Issue 18 | Summer 2024 | www.ecclesiastical.com/church
Diocese of Derby
archdeacons’
visitation news
Dear Friends Let us start by saying a huge thank you for your ministry as churchwardens. For the vast array of tasks, mostly hidden from sight, that you undertake with generous hearts and willing spirits. Without your tireless service many of our churches would cease to be the places of worship and welcome they are across our diocese. But let’s face it, being a churchwarden can become burdensome and overwhelming, particularly during periods of vacancy. When things get tough and challenging, we can find ourselves needing fresh vision and inspiration. This edition of Archdeacons’ Visitation News focuses on the national and diocesan priority of Growing Younger. We’ve chosen our language carefully, to reflect that not all communities are filled with children, young people and their families. When we talk about Growing Younger we express our heartfelt desire that our congregations reflect the profile of the wider communities they serve. For many churches across the diocese, this will mean finding creative ways to serve children, young people and their families in faith, hope and love. In putting together this year’s Visitation News, we reached out to people across the diocese working imaginatively in this area of ministry. On the following pages we profile the stories and experiences of those who responded. Alex Binns, Director of Music at Derby Cathedral, offers us an insight into how children and young people, both at the
cathedral and in a growing network of Derby and East Derbyshire schools, are engaging in singing. Jacqueline Haywood shares the experience of St Alkmund’s Derby in reaching out to the neurodivergent community and exploring how church can be a place of inclusion for neuro-diverse people. We have a short article from Anna Mann and Catrin Hubbard profiling ministry in the diocese amongst the nearly 50,000 HE and FE students. Finally, Jill Hancock shares the story of the School Pastor project in Chesterfield. All these projects happen in parishes where churchwardens play an invaluable role either directly or in doing the ‘other’ things that release the time and talents of others. Thank you! Matthew, Karen and Nicky
The Ven Matthew Trick
The Ven Nicky Fenton
The Ven Karen Hamblin
Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire
Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales
Archdeacon of East Derbyshire
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