Our Diocese Together Uniting the Diocese of during the Covid-19 pandemic Issue 8 - December 2020

Bishop’s Badge honours Covid Community Heroes

Meet Malcolm Macnaughton the next of Repton News Advent Hope Between 30 November and 24 December 2020, Bishop Libby invites you to join her each week for an hour of prayer and reflection based upon seasonal Bible passages and collects as together we look for the coming of Christ and the hope that gives us of his kingdom. Advent Hope is open to all and will be held on Mondays from 8am - 9am and repeated on Thursdays from 8pm - 9pm. Email [email protected] for the access link.

Interim Diocesan Director of Education announced Canon Linda Wainscot, formerly Director of Education for the , will take up the position as Interim Diocesan Director of Education for two days a week during the spring term 2021. Also, Dr Alison Brown will continue to support headteachers and schools, offering one and two days a week as required, ensuring their Christian Distinctiveness within the diocese. Both roles will be on a consultancy basis, starting in January 2021. Linda said: “Having had a long career in education, I retired in August 2020 from my most recent role as Diocesan Director of Education (DDE) for the Diocese of Coventry (a post I held for almost 20 years). Prior to this, I was a teacher and senior leader in maintained and independent schools and an FE College as well as being involved in teacher training. In addition to worshipping in Rugby, I am privileged to be an Honorary Canon of Coventry Cathedral and for two years I was the chair of the Anglican Association of Directors of Education. At the heart of my philosophy for education is my passion that every young person and adult connected with schools might experience the love of God in a tangible and life-giving way. I am honoured to have been asked to support the , the DBE and its family of schools and academies for the spring term and look forward to ‘meeting’ and working with you”.

Living in Love and Faith The Church of England has published a landmark set of resources drawing together the Bible, theology, science and history with powerful real-life stories as it embarks on a new process of discernment and decision-making on questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. Living in Love and Faith includes a 480-page book, a series of films and podcasts, a course and an online library of other publications, in what is thought to be the most extensive work in this area by any faith group in the world. The Church of England has invited everyone to learn together. In the New Year, Bishop Libby will draw together a working group to facilitate using these resources for open and honest discussions, listening and learning from each other across the Diocese of Derby.

2 Archdeacon Carol writes... Christmas will be different this year

O tidings of comfort and joy, to the shepherds on the hillside giving them a feeling of urgency, or the peace of the Christ Comfort and joy, child asleep on the hay. O tidings of comfort and joy For us perhaps we could look for ways in our lives that would help us and others experience We all need a little comfort and joy in our lives Christmas in a different way. In the days of - this year more than ever. As we approach my grandparents, Christmas was a far simpler the longest and darkest months of this affair. There were homemade gifts, knitted unprecedented year we will all have to hold socks / scarfs, baked cookies, homemade onto creative ways to show each other some decorations, a small gathering of carollers comfort and joy. singing outside for figgy pudding, and we The traditions we may have had of large were grateful for the time spent with one family gatherings, people travelling for day another. A kind word, a thoughtful gesture, visits, the extravaganza shopping trips, or a smile to a passer-by at two metres apart, visits to the theatre and the panto, are not could give a measure of comfort and going to be possible this year in the way we acknowledgement of joy. would normally expect. Christmas will be As Christians we can be firm in the knowledge different! that we are all loved beyond all measure with As you prepare in Advent, and think of the hope for our future. And as we begin a New nativity narratives, of Mary and Joseph Year, lets us all try to be witnesses to that travelling to Bethlehem, of Shepherds in the message in the real and virtual world so we fields, you can reflect on what might it have can change lives with Faith, Hope and Love. been like for them. How would they have Blessings for Christmas and the New Year. found comfort and joy?

It might have been through the very simplest Carol of things, the kind words of Elizabeth to Mary, the steady capability of Joseph searching to The Ven Carol Costlett find a place to rest for Mary, the hope brought Archdeacon of Chesterfield

The Church of England has offered Reflections on “Comfort and Joy” based on Nine Lessons and Carols with a welcome from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. A free app is available to download from Apple and Google which features audio versions of the Bible readings and carols. You can also purchase the “Comfort and Joy” booklet for your prayers and thoughts. #Comfort and joy invites us to hear again the message of the angels - good news of God’s unfailing love for the world that is weary and hurting. Visit the Church of England or Diocese of Derby website for more

3 Breaston’s Bishop’s Badge Winner!

Sarah Warburton, a parishioner at St Michael’s Church in Breaston, was one of around 40 people from the across the Diocese of Derby to be recognised for their work during the Covid-19 pandemic and awarded a Bishop’s Badge. A special service was live-streamed on Zoom from where Bishop Libby officially gave recognition and presented the awards. Sarah was recognised for her work in leading and coordinating the Covid-19 street leaders in Breaston, providing support for the vulnerable and setting up and leading a food collection service for local food charities. Sarah said she felt incredibly lucky to be awarded the Badge: “It certainly feels like I received the Bishop’s Badge on behalf of a fabulous team of volunteers, without whom we definitely wouldn’t have been able to do everything that we have done in Breaston. I collected it on behalf of a group of people especially those who helped make the scheme possible, including Richard Warburton, my Husband, Paul Stuttle, Jo Whitehead and Sarah and her daughter outside Revd Chris Smedley – vicar at St Michael’s Breaston.” St Michael’s Church, Breaston When it looked like a lockdown was likely, St Michael’s Church had a meeting with the parish council, the Breaston community forum, the Good Neighbour Scheme and the Methodist Church about how they could respond in the village to help the community. Flyers were sent to each house offering help with shopping, post and prescription collections. Such was the hugely positive response that shortly after 130 volunteers had registered. The group’s ambitious goal of having a leader on every street in the village was achieved within a week and when things quietened down, the network organised a food collection for the Canaan Trust and the and Sawley Foodbank. Sarah said: “There were just so many incredible stories coming out of what was happening in the village. One lady was shopping for 10 elderly neighbours and that was at the time that the restrictions were in place.” Sarah really hopes that the community spirit will continue: “We have been at St Michael’s Church for three years and during that time we have seen so many volunteers from the church being active in the community. At the time of the pandemic, many of those were forced to isolate, so it’s been a really good time for the younger generation to step up and get involved to do their part.” “We’ve now got the network and hope to continue it. We have a food collection planned for Christmas and with the second wave we have been in contact with everyone again to see if they are available to help and have again received such a great response.”

4 St Wilfrid’s, Barrow upon Trent New look church offers new opportunities to local community

Since May 2020, our Anglo-Saxon / Medieval We hope to welcome many people over the church has been undergoing a large-scale next few months for visits, meetings and any transformation with builders making our other activities that may be provided church into a place for everyone to use, not (restrictions permitting). just on Sundays. We hope to reopen St Wilfrid’s in December The first stage began in February; the pews when everyone can see their church with its were sold and all rubbish and redundant items new appearance, taking it back to its Anglo- were removed from the church. Whilst it was Saxon roots - a community open space for sad to see our old pews going out the church everyone. door, we were also delighted that they had In 2021, we hope to organise some events. gone to new homes. If you are interested, please get in touch: A team of willing volunteers filled a skip with [email protected]. our old furniture and fittings, whilst books and items to be retained were packed safely and storaged for the duration of the building work. Our grateful thanks go to everyone who gave their time to help with this big task - many hands make light work of a seriously daunting job. Since the clearance, the church has been completely stripped out and reconfigured, the floor dismantled, a new floor laid and new lighting, heating and broadband installed. The new kitchen will make the building accessible for use for many different activities, not just our church services.

Kids’ Corner - book review Revd Becky Matthew shared this brilliant book review from her son, Thomas. Having read Diary of a Disciple: Luke’s Story, Thomas was really pleased to discover that Scripture Union had published another diary, this time of Peter and Paul. Here’s what he had to say: “I learnt something new about Judas’ death by page 10! This diary is just as funny as the first! It’s easy to understand, and everyone should read it. Full of happy hyperboles, cheeky notes and stuff which isn’t in any children’s bible! Whoever reads this will think it is totally awesome! By Thomas, age 10.

5 Meet the next

Revd Canon Malcolm Macnaughton , who will be the next Bishop of Repton, seems to have a particular sense of timing! The announcement of his appointment was made on Friday, 30 October 2020, the day before national restrictions were once again implemented across England. Currently the Chief of Staff to the , a position he has held since 2007, Malcolm was educated at Queens’ College Cambridge and trained for ministry at Ridley Hall. He served his title in the and was ordained priest in 1982. He is married to Pam, an ordained pioneer minister and a leadership specialist with the Church Pastoral Aid Society. Malcolm’s unveiling in the Diocese of Derby was socially distanced, of course, and featured visits to three local food projects helping those in need during the Covid crisis. His day began as he and his wife, Pam, joined Bishop Libby, Revd Julian Hollywell and Revd Beth Honey at St Mark’s Derby for the announcement. The church hall is normally used by Apire Wrestling, but this has been converted into a valuable and growing food hub for the local community during the pandemic, and Malcolm and Pam learned more about the sterling work going on.

From there they took a short walk to Derwent Oak, where Revd Beth Honey and curate Revd Sharon Murphy talked around the firepit about Derwent Oak, its work and journey, and growing a church community. The food project at Emmanuel Church in Swadlincote sees clergy and volunteers preparing meals to take directly to those in need, and Malcom – together with Bishop Libby - had no hesitation in rolling up his sleeves to assist with onion peeling as the cooking process got underway.

An impromptu stop for a photograph in Repton (where else!) followed before heading to Ashbourne, where Malcolm and Pam indulged in a spot of one of their favourite pastimes, cycling, on the Tissington Trail,

Finally, to Ossie’s Kitchen where he met many of the volunteers there who prepare meals for those in the local community, before Evening Prayer in St Oswald’s Church.

Speaking as the announcement was made, Malcolm said he relishes the task ahead of him: “The Covid crisis is tough for everyone, and we need to be focussed on bringing real hope to those most at risk, those living in poverty, and young people who have so much to offer, but whose opportunities for education, development, and employment, are so limited just now. It is great to see the Church in Derby and finding new ways, alongside the old, of being church and seeking the common good.”

Introducing Malcolm to the Diocese of Derby, Bishop Libby said: “Malcolm brings, out of his own deep commitment, a rich and varied experience of ministry. We welcome his particular gifts in accompanying people hopefully through change, and his passion for reaching those on the margins, and younger generations.” Want to develop your faith? Try our Discipleship Training course! Toby Gaddum, a parishoner and PCC member of St Oswald’s, Ashbourne, has been telling Ellie Ballard about his experience of the new, online, diocesan Discipleship course, which was launched last year.

It was designed so that anyone in the diocese can undertake study that will help to develop both their personal faith and service of God through ministry in the local church. As well as home study, each module has three weekend study days that currently take place on Zoom. What attracted you to the course? I received an email from the diocese about the course and was immediately drawn to it. I wanted to learn more about God and a structured setting was perfect for me. I thrive on the discipline that a course brings. What has your experience of it been so far? The course provides an excellent balance of self-working, self-reflection and group engagement. It is designed to fit the study around your own life - you can drop in and out of it with ease. I also like the discipline of completing your module assignment by a certain date. That gives you a focus. What are you enjoying most? The interaction with the other participants. It is a shame we are unable to meet in person as we were able to at the beginning of the year. But everyone has embraced the online forum and Zoom platform. The study days are a real encouragement. I find that I am able to learn with constructive and active participation from others. How is it helping you in your faith journey and ministry? I think that anything that focusses your mind solely on God is good for your faith journey. Being able to study the Bible and then share those thoughts with others can do nothing but good for your own faith. In terms of my own ministry, the course has allowed me to experience other people’s ministries and therefore has allowed me learn and apply new ideas to my own. We are a church and rather like the analogy of burning coals, we are always stronger and glow brighter when we are together. We have an excellent group on the course and everyone has helped me enormously. How easy is it to access and do around your other commitments? It is very easy, almost too easy. You have to be quite disciplined about logging onto the course and working on the various sessions. Some people have more time than others. I find that the beauty of this course is that it is very personal to you. The adage that “what you put into it is what you get out of it” is very pertinent here. What would you say to other people who might be thinking about joining? This is a really well put together course. It is not academic in nature, it is certainly not scary and a great way to learn more about the Christian faith and the Church. My recommendation to anyone would be to try the first module and go into it with an open mind.You may well surprise yourself. What has been your experience of using the online platform? There is no doubt that the virtual world is here to stay especially in the world of study and education. I have personally been using it for a number of years now and a huge fan. I think that more people are embracing it. It is so easy and actually the technology is getting better and better all the time.

8 How do you keep motivated with studying alone / at home? Self-motivation can certainly be a challenge when we all have so many other things going on in our lives. I have now found a rhythm that works for me. I put aside one hour each weekend to do my weekly session and to engage on the online forum. I find that it also helps to receive an email notification when someone else has posted onto the forum. The beauty of this course is that you can engage with it at any time and at any location, provided you have an internet connection and a device that you can use. This is a fantastic course. Very easy to use and a real encouragement to be a part of. I highly recommend it to anyone at any stage of their faith journey. Go on, take the plunge!!!

If Toby’s recommendation has whetted your appetite, then take a look at the course on the website at www.discipleship-training.org. You can book now onto the following modules that are starting in January 2021: • Introductory Level Module: Called to be the People of God • Advanced Level Module: Mission and Evangelism If you want to know more or to request an application form, please contact Fiona Bennett - [email protected].

Diocese welcomes new Readers On Saturday, 7 November 2020, eight Readers – four ‘home grown’ and trained by the Diocese of Derby and four transferring in from other dioceses - were licensed by Bishop Libby from Derby Cathedral. The service was conducted by Zoom, and - in a first for the Cathedral - was not only simultaneously transmitted live via YouTube, but was also interpreted into British Sign Language. Although a Zoom service was not what we would have chosen, it was the best possible solution due to the lockdown regulations. The service, led by Bishop Libby and Dean Peter, still managed to be prayerful yet hopeful – despite the masks! You can watch the service recording on the Derby Cathedral YouTube channel. Please pray for our new Readers, and for over twenty who have entered training this year. Admitted and Licensed as Readers: • Sarah Tupling (Allestree St Nicholas) • Eileen Castor (Ilkeston St John) • Gill Jackson (Caldwell (within the Benefice of Stapenhill, St Peter) and Winshill and Bretby) • Jean Desborough (Littleover St Peter) and four Readers formerly Licensed in other dioceses now Licensed to the Diocese of Derby: • David Neale (Beeley & Edensor) • Cathie Hallsworth (Langley Mill & Aldercar) • Wendy Bourne (Willington & Findern) • Rosemary Nicholls (Marlpool, Heanor, Langley Mill and Aldercar) Please pray for them all and for the communities in which they will serve.

9 Light, Love and Hope in Killamarsh In conjunction with the Killamarsh Christmas Community Project 2020 themed on Light, Love and Hope, Revd Helen Guest contacted local nursing homes, nurseries and schools offering Christmas resources. The response was extremely positive and plans are being made to distribute the gifts in early December. The idea of the gifts has offered Light, Love and Hope. St Giles’s Church will be offering Bethlehem Carol Sheets and CDs to the residents and staff of the two nursing homes, copies of My Mini Bible Sticker Book Christmas to 123 children who attend nursery and the 603 school children will receive ‘Meet the Cast’ booklets. The CofE Comfort and Joy booklets will be distributed to the local community on behalf of St Giles. Killamarsh Methodists are also supporting by handcrafting beautiful Christmas stars with a gift tag of Matthew 2:2 We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship Him. May you find Christ’s peace, joy and fellowship this Christmas. The stars will be given to the staff and residents of the nursing homes, nurseries, schools, and the St Giles community. The village is invited to decorate windows and light up Killamarsh. As part of the project, candles will be distributed across the village with enough for every key worker, as a thank you for being ‘lights of Killamarsh’ and continuing to shine through this pandemic. Christmas in Killamarsh will certainly be offering Light, Love and Hope.

Affordable food boxes for Sawley and Long Eaton All Saints and St Mary’s Sawley and St John’s Church Long Eaton have partnered with Hope Long Eaton, a Christian initiative with a community focus, to provide affordable food boxes for local people. Families and individuals can pay £6 a week to receive an affordable Manna Food Box. Every week the boxes include bread, milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, a dairy or protein product, tins and dried goods, and usually one or two treats. The name comes from the Bible story of God providing food called manna for His people as they travelled through the desert. The idea for the food boxes developed during the summer, when Carl McCarthy, the director of Hope Long Eaton, Elaine, and Revd Sam Tredwell, the vicar of St. John’s Long Eaton, distributed meals to provide food for children in the summer holidays. They recognised the scope for a longer-term project that was open to anyone who would benefit. The coordinators buy food from FareShare, local wholesalers, and also receive donations from local supermarkets. Volunteers pack and distribute the boxes in line with current social distancing restrictions. The scheme recruits the volunteers from the local churches. Learn more about Manna Food Boxes at www.mannafoodboxes.com. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Advent and Christmas - A time for waiting and a moment of celebration Advent - reflection, hope and a beginning Advent marks the beginning of the church year. It is a time for reflection in darkness, for renewal of hope and for a movement towards a beginning. The season of Advent, as it first emerged in the Church in the fourth and fifth centuries, lasted, like Lent, for 40 days. Later tradition developed the Advent we know today, of four Sundays before Christmas Day. It is a season of expectation and preparation as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming of Christ. Advent falls at the darkest time of the year, and the natural symbols of darkness and light are powerfully at work throughout Advent and Christmas. Christmas - joy to the world The Gospel accounts of the first Christmas provide so many ways for us to enter into the mystery of God becoming human. There are hosts of angels filling the night sky with singing; a group of astounded shepherds on a hillside who find their lives and expectations turn upside down; there is a shining star and the birth of a child, which, like many other births before and since, bring hope and possibility. And the readings for Christmas day - including the prologue to John's gospel - invite us to look beyond the joy of Jesus' birth to the significance of his life, and the saving power of his future death and resurrection. The season of Christmas lasts for twelve days, culminating in another feast - that of the Epiphany on 6th January, when we recall how Jesus was first revealed to the wider world in the visit of the Magi (or Wise Men). Christmas is a time for enjoying the riches of grace that God lavishes upon us and having fun as a community in the presence of the Lord. It is also important to remember that Christmas can be a very lonely time for some people as not everyone is surrounded by family and friends; some people may be facing Christmas alone without the company of a partner or loved one who has died. What the Christingle Means The lit candle represents Jesus being light in the world The orange represents the world The red ribbon represents the blood of Christ The sweets represent all of God’s creations

Ideas and resources for Advent and Christmas are available at www.derby.anglican.org Stir Up a Christmas Cake

Stir up, O Lord the wills of your faithful people; That we, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of your good works May by you be plenteously rewarded; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Archdeacon Carol’s Stir Up Christmas Cake recipe:

Ingredients: 500g Boiled Mixed Fruit (represents Giving / Talents / gifts) 250g Butter / Margarine (represents Caring / sharing) 400g Sugar (represents Joy and Happiness) Mixed spice / nutmeg (represents Holiness / treasures) Cherries (represents Kindness) 3 Eggs (represents Hope / New Birth) 500g Flour (represents Love / Friendship) Milk (represents Faith / Strength)

Method: 1. Boil up the mixed fruit in a saucepan for 5 mins. 2. Use a colander to remove the water and add the fruit to a large mixing bowl. 3. Add the butter cut up into small cubes, stir until melted. 4. Add sugar and stir. 5. Add 2 teaspoons of spices and cherries. 6. Add 3 eggs seperately and stir in well. 7. Add flour gradually and keep stirring until a consistent mixture. 8. Add milk to mix and stir. 9. Bake in a lined, square 8-inch cake tin for 1 hour 30 min, at 150 - 180 C / gas mark 2 - 3 depending on type of oven. 10. When cool, cover and place in a sealed tin to mature. 11. Ice with marzipan and white icing, decorate as preferred.

Cook along with Archdeacon Carol by watching the video on the Diocese of Derby website.

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