Following the successful Lent study of the encyclical Laudato Si’ we are looking to grow an ecumenical green network in Derby that connects Christians of different denominations with the idea of caring for our common home.

The network launched with the Season of Creation in 2023.

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in this network then please use the contact form on this website with the subject Derby Ecumenical Green Network. Keep an eye out for news here!

We hope to have a variety of different events probably around one every one or two months throughout the year and a few more during the Season of Creation.

Next Event

Delighting in Creation; a voice for the suffering planet. A workshop exploring the poetry and prose of Gerard Manley Hopkins (with the Revd Adam Dickens, University & Cathedral Chaplain, Dr Aled Ganobcsik-Williams, Senior Lecturer in English, and Matthew Clegg, Lecturer in Creative Writing, University of Derby)

This event, (organised by the Cathedral and St Mary’s Laudato Si network) will be at the Multi-faith Centre on the Kedleston Road campus of the University on Wednesday 5th June at 2:30pm.

It would be helpful to know beforehand how many are coming –  please contact us using the contact field (top right of this website) if you intend to come. If you intend to come by car we need your registration number beforehand so that a parking space can be booked.

Upcoming Events

The topic of ecology and friendship are often strongly intertwined in the world today. Our Lent Study programme “A Call to Friendship in a Time of Isolation”, based on the encyclical Fratelli Tutti, is not yet complete. Our final evening will look at the final chapter (Religions at the Service of Fraternity in our World). It will be held, appropriately, after Pentecost. Look out for an update on day, time and venue here.

Guided walk at Willington Wetlands local nature project outside Derby (date has been pushed back into the Spring/Summer due to guide availability; the event will support the work of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust with a suggested donation of £5 per person, transport from St Mary’s car park will be looked into once the guide has confirmed the date – likely to be a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in June/July 2024)

Future Events

Talks on projects and examples of what can be done practically

Walks

Collaboration with local schools

And many more…

To suggest an event please use the contact form on this website with the subject Derby Ecumenical Green Network.

Past Events

Events that are completed will be recorded here

Lent 2024

The topic of ecology and friendship are often strongly intertwined in the world today. This Lent our study group read and discussed the encyclical Fratelli Tutti. Entitled “A Call to Friendship in a Time of Isolation”, it was held over five evenings in Derby (at St Mary’s Church and at Derby Cathedral). The encyclical is freely available from the Vatican website and also available to purchase at some specialist online bookshops.

For perhaps the first time, our relationship with animals was the subject of a Webinar held on Thursday 21st March 2024. It was entitled “Introduction To Animal Rights From A Faith Perspective: New Insights Into Animal Agriculture” presented by Catholic Action for Animals and Hosted by the Animal Interfaith Alliance In collaboration with the Diocese of Salford, the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, Climate Healers, Born Vegan and In Defense of Animals. It was introduced by Bishop John Arnold of the Catholic Diocese of Salford. This event was not an official Derby Ecumenical Green Network event, however some people in the network were interested in the topic.

Winter 2023/2024

A tour of St Mary’s new school, the first biophilic school in the country, took place on Saturday 16 December 2023. Afterwards there were refreshments at the St Mary’s Parish Christmas Fayre at St Mary’s Parish Centre next to St Mary’s Church.

Autumn 2023

Film evening in the Cathedral showing The Letter (this took place on Wednesday 15 November). The film is available to watch for free on YouTube (see link). If you are interested in hosting a screening in the Derby area, contact us and we’ll try and help.

Season of Creation 2023

Ecumenical Prayer Vigil concurrently with young people in Rome: Together 2023. This took place on Saturday 30 September 2023 and the broadcast from Rome is still available on YouTube.

Harvest L.O.A.F. lunch at the Cathedral (this took place on Sunday 24 September 2023). You can read more about it here.

Local Pilgrimage – Darley Park Walk (this took place on Saturday 16 September 2023). You can read more about it here.