Lucy Harrison
In responce to some recent lead and silver thefts from churches, Derbyshire police have issued the following guidence notes.
Church Security Advice Note - B Division
St Alkmund’s Church, Derby are excited to hold an Election Husting event on Wednesday 22nd April, 7.30pm
The evening will take the form of a discussion with the principle candidates for Derby North and Derby South constituencies, along similar lines to the BBC program ‘Question Time’.
The event will be chaired by The Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern, Bishop of Derby.
Bishop Alastair said: ‘ It is important for the public to engage with their prospective parliamentary candidates to question the parties’ pledges but also to raise the importance of those policies locally. I am pleased that St Alkmund's are able to provide a space to allow this discussion to take place and look forward to chairing this exciting event’
The event will be attended by representatives of the Conservative party, Green Party, Labour, Liberal Democrat Party and the UK Independence party.
It is anticipated that the discussion will cover a range of topics including:
• Overall political approach and thinking
• Specific policy areas
• local issues relevant to Derby
Audience members are invited to submit a question prior to the event and a selection of the best will be chosen on the night. Audience members will also be able to ask follow on questions around topics under discussion.
For more information about the event visit https://sites.google.com/site/stalkmundshustings2015/home
Doors open to the public at 6.45pm with the event starting at 7.30pm. The event will close at 10pm. All are welcome to attend.
Diocesan purple
Pantone: 268
RGB: 88,44,131
CMYK: 82,98,0,12
Websafe #663399
Diocesan Logo
Low resolution versions of our logo are available to download below. For High resolution versions (for printed documents / signage etc) please contact communications@derby.anglican.org
The term of office of the current Diocesan Synod ends on 31 July 2015. Therefore Derby Diocese must elect a new Diocesan Synod from its clergy and church members. 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. The rules state that the electors are defined at 6.00am on the date on which the nominations papers are issued locally by the Deanery.
Elections to the new Diocesan Synod will be carried out during the period May to July 2015 to a timetable fixed by the Bishop in accordance with Church Representation Rule 32(1). The new Diocesan Synod will take office on 1 August 2015 and the first meeting of the new Diocesan Synod will be on 17 October 2015.
The Bishop, in accordance with Rule 32(2) has appointed the Rural Deans to be the Presiding Officers for elections by the House of Laity of Deanery Synods and the Lay Chairs to be the Presiding Officers for elections by the House of Clergy of Deanery Synods.
Nominations
A Notice of Election must be sent to every qualified elector, together with a nomination form. Every candidate may be nominated and seconded by qualified electors and every candidate must express with their signature, their willingness to serve, if elected. Opportunity is provided for a candidate, if he or she so desires, to set out in 100 words or fewer, a factual statement, such as professional qualifications, present office of relevant experience, for circulation with the voting papers.
Nomination Forms will be posted to all electors on 14 May 2015. Nomination Forms will be sent by post on the same day in order that every elector is treated equally.
Valid paper copies of Nomination Forms must be returned by mid-day on 5 June which is the closing date for nominations.
If nominations are received, which are equal to or less than the number to be elected, then these persons will be elected and notified accordingly. If there are less than the number of people to be elected then the remaining places are treated as casual vacancies and are then filled by the House of Clergy or the House of Laity by a method to be decided by them in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. This process is the responsibility of the Chair of the appropriate House.
Voting Papers
If there are more nominations than there are places to fill, then an election will be organised. A voting paper must be circulated to every qualifying elector by post no later than 12 June 2015 and these have to be returned by mid-day on 3 July. The completed voting paper must be signed by the elector, together with their full name written on the reverse of the form in order to be valid. Candidates will be notified of the result. In the event of equality of votes, the decision shall be taken by lot by the Presiding Officer.
TIMELINE
14 May 2015 Each Deanery issues Notice of Election and Nomination Papers
5 June 2015 Closing date for nominations
19 June 2015 Deanery issues voting papers (if elections are required)
3 July 2015 Closing date for voting
10 July 2015 Deanery presiding officers inform Diocesan Secretary, Deanery Synod Secretaries and candidates of election results and of Diocesan Synod Members
15 July 2015 Diocesan Synod Elections must be complete
1 August 2015 Members of the new Diocesan Synod hold office from this date
17 October 2015 First meeting of the new Diocesan Synod
NUMBERS TO BE ELECTED
DEANERY Clergy Laity
Alfreton 3 3
Bakewell and Eyam 4 5
Bolsover & Staveley 3 4
Buxton 3 2
Chesterfield 8 8
Glossop 2 3
Wirksworth 2 3
Ashbourne 2 3
Derby North 6 4
Derby South 5 4
Duffield 3 5
Heanor 2 2
Erewash 5 6
Longford 2 2
Melbourne 3 3
Repton 3 4
The Church of England has committed to work towards net zero carbon after a motion by General Synod.
Our target date is 2030.
This is because we know emissions of carbon dioxide - and other green house gases, need to be reduced to arrest the damage we are doing to the planet.
They are currently rising and are above the target for carbon dioxide 350 parts per million (ppm) at 420ppm [June 2022].
To do this we have to rethink how we operate our buildings.
Six principles are to:
- maintain buildings
- buy renewable
- waste less
- electric not gas/oil
- generate more
- offset the rest
How is Net Zero measured?
Energy use (oil, gas, electricity) + fuel (travel)= gross carbon footprint.
From that value we takeaway 100% renewable energy and carbon offset/sequestration.
This calculation gives us ‘net zero’ carbon figure.
Which energy providers count as renewable?
>> View this list issued by the Church of England
A fuller and more technical explanation, resources and film are available.
Renewable energy generation
Generating our own electricity is a solution that should be seriously considered. The aim of the recent The way finder project is a pilot study looking at high energy use buildings and how to get them to net zero. It has advice for people responsible for all sizes of building.
Net zero webinars - include the Wayfinder project [this is a pilot of renewables on a range of Cof E buildings and plans for net zero on these premises, commissioned by General Synod], heating, lighting, solar panels, EV car charging, and more.
They are available as a single YouTube playlist here.
Many of our buildings can be used more sustainably by adjusting in ways that are simpler. There are case studies and guidance available.
There are renewables case studies and you can search for local churches with existing renewables on the renewables map.
If your church is considering replacing a boiler and want to review renewable options, please consult Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) colleagues as you deliberate.
>> CofE sustainable buildings national guidance
Smaller churches might also like to see a film from a group of rural churches in the Diocese of Leeds: https://youtu.be/13LF_waQFpU
Beginning
Practical path to net zero
The practical path to Net Zero is a two page checklist and a great place to start.
Download the Practical Path to Net Zero here.
The Energy Footprint Tool or EFT
Measure your parish carbon footprint now to set a baseline measurement. This can be done simply using the parish return system, the resource from the Church of England. Go to your where you add your normal Stats for Mission return or see Energy Footprint Tool | The Church of England. This is currently closed for analysis and will be live from January 2023 to end of July 2023.
To measure your personal energy footprint see: WWF Footprint Calculator The UK average is just over 12 and to meet our target to get to net zero by 2045 10.5. We aim to reduce this towards a fair share globally which would be 1 tonne which would require a huge change of current infrastructures.
Carbon Literacy
Although embedded carbon footprint isn’t current measured, we need to know about it. A very rough guide it is related to cost, so make large expenditure decisions slower and research them thoughtfully.
This autumn 2022, we intend to increase Carbon Literacy amongst the Diocese of Derby leadership. This is externally accredited training.
Resources are available at: Home - Centre for Alternative Technology (cat.org.uk) and Climate Stewards.
Offsetting
Climate Stewards is one place you can use to calculate offset to get to net zero carbon.
Link to Climate Stewards: Climate Stewards
The advice is to keep the percentage of offset as low as you possibly can. If you have got to Net Zero Carbon this should become your target.
Action Packs
Routemap Net zero carbon routemap now has specific tools for different organisations:
Where to get help locally
John Beardmore, is an engineer and adviser on renewables for the DAC John@T4sLtd.co.uk John.
Funding
>> Diocese of Derby funding resources
Map of renewables CoEngland.
Please add your example to the map. The CofE is seeking renewables, transport and community engagement case studies from this area.
If your church has missed the deadline for any returns or would like to submit any updated data for a previous year, they may do so directly to the national team by going to Parish Returns Online (churchofengland.org).
Recording Online Attendance
Every Statistics for Mission return asks for a range of attendance data throughout the year; both an 'average' Sunday attendance throughout the year as well as a more detailed account of October attendance across a range of categories. But how do we do that when people are attending online church?
Measuring attendance of online church is difficult and problematic. Online platforms such as Youtube, Facebook and Zoom do allow content creators to view an analysis of who has viewed their output. However, these figures don't equate well to 'attendance'. Many of those who view will do so only for a few seconds and it still counts as a view; in addition, one single 'view' might represent the attendance of several people who are watching one device in a household.
The national Research and Statistics team of the Church of England have produced some forms and guidance on what and how you can keep track of attendance and they are asking for feedback from churches on how useful and easy to collect this information might be. You can download a simple Excel form that can be used to record information on your online church and attendance at services. It was originally designed for the periods of COVID lockdowns, but may still be useful for general online church.
In addition, the Church of England Digital Team have produced some good articles on how to use the analytics available on each of the major platforms you might be using:
Youtube
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/church-resources/digital-labs/labs-learning-blog/how-use-youtube-analytics
Facebook
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/church-resources/digital-labs/labs-learning-blog/understanding-facebook-insights
Zoom
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/204654719-Getting-Started-with-Dashboard-#h_6a8f039a-5ad2-47b8-b125-39c9c4de3995
General Introduction
Each year the national church asks parishes to collect a range of information about the number of people coming to church through the year and at special times, about baptisms, weddings and funerals, and about the worshipping community of the church.
A huge thank you to all those parishes who have collected and submitted their Statistics for Mission returns for 2020. It really is appreciated! Do start thinking about your 2021 return - you may like to download the collection tools below to help you keep track and make the job at the end of the year easier.
Why collect statistics?
Good quality statistics can present a facts-based window on the world, as well as help predict where things might be heading for the future. They can help with forming strategy, show whether current strategies are working well and highlight where more support might be needed.
Statistics can help us see more clearly what the church and the community we serve is like and inform the planning for the mission and ministry of the church.
Statistics can also help the wider church put her resources in the right place. They can help us to share good news widely, inside and outside the church.
Good statistics are a powerful weapon in the mission and ministry armoury of local parishes, dioceses and the national church. Not for nothing do we call them Statistics for Mission!
If you are new to Statistics for Mission, you can download a helpful introduction here.
How we collect the statistics
In Derby diocese, parishes use the Church of England online Parish Returns system to submit both their Statistics for Mission and Finance data. You can find out more about this system by downloading a short briefing here. The system can be accessed via any web browser - simply go to https://parishreturns.churchofengland.org/. You'll need a username and password to gain access. Each parish has an administrator for the system who can set up, amend and delete users for that parish. If you're not sure who the administrator is for your parish, your deanery administrator should be able to help.
A full and up to date user guide for the parish returns system can be downloaded from within the system.
When should the data be submitted?
Electoral Roll and Easter figures can be entered any time soon after annual general meetings are due to be complete. The rest of the data input opens at the end of September, but much of the information can't be completed until the end of the year. All data must be submitted by the end of January of the following year.
If you need further help and support concerning the collection and submission of the Statistics for Mission return, please contact your deanery administrator.
Statistics Collection Tools
Experience has shown that if parishes collect data week by week through the year, it makes completing the Statistics for Mission return at the end of the year much easier and produces much more accurate results. To help you to do that, we’ve provided some statistics collection tools that you can download from the links below.
These are not extra forms that you have to fill in. If you find them helpful, then please use them, and feel free to adapt them. We don’t need you to submit them – they’re for your convenience and use only.
Attendance Calculator (Excel) - assists in collection Usual Sunday Attendance and October counts, as well as recording figures for Advent, Christmas and Easter. Click the link below for the year you require:
- Attendance Calculator for 2022 data
- Attendance Calculator for 2023 data
Pastoral Care Register (Word) - a simple sample register that can be adapted to help keep track of attendance patterns across various services. Click the link below for the year you require:
- Pastoral Care Register for 2022 data
- Pastoral Care Register for 2023 data
Worshipping Community (PDF) - A document explaining the Worshipping Community statistics; their importance for the church (both locally and more widely), alongside some tips to help collect them.
Worshipping Community List (Excel) – Assists in collecting Electoral Roll, Worshipping Community, Joiners and Leavers figures.
Fresh Expressions Choice Tree (PDF) – A simple tool to help you decide whether you should include a group as a Fresh Expression in your Statistics return.
My father, Walter Mansey, was in the First World War. He was invalided out after being gassed in the battle at Ypres (Wipes as the soldiers called it) of course, we now realise the gassing probably saved his life. He was one of the temporarily blinded soldiers who walked to safety with one arm on the shoulder of the soldier in front. I have been to Ypres and have seen the trenches and the awful conditions the men fought under – horrific! My going was in the tradition of my father, who, whilst he seldom spoke of his experiences, was keen for his children to understand the horrors of war. To this end he never hid from us the shocking events of World War Two. I would have been 8 or 9 at the time and we then lived on Harvey Road, Alvaston, Derby. My father took us all out one night and told us to look up the road; on the horizon was a great glow of light. He said ‘that is Coventry on fire’. From Coventry to Alvaston the horror of bombing, burning and death was laid upon us. Speaking for all his children, we never forgot.
Celia Walters
I joined the military in September 1939 at the age of twenty. I was in the desert at the end of 1940 in time for the Italian War. After a ‘forced march’ of 36 hours non-stop we captured over 50,000 Italian and German prisoners. Later, I was wounded, captured and taken to a German A.D.S. (Advanced Dressing Station) where I received excellent treatment by a German Surgeon. I was sent to Benghazi Hospital. Our chaps were pushing west again and I was taken from the hospital and joined other prisoners in a cargo boat, two holds down. The German and Italian troops on the boat ostensibly going on leave. Halfway across the Mediterranean we were hit by 2 torpedoes. I miraculously managed to escape from the hold, by climbing up a rope of a hatch tarpaulin, and dived into the sea which was full of fuel oil. The boat sank within minutes. Buoyant deck cargo floated off the boat and I was able to scramble on top, together with German and Italian Military clinging around the sides. I must have been there for about 48 hours, or even longer. Everyone died of their wounds or exhaustion except for me. I landed on the southern tip of Greece virtually unconscious and eventually received help from a Greek farmer. My skin was completely saturated by oil and it took almost a year to rid myself of it.
The story is quite simply a love story between two ordinary working class people set against the backdrop of World War II, unremarkable and similar to a thousand others that took place during that period. What is different is that Eric chose, years later, to commit his memories to paper. When he did this we do not know nor do we know why the manuscript remained hidden until it was found by his wife after his death, when, by his own words this "memorandum of memories" was meant to be read by Ann and himself. Perhaps he had just forgotten that he had written it and it remained out of sight for all of those years, as you can imagine it was very emotional for Ann to read it for the first time and it remained one of her most treasured possessions until her death in 2006.
Wars have come and gone, technology, fashion, music, ideals etc. have all changed since that era but was had remained is that soldiers have and will continue to fall in love and then, somewhere, sometime go off to war.
ROBERT HAMILTON RUSSELL McAUSLAND was born in June 1896 and lived in Derby with his parents.
Local newspaper report shows that he joined a "Comrades Corps" in 1914 which was merged with the 13th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbyshire Regiment) and were quartered at Normanton Barracks, Derby. At some point he became part of the 5th Reserve Battalion, Sherwood Foresters as there is a newspaper report in 1916 showing that he was arrested for being absent without leave, brought before the court and handed over to military escorts.
Robert (Bert) was killed in action near Ypres in July 1917 whilst serving with the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. Twelve of his comrades from the 9th Battalion were also killed in the same month.
