Lucy Harrison
Award Winning Performance Poet to Become a Deacon
An award-winning performance poet is one of the six people to be ordained a Deacon
at a special Petertide service at Derby Cathedral on Sunday 26 June 2016.
Ben Allison, 29, will become the Pioneer Curate, North Wingfield Team Ministry. Originally from Leeds, he will be the third generation in his family to be ordained. His father and grandfather are both still serving in the Leeds Diocese.
Married to Clare for nine years, Ben has a young family of three children; Amos (5), Alethea (3) and Edna (7 months). Currently training at Cranmer Hall, Durham, he will be moving to Derbyshire ahead of his ordination.
A very successful performance poet, Ben has won the Hebden Bridge Festal Slam, Greenbelt Festival Slam and Ted Hughes Festival Slam. He also has autism and dyspraxia and has reflected on his experiences for a church resource book on Disability.
Ben said: “Becoming a deacon means a change a in identity, laying aside my lay identity in order to serve the communities to which I am called in a new and exciting way. I hope to find new ways of doing church which don't just seek to draw those on the edge of my community into existing services and congregations, but rather build church around them.
“I’m most looking forward to finally be able to do what I love full-time: serving my community, and proclaiming the Gospel. It’ll also mean I'll no longer be a northerner! I have to learn how to minister in the strange, alien culture of North Derbyshire.
“To others considering taking the same step, I say do not be afraid of your weaknesses. Do not be afraid of being vulnerable. The God who has called you will not abandon you.”
Former Chesterfield Pastor to Return to Derbyshire to be Ordained as a Deacon
A former Chesterfield Street Pastor is due to return to his home county to be ordained as a Deacon at a special Petertide service at Derby Cathedral on Sunday 26 June 2016.
James Durrant, 26, will become the Assistant Curate to the parish of St Alkmund and St Werburgh in Derby. Originally from Chesterfield, he volunteered as a street pastor for two years in his hometown after studying Environmental Economics and Environmental Management at University of York.
Married to Chloe since 2015, James is currently training at Cranmer College in Durham and is looking forward to returning to Derbyshire to take up his ministry.
James said: “It will be great to return to Derbyshire after three years away to an area which I 'm looking forward to getting to know.
“I am delighted to be in a position to serve a community and to walk alongside them in their discipleship journey, from those who have been walking for many years to those who do not yet know they have a journey before them.
“To others considering taking this step, I say God does not call the equipped but equips the called. If God is calling you the skills, support and gifts you need will be provided. You are being called for who you are, not in comparison to anyone else”.
Solicitor Embarks on Second Career with Church of England
A high flying solicitor is swapping his 35 year legal career for one in the pulpit as he is ordained Deacon at a special service at St Laurence, Long Eaton on 3 July 2016.
Giles Orton, 56, from Kirk Langley, will become Assistant Curate to the parishes of Long Eaton St Laurence and Ilkeston Holy Trinity. Married to Jane, an Amber Valley Borough Councillor, and with three grown up sons, Orton was a pensions litigation partner in the national firm Eversheds until April this year when he retired from the partnership to become a part-time legal consultant and trustee and to prepare for ordination as a self-supporting minister.
Giles said: “My new role will be an exciting journey and an awesome responsibility. I am looking forward to being involved in the life of the parishes and to help the people in my community come to know and serve God better through word and sacrament.“
Giles, whose work included acting for the Maxwell pensioners and working with the government to establish the Pensions Protection Fund, continued:
“In my legal career, I did much to help pensioners in their retirement from work. In the next stage of my career I hope to be able to help people prepare for the next retirement and to meet their Maker in the next life that Christ promises.
“My motivation to take this step came from being called to follow in the footsteps of my late grandfather, who was also a priest.
This includes the diocesan data privacy notice.
Please use the form attached to let us know about anyone in new roles following your APCM's, this will allow us to keep the diocesan database up to date.
Page Includes Training Opportunities & Grants / Sabbaticals
Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD)
Revd Susie Curtis, Ordained Ministries Development Officer, has responsibility for the CMD programme for clergy.
Training Opportunities within the Diocese
How to Use AI in Ministry
led by James Lawrence from CPAS
Monday 20 April, 1pm to 2pm
Online via Zoom (use the link in the button below)
We hear so much about AI. Some see it as their 'saviour' (it isn't!), others as leading to the apocalypse (it won't). We'll explore practical ways to use AI in ministry that will utilise AI as a contributor to your leadership. No knowledge of AI needed. Sceptics welcome!
All things young people
Monday 18 May, 1pm to 2pm
Online via Zoom (use the link in the button below)
A chance to meet the new Diocesan Lead for Growing Younger and the wider Growing Younger.
Following St Francis of Assisi: lessons for everyday ministry
led by Simon Cocksedge and Brother Samuel SSF
Monday 15 June, 1pm to 2pm
Online via Zoom (use the link in the button below)
The 800th anniversary of Francis' death is 4 October 2026. In this session, Br Samuel SSF [Franciscan friar] and Simon Cocksedge [Third Order Franciscan] will each offer brief presentations considering how this significant Franciscan date might be used in everyday ministry this autumn. There will also be time for discussion and sharing of ideas.
Upcoming events
We have a number of events for licenced clergy and those who offer a preaching ministry in the diocese:
Women in Ministry Day
This session is for female clergy.
Wednesday 6 May, 10am to 3pm
St Alkmunds Church, Kedleston Road, Derby
Light refreshments will be available but do please remember to bring your own lunch. Book your place here.
Working with Teams, led by Rev Nicky McGinty
This session is for all licenced clergy.
Tuesday 19 May, 10am to 4pm
St Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Chesterfield
Working in churches often involves team working. Our focus for this day is how can we create, build and develop teams so that they are effective. We will also explore ways to respond when teams are not working well. This will be a blend of theory, practice and theology to help us improve our ability to collaborate well. Nicky is a highly experienced trainer, consultant, facilitator, coach and reflective supervisor based in Leicestershire.
She is a self-supporting priest in the diocese of Leicester and an honorary canon of Leicester Cathedral.
Light refreshments will be available but do please remember to bring your own lunch. Book your place here.
Trauma-informed Ministry: Moving forward in a changed world, led by Rev Tim Treanor
This session is for all licenced clergy.
Tuesday 7 July, 10am to 3.30pm
St Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Chesterfield
Participants will explore: Physically responses to trauma, chronic stress, anxiety and conflict; The impact of trauma on communities and organisations; How churches might respond in considered, creative and sustainable ways; Where God is in all of this.
Rev Tim Treanor accompanies ordained ministers as a pastoral supervisor, facilitator of Reflective Practice Groups and Spiritual Director. Influences on his practice include serving as a Team Rector, Ignatian spirituality, group analysis and contemplative prayer
Light refreshments plus lunch will be available. There is space for 12 to 18 participants which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Book your place here.
Preaching the Lectionary - Mark, led by Rev Amy Hole
These sessions are for all who offer a preaching ministry in the Diocese of Derby.
Monday 2 November, 7pm to 9pm
Online via Zoom
Tuesday 3 November, 2.00pm - 4.30pm
St Johns Walton, Walton Back Lane, Chesterfield
Rev Amy Hole is Vicar of Christ Church Heeley in central Sheffield, serving a large parish with considerable socio-economic needs. The church is racially diverse, with a range of ages, and is broadly low evangelical in worshipping style. Alongside parish ministry, and serving as area dean, Amy is also an Associate Tutor at St Hild College, where she currently teaches New Testament Greek, Preaching, and Reflective Practice, and she writes Bible notes for Scripture Union.
The session is offered on line via zoom or in person please complete a booking form according to your preference. Book the online session here or book the in person session here.
How to Lead a Church where Discipleship Thrives, led by Matt Hogg CPAS
This session is for all licenced clergy.
Tuesday 2 February, 10am to 4pm
St Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Chesterfield
This training day equips leaders to embed discipleship and formation into everyday church life. We’ll explore simple rhythms, practices, and culture-shaping influences that can help people move from spiritual curiosity to lasting commitment, growing deeper in their faith and trust in Jesus over time.
Light refreshments will be available but do please remember to bring your own lunch. Book your place here.
Dear Friends
I am happy to write that Bishop Alastair has commended me to the post of Chaplain to the Retired Clergy within the Diocese, assisted by my wife Rachel Mookerji. The Bishop is very keen to see that all the Retired Clergy are given all help, care and support particularly in their time of need, realizing how much time and effort they give to maintain the much cherished parish ministry within the Diocese. Our personal initiative will be to maintain the relationship with each other and to this end importantly praying and where necessary visiting them.
I am grateful my predeccessors have already established the link between the local Retired Clergy and the Retirement Officers so called the Deanery Representatives. We will continue with the tradition of an annual phone call to each one knowing how valuable this could prove pastorally for all of us. However, we believe the Pastoral Care of the Retired Clergy is of course primarily the responsibility of the local Parish Priest, and where necessary they would contact wither their Deanery Representatives, or us directly for any specialist care and support, and if any particular need arising we would then liaise with the Bishop.
We have been in the Diocese for over 30 years, and now happily retired and live in the Parish of Church Gresley in Repton Deanery. Our journey to this diocese began in the year 1985, when I served my title at the Parish Church St Lawrence, Heanor, and then moved to St James, Codnor, my first incumbency; in the same deanery stretching over 17 years; and which laid a firm foundation to our life and ministry in this country. We finally retired from the Parish Church of St Marks Winshill, in the Repton Deanery after having served the parish for over 13 years. It has been a priviledge to serve this diocese and now commended by the Bishop to serve the Retired Clergy in the diocese.
We have two sons Michael (Jr) married to Bryony and they have a daughter called Elsa and live in Norway, Noel married to Nathalie and have two children Noah and Yasmin, and live in London. by God'd grace they are all doing well in their respective families, and we all have a happy family bond.
We now joyfully look forward to serving our Retired Clergy friends within the diocese, and take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed year 2016, and may God bless is all richly with good health and happiness.
Regards
Revd Michael Mookerji
01283 335582
