News and Events
Around £10m each year directly or indirectly supports Church of England mission and ministry through parishes, churches and other worshipping contexts, our schools and partner agencies across the Diocese of Derby.
That’s a huge amount of money to raise each year, so we have a duty to manage and deploy it well.
Our new publication On the money sets out to explain how we do just that.
In addition to On the money, we have introduced a new page on our website - Our Finances.
Here you will find details about:
- On the money
- Common Fund
- Annual Budget
- Annual Report & Financial Statements
- Encouraging generous giving in your church
Why not take a look?
All Saints’ Church in Mackworth has started on the next phase of rebuilding, after the Chancellor of the Diocese of Derby gave permission for the work to go ahead.
The centuries-old church, just outside Derby, was severely damaged by fire following an arson attack in December 2020 and has not been able to be used since.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) was granted permission to rebuild the church by the Worshipful and Reverend Timothy Clarke, Chancellor of the Diocese of Derby, in September and a contractor has been procured to start the work which is expected to take around 30 months to complete and includes rebuilding the walls and roof.
Consultation has also started on the next phase of the rebuild, and Mackworth Parish residents will be consulted over the coming months about what the interior restoration should include.
After receiving permission for the work to go ahead, Don McLure, the Project Lead and PCC Treasurer, said: “It is great news for the congregation, local residents and the PCC that we can move forward with restoring the church.
It is a long and complicated process, but the PCC is aiming to make the exterior of the church look as near as possible to how it was before the fire.
The church had existed on the site at Lower Road for more than 700 years.
“We are extremely grateful to Ecclesiastical Insurance, who will fund both the building and interior work, and to the local community and supporters of the church for raising more than £40,000 towards any non-insurance works that may be carried out.”
The fire completely destroyed the interior, including the pipe organ and marble pulpit, and caused the entire roof to fall in and structural damage to the walls of the nave and chancel.
It is estimated that the entire rebuilding project could cost up to £13m.
The congregation of All Saints has continued enjoying Christian worship thanks to the hospitality of its sister church, St Michael's, Kirk Langley.
More about Mackworth All Saints
The church dates back the 14th Century, though it is known that the site has been a place of worship for around 1,000 years. The building was earlier restored and reopened by the Bishop of Lichfield in 1851.
The pulpit, installed in 1896, was made of Derbyshire alabaster and green Irish marble. The pipe organ was built by Lloyd and Dudgeon of Nottingham and dated back to 1870. Both were destroyed in the fire.
Since the fire, the building has undergone a large amount of work to clear the site and stabilise the remaining walls to make it safe and prevent further collapse.
Silverware and paperwork stored in a safe survived the fire, as did a 4ft silver cross and a statue of the Madonna and Child.
The chancellor of the diocese, as the independent judge of the consistory court, oversees legal issues across the diocese, especially those which relate to the use of and alterations to church buildings and land.
Bishop Libby and Will Hagger are delighted to announce that Julie Gardner will be joining the Diocese of Derby as Independent Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) with effect from 28 November 2023.
Julie qualified as a social worker in 1988 and has worked for over 30 years in the field of safeguarding, public protection and partnership working.
Previously the Associate Director of Safeguarding for Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Julie retired from her role earlier this year.
Throughout her career Julie has been committed to supporting children, young people, and adults to live their lives free from abuse and is excited to be able to bring the culmination of her years of experience in health and social care to support the work of the Diocese of Derby.
The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel is the committee that advises the Bishop on whether, in its view, the diocese has clear and transparent safeguarding policies, working practices and training arrangements which are consistent with statutory requirements and House of Bishops’ policy and practice guidance.
It is made up of senior staff within both the Diocese and Derby Cathedral, alongside representatives from statutory and partner agencies who provide safeguarding services to Derby and Derbyshire.
This role will see Julie ensure that safeguarding provision within the Diocese is subject to robust and independent scrutiny.
The Chair acts as a critical friend, supporting and encouraging as appropriate, but also providing challenge where necessary.
On confirming the appointment, Will Hagger, Diocesan Secretary, said: “I am delighted to welcome Julie to the team. Both statutory responsibility and safe culture are key, and Julie brings expertise and experience to enable the diocese to ensure best practice in Safeguarding for children, young people and vulnerable adults in our churches.
"I am looking forward to working with her."
On accepting the role, Julie said: “I am very pleased to be offered the privilege of becoming the new Independent Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel and look forward to building on the great work that is already happening to ensure that the people of the Diocese of Derby are kept safe.”
In this series of six podcasts, Bishop Libby reconsiders the Christmas story by talking to the modern-day equivalents of some of the Nativity’s main characters – the innkeeper, the shepherds, the angels, the wise men and more.
We have been telling the Christmas story for over 2000 years.
It is a much-loved tale, retold in carols, depicted on greetings cards, re-imagined for film and theatre and school nativity plays and, for Christians, the Christmas story lies at the heart of our faith.
Bishop Libby's Christmas Conversations are available via the following podcast providers:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1lCFtbb3UNCzqGwizPDHWM
- Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/d39ba059-18ae-43fe-b797-7cb34a7acf2e
- Tune In: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Religion--Spirituality-Podcas/Bishop-Libbys-Christmas-Conversations-p3917011/?topicId=354952578
- or say "Alexa play the podcast Bishop Libby's Christmas Conversations"
Listen now:
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Ossie's Kitchen, in Ashbourne, has been nominated for The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).
The prestigious award is the highest honour given in recognition of voluntary service.
Ossie's Kitchen, based at St Oswald's Church, addresses loneliness, social isolation and mental wellbeing through providing freshly cooked, three-course meals eaten in the company of others.
It operates twice a month, each time feeding around 65 to 70 people with meals created from surplus food from food retailers, including supermarkets.
Anne Ford, a churchwarden at St Oswald's, said: "It is wonderful that Ossie's Kitchen has been nominated for the King's Award, recognising a service carried out by the community, for the community, that puts St Oswald's Church at the heart of its people.
"It is an honour and an encouragement for all those involved in the project."
The project has a pool of more than 50 volunteers to call on to help with cooking, serving, looking after the guests and, of course, washing up!
On hearing the news, Professor Paula Holt, MBE, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for Derbyshire, wrote to the project.
She said: "Please accept my congratulations on this notable achievement, which reflects the esteem of your local community for the work you and your group do.”
>> Ossie's Kitchen opens in Ashbourne
Ossie's Kitchen opened in 2019.
Everyone is welcome to go along to the bi-monthly meals; the kitchen welcomes donations but realises that not everyone in the community is in a position to give one.
Anne Ford said: "The guests who come along soon become good friends and look out for each other when they arrive.
"Some of them get very little opportunity to socialise with others, apart from at Ossie's Kitchen.
"It's amazing to see the friendships develop and the meals have led to the creation of a rapidly growing community.
"Meal times at St Oswald's are now quite noisy because of so many people chattering, sharing stories and forming bonds!"
The nomination will now be assessed by the Lord-Lieutenant's office and then nationally, before the winners are announced later this year.
Head out into Derby on a Friday or Saturday night and you’re more than likely to run into a group of volunteers looking out for revellers in need.
They are Derby’s Street Pastors - trained volunteers from a variety of local churches who provide a visible, reassuring presence for everyone in the city centre. They work in teams of three or four and are out and about, prayerfully patrolling, from 10pm – 4am.
Street Pastors has been operating in Derby since 2009 and the volunteers have become a well-respected and greatly appreciated part of Derby's nightlife.
They work together with the police, door staff and Derby CCTV, responding to calls to offer non-judgmental, understanding support through listening, assisting and, where necessary, putting their first-aid training into action.
And on other occasions, the help they give can be as straight forward as making sure someone has water to drink and a way of getting home.
One such volunteer is Steve Johnson.
As someone who did his fair share of over-induging in his youth, Steve said: “Being a Street Pastor is insane and yet unbelievably rewarding - the nervous anticipation of wondering what you will encounter during the night really gets the adrenaline going.
“Committing to putting my faith into action, it is a privilege taking God’s love and grace into our city streets, meeting and talking to people their own context.”
Now, the organisation is looking to recruit some new faces to ensure it can continue to provide the level of service needed in the city.
Steve’s take on being a volunteer is that when a great night out turns into a time of distress and vulnerability, Street Pastors make sure those who have perhaps allowed themselves one too many, get home to their families safe and well.
He said: “To be a Street Pastor, I think you have to love your city, the people, the buildings and the culture.
“In my youth, we never had these kinds of organisations around, but there is a new generation who enjoy our night-time economy that only know Street Pastors, and the warmth and love towards us is awesome.
“Together with lollies, bottles of water, flip flops and spikies we go out into town having put on the full armour of God, offering up our prayers for our fantastic city.”
If you are interested in learning more about being a Street Pastor, pop along to the open night being held at Derby City Church, Curzon Street, Derby on Monday, 5 February 2024 at 7pm, or contact them at streetpastors@derbycitymission.org.uk.
Derby’s Street Pastors operates as a franchise of the national Street Pastor scheme that is run by the Ascension Trust under the management of Derby City Mission.
For details of Street Pastor teams at other locations across the Diocese of Derby, visit the Street Pastors website.
Bishop Libby and Archdeadon Matthew will each spend a night sleeping rough in support of the YMCA's Sleep Easy campaign.
They are among those who aim to raise awareness of the plight of those who have no home to go to, and to raise funds to support efforts that will enable the YMCA to continue its vital services to those who are facing homelessness in Derby City and Derbyshire.
This year, the local event will take place at the home of Derbyshire Cricket Club on Friday, 8 March, and both Bishop Libby and Archdeacon Matthew will be given a cardboard box to use as shelter for the night.
Bishop Libby, who has taken part in previous Sleep Easy events, said: "I am pleased again to be among those supporting this local charity in raising awareness and much needed funds to tackle homelessness and its long-term impacts.
"We may have an uncomfortable night in many ways, but that in itself gives opportunity to reflect on why we are participating, and experience – just for one night – something of what it is like to be sleeping rough.
"Please do participate in Sleep Easy if you can, either by registering to join the event at the Cricket Ground or safely in your local context as Neil is in Wirksworth (see below).
"And please support the work of Derby YMCA and its partners like the Padley Centre by donating through my JustGiving page and raising awareness.
"Together we can support this vital work being done locally, combat the scourge of homelessness, and offer hope to those who find themselves suffering its impacts and consequences”.
Archdeacon Matthew, taking part in his first Sleep Easy, said: "I actually have very little appetite for sleeping under the stars in this way - but that's the whole point, really!
"For me, it's one night and doing it through choice, whereas every night in Derby and Derbyshire, more than 200 hundred individuals who have temporarily found themselves without a place to live, have no choice but to either turn to the YMCA and the Padley Centre, or sleep rough under cardboard."
Archdeacon Matthew will also be posting on Facebook from the cricket ground during the event.
Sleeping in the churchyard
The Revd Neil Griffiths, vicar for the Wirksworth Team Ministry, has also chosen to sleep out for the Sleep Easy campaign.
Before becoming a vicar Neil worked with housing organisations and YMCAs, and longs for a time when no one is homeless or poorly housed.
Neil said: "I will be bedding down in the churchyard at St Mary’s Church in Wirksworth and I hope the weather is as kind as the people who have already donated money."
The Diocese of Derby has increased its capacity to support PCCs in maintaining and developing their church buildings.
The diocese has secured national funding for a full-time Church Buildings Support Officer, as well as a minor repairs and improvement grant fund totalling around £144,000, over a two-year period.
The funding will be available to parishes to carry out ‘stitch-in-time’ repairs and improvements.
Additionally, all parishes will be given direct access to ChurchGrant funding search software, via a dedicated microsite.
This will allow parishes to identify sources of funding and each parish can attend training webinars regarding fundraising and grant funds.
There will also be access to specialist advice via a number of free consultations.
Gareth Greenwood has been appointed to the Church Buildings Support Officer role having previously held the part time role of Community Projects Development Officer.
Gareth will work alongside a tranche of parishes with particular needs, identified by the archdeacons.
Will Hagger, Diocesan Secretary, said: “The Derby Diocesan Board of Finance recognises the financial challenge to our parishes of maintaining church buildings.
This new capacity and grant fund will be hugely welcome allowing us to support parishes with their immediate church repair projects.
“In responding to applications for the new fund, among other things, the financial strength, maintenance planning and degree of deprivation of the building’s community, will be taken into account.”
A Buildings for Mission team is being established within the Parish Support Office, which Gareth Greenwood will lead.
This team will include a number of other new nationally-funded roles with a focus on supporting parishes, bringing together the sustainability of church buildings, care of the environment, and Net Zero Carbon projects, alongside faculty advice and administration and pastoral reorganisation.
Information about the criteria and application process will appear on the diocesan website in due course.
The arsenal of diocesan funding now available to support churches with building projects also includes:
- The Raymond Ross Large Grants Fund, offering parishes the opportunity to develop their local church or church hall. The maximum grant is £25k, with match funding required;
- The Raymond Ross Small Grants Scheme - £5k to enhance welcome, improve accessibility or to make small but much needed changes to internal areas. No match funding is required;
- The Bishop of Derby’s St Peter’s Churchyard Fund, a scheme offering interest-free loans.
Details of these schemes can be found at https://derby.anglican.org/funding.
Gareth Greenwood has been appointed Church Buildings Support Officer
More than 60 people working to reduce carbon emissions across the Church of England gathered in Gloucester for the first time to share ideas and learnings.
A two-day Net Zero Carbon Connect Conference, sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance, part of the Benefact Group, was held to gather and connect colleagues from 35 dioceses plus other denominations to share expertise on the Net Zero Carbon Programme.
Gareth Greenwood, Church Buildings Support Officer from The Diocese of Derby attended the event. He said: “There was a lot of energy and expertise at the conference, also a good deal of appreciation of the size of the task of reaching Net Zero by 2030. The Church Commissioners have committed funding to resource net zero projects across all the (CofE) Diocese. This is not a time for scepticism, but a time to work together for the good of the planet.”
The Church of England’s ambitious Net Zero Carbon by 2030 programme aims to equip, resource, and support all parts of the Church to reduce carbon emissions from the energy used in its buildings, schools and through work-related transport by 2030.
Find out more:
Bishop Libby is the Holy Week preacher at Derby Cathedral this year.
With the title Readings in St John’s Gospel, Bishop Libby will be giving addresses that will unfold some key passages from St John’s Gospel as we undertake our journey into the death and resurrection of Christ.
Bishop Libby will be preaching at these services:
- Monday 25 March at 18:30 – Address followed by Sung Compline
- Tuesday 26 March at 18:30 – Address followed by Sung Compline
- Wednesday 27 March at 18:30 – Address followed by Sung Compline
- Maundy Thursday at 18:30 – The Eucharist of the Last Supper
- Good Friday at 12 noon – The Preaching the Cross
- Good Friday at 13:30 – The Liturgy of the Passion
- Easter Day at 08:30 – Holy Communion
Access to all the services being streamed can be found here.
Everyone is welcome to attend the Holy Week services either in the cathedral itself or online.
A group of walkers from Youlgrave All Saints is embarking on a marathon journey to all of England's 42 Anglican cathedrals to raise £42,000 for improvements to the church.
The self-styled Pommie Pilgrims - named for the sound of the village band - aim to complete a total of 10 million steps on their travels to help fundraise to provide a kitchen, warm space and toilets for Youlgrave’s 12th-Century church.
The journey begins on at 12 noon on Palm Sunday with the start of the first pilgrimage - a three-day walk to Derby with the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Teresa Peltier, the Youlgrave Silver Band, the WI Choir, a host of village pilgrims and a couple of donkeys!
The Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Elizabeth Fothergill, will also be in attendance to wave them off.
Bishop Libby and Dean Peter will meet the Pommie Pilgrims as they arrive at Derby Cathedral on Tuesday, 26 March.
>> Find out more and make a donation
Revd Adele Barker, Priest-in-Charge of the White Peak and Youlgrave Benefice, said: "We have a beautiful church building and all that is raised will be used to ensure that we can provide a warm welcome and hospitality in All Saints for many more years to come.
"Our hope to connect Youlgrave with each cathedral in the country via pilgrimage is a huge challenge.
"It will be interesting to hear all the stories that will flow from each journey!"
The dean of each cathedral has been invited to to meet them on their journey.
>> Follow the Pommie Pilgrims on Facebook
A pottery pilgrim’s token, designed by local artist Phil Smith, will be carried and presented to each cathedral forging a permanent link back to Youlgrave.
Revd Cannon Elizabeth Jane Clay MBE, chair of the Pommie Pilgrimage organising group, said: "Ten million steps to connect our village with some of the grandest buildings in the country feels like an impossible task, but one step at a time, together, we’ll get there.
We’re not expecting to raise this amount of money by being sponsored a penny a mile, but if you’re able to spend more than a penny for our loos, please do get in touch!”
All Saint’s Church is a Grade One listed building loved by the villagers of Youlgrave and beyond.
It is a resting place for weary walkers, a classroom and performance space for eager school children, a community foodbank for those in need, a vital community link for the elderly, children and families and a regular place of worship, remembrance and celebration for a whole community.
Many visitors wander in daily and enjoy the calm spirituality of this wonderful building, which features in Simon Jenkins's book ‘England’s Thousand Best Churches’.
Although All Saints has undergone many alterations since its founding in 1155, it will benefit further by the addition of some key amenities to ensure its sustainability and to make it more welcoming.
Madelaine Goddard was one of 150 people to receive Maundy Money from Her Majesty The Queen last week.
The Royal Maundy Service saw 75 men and 75 women receive the specially minted coins at Worcester Cathedral, in recognition of their many years of Christian service to their local community and church.
"It was awe inspiring. Fantastic," said Madelaine, who is currently a Deanery Synod member and lay chair for Derby City Deanery.
Maundy money was also presented to Piers Bostock of St Anne's Ambergate.
Madelaine Goddard said: "The first thing that struck me was how lovely and friendly everyone was - the police, the marshals and the 6th-formers who escorted us to our seat all seemed to want us to have a great day.
"The service and the pageantry were beautiful and the whole atmosphere was wonderfully uplifting both inside and out, despite the horrid weather."
Although she described the day as 'memorable', Madelaine had to confess that one part of it was a bit of a blur: "I think I was slightly nervous as the Queen walked towards me.
"She was very charming and gracious and she spoke to all the recipients - but I can't actually remember most of what she said to me, apart from 'God bless' at the end of our conversation!"
Queen Camilla presented the coins this year on behalf of His Majesty The King.
King Charles, who is being treated for cancer, sent a video message to the service expressing his 'great sadness' at missing the Maundy Thursday service.
The purses containg the coins were carried on large salvers by Yeoman Warders from the Tower of London.
Madelaine's Maundy adventure began back in February when a letter bearing the royal crest landed on her door mat.
"Oh gosh, what on Earth's this?" She recalls thinking.
The letter was an invitation to receive Maundy money and said she had been nominated by the Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby.
"I remember feeling very honoured and privileged to have even been considered," said Madelaine. "Though a part of me kept wondering 'why me?'"
Maundy facts
The tradition of presenting alms on Maundy Thursday goes back to at least the 4th-Century.
The Maundy money ceremony itself began in 1662, when Charles II gave out coins.
This year, Queen Camilla distributed the Maundy money to 75 men and 75 women from around the country - one man and one woman for each year of the monarch's age.
The gift is presented in recognition of their exemplary Christian service to church and community over many years.
In recent times it has been the tradition for the service to travel to different cathedrals; last year the service was held at York Minster. It was last held in Derby in 2010.
The word ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘commandment’ - it was on this Thursday, the day before he died, that Jesus gave his disciples what he described as a new commandment: ‘that you should love one another as I have loved you’.
I was nominated by the Bishop of Derby, Bishop Libby, along with Madelaine Goddard, to receive Royal Maundy at Worcester Cathedral, a great honour for us both and, in my case, for reasons that are not at all clear, because I have simply been carrying out my role as churchwarden at St Anne’s church, Ambergate, during long years of interrregnum.
The distribution is in two parts and the gifts handed to the recipients are symbolic.
Two leather purses are given, one red and the other white.
They have been beautifully manufactured with leather thongs, which are tied together to form a single presentation package of the two purses.
The red purse contains a nominal allowance for clothing and provisions, formerly given in kind, and a payment for the redemption of the royal gown and consists of a crown (£5) with an image of a Tudor Dragon and, this year, a 50p celebrating 200 years of the RNLI.
The white purse contains the Royal Maundy, a set of silver coins, in denominations of 1p, 2p, 3p and 4p, that amount to the age of the King, seventy-five years.
Each individual pouch amounts to 10p and a separate pouch contains a 2p and a 3p to make the total up to 75p.
The Lord High Almoner, The Right Reverend Dr John Inge, who is also the Bishop of Worcester, talked to the recipients as well as the rest of the congregation, about the service, its history and origins quoting the mandatum and setting the scene for the service.
Then, the processions started and the whole service became, for me, highly emotional and overwhelming.
Those wonderful words of the great hymn "When I survey the wondrous Cross, on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride” came into my mind and I became acutely aware of the honour that I was about to receive.
Christ, in all His glorious resurrection, was present in this service and I am very grateful for being nominated by the Bishop of Derby!
When it came to the Distribution of the Royal Maundy, I was positioned on the south aisle at the rear of the main section, one set of rows forward of the west door.
Queen Camilla came down the south aisle bestowing Royal Maundy on each recipient, positioned at the end of each row of pews.
When it came to my turn to receive the Royal Maundy, the Queen said: “Thank you for your service”, to which I replied: “Thank you, your Majesty, it is much appreciated.”
Maundy facts
The tradition of presenting alms on Maundy Thursday goes back to at least the 4th-Century.
The Maundy money ceremony itself began in 1662, when Charles II gave out coins.
This year, Queen Camilla distributed the Maundy money to 75 men and 75 women from around the country - one man and one woman for each year of the monarch's age.
The gift is presented in recognition of their exemplary Christian service to church and community over many years.
In recent times it has been the tradition for the service to travel to different cathedrals; last year the service was held at York Minster. It was last held in Derby in 2010.
The word ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘commandment’ - it was on this Thursday, the day before he died, that Jesus gave his disciples what he described as a new commandment: ‘that you should love one another as I have loved you’.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd & Rt Hon Justin Welby, has been in the Diocese of Derby, leading communities in prayer.
Arriving at Chesterfield station, he was welcomed by Bishop Libby and Bishop Malcolm and taken to Saints Augustine Church in Chesterfield where he prayed with members of the congregation and those who help run the foodbank.
He told the congregation: "There is no set way to pray and you don't have to be sure of your faith to pray.
"God knows what is in your heart and so simply chatting with God is prayer."
He also dropped in to the adjacent Hope House to see the great work being done by the Christian charity of the same name that provides accommodation for previously homeless people.
The day in pictures
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In pictures: The Archbishop of Canterbury in ChesterfieldArchbishop Justin started his Day of Prayer in Chesterfield, visiting Saints Augustine Parish Church and the adjacent Hope House. Saturday, 13 April 2024 -
In pictures: The Archbishop of Canterbury in YoulgreaveThe Archbishop met people from the farming community as he stopped off for elevenses in Youlgreave! Saturday, 13 April 2024 -
In pictures: The Archbishop of Canterbury at Crich StandAt Crich Stand, Archbishop Justin enjoyed a picnic, fabulous views of Derbyshire and led a short Clypping Service (his first ever!). Saturday, 13 April 2024 -
In pictures: The Archbishop of Canterbury in IlkestonIn Ikeston, Archbishop Justin met and prayed with people outside St Mary's Church in the town's Market Place. Saturday, 13 April 2024 -
In pictures: The Archbishop of Canterbury in Shelton LockArchbishop Justin joined a wonderful children's tea party at St Ed's in Allenton and Shelton Lock, and what a party it was! Saturday, 13 April 2024 -
In pictures: The Archbishop of Canterbury at Derby CathedralIn Derby, Archbishop Justin joined in with the cathedral's own day of prayer and reflected on his day in Derbyshire. Saturday, 13 April 2024
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(Many more photos from Archbishop Justin's visit will be made available in the coming days)
Then, in Youlgreave, Archbishop Justin met members of the farming community, hearing about some of the challenges they face as farmers and farming familes.
Although gales and rain threatened to spoil the lunchtime party at Crich Stand, the archbishop took time to picnic, talk and pray with families and young people - around 200 people in all - and to enjoy the views across the county.
It was there that he led everyone in an act of clypping where usually a church, but in this case Crich Stand, is encircled by people who link hands and pray for the building they surround.
Afterwards, they faced outwards and said prayers for the Diocese of Derby.
See how Archbishop Justin's visit unfolded: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Yet more crowds gathered outside St Mary's Church in Ilkeston's Market Place, where once again Archbishop Justin and his team prayed with locals and enjoyed a chat.
The Archbishop received a warm welcome, too, at St Ed's in Shelton Lock, where a children's tea party was underway.
As part of the day, local children had been invited to ask him questions about his job and his life.
Having prayed many times for the diocese and it's people, the tables were turned on Archbishop Justin when 13-year-old Hadassah asked if this time she could pray for him.
Archbishop Justin shares a joke before 13-year-old Hadassah (right) offers to pray for him
Finally, he made his way to the city centre to lead prayers at the close of a prayer day at Derby Cathedral.
Whilst there, he reflected on his day in Derbyshire, describing the joy he had found in praying with so many people, and the "extraordinarily wonderful" views he had encountered in the diocese.
(Many more photos from Archbishop Justin's visit will be made available in the coming days)
On Saturday 20th April, Bishop Libby admitted 11 new people to the office of Licensed Lay Minister (Reader), in a special service at Derby Cathedral.
Licensed Lay Ministers are volunteers who are called and theologically trained to teach, lead, and equip the church for mission.
They are people from a variety of backgrounds, occupations, and contexts who have heard God's call.
LLMs are communicators, story tellers and teachers who can shape the minds, hearts and souls of people and congregations around the good news of Jesus Christ, the story of Scripture and the wisdom of our tradition so that they can live out their calling as disciples in everyday life.
They work collaboratively with clergy as fellow ministers with complementary gifts and callings.
Please hold in your prayers those who were licensed as they begin this new phase in public ministry:
Beth Hawkins to serve in the Benefice of Walkbrook Epiphany.
Diana Houghton to serve in the Benefices of Fenny Bentley, Thorpe, Tissington, Parwich and Alsop en le Dale.
Steve Johnson to serve in the Benefices of Etwall, Egginton, Dalbury, Sutton-on-the-Hill and Trusley.
Ben Martin to serve in the Benefice of St Alkmund and St Werburgh.
Vickie Melling to serve in the Benefice of Hilton with Marston on Dove, Hatton, Boylestone and Church Broughton.
Liz Runcorn to serve in the Benefice of Derby St Peter and Christ Church with Holy Trinity.
Pete Townsend to serve in the Benefice of Ashover and Handley, and Brackenfield with Wessington.
Ben Wheelhouse to serve in the Benefice of Killamarsh and Renishaw.
Jenny Whittaker to serve in the Benefice of Dronfield with Holmesfield.
Chris Wilkins to serve in the Benefice of Sawley.
Steve Dunning to serve with Permission to Officiate in the Benefice of Hulland, Atlow, Kniveton, Bradley and Hognaston.
A total of 72 local men who died in service during the First World War are now remembered in a Roll of Honour mounted in the Church of Saints Augustine on Derby Road, Chesterfield.
Their names are on permanent display for the first time in around 100 years, after the original roll was taken down to allow the construction of the existing church building.
The church only realised the roll was missing in 2022, when military historian Michael Orme produced a 1920 newspaper cutting confirming that a roll of 72 names had once hung in the original building on the site.
The church’s vicar, Revd Sally-Anne Beecham, believes it is likely to have been lost when that building was demolished.
Revd Beecham said: “It’s extraordinary to think that no-one living has ever seen the original roll of honour and its whereabouts remain a mystery.
"It very quickly became a priority for us to replace the Roll and ensure these men are forgotten no longer, especially as the majority are not remembered anywhere else in the UK.”
In 2023, Michael Orme wrote Only Remembered, a book based on his research of the 72 local men who perished.
A local committee was also formed, led by Revd Beecham, and together they planned, designed and raised money for the replacement.
Mr Orme said: "The writing of Only Remembered was entirely motivated by the hope that, in sharing its story with a wider audience, Birdholme's lost roll of honour might eventually be replaced.
"It should, therefore, be obvious that I am both delighted and humbled by the fact that this has now been accomplished.
"I can only express my sincerest thanks to all those volunteers who shared this vision and have done such splendid work to make it a reality.”
The Roll has now been hung in the Lady Chapel of the church following a short ceremony on Saturday, 27 April.
The Rt Revd Malcolm Macnaughton, Bishop of Repton, marked its return along with uniformed personnel representing a number of military organisations.
