credit approach will use the Self Help Group (SHG) process.

A project team will be set up, consisting of a focal point living in the same locality of Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills, two agricultural monitors who are already in the field on salary, an agronomist already on the payroll of the Diocese and the Coordinator, also on the payroll of the Diocese. The accountant will be from the Diocese.

A database will be developed at the start of the project. Data collection sheets to monitor the indicators will be drawn up and made available to the monitors and the focal point. These sheets will be collected on a monthly basis, and the narrative and financial reports to be sent to the donor (Diocese of Derby) will be drawn up on a quarterly basis and whenever necessary.’

(A slightly abridged version of the extended Project Proposal prepared by the Revd Bernard Rwambigo, Diocese of Bujumbura. April 2024)

Please keep this extraordinarily important and valuable work in your prayers.

+Malcolm

Bishop of Repton

The next triennial elections to Diocesan Synod will take place from April to July 2024.

The Diocese of Derby must elect a new Diocesan Synod from among its clergy and laity. The Presiding Officers of each deanery are:

• Carsington Deanery - Phil Michell (PO for Laity Election), Peter Walker (PO for Clergy Election), Deanery Administrator – Claire Critchlow
• Derby City Deanery - Sarah Watson (PO for Laity Election), Madelaine Goddard (PO for Clergy Election), Deanery Administrator – Kelly Martin
• Dove and Derwent Deanery - James Hughes (PO for Laity Election), David Legh (PO for Clergy Election), Deanery Administrator – Claire Critchlow
• Hardwick Deanery - Karen Bradley (PO for Laity Election, John Atkin (PO for Clergy Election), Deanery Administrator – Ailsa Cooling
• Mercia Deanery - Mike Firbank (PO for Laity Election), Maggie Fenby-Taylor(PO for Clergy Election), Deanery Administrator – Debbie Patrick
• North East Derbyshire Deanery - Daniel Cooke (PO for Laity Election), Christine Holmes-Elener (PO for Clergy Election), Deanery Administrator - Jacqueline Clayton
• Peak Deanery - David Mundy (PO for Laity Election), Christine McMullen (PO for Clergy Election), Deanery Administrator – Eileen Burt
• South East Derbyshire Deanery - Phil Selby (PO for Laity Election), Brian Parker (PO for Clergy Election), Deanery Administrator – Revd Helen Bridger

For impartiality, Lay colleagues will act as Presiding Officers of the Clergy elections, and Clergy colleagues as Presiding Officers of the Lay elections.

The electors are members (other than currently co-opted members) of the House of Clergy and the House of Laity of the Deanery Synods of the Diocese.

For more information or if you have a query, email: elections@derby.anglican.org

>> Back to main Diocesan Synod Elections page