Dear Friends 

Happy New Year! 

My guess is that many of us welcome the New Year in with a blast of “Auld Lang Syneâ€�. Sung quietly or loudly it has become an essential part of our saying goodbye to the Old Year and welcoming in the New Year. However, if you are like me, then you will be a little hazy remembering the words beautifully crafted by the great Scottish poet Robbie Burns. You will be even hazier about the meaning of the words. 

I am reliably informed that the phrase “auld lang syneâ€�, literally means “old long since,â€� though in practice it means “old times, especially times fondly remembered,â€� as well as an “old or long friendship.â€� 

If this pandemic has taught us anything then perhaps it is the importance of friendships and relationships. It is the friendships that we make, old and new, that need to be treasured and cherished above status, wealth and ambition. I want to suggest that a person’s riches can be measured in friendship. 

I wonder whether this year, 2022, could be, for you, a year where you invest in the love and time needed to be a good friend. 

Mike Gilbert, Rector! 
 

Covid-19 Update

The PCC continues to review its current position in line with the latest guidelines and out of care for the safety of those attending St. Anne's Church, and the risks that are associated with people gathering together. Of course, recommendations or rules may change. Any amendments to the below will be posted on this website. 

Although the majority of legal restrictions have been lifted, it must be recognised that the hazards of the Pandemic still exist. We must also remember that we may well have vulnerable individuals within our congregation and visiting the church, as well as people who may still be nervous with regard to the potential of infection. To offer a place of peace and spiritual support to everyone during these unsettling times, the church will be open during the daytime, with hand sanitizer available and directional signage to enable ease of social distancing for those who still wish to observe it. A Prayer table and Prayer Book is also available which everyone is invited to use. 

Services will take place as scheduled, but with designated areas for those who wish to observe social distancing, on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Everyone attending is asked to wear a face covering in respect for others. We continue to offer online services on our St. Anne’s Facebook page for those who do not wish to, or cannot, attend in person. 

Our church choir is able to rehearse, observing social distancing on a Tuesday evening. Although singing as part of the services is now allowed choir members will wear face masks to limit the risk. Funerals and weddings will take place, in line with current guidance, by arrangement with the Rector. 

We hope, and pray, that you are all safe and well and look forward to welcoming you at St. Anne's. The church is here for all. 

If you would like to get in touch the phone numbers to use are: 

the Rector - Mike Gilbert 07947 092951

Churchwarden - Irene Roscoe - 01246 582900 or mobile 07484 201989 

Parish Safeguarding 

The Church of England is called to share the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. The life of our communities and institutions is integral to how we address this task. The good news speaks of welcome for all, with a particular regard for those who are most vulnerable, into a community where the value and dignity of every human being is affirmed and those in positions of responsibility and authority are truly trustworthy. Being faithful to our call to share the gospel therefore compels us to take with the utmost seriousness the challenge of preventing abuse from happening and responding well where it has.

Safeguarding Concerns

If you have any concerns over any safeguarding matter, please contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Richard Nicholson on 07502 177119 or Member of the Clergy, Revd Mike Gilbert on 07947092951 or the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on 01332 388678.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON SAFEGUARDING

PCR2

Protocols and practice guidance for the Church of England’s Past Cases Review 2, (PCR2) have been published and are on the National Church of England Website. 

Individual survivors who wish to make representations to the PCR2 process in the Derby Diocese or who need to come forward with information or make any disclosures regarding church related abuse are encouraged to make direct contact with the Safeguarding Team 01332 388678. 

However, recognising that this may not feel safe for those with experience of abuse from within the church, a dedicated national helpline - 0800 80 20 20 - operated independently from the church, by the NSPCC, was set up in September 2019 and remains available.

Survivors were not invited to contribute to the 2007-2009 PCR and the Church has wanted to ensure a different, trauma informed approach is taken by PCR2. Listening to survivor voices has helped to shape how this review will be conducted. 

We are now at the beginning of the PCR2 process, this is an independent review to look at all the safeguarding files, historic and current for both adults and children, including all Church officers. The review aims to ensure that wherever concerns have been raised that the cases have been handled appropriately.

The National Church has given a commitment to undertake a new Past Cases Review (PCR2) which will not only look at all types of harm, both to children and or adults, but will probe much deeper in records or concerns held in parishes, some of which may not have been reported to the DSA. Your vicar (or church warden if in Interregnum) will now have received a letter from +Libby outlining what is required to enable this significant piece of work to be completed. We need to submit the final report to the National Safeguarding team by the end of December 2020. We will be in touch directly with PSOs’ to give the detail of the next step, but it may be helpful if you identify where any parish records are held so that there is less work to do when we ask you for the details. The timescale for responding to PCR2 in the Diocese of Derby is by 31st March 2020.