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.

Malcolm Macnaughton has been installed as the Bishop of Repton in a special Evensong at Derby Cathedral.

>> Watch the installation (YouTube)

During the same Evensong, the Revd Nicky Fenton, formerly Vicar of Shottle, Holbrook, and Hazelwood and Milford, was installed as Residentiary Canon as she takes up her new role as Chaplain to the Bishop of Derby.

>> See more photos from the installation [Flickr]

Bishop Malcolm’s installation followed his consecration as bishop at Lambeth Palace on Wednesday, 14th April. 

The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, presided, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, was the preacher.

The Right Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, was present to receive Malcolm as the Bishop of Repton on behalf of the Diocese of Derby.

Covid restrictions meant that the original date for Malcolm’s consecration had to be postponed – and both his consecration and installation were subject to government restrictions and guidance.

Bishop Malcolm delivered his first sermon as a bishop at his installation; Canon Nicky Fenton led the intercessions.

Malcolm said: “Over recent weeks I have enjoyed beginning to get to know colleagues lay and ordained from across the Diocese of Derby, but I am now really looking forward to making a proper start, especially as we will now be able to get out and meet people where they are.  I haven’t seen much of Derbyshire yet because of the restrictions, so it is going to be so good to be able to visit communities and churches all over the diocese in the coming months.”

“Despite the struggles of the past year the reality is that each day, transformed by our encounter with our risen Lord Jesus Christ, we can find hope for the future, for our churches, for our communities. The Kingdom of God is good news for all – and we are called to proclaim that Kingdom afresh in our generation. There is plenty to encourage us – and there will be much more! Please pray for me as I join you in this, our shared calling.”

A key focus for Malcolm’s ministry will be to support those engaged in church revitalisation especially through church planting and fresh expressions, particularly with areas of deprivation.

He will also give an episcopal lead to our work across the diocese with young people, schools and with the Derby Diocesan Board of Education. 

Malcolm has a background of working in rural, inner city and post-mining areas, and with archdeacons and area deans and their teams he will ensure we work well together to equip and enable local people, lay and ordained, to proclaim the good news of Christ in our diverse communities across the diocese.

Since moving to Derby in December, Malcolm has been working under licence from the Bishop of Derby, the Right Revd Libby Lane.

Bishop Libby said: “Malcolm brings, out of his own deep commitment to sharing the love of Jesus and seeking first the Kingdom of God, a rich and varied experience of ministry. 

"We welcome his particular gifts in accompanying people hopefully through change, and his passion for reaching those on the margins, and younger generations.

"We have been delighted to welcome Malcolm and Pam among us-we pray that the people and places of Derbyshire and Derby will be a blessing to them, as they will be a blessing to us.” 

Bishop Libby (rear) presided at the Evensong; Dean Peter Robinson (front) led the service.

>> See more photos from the installation [Flickr]

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

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?

The Church of England and the Diocese of Derby are supporting the National Day of Reflection on Wednesday, 23 March 2022, the second anniversary of the first UK lockdown, to commemorate the tragic loss of life and to stand together with everyone who’s grieving, whether as a result of Covid or other causes.

Organised by Marie Curie, the National Day of Reflection looks to reflect on our collective loss, support those who've been bereaved, and hope for a brighter future. 

How can churches get involved? 

• Include it in your notices and prayers on Sunday, 20 March 2022. Prayer and intercession resources are available that use the key words – reflect, support, hope.
• Share the Light at 8.00pm by lighting a candle in placing it in your window.
• Host or visit a Wall of Reflection
• Display your daffodil
• Put up posters in your community, raising awareness.

• Toll the church bell just after noon to mark the end of the minute’s silence.
• Email/print and send the prayer postcard to anyone and everyone to use at home on that day.
• Light a special candle in the church and say the prayer – record it on your phone or tablet and share the film on social media.
• Encourage people to phone or send a card to anyone who may feel bereaved.
• Involve the local school and encourage them to use the simple prayer at noon or to colour daffodil cards and deliver them to a local care home.
• Invite people to plant a seed, a bulb or bush as a sign of hope.
• Invite people to tie yellow ribbons to a prayer tree or railings as a sign of their prayer and support for all who are bereaved.
• Open your church for private prayer.

 >> More information and resources on Church Support Hub 

>> Marie Curie National Day of Reflection website 

Pupils from Biggin Church of England Primary School have been quizzing Bishop Libby about the importance of being a Church School.

The four Year Six pupils asked the bishop a range of questions, including why it is important to learn about God and the Bible, what benefit there is to being a Church school and what obstacles she had to overcome in her life.

>> Vacancy: Diocesan Director of Education

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Rachel Morris has decided to stand down from her position as diocesan secretary of the Derby Diocesan Board of Finance.

She will also leave her role as chapter steward at Derby Cathedral.

Rachel has been with the cathedral and latterly the diocese for six years in which time she has led positive change.

Bishop Libby said: “We are very grateful to Rachel for the faithful leadership she has given during a time of considerable change: her contribution to diocesan life has been extensive.

"I have valued her partnership and friendship. We wish her well and assure her of our continuing prayers.”

Mrs Morris said: “I am grateful for the opportunities during this time and extend my heartfelt thanks to all colleagues, volunteers and partners across the diocese and beyond who have helped achieve great things.

"I wish all those involved with the cathedral and the diocese the very best for the future.”

Mrs Morris left on February 28 with our thanks for her significant contribution and our best wishes for the next chapter in her life.