Introduction to the Handbook

The role of the Rural Dean

The role of The Assistant Rural Dean

The role of the Lay Chair of Deanery Synod

Really useful resources for new Rural Deans

Rural Deans guidelines for payment of expenses

Specimen contract for the use of Rural Deans

Many people, lay and ordained, now recognise that it can be helpful to have someone alongside them on their pilgrimage, someone who has the gift of listening creatively to others and who offers a safe place of acceptance and encouragement.

Sometimes this need grows out of a fruitful experience on retreat.

Often it can be at a time of crisis, when old patterns are disturbed or when we feel an urge to take seriously our quest for meaning in life and we want to go deeper into our journey of faith.

Maybe we want help with our prayer life or to test a particular calling. Maybe we are finding it difficult to deal with events or relationships in our life.

This can be a chance to reflect on what has been happening and to put things in perspective.  

This is called ‘Spiritual Direction’ or ‘Spiritual Companionship’, but other terms such as ‘Soul Friend’ (from the Celtic tradition) are used.

It is available to all who wish to see more clearly where God is at work in their lives.

Become a spiritual accompanier

Applications are now open until mid-December for the next experiential Art of Spiritual Accompaniment course, which begins in March 2022 for both lay and ordained people, exploring listening, prayer and discernment seeking to determine whether God might be calling them to the ministry of accompanying others in their spiritual journey.

It consists of four face-to-face Saturdays and 11 evening Zoom sessions which include space and silence, an exploration of different ways of praying, practical listening skills in triads, reflection time in small groups and teaching about spiritual traditions and good practice.

For more information, please contact nicky.fenton@bishopofderby.org

What happens?
Most people see their Spiritual Companion once every four to twelve weeks.

It may be a long-term relationship or for a limited period. There are no rules about this.

The meeting has a sacramental nature, for God uses it as a channel for grace.

It calls for a sense of trust, confidentiality and for openness from both, in the knowledge that the meeting takes place in the presence of God.

The purpose is to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the direction.

Suggestions may be offered of ways to pray, ideas for helpful reading, as well as practical suggestions relating to life choices, but the final decisions are always left in the hands of the person seeking guidance.

How do you find someone?
In the Diocese of Derby we have a list of people of different traditions and backgrounds who offer this service and two Portfolio Holders in Spiritual Direction who will help you to find the right person.

The choice of a companion is likely to have important consequences in your life.

For this reason you might be invited to come for an informal meeting with one of them, so that they could talk with you about your expectations and ‘get a feel’ for the sort of person you would hope for.

To access a spiritual director, please contact:

Revd Nicky Fenton - nicky.fenton@derby.anglican.org

See also: Spirituality index 

Spirituality is probably one of the most overworked and misunderstood words in present day religious vocabulary.

In the context of our life and mission in the Diocese of Derby we are particularly concerned with Christian Spirituality which is deeply embedded in the life and history of the Church.

In these days many people are taking their own journey into God far more seriously. There is a real thirst within the Church as well as in the world for the things of God.

To try to address this, our Christian Spirituality Group tries to provide people who can accompany others on this journey as listeners and spiritual directors. We also provide courses, quiet days and retreats. Details of all these things will appear from time to time on this website and in other places.

We hope that we will be able to offer something to assist those who feel themselves to be beginners on the journey as well those who are ready to take a further step on a journey maybe started many years ago.

One thing is certain, none of us have arrived and all are in need of the support, prayer and assistance of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Christian Spirituality Group is there as one way of enabling this to happen within our Diocese.

The Rev'd Canon Cameron Butland
Spirituality Adviser

 cameron.butland@derby.anglican.org

More about spirituality:

>> Prayer of the Heart - Sat, 15 June 2024 - Darley Dale [pdf]

>> The Art of Spiritual Accompaniment course 2025 [pdf]

>> Spiritual Companions 

>> Christian Writers Group

Spirituality learning

A series of Lenton Addresses at St Werburgh's church Spondon by Bishop Alastair. To download a copy of the booklet please click here

>> Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 [PDF]

>> Annual Report and Financial Statements 2022 [PDF]

>> Annual Report and Financial Statements 2021 [PDF]

>> Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020 [PDF]

>> Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019 [PDF]

>> Annual Report and Financial Statements 2018 [PDF]

>> Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 [PDF]

>> Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 [PDF]

We are grateful to Ali Campbell, DYO for Chichester Diocese who has given permission to share this document. Please click here to get the finished PDF for the “Lent Bible Reflections for Young People”. 

"My hope with the resource is that young people themselves will use it, with so many now having their own tablets and phones that can be used as readers – this seemed the simplest way. Use it however you like as youth and children’s leaders – if it also personally helpful – that is great!  Please pass it on as you see fit."

Ali Campbell

The Discipleship, Mission and Ministry team exists to serve the Diocese of Derby as it seeks to share in God’s mission and further the Kingdom. Our primary focus is the churches of the diocese, and the individuals within them, but we will work with all who share in God’s kingdom values

Our Purpose

As a team we seek to serve, enable and encourage individuals and churches to become more faithful and effective in fulfilling God’s call to be a missionary people. This will lead to transformation in the diocese and our vision is to see . . .

• A deepening love for God, expressed in prayer, worship and discipleship
• A growing openness to change and transformation, and a willingness to embrace the implications
• The formation of leaders, lay and ordained, as they respond to God’s call on their lives
• A more meaningful engagement by churches with their communities
• Numerical growth in worshipping communities

Our Values

We shall seek to fulfil these purposes by . . .

• Faith in God, who brings transformation and builds the Kingdom
• Being rooted in present realities and having a vision for God’s future
• Being open to new possibilities and responding with flexibility and creativity
• Valuing each individual, believing that they are responsible for their own growth and development
• Balancing ‘being’ and faithfulness with ‘doing’ and effectiveness
• Listening well – to others, to contexts and to God
• Working collaboratively
• Speaking with respect and honesty

For more information on the team click here

Discipleship, Mission and Ministry Team

WCD is a Local Ecumenical Partnership, sponsored by Churches Together in Derbyshire to carry forward the ministry of the Church in relation to Work and the Workplace.  It is responsible for accrediting clergy and authorised laity, on behalf of the Bishops and the leadership of the member churches, to visit and minister to individual workplaces. 

Purpose:

 •To foster the well-being of those engaged in all sectors of employment.

•To relate to the inherent spirituality and creativity of human endeavour and the quality that it brings to a workforce.

•To engage in economic debate and witness to the conviction that God is active in economic affairs.

•To help transform work and the understanding of work in the light of the Gospel.

•To engage the Church in ministry to the workaday life of all people.

•To enable people to discover the presence of God in their daily work.

Vision:

•To bring the world of work into the heart of the life of the Church in Derbyshire.

•To bring the compassion and hope of God into the working lives of people.

•To help uphold a sustainable and just economy.

Our chaplains serve in the Industry, Derbyshire Constabulary, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, Transport, Sport, Agriculture, Air Training Corps, Army Cadets sectors.

To find out more, visit www.workplacechaplaincyinderbyshire.org.uk

Derby City Centre Chaplaincy

Derby City Centre Chaplaincy expresses the love of Jesus in public, personal and prophetic ways through a team of chaplains, offering encouragement and support to all people in their workplaces.

Our chaplains serve in Retail and Business, Social Care, GP Surgeries, Education, Derby City Council, Arts and Entertainment, and Homeless Centres

To find out more, visit www.workplacechaplaincyinderbyshire.org.uk

Other Town Centre Chaplaincies

These are in Swadlincote, Belper, Ashbourne, Long Eaton, Ilkeston, Chesterfield, Shirebrook, Buxton, Matlock, Alfreton, and Heanor and Langley Mill.

Major Incident Plan

Bishop Libby introduces the Major Incident Plan as follows:

The nature of disasters and emergencies is unpredictable. We don’t know what the nature of the next emergency will be, or where and when they are going to occur. We do know it is important that appropriately trained people can be relied on to respond quickly with the necessary help.

I have seen the difference chaplaincy support can make in such circumstances, and am pleased our local plans include that contribution. Major Incident Plan Chaplains are recognised by the statutory agencies as having a significant role to play in a major incident or emergency within Derbyshire and Derby City. 

We also have chaplains who are trained counsellors, and others who are specialists in supporting people with addictions, disabilities and mental health issues, and families experiencing bereavement or affected by learning difficulties.

>> You can download the plan here

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

The Spirituality and Wellbeing Service, Ashbourne Centre, Kingsway Hospital, Kingsway, Derby, DE22 3LZ.

>> Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust website

Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Derby Hospital, including the Children’s Hospital, Uttoxeter Road, Derby, DE22 3NE.
01332 789500, Voicemail service. Fax: (01332) 789497, dhft.ChaplaincyRDH@nhs.net

>> Derby Hospitals NHS website

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 

Royal Hospital, Calow, Chesterfield S44 5BL.

>> Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS website

Prison Chaplain

HMP Sudbury (01283) 584000; chaplaincy (01283) 584088

HMP Foston Hall, (01283) 584300; chaplaincy (01283) 584325