Lucy Harrison
St Peter’s Church, Littleover and Blagreaves
Job Role: To manage one-off bookings for St Peter’s Hub (Littleover) and St Andrew’s Hub (Blagreaves), providing excellent customer service and ensuring that all booking conditions are met by the hiring party.
Hours: 4 hours per week (averaged across weeks)
Salary: £11.44 per hour (amended each April)
Closing Date: Monday 20 January 2025
Download the job description here (Word)
Christine McMullen, the Diocese of Derby's former chair of the House of Laity, has been awarded The Canterbury Cross in this year’s Lambeth Awards, in recognition of her exceptional service to both the Diocese of Derby and the Church of England for over 40 years.
The Bishop of Derby, The Rt Revd Libby Lane said: “Christine has been an extraordinary servant of Christ and His church.
"I am delighted her contribution over so many decades and in so many spheres has been recognised and celebrated in this way.
"Her faith and sense of duty have sustained and equipped her to serve at a local, diocesan and national level.
"In the Diocese of Derby, she has been an advocate and champion of lay voice and ministry especially in rural contexts. For 40 years, she has held licence and now has permission to exercise ministry as Reader, for two decades she served as Chair of the House of Laity for Diocesan Synod and is a member of the Bishop’s Council. For many years she held the roles of Deanery Lay Chair, School Governor and Business Committee member. She has also sat on the Vacancy-in-See Committee and acted as Warden of Readers.
"Christine has been Diocesan President of the Mothers' Union, National Vice Chair for the MU and member of the Central Council at Mary Sumner House, London. Christine was the manager of Salcare before, in 1994, she became lecturer and then Vice Principal at the Northern Ordination College, where she taught Pastoral Studies, Human Relationship, Ethics and New Testament Greek. Christine was subsequently on the Governing Council of Trinity Theological College Bristol.
"Whilst a member of the General Synod Christine was a member of many committees and working parties, including at Ministry Division considering Clergy Stipends and working conditions. She was a member of the working party on The Family which produced its report in 1995. She was the founder member of WATCH which campaigned for the ordination of women first as clergy, then the Episcopate.
"We are deeply grateful to Christine for the generous ways she has used her gifts and experience for God. We congratulate her on being awarded the Canterbury cross.”
On receiving the award Christine said: “I was not very excited when I read the email offering me the Canterbury Cross. I thought it was just a hoax!
"I decided I had better check so I phoned Bishop Libby to ask her if it were genuine, and when the Bishop stopped laughing, she reassured me it was true and I had better send a reply!
"This was a few weeks ago and the hardest thing has been not able to share the news!
"What I have done with my life is based on the support of my friends and what my family taught me - to trust God, to be kind, to look into people’s eyes when talking to them and to listen carefully to what they are saying ( and not saying) without making judgements.
"There was a lot of noise round our family table, my mother was a great giggler, and my father was quieter but had a canny eye for the idiosyncrasies of people in everyday life and had a great gift for doing things in his own way, and my children were unbelievably honest. I owe a lot to them.”
Congratulations to Christine on this amazing achievement!
The carol ‘It came upon a midnight clear’ is not my favourite, but two of its lines always jump out at me.
The first is the reference to John Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’ – where Milton’s ‘wandering steps and slow’ in the carol become the ‘painful steps and slow’ of humanity struggling under ‘life’s crushing load’ along a ‘climbing way’.
For many that’s just how they will be feeling as this Christmas approaches.
Whether it’s personal problems, local, national or global politics, whether it’s the cruelties of war in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa, or whether it’s our painfully slow response to the climate emergency, we feel ill-equipped to face such challenges.
None of us as individuals, and none of our national or global institutions – including the church – seem up to the job.
But it’s a different line of the carol that intrigues me most, from the first verse of the carol ‘the world in solemn stillness lay’.
It is that sense of waiting, of longing, longing for a story to be told and a song to be sung that cannot come from inside ourselves, but which, once heard, we find irresistible.
Those three words stand out – world – solemn – stillness:
This ‘world’ – reality as we know it is a planet set in one huge galaxy within an expanding universe 15 billion years old, where against extraordinary odds life came to be, evolving over time to produce humans capable of researching and reflecting on the meaning of existence.
It is a world of intricate beauty and variety, nature terrifying in its capacity both for destruction and for renewal.
This same real world we know as the place of our human struggle – and it is the world which ‘God so loved’ that he ‘sent his only begotten Son.’ (John 3.16)
John unfolds the astonishing mystery that the very sense and meaning of this vast universe is fully expressed in the one born in Bethlehem and crucified at Calvary. The Word, the one who gives meaning to it all, made flesh, made accessible, recognisable to us. One of us. One with us.
Solemnity follows. ‘The world in solemn stillness lay….’ For all the welcome festive jollification of food and drink and presents and merriment, the incarnation of the word of God is serious stuff.
Our journey through Advent helps us explore some solemn themes – not least the four last things, Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. Change the language if we must, but these themes serve as the writing on the wall to much of our way of life. ‘Weighed in the balance and found wanting’ (Daniel 5.27) is not a text with which to point the finger at others, it stands as a warning to ourselves.
We could and should be better than we are.
And if the future is to be better, so we must be.
The solemn truth is that in Jesus God did not reach out from afar to touch the world to make it better, he became one of us, ‘making himself nothing, taking the form of a servant.’ (Philippians 2.7)
Let’s not bypass the solemnity of Advent.
Then, at last, comes ‘stillness’.
Not a soporific stillness, but the stillness of waiting in anticipation.
Alert.
This is how we are to await the song of God’s love, the song of the angels.
It is an uncomfortable waiting, because we know we are not ready.
And we know that however much we know already, there is so much more to be discovered, so much more to learn.
When I pray, it is when the words and busy thoughts give way to this stillness that I know God is doing what only God can do. On God alone my soul in stillness waits…. (Psalm 62.1)
Rowan Williams writes in his book ‘Being Disciples’ about how birdwatching is a bit like prayer.
A twitcher will watch and wait in stillness for that ‘Kingfisher moment’ when a glorious flash of blue and orange shoots by.
Such are those moments when we begin to see and know and love the God who always sees and knows and loves us.
So worth waiting for.
I waited recently not to see a Kingfisher, but a Bittern – rarer still, but spectacular not for its outstanding colours, but for the camouflage that makes it almost invisible amongst the reedbeds.
Hiding in plain sight.
Open our eyes, O Lord, that we may see the wonders of your love. Amen.
Notification of pending faculty petition for Buxton St Mary the Virgin, dated 29th November 2024
See attached Form 4a (PDF)
If you wish to object to any of the works or proposals, you should write giving reasons for your objection to:
The Diocesan Registrar at 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JT
Derby.registry@1thesanctuary.com
so that it reaches the Registry no later than 21 days after the day of this notice (ie by 20th December), stating your name and postal address, and whether you live in the parish and/or your name is entered on the electoral roll of the parish or any other capacity in which you write.
Archdeacon Nicky preached at the Safeguarding Sunday service at Ashbourne on Sunday 18 November 2024
As we gather here today on this Safeguarding Sunday, our hearts and minds can’t help but be troubled and heavy in the light of the findings of the Makin Report. We are shocked and disturbed by the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. We are ashamed of the institutional failures of the Church of England and many of its senior clergy.
As Archbishop Justin has resigned and prepares to step down, we can’t help but wonder what comes next? How will we continue to learn from the mistakes of the past? What might the future of the Church look like?
The prophet Jeremiah tells us that God’s plan is always to give us a future and a hope. The two Bible readings we’ve read today help us to think about what that future and that hope might look like and how we might contribute to bringing God’s plans and purposes to fruition.
God’s desire is that all people might know his love and come to live within his kingdom. The kingdom of God which is good news for all. The way into that kingdom is open for all who will enter by putting their faith and trust in Jesus, the one who died that we might have life.
In our liturgy, we sometimes talk about Jesus’ death as opening his arms for us upon the cross – a gesture of welcome, invitation and drawing us in. When you watch a priest presiding at the eucharist, the sleeves of our vestments look very much like wings. That is imagery which the psalmist picks up in our first reading today, Psalm 91:1-4.
God offers us the opportunity to live within his kingdom, to find shelter under his protection. To lean upon his strength, and rest in the shadow of his wings, to be truly and deeply safe and secure. God’s kingdom sets us free from anything that would enslave us as God’s perfect love casts out our fear and helps us grow into wholeness and fullness of life. God’s desire for us is that we will flourish and thrive and become the people we were created to be.
Our Diocesan Vision is nothing less than a vision of the kingdom of God. In our different roles and responsibilities, we are seeking to be good news for all the people God sends our way. In all our churches across the diocese, we are creating safe spaces where people can flourish and thrive and live out their God-given calling. Knowing that we are loved beyond measure by God in Christ, we are learning to love without measure or restraint.
As we reflect on the faithfulness of God and remember with gratitude all he has done for us, our love for him grows, our relationship with him deepens and that love overflows into service of our local contexts. And when we see things around us that are not how God wants them to be we try and find a way to speak out and challenge injustice. And as we do that, other people are impacted and affected and we pray that as they encounter Christ in us and between us and through us, that they too will become disciples and their lives are transformed by Christ.
Today as we gather, it is good to remember that the work we do in safeguarding is absolutely central to all we are and do and to helping our churches reflect the life, values and vision of God’s kingdom.
Thank you for the part that you are playing. It is good that our amazing safeguarding team are here today and we thank God for the faithful and diligent way in which they serve us. But, as we all know, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility- though without some really committed volunteers who are willing to devote their time, energy and focus their ministry around this area, our churches would be less safe and people would be at risk.
The work that our churches are doing in safeguarding is often unseen and unnoticed. No-one knows how much time is spent updating Parish dashboards. No-one (other than our trainer Nick Harding) sees the thousands of individuals sitting on their laptops completing their training. No-one is there in the middle of the night when you can’t get to sleep because something traumatic has occurred and you’ve been part of the Case Management Meeting trying to find ways of moving forward.
But God sees all those things. His arms of love surround and enfold you, his wings are spread over you giving you protection and shade. His strength helps you to stand and be strong. He catches your tears in a bottle and treasures it for ever. So you are never on your own – God is always with you and has promised to never leave or forsake you. His grace is sufficient, his power is perfected in weakness and his mercies are new every morning for great is his faithfulness. And can I encourage you to allow our Safeguarding team to help and support you too for that is what they are there for. And as well as that professional help and support, can I encourage you to offer peer support to one another through the PSO network and make the most of the resources available to you.
Part of being human is accepting that no-one is perfect, we are all fallen, we all make mistakes, we all need help and we all need God’s forgiveness. As we remember with gratitude all who work within our churches supporting the work of Safeguarding, we pray for the ways in which we as individuals, and our Church as an institution, has failed in our duty to protect people. And failed in our calling to love as we have been loved and provide a safe place for all to thrive. We need to learn from those failures and do everything in our power to move forward in the way God wants us to be.
For those who have been the cause of pain, we pray that the love of God will show them the error of their ways and grant them the grace to repent and change, and opportunities to atone and make amends, where that is appropriate and possible. And for all perpetrators we ask that God will convict them of their sin and change their hearts.
And as we close, I invite you to hold before God all survivors and especially those who have suffered as a result of the failings of our Church. Each one is a unique individual made in God’s image, known and loved by God, infinitely precious and treasured by him. Let us commit ourselves to praying for them, for their healing and protection and that they might encounter the love of God and find safety in the shadow of his wings.
15 November
The Revd Max Marsh, Assistant Curate of St Mary the Virgin Lewisham, Diocese of Southwark, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Ilkeston Holy Trinity and of Long Eaton St. Laurence, Diocese of Derby.
The Revd Charlotte Wallington, Assistant Curate of Hathersage with Bamford & Derwent and Grindleford, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Wickham Market with Pettistree, Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.
14 November
The Revd Adele Barker, Bishop’s Chaplain, has been appointed Interim Chaplain to Retired Clergy in the Archdeaconry of Derby City and South Derbyshire, until such time as a permanent appointment is made.
7 November
The Revd Onyekachi (Julius) Anozie, Assistant Curate of Kirk Hallam, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Vicar of St Hilda Ashford, Diocese of London. Julius will be licensed to his new post on 16th December, 2024.
The Revd Canon Peter Jenner, Curate of Upperby St John The Baptist (Carlisle) 1985-1988, Chaplain of the University of Reading (Oxford) 1988-1996, Priest-in-Charge of Mellor St Thomas (Derby) 1996-1999, Vicar of the same benefice 1999-2006, Vicar of Mellor St Thomas (Chester) 2006-2012, Rural Dean of Chadkirk 2008-2011, Senior Chaplain and Dean of Chapel at the University of Chester 2012-2022, Canon Residentiary of Chester Cathedral 2012-2015, who retired in 2022, and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission To Officiate, died on Friday 1st November 2024. Funeral details will follow in due course.
The Revd Simon White, Curate of Chadkirk St Chad (Chester) 1990-1994, School Chaplain Stockport Grammar 1994-1999, Curate of Stockport St George 1994-1995, Team Vicar of Stockport South West 1995-1999, Priest-in-Charge of Stanley All Saints and St Andrew (Derby) 1999-2002, Priest-in-Charge of West Hallam and Mapperley 1999-2002, Rector of West Hallam and Mapperley with Stanley 2002-2013, Vicar of Tideswell 2013-2023, who retired in 2023, died on Saturday 2nd November 2024. A service of thanksgiving will be held in the New Year.
31 October 2024
The Revd Samantha (Sam) Tredwell, Vicar of Long Eaton St John, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Vicar of St Mary with Christ Church and Holy Apostles, Diocese of York.
25 October 2024
The Revd Mick Fitzsimmons, Assistant Curate of Barlborough and Clowne, has been appointed Team Vicar in Leek and Meerbrook, Diocese of Lichfield.
17 October 2024
The Revd Canon Christine (Chris) Dyer has stepped down as Chaplain to Retired Clergy in the Archdeaconry of Derby City and South Derbyshire. Chris will continue to hold the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate. Details of interim arrangements will follow in due course.
The Revd Anita Matthews will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge (Vicar designate) of Derby St Peter and Christ Church with Holy Trinity, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday, 24 November at 2pm at St Peter’s Derby by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire.
26 September
The Revd Gillian (Gill) Manley, Vicar of Blackwell with Tibshelf, Diocese of Derby, has announced her retirement. Gill’s last day in post will be 28th February, with her retirement taking effect from 1st March, 2025.
12 September
The Revd Anita Matthews, Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of Derby St Peter and Christ Church with Holy Trinity, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge (Vicar designate) of the same benefice.
The Revd Catrin Hubbard, Student Missioner (Assistant Curate) in the parish of Derby St John the Evangelist, Diocese of Derby, recently married and will be known as Catrin Engh with immediate effect. Her contact details remain the same.
The Revd Catherine (Cathie) Watson will be licensed as Assistant Curate of Allestree St Edmund and Darley Abbey, of Allestree St Nicholas and of Quarndon, Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday, 15tOctober 2024 at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, by the Bishop of Repton.
5 September
The funeral of the Revd Canon Martin Hulbert, who died on Sunday, 25 August 2024, will take place on Tuesday, 24 September 2024 at 11 am at St Mary’s church, Wirksworth.
The funeral of the Revd Michel Rogers, who died on Wednesday, 14 August 2024, will take place on Thursday, 3 October 2024 at 2 pm at All Saints Aston-on-Trent.
19 August
The Revd Michel Rogers, Curate of Roehampton Holy Trinity (Southwark) 1985-1988, Vicar of Ryhill St James (Wakefield) 1988-1994, Vicar of South Elmsall St Mary the Virgin 1994-2000, who retired in 2000 and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate, died on Wednesday, 14 August, 2024. Details of the funeral will be announced once confirmed.
15 August
The Revd Derek Honour, Vicar of Derby St Barnabas, Diocese of Derby, has announced his retirement. Derek’s last day in post will be Tuesday, 1 October 2024, with his retirement taking effect from Wednesday, 2 October 2024.
The Revd Joanna (Jo) Honour will be licensed as part-time Priest-in-Charge of Crich and South Wingfield, Diocese of Derby, on Wednesday, 2 October 2024 at 7pm at St Mary’s Crich by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.
The Revd Catherine (Cathie) Watson will be licensed as Assistant Curate of Allestree St Edmund and Darley Abbey, of Allestree St Nicholas and of Quarndon, Diocese of Derby, on Friday, 20 September at 11am at Derby Church House by the Bishop of Repton.
8 August
The Revd Ernest Buckley, Curate of Rochdale (Manchester) 1955-1958, Vicar of Hey 1958-1964, Vicar of Baguley 1964-1979, Vicar of Clun with Chapel Lawn, Bettws-y-Crwyn and Newcastle (Herford) 1979-1987, Rural Dean of Clun Forest 1982-1987, who retired in 1988, and more recently lived in the Diocese of Derby, died on Thursday, 23 May, 2024. His funeral took place on Friday, 14 June 2024 at St James’ Brassington.
The Revd Joanna (Jo) Honour, Chaplain to HMP Sudbury, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed part-time Priest-in-Charge of Crich and South Wingfield in the same diocese.
The Revd Peter Jackson, Assistant Curate of All Saints Torre and Torquay St John, and of Torquay St Luke, Diocese of Exeter, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Derby St Bartholomew and St Luke, with responsibility for Derby St Luke, Diocese of Derby..Peter will be licensed on Tuesday, 8 October at 7pm at St Luke’s Derby by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire.
The Revd Catherine (Cathie) Watson, Assistant Curate of Derby St Werburgh’s BMO, Diocese of Derby, will transfer her curacy and become Assistant Curate of Allestree St Edmund and Darley Abbey, of Allestree St Nicholas and of Quarndon in the same diocese.
To download a copy of this years event list please follow the link below
