As the nights draw in and daylight hours gradually diminish it is tempting to think of November as a month of darkness. Most week days it will be dark when I leave and return home. I’ll spend the equivalent of a working week driving through unlit country lanes in darkness. It can feel like the darkness is slowly taking over. However, we know the light of Christ shines in the darkness and the darkness can never overcome it. The month begins with bonfire night - warmth and heat emanating from the bonfire, joy and laughter as people watch in awe and wonder, the most incredible displays of colour, light and dazzling brilliance lighting up the sky accompanied by a wondrous cacophony of bangs, booms, crackles, whistles and ‘aaaahs’. A visible reminder that however cold, dark, wet and miserable it might be, warmth, light, glory, splendour, brilliance are still real and part of our world.As we move into the season of Remembrance we are reminded of the depth and depravity of darkness. Considering again the cost, loss, futility, waste and sacrifice of war. Remembering those who laid down their lives during the World Wars. Praying for those suffering, fleeing their homes or fighting for their livelihood in situations of conflict around the world today. Longing for the day when all people might live in freedom without fear knowing dignity, respect, justice and true peace. But even in the midst of such horrors we wear symbols of hope and peace- red and white poppies. God invites us to be a people of courageous hope who examine our lives with a commitment to living at peace, resolving conflict and seeking reconciliation. Allowing God to illumine us, transform our darkness and shine his light through us as we witness to his saving power and love. Naming what is pleasing and honouring in God’s sight and speaking out when things are not as God would have them be within his Kingdom. Serving our local contexts and challenging injustice as our relationship with God deepens. November is a reminder to allow the light of Christ to illumine us, transforming the darkness within and around us as God sets us on fire with love for Jesus and we burn with his power, radiate his warmth and shine his light into the world he created and loved.The Ven. Nicky Fenton Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales
In the Franciscan pattern of daily readings which cover all aspects of Franciscan life, today’s (19th September) reflection is entitled ‘The Third Way of Service: Work’. In the life of the Franciscan order three ways of service to God and humankind are important, work, study and prayer. Work as service to God feels important to reflect on, because let’s face it, after we leave school, our work – however that is defined for you – takes us the greatest chunk of our week. In the manual of the Third Order of the Society of St Francis, the reflection for the 19th day of the month reads: Jesus took on himself the form of a servant. He came not to be served but to serve. He went about doing good: healing the sick, preaching the Good News to the poor, and binding up the broken hearted. Our work as Christians might involve a mixture of paid and voluntary roles, it might be focused on church life or lived out in the wider world – more often than not a combination of both. In the life of Jesus we see the example of servanthood – of Jesus taking the ‘form of servant. The language of servanthood is challenging in our modern world where we want the innate dignity and worth of all people to be seen and honoured. People might have leadership and management roles that involve steering the work of others, but increasingly in the business world so called ‘flat hierarchies’ are becoming the norm where all team members are regarded as equal with their tasks being what differentiates one colleague from another. The Apostle Paul talked about there being one body with many parts (1 Corinthians 12), all unique contributions to the whole. Our work and our service can powerfully contribute to the work of God in the world. There is something especially profound when this is done on a voluntary basis where people who care for something give their time generously. In June, September and October there are Bishop’s Badge service where a total of 142 children and adults receive the Bishop of Derby’s badge in recognition of their contribution to the life of our churches and schools. All who receive the Bishop’s Badge are hard-working volunteers who engage in service that honours God and helps others. At the three Bishop’s Badge services the highlight of the service is two-fold. Firstly, the commendation of each candidate for the Bishop’s Badge detailing their particular contribution. Secondly, seeing the joyful emotions of the recipient of the badge as its presented by the Bishop. Work done in the service of God, our worshipping communities and society is an important outworking of our Christian faith and a way we partner with God in unveiling his Kingdom in Derbyshire and parts of Staffordshire. Wherever you serve and in whatever from that service takes – thank you! The Ven Matthew Trick Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire Heavenly Father, As Jesus came to be served but to serve, we ask you to bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others, that with wisdom, patience and courage They may minister to the needy, outcast, stranger and enemy, For the love of him who laid down his life for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
I’ve enjoyed the summer months - fresh air, warmer weather and a definite holiday feel. Many of you will no doubt have enjoyed time with friends and family, perhaps with children and grandchildren as they have relished the long holidays. But for some, it will feel like there’s been no break from the rigors and stresses of everyday life at all. For reasons that are well known, people are feeling increased pressures on their finances – the need to pay bills is there whatever the season and, especially for those who might benefit from free school meals, feeding a family over the holidays can be particularly hard. Then, as autumn arrives and colder weather approaches, the pressures may feel intolerable for many. Some will have to make stark choices: how do you keep a roof over your head, pay the bills and feed yourself and your household? Something has to give. Many of us in difficulty will turn, or may already have turned, to food banks for the first time to try to get through these difficult times. And be in no doubt, sudden changes in circumstances and prices can cause even those who consider themselves to be financially comfortable to have to make difficult decisions; parents will go without so that their children can eat. It troubles me deeply that right here and now, in Derby and Derbyshire in the 21st century, people are having to make choices about who can and can’t eat. As Christians, we pray daily the Lord’s Prayer: ‘Give us this day our daily bread’. When we pray this, we’re not simply asking God to provide for us as individuals or family units, but we are reinforcing the commitment to ‘us’ as a community, a nation, a world, human beings sharing a common space, planet Earth. And that means sharing generously all of God’s gifts, and sharing means that we must do our best to make sure that everyone has enough. No-one should go hungry. All that we have depends on God’s grace and generosity and we are called to be generous with our share. At the moment, food banks and other projects combatting food insecurity are themselves struggling. Those financial pressures mean that people who would normally buy a few extra tins or boxes of food to donate are no longer able to do so – but the demand on food banks is already increasing sharply. So this year my harvest appeal is ‘Our Daily Bread’ which is hoping to raise £10,000 to support food banks and other food projects across Derby and Derbyshire. Please take a few minutes to find out more, and donate, through the diocesan website: derby. anglican.org. Being generous to one another in this way helps us to live out the Lord’s Prayer as we respond to genuine need, show our solidarity and, at this harvest time, our deep gratitude to God. The Rt Revd Libby LaneBishop of Derby
