Items filtered by date: November 2025
Bishop Libby has presented around 140 Bishop's Badges to those nominated for missional long service and missional innovation awards this year.
The special services, Bishop's Badge Schools and A Celebration of Lay Ministry, took place in Derby Cathedral in June, September and October.
The annual presentations celebrate ministry and service in churches and communities, recognising the distinguished service and dedication of many individuals contributing in Jesus’s name to the mission of their church.
And in schools, children are honoured for their commitment to generous faith, courageous hope and life-giving love.
- 1
In 1927, the Diocese of Derby was founded and Bishop Edmund Courtenay Pearce, the first Bishop of Derby, arranged for a medal to be struck to celebrate this new beginning.
Copies of the medal were presented to prominent members of the diocese and to all those being confirmed in that year.
In recent years, the seventh Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern, arranged for a replica of this medal to be minted and mounted in the form of a badge.
As the eighth Bishop of Derby, Bishop Libby continues this tradition.
Each year these badges are awarded based upon recommendations made to the bishop, as a gesture from the diocese to acknowledge outstanding service to God's church.
Receiving their Bishop's Badges on Sunday, 6 October, were:
Awards for Missional Innovation
Andrew Baldwin, St Michael, Stanton by Bridge
Caroline Cooke, Holy Trinity, Ilkeston
Helen Crisp, Holy Trinity, Ilkeston
Rachel Hewitt, St Michael with St Mary, Melbourne
Richard Maltby, Holy Trinity, Matlock Bath
Peter Newberry, Holy Trinity, Matlock Bath
Awards for Missional Long Service
Clive Avery, St Michael with St Mary, Melbourne
Hilary Bartlett, All Saints, Bakewell
Nigel Bartlett, All Saints, Bakewell
Phillip Briggs, St Michael's, Pleasley
Mike Bromby, Christ Church, Cotmanhay and Shipley
Elizabeth Brookes, Boulton St Mary
Kate Bunting, Cathedral Church of All Saints, Derby
Alan Burlison, Glossop, All Saints
Catherine Butler-Worrall, Christ Church, Cotmanhay and Shipley
Eileen Chadwick, St John the Evangelist, Hazelwood
Elaine Chappell, St Leonard's, Scarcliffe
Catherine Clark, St John the Baptist, Tibshelf
Jodie Clarke, St Bartholomew, Old Whittington
Christine Dale, Holy Cross Church, Upper Langwith
Jackie Day, St Barnabas, Derby
Anne Doody, St Peter and St Paul, Old Brampton
David Edwards, St James, Smisby
Liz Eley, St Peter's, Littleover & Blagreaves
Phil Eley, St Peter's, Littleover & Blagreaves
Gill Flatman, St Edmund's, Allestree
Richard Flatman, St Edmund's, Allestree
Julie Franks, St John the Evangelist, Newbold with Dunston
Valerie Gamble, St Michael's, Pleasley
Michael Halls, St Oswald's, Ashbourne with St Mary's, Mappleton
Cathryn Haywood, St Michael's, Willington
Michael Hyde, St Oswald's, Ashbourne with St Mary's, Mappleton
George Johnson, St Wystan's, Repton
Louise Jones, St Barnabas, New Whittington
Anne Knyhynyckyi, All Saints, Wingerworth
Pauline Leigh, Holy Trinity and Christ Church, Chesterfield
Malcolm Lewins, St Michael's, Willington
Carol Lewins, St Michael's Willington
Judith Lovett, Loundsley Green Church (LEP)
Pat Mann, St Mark's, Winshill
Keith Mann, St Mark's, Winshill
Margaret Matthews, St Michael's, Kirk Langley
Gloria Methven, St Mark's, Winshill
Hamish Methven, St Mark's, Winshill
Godfrey Meynell, St Michael's, Kirk Langley
Rick Naylor, All Saints, Bakewell
Russell Parrish, St Barnabas, New Whittington
Pamela Pickard, Holy Trinity, Shirebrook
Mary Plevey, St Michael and All Angels, Brimington
Sheila Rice, All Saints, Heath with St Albans, Holmewood
Claire Riley, St Leonard's, Scarcliffe
Wendy Savage, St Michael's, Sutton-on-the-Hill
Carol Sharpe, St Bartholomew, Old Whittington
Tim Swift, St Bartholomew, Old Whittington
Pete Taylor, St Matthew's Church, Darley Abbey
Sandra Tye, All Saints, Heath with St Albans, Holmewood
Susan Wareing, St Barnabas, Derby
Patricia Whale, St Helen, Etwall
Dorothy Wibberley, St Bartholomew, Old Whittington
Michael Wilson, Glossop, All Saints
Richard Wood, St Edmund's, Allestree
Paul Woodhouse-Severn, St Peter and St Paul, Old Brampton
Christine Woodward, Benefice of West Hallam & Mapperley with Stanley
Receiving their Bishop's Badges on Sunday, 15 September, were:
Awards for Missional Innovation
Philippa Buchanan, St John, Long Eaton
Lucy Coleman, St Michael and All Angels, Brimington
Rosemary Corfield, St Anne's, Derby
Christine Hill, St Michael and All Angels, Brimington
Kevin Jones, St Peter, Elmton with St Mary Magdelene, Creswell
Robert Wheat, St Michael, Stanton by Bridge
Awards for Missional Long Service
Rosemary Annable, Cathedral Church of All Saints, Derby
Carol Austin, All Saints, Wingerworth
Frank Bagshaw, Cathedral Church of All Saints, Derby
David Baldry, Ashford-in-the-Water
Marlene Bennett MBE, St Martin, Alfreton
Stuart Boon, St Bartholomew and St Luke's, Derby
Ann Capstick, Glossop, All Saints
Christopher Charlton, Derby Diocese
Carole Clay, St Bartholomew and St Luke's, Derby
Tom Corfield, St Anne's, Derby
Margaret Crosdale, St Katherine's, Rowsley
Les Dodd, Cathedral Church of All Saints, Derby
Sue Elson, St Mary the Virgin, Newton Solney
Jennifer Hogg, St John the Baptist, Tibshelf
Hilary Hull, Ashford-in-the-Water
Janet Jordan, St Michael and All Angels, Brimington
John Loveless, St Edmund's, Castleton
Derek Marbeck, Glossop, All Saints
Diana Marshall, All Saints, South Wingfield
Maggie Mellish, St George, Ticknall
David Meredith, Christ Church, Belper
Cheryl Mulvey, St Peter's, Hope
Tim Norman, St Mary the Virgin, Newton Solney
Pamela Pickard, Holy Trinity, Shirebrook
Brenda Pickford, Glossop, All Saints
Christine Pycroft, Glossop, All Saints
Lesley Richardson, Glossop, All Saints
Barrie Rogers, St Mary the Virgin, Newton Solney
Richard Taylor, Derby Diocese
Eileen Margaret Taylor, St Michael and All Angels, South Normanton
Lynn Warren, St Katherine's, Rowsley
John Whitfield, St Edmund's , Castleton
Keith Womble, St Lawrence, Whitwell with All Saints, Steetley
It feels timely to call your attention to the fact that October is data collection season!
The national church is asking every parish to be particularly vigilant over the next few weeks as they record attendance numbers which will be included in the ‘October count’, an important part of the annual Statistics for Mission return.
I’d be really grateful if you could be sure that data is accurately gathered at all of your worship services (not just Sunday worship) over this period.
As you engage with the Stats for Mission return (which doesn’t have to be submitted until the beginning of 2025) some of the language is strange and may not be how you would describe activities in your context.
If you have any questions about the form or things that need ‘interpreting’ for your situation then don’t hesitate to speak to either myself, your incumbent, or area dean - we’re here to help!
Equally, if you’re struggling to navigate the online portal then do, please shout out.
Your information is just as important as any other church and we do want to capture the important things you can tell us, not least, the history of your church in numbers.
On a more general note, can I just say a very big THANK YOU for collecting this information for us – it really is invaluable.
I do appreciate that in the busyness of church life it might not seem the most glamorous or important job but, when put together with other churches from the deanery, diocese and country it paints a really helpful picture of what God is doing and how He is doing it.
This picture tells us what’s ‘fruitful’ and what’s ‘less fruitful’ – through this we can offer training, advice, and ideas to all ministers as to how they might best engage in Mission & Ministry in their communities.
It also helps see how the church is changing and how we might best train ministers for the models of ministry needed in the future.
Be encouraged, from the earliest days the church has been collecting Stats for Mission – if you don’t believe me, read Acts 2:41!
Alongside Stats for Mission, we, working with other Church House colleagues, collect information around the financial position (Financial returns) and Energy use (Energy Footprint Toolkit) of churches.
These are also equally vital in helping us understand the strength and health of the church so that we can know how best to help and support.
Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Your assistance in this is greatly appreciated, nothing is ‘lost in the machine’, every scrap of information helps build the picture we need to navigate these changing times.
Rev Canon Matt Barnes
Director of Discipleship, Mission & Ministry
We are seeking a prayerful and hope-filled Team Vicar who will:
26 September
The Revd Gillian (Gill) Manley, Vicar of Blackwell with Tibshelf, Diocese of Derby, has announced her retirement. Gill’s last day in post will be 28th February, with her retirement taking effect from 1st March, 2025.
12 September
The Revd Anita Matthews, Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of Derby St Peter and Christ Church with Holy Trinity, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge (Vicar designate) of the same benefice.
The Revd Catrin Hubbard, Student Missioner (Assistant Curate) in the parish of Derby St John the Evangelist, Diocese of Derby, recently married and will be known as Catrin Engh with immediate effect. Her contact details remain the same.
The Revd Catherine (Cathie) Watson will be licensed as Assistant Curate of Allestree St Edmund and Darley Abbey, of Allestree St Nicholas and of Quarndon, Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday, 15tOctober 2024 at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, by the Bishop of Repton.
5 September
The funeral of the Revd Canon Martin Hulbert, who died on Sunday, 25 August 2024, will take place on Tuesday, 24 September 2024 at 11 am at St Mary’s church, Wirksworth.
The funeral of the Revd Michel Rogers, who died on Wednesday, 14 August 2024, will take place on Thursday, 3 October 2024 at 2 pm at All Saints Aston-on-Trent.
19 August
The Revd Michel Rogers, Curate of Roehampton Holy Trinity (Southwark) 1985-1988, Vicar of Ryhill St James (Wakefield) 1988-1994, Vicar of South Elmsall St Mary the Virgin 1994-2000, who retired in 2000 and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate, died on Wednesday, 14 August, 2024. Details of the funeral will be announced once confirmed.
15 August
The Revd Derek Honour, Vicar of Derby St Barnabas, Diocese of Derby, has announced his retirement. Derek’s last day in post will be Tuesday, 1 October 2024, with his retirement taking effect from Wednesday, 2 October 2024.
The Revd Joanna (Jo) Honour will be licensed as part-time Priest-in-Charge of Crich and South Wingfield, Diocese of Derby, on Wednesday, 2 October 2024 at 7pm at St Mary’s Crich by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.
The Revd Catherine (Cathie) Watson will be licensed as Assistant Curate of Allestree St Edmund and Darley Abbey, of Allestree St Nicholas and of Quarndon, Diocese of Derby, on Friday, 20 September at 11am at Derby Church House by the Bishop of Repton.
8 August
The Revd Ernest Buckley, Curate of Rochdale (Manchester) 1955-1958, Vicar of Hey 1958-1964, Vicar of Baguley 1964-1979, Vicar of Clun with Chapel Lawn, Bettws-y-Crwyn and Newcastle (Herford) 1979-1987, Rural Dean of Clun Forest 1982-1987, who retired in 1988, and more recently lived in the Diocese of Derby, died on Thursday, 23 May, 2024. His funeral took place on Friday, 14 June 2024 at St James’ Brassington.
The Revd Joanna (Jo) Honour, Chaplain to HMP Sudbury, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed part-time Priest-in-Charge of Crich and South Wingfield in the same diocese.
The Revd Peter Jackson, Assistant Curate of All Saints Torre and Torquay St John, and of Torquay St Luke, Diocese of Exeter, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Derby St Bartholomew and St Luke, with responsibility for Derby St Luke, Diocese of Derby..Peter will be licensed on Tuesday, 8 October at 7pm at St Luke’s Derby by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire.
The Revd Catherine (Cathie) Watson, Assistant Curate of Derby St Werburgh’s BMO, Diocese of Derby, will transfer her curacy and become Assistant Curate of Allestree St Edmund and Darley Abbey, of Allestree St Nicholas and of Quarndon in the same diocese.
We love all the creative and different ways churches are engaging with their parishes and beyond.
Our vision is The Kingdom of God, Good News for All and it's great to see how so many churches in the Diocese of Derby are sharing stories of their success in achieving transformed lives through growing church and building community.
Here are a few of your social media stories that have caught our eye recently:
- All
After finishing university and moving back home, I wanted to gain experience working with children and young people whilst also accessing some further training, so Future Youth was perfect for me.
It also gave me the chance to experience a different type of church and create a new Christian family compared to my normal church that I have grown up in.
Although based at Derby Cathedral, I have been able to explore other youth ministries within the deanery.
I would not have been able to do this scheme if it had not been paid.
Due to travel expenses and the climbing increase of living costs, it would not have been viable for me to start, never mind complete.
It has given me the life experience of working a full-time job and helped me become more independent.
The highlight of my year has been the increase of children attending Sunday morning service and that of messy cathedral.
Bringing part of who I am to the role has been great, including my agricultural background as I brought a lamb to the Easter Messy Cathedral.
Asking colleagues at the Cathedral, they have all commented on how my input has led to an increase Messy Cathedral attendance and sustainability as well as the Sunday school.
I am proud that being a part of this scheme at the cathedral has led to an increase in youth connection and outreach.
Everyday Faith is the new daily devotional app from the Church of England designed to inspire, equip and encourage growth in faith every day of the week, not just on Sundays.
The app aims to help individuals to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in the whole of life.
It provides carefully curated daily reflections, including selected Bible readings, a simple prayer for the day ahead, and thoughts based on that week's theme.
- Download the Everyday Faith app: Google Play | App Store
- See our Everday Faith videos
The app builds on the success of the Everyday Faith portal, and supports the CofE's vision of becoming a church of missionary disciples, resourcing individuals to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in the whole of life.
This version of the app also responds to overwhelming demand from our users for an app that delivers inspirational reflections year-round, rather than focussed on seasonal content during Lent and Advent.
The idea is to create a space encouraging Christians to grow in their faith daily and it is hoped this can be an encouragement to local church leaders and to church congregants and help all who use it.
Everyday Faith is about where and how we encounter God as we go about our lives.
Where is God in our daily lives? How do we find God in the fullness of everyday life?
Whether you wish to develop your faith or support others in theirs, Everyday Faith is designed to support you in your life discipleship or vocational journey.
