Items filtered by date: November 2025

Rev Ailsa Hunt was ordained as Priest in July this year. We asked her to reflect on her curacy so far, and where she has seen God at work in the communities around her. 

"I started curacy licensed to one church (Kirk Hallam) but am now licensed to five, with my training incumbent Rev Christine French now priest in charge of the West Hallam, Stanley, Stanley Common and Mapperley benefice too. I love the variety which this has brought to my curacy and am grateful to serve in several different contexts.

"I started my curacy holding tight to this verse: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27: 13), and certainly I have seen the Lord’s goodness in too many ways to mention! One example is through a reflective prayer space I ran in a state primary school, during Children’s Mental Health Week. It was themed around Psalm 139: 14, helping the children to think about words of affirmation – what made them amazing and wonderful. It was hard that some children struggled to think of something amazing about themselves, but then a beautiful glimpse of God at work when other children gently suggested something to them.

"Ministry with children has also helped me to grow in readiness to speak of the hope that is within me! I remember one evening when I was talking to a local cubs group about Easter. I had spoken about Good Friday and then everyone started talking at once – “Jesus lived with the Romans?” “They put nails in his hands?!” “That was not a good Friday.” “Why did Jesus have to die?”. I love how children’s quick-fire theological questions have challenged me to get better at communicating Christian hope in a succinct way which works for the context.

 "For me the biggest joy so far of being a priest is being able to offer formal blessings. I find there is a hunger for blessing in our parishes. Last year I was asked by one village school to do formal blessings in collective worship, and had to explain that I couldn’t until priested. It was a moment to treasure when I could offer a blessing for the year 6 leavers at this little school. I have long been drawn to Celtic blessings and poems of blessing, and often use Jan Richardson’s beautiful book Circle of Grace. Being able to offer blessings myself feels like a fulfilment of something that has been tugging at my heart for a long time."

25 September

The Revd Josephine (Jo) Harbidge, Assistant Curate of the benefice of Walton St John, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Academic and Formational Tutor at St Hild College. Jo's last day in post will be 31st October 2025. 

The Revd Katherine (Kate) Plant, Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Breadsall and of the benefice of Morley with Smalley, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed part-time Associate Vicar of Bingley Holy Trinity with St Wilfrid's Gilstead, and St Michael and All Angels Cottingley, Diocese of Leeds.

18 September

The Revd Nicholas (Nick) Green, Vicar of the benefice of Walton St John, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Christchurch Stockton, Diocese of Durham.

The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the following clergy have taken on additional responsibilities in the diocese alongside their current roles, and were licensed on Sunday 7th September, as follows:

The Revd Katrina Jenkins: Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) in the benefices of Matlock Bank and Tansley, of Darley, South Darley and Winster, and of Matlock Bath and Cromford.

The Revd Stephen Monk: Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) in the benefices of Matlock, Dethick, Lea and Holloway and of Matlock Bank and Tansley.

The Revd Richard Reade: Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) in the benefices of Matlock, Dethick, Lea and Holloway, of Darley, South Darley and Winster, and of Matlock Bath and Cromford.

The Revd Catherine (Cathie) Watson, Assistant Curate in the Benefices of Allestree St Edmund and Darley Abbey, of Allestree St Nicholas and of Quarndon, Diocese of Derby, has announced her resignation as she moves to the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Cathie’s last day in post will be 24th September 2025.

Derby Cathedral welcomed people from all over the diocese on Sunday 14 September for the annual Bishop's Badge service. 

This special service celebrates ministry and service in the church and the community. The Bishop of Derby's badges recognise the distinguished service and dedication of many individuals contributing in Jesus' name to the mission of the church. 

The service was led by the Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, assisted by the Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby. The reflections were given by the Rt Revd Malcolm Macnaughton, Bishop of Repton. Music for the service is sung by the Girls and Lay Clerks of the Cathedral Choir. 

A second service will take place on Sunday 5 October. 

Awards for Missional Innovation

Mary Cox, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley

Margaret Crouch, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley

Martin Frost, St Michael, Sutton-on-the-Hill

Chris Hartshorn, St Wilfrid, West Hallam

Steven Hughes, St Michael and All Angels, South Normanton

Clarke Lomas, St Leonard, Thorpe

Don McLure, All Saints, Mackworth

Andrew Wright, St Oswald, Ashbourne

Janet Wright, St Oswald, Ashbourne

Awards for Missional Service

David Allen, St Barnabas, New Whittington

Josie Allman, St Michael, Stanton by Bridge

Elizabeth Arnold, St George, Ticknall

Lorna Barnett, St Mark, Winshill

Paul Baxter, Boulton St Mary, Alvaston

Alec Bemment, St Wilfrid, Egginton

Robin Blackwell, St Peter and St Paul, Old Brampton

Alex Carter, The Parish of Dethick, Lea and Holloway

Penny Carter, The Parish of Dethick, Lea and Holloway

Lynne Clark, St Peter, Edensor

Barbara Coe, The Parish of St Matthew

Brian Dawson, St Peter and St Paul, Old Brampton

Ann Ellis, St Luke the Beloved Physician, Derby

John Fletcher, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley

Margaret Foster, Alvaston

Elaine Hanson, St Werburgh, Spondon

Rachel Heath, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley

Geoff Howell, The Parish of St Matthew

Carol Jenkins, St Michael, Stanton by Bridge

Keith Jennison, Sinfin Moor Benefice 

Chris Jones, St Peter, Littleover & Blagreaves

Griselda Kerr, St Michael with St Mary, Melbourne

Sally Knapp, St Wilfrid, West Hallam and St Andrew’s, Stanley

Irene Lawrence, St Bartholomew, Whittington

John Mazillius, St Andrew, Stanley

Kathryn Mazillius, St Andrew, Stanley

Simon Melen, St George, Ticknall

Sandra Morris, United Church of All Saints, Stanley Common

Jane Mortimer, All Saints, Kirk Hallam

Anne Musson, St Lawrence, Heanor

Elizabeth Newton, Walbrook Epiphany

Brian Parker, St John, Long Eaton

Pauline Piggin, St Werburgh, Spondon

Celia Potter, The Cathedral of All Saints, Derby

Audrey Rose, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley

Alan Sheldon, St Thomas and St Mark, Brampton

Jacques Sigston, Emmanuel, Swadlincote

Joan Suiter, Sawley 

Jennifer Swabey, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley

Tony Taylor, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley.

Marilyn Trueman, St Bartholomew, Whittington

Liz Turner, St Anne, Beeley

Ann Unwin, St Mary, Tissington

Photos from the event are available here

More photos will be added shortly

A brand-new step-free path at St James Church Idridgehay has been installed, marking the completion of a long-awaited accessibility to connect the roadside to the heart of the church.

This initiative has been years in the making, driven by a shared vision of accessibility and inclusion. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) recognised the challenges faced by many in the community, especially those with reduced mobility, when attending services or community events hosted by both the church and the Idridgehay Community Association.

St James' received a grant from the Raymond Ross Fund and support from the Diocese of Derby Buildings for Mission team, who guided them through the grant applications and church approvals process.

From tea and cake sales to garden fetes, a total of £12,000 was raised for the project, supported by the incredible generosity of the Idridgehay community.

This isn’t theirfirst major undertaking. Just three years ago, we invested over £35,000 to stabilise the church spire. While the spire may look unchanged, the effort behind preserving it was monumental. But this new path is different: it is visible, tangible, and symbolic. It represents their community’s values of inclusion, care, and unity. Whether people use a wheelchair, mobility scooter, walking aid, or push a pram, this path ensures that everyone can access their shared spiritual and social space.

Buxton is a thriving market town in the beautiful landscape of the High Peak of Derbyshire known for its heritage as a spa town and internationally renowned Arts Festival. 

Resources to support promotion of the 2025 Bishops' Harvest Appeal

Word Documents

>> Text from September Diocesan message (Bishop Malcolm)

>> Parish Magazine article promoting Harvest Appeal

Harvest Appeal Logos

>> Trees for Peace banner [JPEG]

>> Trees for Peace Logo including line from Revelations [JPEG]

>> Trees for Peace Logo including statement [JPEG]

>> Website image [JPEG]

Photos from Bujumbura

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Creationtide 2025

The Season of Creation in the Christian calendar is observed from 1 September to 4 October 2025.

This season is dedicated to prayer, reflection and action for the care of God’s creation.

Rooted and guided by the bible, it offers churches and individuals across denominations a shared opportunity to renew their relationship with the natural world.

As environmental crises deepen, this season invites a faithful response, grounded in worship, repentance and hope, for us to live more gently and justly on the Earth.

>> Creationtide resources on CofE website

This Season of Creation, churches across the country are making the Great Switch to a green tariff - and we’d love you to be a part of it.

An introduction from Will Rolls, Net Zero Carbon Programme & Projects Manager

As Christians, caring for creation is not just a response to a global crisis, it’s a reflection of who we are. We are called to love God and love our neighbours, and that includes protecting the Earth that sustains us all. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, and the Church has a vital role to play not only as a moral voice but also as a steward of buildings at the heart of communities across the country. Acting on climate is a way of living out our faith, honouring the gift of creation, and standing in solidarity with those most affected.

 
What’s it all about?

God calls us to care for His creation and to love our global neighbours.

If all churches switched to a green energy tariff, that could reduce our carbon emissions by up to 78%, helping lead the way towards a cleaner, fairer future for all. 

The global climate emergency is a crisis for our world. That’s why the Church of England has an ambition to reduce our carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.

Together, we can act in faith, taking small but powerful steps to help restore God’s creation. 

Taking a small step, to light the way.

Switching to a green energy tariff is a small but powerful step your church can take to reduce your environmental impact.

By choosing an ethical green energy supplier, we are:

• Ensuring our churches can be a beacon of hope for everyone.

• Actively increasing investment in renewable energy.

• Supporting ethical companies working hard to reduce carbon emissions, addressing global climate injustice.

• Demonstrating our faith in action.

What can you do?

• Together, we can take small but powerful steps to help restore God’s creation.

• Your church can join the movement and [pledge/switch], to a green tariff.

• The green energy market can be tricky to navigate, so the CofE has done the research needed to help you confidently choose an ethical green supplier.

• The Church of England website has guidance on choosing green tariffs. If you’re not quite ready to make the switch now, you can still join in by making a pledge.

• God calls us to care for His creation and to love our global neighbours - why not join the movement and make The Great Switch this Season of Creation.

Note - additional resources will be added as they become available

The Great Switch campaign toolkit

>> Access the toolkit and resources

We've Pledged graphics for social media

>> Version 1

>> Version 2

>> Version 3

>> Version 4 - coming soon

>> Version 5 - coming soon

>> Version 6 - coming soon

"Hero" video

>> View the Hero video on YouTube

"Serving in Swadlincote in the south of the diocese, I have led and preached in four different churches, and occasionally in another spread across the breadth of church traditions. I have also had the privilege to come alongside people at the highs and lows of life, from sitting with the bereaved, to celebrating marriages and baptising folk, including my own teenage son at Easter in the glorious sunshine.

"Serving God, and ‘doing church’ doesn’t just happen in building, though, and I have led folk in worship in God’s own creation, both a summer Churches Together Ecumenical picnic and praise service in the local park and in mid-winter, for which we were blessed with gloriously clear and dry skies as we shared the Lord’s meal overlooking the fields surrounding Swad.

"It comes as no surprise that with a young family, I have a particularly keen interest in growing church younger and seeing children and young people flourish and grow in the depth of their knowledge of God’s love for them. I have been fortunate to have been able to facilitate schools and scout visits to church, and

assisted in Messy Church, Experience Christmas and the assemblies team. While still finding time to learn about and become a foundation governor at the primary school local to my house, so I can be strategically involved in the flourishing of more of the children in that parish.  

"I have tried not to neglect the other missional communities within the minster, visiting as many as I can at least once in my first year, enjoying soup with the sewing group, coffee with my conversation, bingo at the Ark and bible study with prayer groups. 

"One of the qualities of an ordained minister in the Church of England is to communicate and interpret the Christian faith in a credible way that respects the context and engages with those of other faiths and none, about issues facing the world and local community. Early into my curacy, I started writing for the local magazine, which is distributed around Swadlincote to around 18’000 residences and businesses, which led to being interviewed on the local radio show talking about, amongst other things, sin, church history and tradition, and God’s immense love. I have also had the opportunity to serve at Download Festival as a chaplain, which led to some really interesting conversations about relationships and Jesus, although, like in church, not everyone always agreed.

"Since being ordained Priest this summer, I have found myself surprised as once again I feel like I am even more myself than I have ever been, and I am really looking forward to what the next year, and years of ordained ministry will bring."

Kara is Assistant Curate at Swadlincote Minister

Raising funds either loaclly or from external sources (charitable trusts, government funding streams, the National Lottery etc) can be daunting.

If you have a project brief or specification worked up, and are now ready to look in to what funds maybe available, contact Gareth Greenwood, the Church Buildings Support Officer.

From time to time specific trusts or funding streams are drawn to our attention and we will list key ones here.  Please do keep in touch with us, we may be able to offer support and help and we would love to hear how you get on, successful or otherwise, so that others can learn from your experience.

This page focuses on funding - if you are looking for wider buildings support information the following links will take you to it:

All things permissions and Diocesan Advisory Committee

Broader advice helpo and signposting regarding managing, maintaining or developing your buildings

This week the Diocese of Derby became aware of a breach of personal information at a company, Access Personal Checking Services Ltd (APCS), used by the Church of England and other organisations to process DBS background checks.

The Diocese no longer uses APCS but has done in the past, and this means that a number of people – clergy, church volunteers and staff, and members of the Parish Support Team at Derby Church House – have been affected by the breach.

This week we have sent emails to the PCCs (Parochial Church Councils) of the churches that we are aware of that have been affected by the breach, so that they can in turn inform the people whose data has been breached. This email contains information about what information specifically has been included in the breach, and also what support and advice is available to them from the national Church of England and the Diocese of Derby.

We have done this by contacting the PCC secretary, clergy and DBS co-ordinator for each parish, asking them to forward the message to people affected.

We are acutely aware that this situation has caused anxiety and concern, and we are offering practical and pastoral support to people wherever we can. We have set up a dedicated email address – databreachsupport@derby.anglican.org – which people can use to contact us about this if they need to.

We have also set up a page on our website which includes a list of frequently asked questions about the breach, who’s responsibility it is, and what steps need to be taken by individuals affected and churches (via their PCCs) following the incident.

We will continue to update that page as and when more information becomes available.