The Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Revd Rachel Treweek, has created a collaborative team to support her in her role as Anglican Bishop for HM Prisons in England and Wales.

Bishop Rachel is tasked with supporting the network of 300 Anglican Prison Chaplains who share in the front-line care of prisoners, as well as developing relationships and being involved with people and issues across the breadth of the Criminal Justice System.

This includes probation and community services, as well as many different charities and organisations.

In all of this, Bishop Rachel seeks to use her role as a Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords, not least working for a change to systems and sentencing for the most vulnerable people in our communities, whilst not losing sight of appropriate justice for victims of crime.

Bishop Libby will support Bishop Rachel in work with young offenders, which will be a natural extension to her work as vice-chair of The Children's Society. 

Bishop Libby said, “I am delighted to be joining this team and look forward to working with Bishop Rachel and Bishop Michael with other partners working across the criminal justice system. I have a particular passion to see restorative justice leading to transformed lives with meaningful integration and contribution to community. Sharing with this team complements the work I currently engage with through The Children’s Society in our shared commitment to the most vulnerable, and at risk, children and young people in our land.”

The Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, will support with the male estate and bring his experience of being in a diocese with a number of prisons.

The Team will work closely with the Revd Helen Dearnley, HMPPS Anglican Chaplaincy Advisor.

Bishop Rachel said, “I will be involved across the breadth of the prison estate, but I am hoping that this collaborative approach will enable more prisons to be visited and will provide deeper insight and shared learning. We will of course be working in close liaison with bishops in every diocese where prisons are situated and who remain responsible for the licensing and everyday pastoral care of their Anglican prison chaplains.”

The new episcopal prison team marked the beginning of their work together on Thursday 29 July 2021 with a joint visit to the Diocese of Lichfield where each visited separate prisons.

Bishop Rachel visited HMP Featherstone and HMP Oakwood; Bishop Michael visited HMP Brinsford and Bishop Libby visited HMP Werrington.

Over the last few years Bishop Rachel was Bishop for Women’s Prisons and has undertaken a huge amount in campaigning for prison reform and community rehabilitation for women in the criminal justice system, or at risk of offending.  She now wants to develop that collaborative way of working.

This article was adapted from original text by Sarah Lacey, parisioner at St Giles, Hartington.

St Giles’ Church sits dreaming quietly in the beautiful village of Hartington, and has done so since around 1250 AD.

This is not to say that it hasn't had some lively moments, I'm sure it has, but none in my time of some 20 years as a resident.

How we have prayed for a change to come, for the Holy Spirit to take notice and 'do' something, anything even, to create life, energy and purpose for God within and without this slumbering church.

Guess what? Something has gradually been changing over the last few years, new shoots have sprouted in the form of new church goers moving into the village.

In each we see gifts put to willing use in the service of God, through the Spirit - it's exciting!

There is a problem, (isn't there always?!), we don't have a vicar, we are in 'vacancy', and have been for some time.

In fact, for me, it is the fourth time of being without the person in a dog collar, the visible presence of God's servant within the community that everyone wants to see and take tea with.

Does it matter? Yes, of course it does, but you can, we have learnt over the years, manage very well if you have someone to share the load with, and this time there is a team of ‘someones’ who are willing and able to step up and become a committed group of lay people, prepared to help and enable us to grow.

As Paul said in his letter to the Romans (12:6): ‘We have gifts that differ according to the grace given us.’

The team committed to offering a regular time of worship on a Sunday.

Between us we deliver two family type services every month, and we plague other vicars and retired clergy (PTOs) to undertake the other two Sundays, one to offer Holy Communion, which recharges our spiritual batteries beautifully, the other to bring some variety and friendly support, for which we say a big ‘thank you’ to the priest concerned.

Mission Action Plan

We dug out our 2011 version of MAP (Mission Action Plan) and updated it with realistic challenges and plans, having first canvassed as many people as possible for their opinions, which we listened to.

We established a rota, we bulked up our PCC with some new blood and we established a pastoral team.

The pandemic has shown on numerous occasions how important regular outreach is, especially in our rural farming community.

There is a great deal of isolation and loneliness, masked by pride and the words, 'I don't want to be a nuisance / burden / trouble to anyone,' if we do but take time to be that good neighbour Jesus calls us to be and take notice. 

We held a thoroughly enjoyable Rogation service last month, 40 people joined us on our 'worship walkabout’, and the farmer, at whose farm we stopped to read scripture and pray, is still talking about it... in a good way!

We are creating a 'Walk of Words' around our church yard, an idea first developed at St Oswald’s, Ashbourne, which we are gratefully adapting as something creative for the many visitors that come to the village, to read and perhaps encounter Christ, as they do so, alongside the many wildflowers and far-reaching views that our church yard offers them. 

A pilgrim church

St Giles is a pilgrim church, on the pilgrim way from Ilam to Eyam, many people pre-pandemic, visited the church to get their little books stamped, we always welcomed them and look forward to doing so again soon.

It seems wrong not to have the door to God’s house open every day, as was our custom, but that is how it is just now. Strange times!

However, we are not wasting time, there is much to do, a new heating system for one thing, followed by a kitchen (we are known for our cakes after services with a cup of 'proper' coffee and lots of chat, which we miss very much!) and loos must happen, they really must.

The essential people - and their skills!

This leads neatly on to the essential people we are blessed to have, those who are good with money, our treasurer is one, every PCC needs one of those!

Other skills recently discovered include, skilled engineers, singers, readers, fundraisers, trained safeguarding officer, artists and multi-taskers and planners - one of whom supplied this quote when asked where they see God at work: 'Right here - encouraging and building up our Church family, both in numbers and faith, so that we can serve the community that we are in, being both light and salt.'

Another: 'By showing God’s love in action we are building new confidence in God.'

We want to be good listeners, who are rooted within the community, visible and active, carrying out jobs for God, with love, humour and compassion.

None of these require a vicar, but it will be good to have one somewhere, sometime soon, please God, to teach, nourish, support and lead us, someone to share things with, someone we can grow with, oh, and someone who can take the weddings and baptisms, because much as we would like to, we are not allowed to!

We have learnt to think outside our boxes, to listen to others, to try to create a sense of belonging within our growing congregation, to believe that if God wants us to do something He will show us how, and He does, thank you Lord.

Our story continues...

Learn more about St Giles Hartington at: www.hartingtonchurch.org

The count of votes for the election of members to General Synod for the Diocese of Derby took place on Thursday 14 October 2021 and have now been verified.  The Presiding Officer is pleased to announce the following candidates are elected to the six places available (three for the House of Clergy and three for the House of Laity as per GS 2214) for the term 2021 to 2026: 

House of Bishops:

As a diocesan bishop, Rt Revd Libby Lane is a de facto member of General Synod. 

As well as the archbishops and diocesan bishops, there are five suffragan bishops - none of those elected are from this diocese.

Election results with a breakdown of the elections in stages can be found here.

About General Synod

The proctors and members represent the concerns of your community and our diocese at a national level by being on General Synod, the legislative body of the Church of England. 

As a member of general Synod, they have a say in national legislation that affects all parts of the Church of England. They can also raise issues and contribute to debates on social and policy matters.

The General Synod has three Houses:  Bishops, Clergy and Laity. Diocesan Bishops are automatically members of Synod by virtue of their office. In addition, each province of the Church of England elects two Suffragan Bishops from each Province. Each diocese is allocated a number of seats in the Houses of Clergy and Laity – the number of seats varies according to the size of each diocese - for the Diocese of Derby there are six seats. 

Clergy:
Any member of clergy who holds ecclesiastical office in a diocese or cathedral or who has permission to officiate can stand in an election to the House of Clergy for their diocese. Clergy representatives (known as “Proctors”) are elected by their peers, i.e. other clergy persons in that diocese. 

Laity:
To be elected to the House of Laity in the Diocese of Derby, a person must be a communicant member of the Church of England, at least 18 years old and have their name on the parish roll or on the community roll of Derby Cathedral. In certain circumstances, members of a Bishop’s Mission Order can also stand for election.

Local contact:
Please feel free to get in touch with any questions by emailing presidingofficer@derby.anglican.org

More information:

>> Full details about standing for election to the General Synod

>> Stand for Synod Promotional Flyer

>> Bishops letter re. General Synod elections 2021

>> 2021 General Synod Elections Timetable

>> Download a printable map of Peak Deanery here (suitable for A4 and A3) JPG

>> Download a printable map of the Archdeaconry of Derbyshire Peak and Dales from this page.

Welcome to the Peak Deanery.

We are part of the Derbyshire Peak and Dales Archdeaconry.

Archdeacon: The Ven. Nicky Fenton - nicky.fenton@derby.anglican.org

Acting Area Dean: Revd Dr David Mundy - dhmundy@btinternet.com

Assistant Area Dean: Revd Louise Petheram

Assistant Area Dean: Revd Mark Griffin

Lay Chair: Nikki Goodhew

Assistant Warden of Readers: Mrs Christine McMullen and Mrs Nikki Goodhewv

Deanery Synod Meetings 2025

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Wednesday, 12 November 2025

Peak Deanery Benefices

1. Bakewell, Ashford in the Water with Sheldon and Rowsley (Parishes of Bakewell; Ashford in the Water; Sheldon; St. Catherine, Rowsley) (to include Over Haddon)
2. Baslow and Eyam ((Parishes of St. Ann, Baslow; Eyam) (including Foolow)
3. Beeley and Edensor (Parishes of Beeley; Edensor)
4. Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale (Parish of Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale) (This parish includes Harpur Hill St James, Buxton St Mary the Virgin and St Anne, Burbage and King Sterndale Christ Churches)
5. Chapel-en-le-Frith (Parish of Chapel en le Frith)
6. Charlesworth and Gamesley (Parish of Charlesworth and Gamesley) held in plurality with 7.
7. Holy Trinity Dinting Vale (Parish of Holy Trinity, Dinting Vale) held in plurality with 6.
8. Edale (Holy Trinity, Edale)
9. Fairfield, Peak Forest and Dove Holes (Parishes of Fairfield; Peak Forest and Dove Holes)
10. Glossop (Parish of Glossop)
11. Hadfield (Parish of St. Andrew, Hadfield)
12. Hathersage with Bamford and Derwent, and Grindleford (Parishes of Bamford and Derwent; Grindleford Saint Helen; Hathersage)
13. Hayfield and Chinley with Buxworth (Parishes of Hayfield; Chinley with Buxworth)
14. Hope, Castleton and Bradwell (Parishes of St. Barnabas Bradwell; Castleton; Hope)
15. Longstone, Curbar and Stoney Middleton (Parishes of All Saints, Curbar; Longstone, St. Giles; Stoney Middleton) (including Wardlow)
16. New Mills (Parish of New Mills)
17. The White Peak Group (Parishes of Taddington; Monyash; Hartington; Chelmorton; Biggin; Earl Sterndale)
18. Tideswell (Parish of Tideswell) (to include Wormhill, Cressbrook and Litton and Millers Dale)
19. Whitfield (Parish of Whitfield) (This parish includes the Churches of St James and St Luke)
20. Youlgreave and Middleton, Stanton-in-Peak and Birchover (Parishes of Birchover; The Holy Trinity Stanton-in-Peak; Youlgreave and Middleton)
21. Buxton, Trinity Church (private Trinitarian Chapel) which is not a Benefice or Parish but is within the Peak Deanery and whose Clergy are Licensed by the Bishop of Derby)

>> Spotlights on parishes in Peak Deanery

>> Download a printable map of Mercia Deanery here (suitable for A4 and A3) [JPG]

>> Download a printable map of the Archdeaconry of Derby City and South Derbyshire from this page.

Welcome to the Mercia Deanery.

We are part of the Archdeaconry of Derby City and South Derbyshire.

The deanery stretches down as far as Croxall and up to Elvaston.

The parishes are a mix of rural and market town and developing industrial communities. There are 33 churches and 30 parishes in the deanery. Within the borders, there are the historic churches of Melbourne and Repton. There have been archeological digs at Repton’s vicarage that have uncovered Viking activity... very exciting!

Archdeacon: The Ven. Matthew Trick - matthew.trick@derby.anglican.org

Area Dean:  Revd Mike Firbank - mjfirbank@hotmail.com

Assistant Area Dean with responsibility for Chapter: Revd Steve Short - stephen.short71@btinternet.com

Deanery Synod Leadership Team 

Lay Chair: Maggie Fenby-Taylor, from St George, Ticknall

Treasurer: Liz Ballinger, of St Mark, Winshill 

Lay member:  

Synod Secretary: Debbie Patrick, member of St Peter, Hartshorne

Mercia Benefices

1. Aston-on-Trent, Elvaston, Weston-on-Trent and Shardlow, Barrow-upon-Trent with Twyford and Swarkestone (Parishes of Aston on Trent; Elvaston; Weston upon Trent; Shardlow; Barrow-on-Trent with Twyford; Swarkestone)
2. Foremark and Repton with Newton Solney (Parishes of Foremark; Newton Solney; Repton)
3. Gresley (Parish of Gresley)
4. Melbourne, Ticknall, Smisby and Stanton-by-Bridge (Parishes of Melbourne; Smisby; Stanton-by-Bridge; Ticknall)
5. Newhall (Parish of Newhall)
6. Stapenhill with Caudwell (Parish of Stapenhill)
7. Stapenhill Immanuel (Parish of Immanuel, Stapenhill)
8. Swadlincote and Hartshorne (Parishes of Hartshorne; Swadlincote)
9. Winshill and Bretby (Parishes of Bretby; Winshill)
10. Seale and Lullington with Coton-in-the-Elms (Parishes of Coton in the Elms; Lullington; Netherseal St. Peter; Overseal St. Matthew)
11. Walton-on-Trent with Croxall, Rosliston with Linton and Castle Gresley (Parishes of Croxall; Linton and Castle Gresley; Rosliston, Walton-on-Trent) (including Catton)

>> Spotlights on parishes in Mercia Deanery

Mercia Deanery Synod

11 March 2025
3 July 2025
18 November 2025

The Revd Penny Goodchild, Assistant Curate (OLM) of Pinxton 2011-2015 (Derby), Assistant Curate (known as Associate Priest - OLM) of Pinxton 2015-2020, who retired in March 2020, died on Friday,18 December 2020. Funeral details will follow in due course

The Revd Nicky Fenton, Priest-in-Charge of Hazelwood, Holbrook and Milford, with occasional work as the Bishop’s Ordained Chaplain and on educational matters, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed by the Church Commissioners to be Chaplain to the Bishop of Derby and Residentiary Canon of Derby Cathedral in the same diocese. Mrs Fenton hopes to take up her appointment in March. Mrs Fenton will continue as Acting Retirement Chaplain and the Bishop’s Advisor in Spirituality as part of her new role.

The Revd Colin Cooper, Team Rector in the North Wingfield Team, has announced his retirement. Mr Cooper’s last day in post will be Sunday, 28 February 2021, with his retirement taking effect from Monday, 1 March 2021. Mr Cooper will be moving away from the diocese.

The Revd Sarah Watson will be licensed as Interim Assistant Curate (to be known as Enabling Minister) of Chaddesden St Philip with Derby St Mark, of Spondon, the parish of Derby St Andrew and St Osmund, the Derwent Oak Bishop’s Mission Order and the Journey Community Bishop’s Mission Order, Diocese of Derby, on Monday, 4 January 2021 at 4pm by the Bishop of Derby.

The following appointments have been made and will be taken up with immediate effect alongside their present roles.

Acting Director of Ordinands
The Revd Carollyn McDonald
Please email about ordinand matters using carollyn.mcdonald@derby.anglican.org

Assistant Director of Ordinands
Mr Steve Hayler
Please email about ordinand matters using steve.hayler@derby.anglican.org

The Revd Jacqueline Stober
Please email about ordinand matters using jacqueline.stober@derby.anglican.org

The Revd Sarah Watson, Assistant Curate of the Derwent Oak BMO (including St Philip’s Church Plant) and of Spondon, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Interim Assistant Curate (to be known as Enabling Minister) of Chaddesden St Philip with Derby St Mark, of Spondon, the parish of Derby St Andrew and St Osmund, the Derwent Oak Bishop’s Mission Order and the Journey Community Bishop’s Mission Order in the same diocese. Mrs Watson hopes to take up her new appointment in January.

The Revd Alun Rowlands, Assistant Curate (SSM - known as Associate Priest) in the benefice of Mickleover, has announced his retirement. Mr Rowlands’ last day in post will be Thursday, 4 February, with his retirement taking effect from Friday, 5 February, 2021. His contact details will not change.

Fees Table 2021 (locally revised) updated 1 December 2020

Parochial Fees Guidance 2021 (locally revised) updated 1 December 2020

A statement from The Rt Revd Libby Lane - Bishop of Derby; Hannah Hogg - Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor and Helen Jebb - Independent Chair of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel 

Today the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) published its report into the Church of England. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, alongside the CofE lead safeguarding bishop and the national director of safeguarding have set out their thoughtsin an open letter.

We would like to assure you of our shared and joint commitment to Safeguarding and place this at the heart of our Diocese. Safeguarding is a fundamental expression of our faith and a sign of the Kingdom of God. At this difficult time, we will support those affected by the publication of the report.

The new safeguarding leadership team including Hannah Hogg, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor and Helen Jebb, Independent Chair of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel in the Diocese of Derby will be taking time to digest and understand the outcomes and learning from the report and are committed to making changes which promote a safer church culture.

If you or anyone you are in contact with are affected by the publication of this report and want totalk to someone independently please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056  or email: safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk.  There are also other support services available.

Alternatively, please contact the diocesan safeguarding team in Derby.

The Bishop of Huddersfield, Jonathan Gibbs, the Church of England’s lead safeguarding bishop and Melissa Caslake the Church’s national director of safeguarding have issued a joint statement on behalf of the national Church of England.

The monthly diocesan message is available to download here

August 2025

Download Archdeacon Nicky's message for July

PDF version

JPEG version

July 2025

Download Archdeacon Karen's message for July

PDF version

JPEG version

June 2025

Download the Dean of Derby's message for June

PDF version

JPEG version

Arthur Rank Centre resources

Church of England Digital Labs

Church of England resources

Diocese of Derby in-house training: Learning in Faith Bitesize and Discipleship training

Rural Action Derbyshire 

Rural Funding Digest