Dr Alison Brown, acting director of education, reflects on the start of the new school year.

We owe all our school leaders and staff a huge debt of gratitude for keeping schools open during the lockdown, supporting pupils, parents and the wider school community.

Thank you! 

What a year 2020 continues to be. For all those involved in schools they have, in effect, two New Years to mark and celebrate each year, in January and in September as a new academic year begins. 

For most of our schools that ‘new year’ is this week. 

Of course, this is going to be a particularly unusual new start with a potent mixture of excitement and anxiety.

The excitement will be because at long last the whole school community can be back together.

The anxiety will be multi-layered. For parents it might be around the safety of their children and their ability to fit back into the social setting of school.  

For pupils it could be around being back in an environment in a new way with class bubbles, staggered break-times and starts and ends to the day.

For staff it will be about how they help pupils to pick up and run with their formal learning whilst keeping safe and happy.

For all staff there will also be anxiety for their own health and for those they care for at home.  

How can we help our precious schools and the individuals in them flourish with this backdrop?

Well, we can pray for them, that they will know that ‘goodness and mercy shall follow them all of their lives’.

For clergy and congregations who have schools in their care, sending cards, messages, emails, phone calls wishing them well and telling them of that prayer will count for a lot (as might a box of biscuits or chocolates for the staff room!!).

Visits into schools are not yet allowed and so all the support we give must be at a distance, but in the knowledge that the God who loves us all is closer than we can imagine.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) has affected all our lives.

Things are changing fast. We have faced loss, anxiety and disruption.

While we are still recovering, many of us continue to worry about what it means for ourselves and for our loved ones.

Which is why, this year, the Bishop of Derby’s Harvest Appeal, will focus on supporting the wellbeing of people in Derbyshire.

‘Peace of Mind’: supporting wellbeing in Derbyshire’ will be officially launched on Sunday, 6th September.

This autumn a variety of free online events with a mental health and wellbeing focus, from Christian partners, will be available for everyone in the diocese.  

Events include an online reading group, examples of community sport and activity projects, ‘Managing anxiety and trauma using Christian principles’ and ‘Poetry for Health’ amongst others.

The workshops are free and will be held via Zoom.

To book your place please visit the Learning in Faith pages of the diocesan website.

Alongside the events programme we have challenged ourselves to raise £15,000 to support Derbyshire Mind’s wellbeing programme ‘Enjoying Derbyshire’.

Enjoying Derbyshire is a project that offers a diverse menu of activities and workshops aimed at improving mental wellbeing.

More resources and events will be available on the diocesan website and our social media channels throughout the autumn.

The Bishop of Derby is pleased to announce that the Revd Timothy John Clarke will become Chancellor of the Diocese of Derby from 4 December 2020.

Mr Clarke, currently the deputy chancellor of the diocese, is a barrister at Three Stone Buildings, Lincoln’s Inn, and a non-stipendiary minister in the Diocese of Worcester.

As a barrister, he specialises in real property, wills, and estates. He also advises on matters of ecclesiastical law.

On the announcement of his appointment, Mr Clarke said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this position by the Bishop of Derby. I have learned much from John Bullimore, while serving as his deputy for the past five years. John has been an outstanding chancellor, as many in the diocese will know.

“I look forward to working with the bishop, archdeacons, registrar and all in the Diocese of Derby to ensure that our church communities are better enabled to meet the needs of 21^st-century worship, whilst also encouraging an appreciation of the rich heritage we share.”

Mr Clarke is married to the Revd Dr Georgina Byrne, a residentiary canon at Worcester Cathedral and a chaplain to HM the Queen.

In his spare time, Mr Clarke enjoys music, choral singing, beekeeping and skiing.

Mr Clarke will replace John Bullimore, who retires on 3^rd December having served as Chancellor of the Diocese of Derby for almost 40 years.

Reflecting in Lockdown

Lockdown may have given you time to re-evaluate about what is important and how you look after yourself. Some people found the time to exercise outdoors gave some solace in the green space nearby, sharing paths and places previously overlooked.

‘There were significant impacts on nature. As the world slowed during lockdowns, there were reports of wildlife in areas normally busy with people. This was not only in urban areas; puffins on the Farne Islands are one example of wildlife thriving in a deserted national park. In the UK daily exercise of a walk or cycles ride enabled many people to connect with nature in their local area. Reduced traffic noise meant that bird song could be heard in usually busy streets and road kill declined.’

p12 ‘Covid-19 Environment, Justice and the Future’ E198 Grove

University of Derby conducted research that found nature connectionedness is as important for wellbeing as income and education (Capaldi).

What can something as simple as nature connection do in improving our mental health? In connecting to nature we improve our sense of wellbeing. If you think of your mental health as variable to each person and each situation then self-care in simple ways is something we need to practice.

‘Do not underestimate the importance of preventative work.’ Angela Kerry, Policy Officer, Derbyshire Mental Health Forum 21 July 2020.

Mental illness is not always preventable, but to prevent it we can use the 5 ways to wellbeing. Nature connection can help us- connect, be active, wonder, learn and give.

Just take the idea of wonder. We can see more shades of green than any other colour (James Wong on Twitter @Botanygeek). Is that so we can appreciate beauty in the outdoors and value everything from a landscape to a leaf?

Connecting to nature improves the quality of our lives.

Connecting with other human beings can bring perspective but so can feeling tiny as you reach a hilltop and admire the view. Perhaps we can also prevent the inclination to be ego centric and be encouraged in our caring for each other and for creation.

Nature Connectedness what can we do?

It is estimated we have 10,000 churchyards in the Church of England the land equivalent to a small National Park. If you added in private gardens and allotments, it would be bigger still.

Derby University research shows Nature Connection benefits can be measured in both adults and children.

• Notice good things in nature and write them down.
• Nature connection stuck with people 2 months later.
• We look after things we value. In children ‘noticing’ in nature gave rise to increased caring of the environment.
• Feeling better increased: people measurably perceived themselves as happier.
• Nature connection is offered as a social prescription: it works in urban environments.
• Create some good memories outdoors. Nature connection is more powerful than ‘knowing about it’ or contact, it needs to link to us emotionally and meaningfully, tying in to our compassion and aesthetics (beauty).

We treasure what we know and value.

Our beautiful world of human, animal and plant species is under threat, rising extinction of species https://www.ipbes.net/news/ipbes-global-assessment-summary-policymakers-pdf highlighted this before the pandemic. Campaigners are wanting a just return for our people and planet after lockdown.

‘Preserving terrestrial ecosystems on land, in the oceans and in our fresh watercourses, is essential for the survival of the species, including our own. Preserving biodiversity also means researching it....Knowing … will make us understand better and follow a wiser path.’            We are all Greta, chapter 12, Biodiversity.

Collecting- accumulating more and more: a selfish activity, has damaged the planet. This tendency can be funneled into identifying (and not destroying), and appreciating species. Eco church resource https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Land-How-to-Look-After-Your-Land-in-Wildlife-Friendly-Ways.pdf

Sharing our love of nature (treasuring the earth) welcoming the local public and visitors can be part of our mission. We can offer the opportunity to join in, learn, connect, sharing access to a local green space. https://www.churchofengland.org/more/church-resources/churchcare/advice-and-guidance-church-buildings/biodiversity. We can also share our findings/ photos with local organisations recording sightings. Churches Count on Nature week uses the iNaturalist app but you can use it anytime.

Where there is little local public green space Sharing what we have can be of great value: we show solidarity with people facing inequality in our parishes. https://neweconomics.org/2020/05/parks-are-for-everyone

Suggestions to encourage nature connection with the need to follow current guidance to wash hands, social distance etc.

• Share your churchyard or outside space: how do people know they are welcome? 
• Link your outside space to citizen science projects, sharing your sightings e.g. arocha_uk , #Wildflowerhour, #WilderDerbyshire, @BTO etc.
• Offer space on outdoor events: a walk, maintenance activity and gardening projects. Link these to the volunteer bureau or the local social prescriber at your GP.
• Share what you have seen. This has been valued by people restricted at home.
• Offer a reason to be outside: for example a downloadable treasure trail aimed at children. Caring for Gods Acre resources and training 
• Share a guided walk or route description or route number on your facebook page or social media. Add a facility to lockdownloo.com or the refill app add links https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside/access/walking/walks-and-trails/walks-and-trails.aspx?page=1 or greenways https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside/access/greenways/greenways.aspx
• Wild Christian resource http://thesanctuarycentre.org/resources/creative_prayer_idea_wild_worship_field_guide.pdf
• Join in with a walking group, a rambling group or an outdoor event in a local nature reserve or park.
• Link to a local wildlife group and find ways to share your space for activities.
• Watch a film at your social zoom such as ‘project wild thing’ and start a small group discussion https://3ak4be4522es3y5i4l2cwfkx-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lifestyle-How-to-Connect-More-with-Nature.pdf
• Have a creation time worship in the outdoors when restrictions allow it– see 'Whats Happening' section below.  

Church of England Resources

Biodiversity | The Church of England 

https://www.churchofengland.org/more/church-resources/churchcare/advice-and-guidance-church-buildings/outdoor-worship 

Related information

Nature Connectedness research Derby University https://www.derby.ac.uk/research/centres-groups/nature-connectedness-research-group/

Wildlife Watch https://www.southderbyshire.gov.uk/our-services/environment/environmental-forum-and-volunteering/wildlife 

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust https://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-explorer

If you are able to contribute to this year’s appeal please visit our dedicated Just Giving page where you can donate directly to the appeal.

Cheques should be made payable to The Bishop of Derby’s Harvest Appeal and sent to:

Finance Department
Derby Church House
Full Street
Derby
DE1 3DR

>> Click here to make an online donation <<

With desperate poverty and homelessness severely damaging the life chances of girls in one of the world’s biggest and poorest slum areas, Bishop Libby has launched this year’s Harvest Appeal to raise thousands of pounds towards their housing and basic education.

St Elizabeth’s Hostel in Kolkata, India, is the focus of this year's Harvest Appeal, which will run in parishes and schools throughout the Diocese of Derby from September to the end of December.

The diocese has a long mutual association with the Church of North India, not least through links with schools over many decades.

Drawn from some of the poorest slums in the city, St Elizabeth’s is a refuge for up to 86 girls at any one time.

Sometimes homeless and always underprivileged, the girls at the hostel are provided with accommodation, food, clothing and other basic necessities as well as an education up to Higher Secondary level.

As a result of the pandemic, financial support has either been cut or is at severe risk in what are sometimes considered as low-priority areas, such as girls’ education.

Bishop Libby is determined that the long-term development of girls at St Elizabeth’s should continue.

Education helps them overcome social and financial challenges and to access jobs and income that will enable them to live independently and sustain themselves.

Without the support of St Elizabeth’s, most of the girls would receive no education at all, making it likely they would remain in poverty like many thousands of other girls and vulnerable to exploitation, often by the sex trade.

Bishop Libby said: “Many of these girls come from truly desperate situations, and lacking the basic tools to be able to change that. St Elizabeth’s work is so inspiring – a shining example of our partners in the Church of North India making known the good news of the Kingdom of God.

"The joy and opportunity it brings are clear to see on the faces of these girls, and I know the people of Derbyshire will join with us help us raise the money needed to keep this wonderful institution alive.”

Individual online donations

You can make an online donation to the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal at www.justgiving.com/campaign/harvestappeal2021.
There is the option to Gift Aid these donations.

Church and School donations

Where possible, participating churches and schools should send their donations (including any reclaimed Gift Aid) by BACS transfer – details for this transaction are:

Bank account name: Derby Diocesan Board of Finance
Bank account number: 85463671
Sort code number: 60-12-01
Payment Ref: HARVEST2021

When churches / schools send their donation by BACS, please notify us by email to finance@derby.anglican.org to include payment details – (i) date & (ii) amount.
This is important to us, as your email will ensure your donation is identified and a “thank you” will be sent.

Cheques should be made payable to DDBF Ltd and sent to
“The Bishop of Derby’s Harvest Appeal 2021”
c/o Derby Church House
Full Street
Derby
DE1 3DR

A Ray of Hope

Suriya’s mother succumbed to domestic violence and soon afterwards her father left her along with three of her siblings. Her maternal aunts support them financially and their grandmother aids the education of her sister. Residing at the hostel has helped Suriya cope with serious economic problems and the food crisis at home. She responds well in class and has performed well in her exams.

The death of Priyanks’s father left her family in a critical financial position. Her mother struggles to make ends meet by doing housekeeping work but for meagre pay. For monetary reasons her siblings have to reside with her paternal family. Staying at the hostel has affected her positively. She has been able to put aside her past and is doing well in her studies.

KumKum has lived in a rented house with her mother since her father left them when she was only a year and half old. Mother and daughter were under great financial pressure so KumKum decided to enroll herself for boarding. Their lives are still full of struggle but the hostel had been a ray of hope at a time of despair. She is studying well and scoring good grades and some, if not all, of their educational and financial problems have found a solution.

Sonia hails from a Christian family of two elder sisters, mother, father and grandmother. Her mother works at a grocery store which she started during the pandemic. Her father repairs electrical goods and sells religious books at the market. They have had financial troubles for a considerable period but her parents have always supported her and her siblings’ education. She has scored a well-deserving 79.8% in her Madhyamik Exam 2021.

Priya Halder from Bardhhaman never knew her father’s love. Her mother, with the help of St.Thomas’ Home Howrah, kept her in the hostel to pursue her education. Priya is talented in recitation and has come first in a competition organised by the State Government. She was awarded a memento and a book - she has made us proud. She gets financial assistance as girls in the OBC, Minority and scheduled Caste quota receive financial help from the state government.

Thank You in anticipation of your generous support for the Bishop of Derby’s Harvest Appeal 2021

The Diocese of Derby is pleased to confirm the Revd Canon Matt Barnes has been appointed as the director of discipleship, mission and ministry for the Diocese of Derby.

A key part of this role is to help build and develop the channels through which the Church in the Diocese of Derby lives out its calling to be a church for all.

Mr Barnes has been acting director for a the past two and a half years and brings to the role his wide experience, having served in the diocese for over 20 years, most recently as Rector of St Thomas’ Church Brampton, in Chesterfield.

Working closely with the Bishop of Derby, he will plan and lead the development, training and equipping of both lay and ordained leaders and ministers at all levels across the diocese though training, church growth, community work and vocations.

Mr Barnes said: “It is a really exciting time to take on this vital role in the diocese. I’m grateful to Bishop Libby for her confidence in me and I look forward to working with our wonderful clergy and lay ministers as we work out together how best to offer the ministry and mission of the Church in these changing times”.

The Right Reverend Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby said: “I am delighted to confirm Matt Barnes to his role as Director of Discipleship, Mission and Ministry. Matt lives his faith with integrity and passion and brings a deep and energetic commitment to this role and its potential to make a transformative impact on church and community, particularly in the uncertain times ahead.

“He is already a trusted colleague and a welcome, permanent addition to the senior leadership team.”

Growing faith and developing ministry

Our exciting, easy-to-access training is available for all who want to deepen their faith, grow in discipleship and develop the gifts God has given them in the service of the church. 

The training is open to all who want to learn more about their faith and also to those who want to develop in ministry. 

You don't need any formal qualifications to take any of the modules, just some good thinking and reflecting skills.

You can work towards a Certificate of Mission & Ministry by completing the whole course with assignments or you can simply do the modules for your own faith journey.

You can do one module or many, and you can start, stop for a while and then pick up again later. 

The training is modular, which simply means that you will spend 10 sessions looking at a particular subject (for example, the Bible or Pastoral Care or Mission and Evangelism etc). 

These 10 sessions make up one module.

You will do seven of these sessions on your own in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you and the other three sessions will be done on Zoom.  

Find out more and request an information pack from our training website www.discipleship-training.org or contact the course administrator, fiona.bennett@derby.anglican.org.

Sign up now for next term

>> What are the term dates?

Three options are available:

For Those who Would Like to Complete a Full Course
The Diocesan Certificate in Mission and Ministry (CMM) Course:
As noted above, the course is designed to help you growth in your faith and the develop the ministry to which God has called you at this time and place in your life. This is now all online and can be completed from the comfort of your own home. The course is modular and each module consists of seven sessions which you complete on your own and three which you complete with other students on Study Days via Zoom.

For Those who Think They May Be Called to Licensed Lay (Reader) Ministry 
Do you think God may be calling to be a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader)? If so you may want to sign up to the new LLM (R) training course. The first year of the new course starts in January and is now a discernment year which you can take while working with a vocations adviser and the supervision of your incumbent.  

This gives you the opportunity to explore whether Reader ministry is for you. You will need the support of your incumbent (or the equivalent in a vacancy) in order to sign up for this course.

For Those who would like to just Deepen Their Faith
Take single modules as and when they are running. The list and dates of modules running can be found here.

Closing date for applications for next term’s modules, the Certificate in Mission and Ministry and the LLM (Reader) training course is 2nd January 2024

Modules each cost a flat fee of £25, payable prior to commencement of each one (you only pay for the modules you study).

Find out more and request an information pack visit the Discipleship Training website - www.discipleship-training.org - or contact the course director dawn.glen@derby.anglican.org.

The Diocese of Derby is pleased to confirm two significant appointments to the parish support team, based at Derby Church House.

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA).

Hannah Hogg has been appointed Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.

Mrs Hogg is currently Corporate Safeguarding Lead at Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust and brings with her extensive experience of working across a multi-agency partnership at a senior level.

Having studied law at the University of Dundee and Chester College of Law, she trained as a solicitor and has also previously worked at Derby City Council as Head of Service and legal adviser to the Derby City Safeguarding Children Board, and for the Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Children Board.

The Derby Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser post is a key role and Mrs Hogg will advise the diocese on all safeguarding matters ensuring that all advice is in line with the law, government guidance and national policy and guidance from the House of Bishops.

She will take start her new role in October.

Derby Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel – Independent Chair

Helen Jebb has been appointed the Independent Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel.

Mrs Jebb is a former Detective Chief Superintendent with Nottinghamshire Police, where she was Head of Crime and Intelligence with responsibility for Public Protection and Safeguarding.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) is the committee that oversees the work of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (DST) across the diocese. It is made up of senior staff within both the diocese and Derby Cathedral, alongside representatives from statutory and partner agencies who provide safeguarding services to Derby and Derbyshire.

This role will see Mrs Jebb ensure that the work of the safeguarding team is conducted impartially and in cooperation with other safeguarding agencies and that the needs of victim/survivors, children, young people and vulnerable adults are fully considered.

She will join the diocese in September.

On confirming the appointments, the Right Reverend Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, said: “I am delighted to welcome Hannah and Helen to the team. Safeguarding is at the very heart of being Church and proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

“Both statutory responsibility and safe culture are key, and Hannah and Helen bring expertise and experience to enable the diocese to ensure best practice in Safeguarding for children, young people and vulnerable adults in our churches. I am looking forward to working with them.”

Where would you find a rector, a bishop, builders and t’owd men?

Only in Wirksworth!

St Mary’s Wirksworth has held a topping out ceremony to mark the completion of work to re-roof the nave.

A number of people involved in the project looked on as a bough of oak, a symbol of resilience and strength, was hoisted onto the roof, after which Revd David Truby and Bishop Libby climbed ladders to the top of the nave to give a blessing. They were joined on the roof by some of the builders and roofers who had worked on the project over the past months.

“The lead had been on the roof for nearly 100 years,” said Revd David Truby, the rector of Wirksworth. “It was last done in 1926 and, because of the action of the weather, it was cracking and leaking,”

The project was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to the tune of £120,000 – around 60% of the total cost. Generous local businesses, fundraising events and crowdfunding also contributed – although there is still more fundraising to be done to allow the two transepts to also be re-roofed.

>> Vistit St Mary's JustGiving page

Once back on the ground, Bishop Libby said: “To see how much craft goes into the restoration of a roof like this, using techniques that have been around for centuries, and the wonderful way in which the lead that had been there for a century was able to be removed and reused is amazing.

“There is something very beautiful and deeply theological about the way that God is able to re-cast the things that are part of our inheritance and our treasure into something that is now fit for purpose for the next century.

“Christ’s people here in Wirksworth have not been constrained or tied to this building – however beautiful and precious it may be – they have been the church of God when they’ve not had access to the building, continuing to worship and pray and learn and to serve their neighbours.”

Among the onlookers were two parishioners dressed as t’owd men. Inside the church, T’owd Man is an ancient carving of a lead miner, as Wirksworth had historically been an important centre for lead trade.

The oak bough that was lifted onto the roof for the ceremony also carried representations of Wirksworth’s past, being adorned with Wirksworth Red Tape – a tape manufactured in the town and used around the world to tie up bureaucratic papers (hence the term, bureaucratic red tape).

David Truby said that the Lottery funding was conditional on the church finding ways of engaging with the local community in new ways. So, originally, they had planned to take people up the scaffold during the work: “Unfortunately, because of the Covid-19 restrictions, we weren’t able to do that so we did a virtual tower tour. That meant me going up onto the roof and doing the tour via Zoom, relaying it out to people wherever they were.”

Bishop Libby said she had also been keen to see the roof work for herself: “When David first told me the plans for today, they didn’t include me going up to the roof and I was a little disappointed.

“But I was delighted when I arrived to learn that they were expecting me to go up.

“The first ladder, from the ground to the first platform, is quite long and a bit shaky, so I was given very clear instructions to maintain three points of contact at all times.

“But it was absolutely fine and the view at the top is amazing!”

More pictures from Wirksworth