Items filtered by date: May 2025
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.
They're also sharing news of their plans and projects.
Don't forget to keep posting your photos and stories on social media - show the world what you're doing to grow church and build community
See also:
Here are a few that have caught our eye recently:
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.
These links will take you to the page you will find the form on:
- Common Fund - standing order mandate
- Confirmation return form (new for 2024)
- Contact information update form
- DBS application forms for clergy (Laity applications are done via your Parish Safeguarding Officer)
- Faculties (through the Online Faculty System)
- Parochial Fees Form 2025 Excel file]
How to use Amazing GRACE
The website is designed to support those facilitating or leading the Amazing GRACE course.
Here you can access and download all the resources you need:
course booklet, prayers, videos and transcriptions, etc..
Each week we also tell you what you need to prepare in advance of the following week's session.
Read the welcome from Bishops Libby, John and Malcolm.
Get started
If you plan to lead this course in your context, get started by downloading the Leaders' Introduction Manual.
Or first read through some of the information below.
Information + all the resources for the six weekly sessions
- 1
25 January 2024
The Revd Michael (Mike) Gilbert, Rector of Baslow and Eyam and Area Dean of Peak, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Associate Archdeacon Transition Enabler in the Deaneries of Hallam and Ecclesfield, Diocese of Sheffield.
The Revd Canon Helen Guest, Rector of Killamarsh and Renishaw, Diocese of Derby, has announced her retirement. Helen’s last day in post will be Friday, 31 May 2024, with her first day of retirement being Saturday, 1 June 2024. Helen will be appointed Canon Emeritus of Derby Cathedral in retirement.
12 January 2024
The Revd Stephen (Steve) Short will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Foremark and Repton with Newton Solney and of Willington, Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday, 19 March at 7 pm at St Wystan’s Repton, by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire.
5 January 2024
The Revd Rebecca (Bex) Allpress, Assistant Curate of Swadlincote and Hartshorne, of Newhall and of Gresley, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed part-time Rector of Brailsford with Shirley, Osmaston with Edlaston and Yeaveley in the same diocese.
21 December 2023
The Revd Bruce Johnson, Associate Minister of the parishes of Walton-on-Trent, Croxall and Rosliston (within the benefice of Walton-on-Trent with Croxall, Rosliston with Linton and Castle Gresley) and the parish of Coton-in-the-Elms (within the benefice of Seale and Lullington with Coton-in-the-Elms), Diocese of Derby, has announced his resignation. Bruce’s last day in post will be Sunday, 31 December 2023 with his resignation taking effect from Monday, 1 January 2024.
The Revd Mark Griffin will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Beeley and Edensor, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday 21st April 2024 at 3 pm at St Peter’s Edensor by the Bishop of Derby.
The Revd Kate Smedley, Assistant Curate (SSM) of Spondon, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (SSM-to be known as Associate Priest) in the benefice of Spondon, the benefice of Chaddesden St Philip with Derby St Mark and in the parish of Derby St Andrew with St Osmund (within the Benefice of Pride Park, Wilmorton, Allenton and Shelton Lock) in the same diocese.
The Revd Anthony Till, Assistant Curate (SSM) of the benefice of Spondon and the parish of Derby St Andrew with St Osmund (within the benefice of Pride Park, Wilmorton, Allenton and Shelton Lock), Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (SSM-to be known as Associate Priest) of the same benefice and parish. Kate and Anthony were licensed to these new posts on Wednesday 20th December at Repton House by the Bishop of Repton.
7 December 2023
The Revd Stephen (Steve) Short, Rector of Melbourne, Ticknall, Smisby and Stanton-by-Bridge, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Foremark and Repton with Newton Solney and of Willington in the same diocese. Steve will continue to hold the Bishop of Derby’s commission as Assistant Area Dean of Mercia alongside this new role.
General Synod report written by Revd Alicia Dring.
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:
- 1
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.”
