Items filtered by date: August 2025
28 April
The Revd Peter Barham, Vicar of Allestree St Edmund and Darley Abbey St Matthew and Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, Diocese of Derby, has announced his retirement. Peter’s last day in post will be Sunday, 30 April 2023 with his retirement taking effect from Monday, 1 May 2023.
27 April
The Revd Karen Bradley, Team Vicar in the East Scarsdale Team Ministry and Assistant Area Dean of Hardwick, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Area Dean of Hardwick with immediate effect. Karen will continue as Team Vicar alongside this role.
13 April
The Revd Cliff Warner, NSM of Swanwick and Pentrich (Derby) 1979-1988, NSM of Allestree St Edmund 1988-1998, who retired in 1998 and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate in retirement, died on Sunday, 2 April 2023. The funeral will take place on Thursday, 18 May 2023 at 11.15am at St Edmund’s Allestree.
6 April
Sarah Brown, Diocesan Children’s Adviser, Diocese of Derby, has decided to leave her role after 11 years in post. Sarah’s last day in post was Friday, 31 March 2023.
Hannah Hogg, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed National Safeguarding Officer for Swim England. Hannah’s last day in post will be Friday, 30 June 2023. Arrangements regarding cover for this role will be announced in due course.
The Revd Neil Barber will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Sinfin St Stephen, and the Revd Will Eley will be licensed as Assistant Curate (known as Associate Minister) of Normanton-by-Derby and of Sinfin St Stephen, Diocese of Derby, on Monday, 24 April at 7pm at St Stephen’s Sinfin by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire.
Joan Plant, from Eyam, has been revealed as one of the recipients of Maundy money at York Minister on 6 April.
And she said she "cried for a full half-hour" when, in February, she received her letter from Buckingham Palace inviting her to receive it.
She said: "My husband had gone down to make breakfast when the postman came.
"He brought the letter upstairs and said 'I think you'd better open this!'
"When I saw it had the Royal stamp on it I just looked at it for a few minutes, wondering what it was all about - and also thinking that the postman would be wondering what I'm doing!
"It was a big surprise and I just felt so humbled.
"I'm just a small person in a small village and I feel really honoured to be able to receive [the Maundy money].
"I'm not receiving it just for me, but taking the whole village with me, in my mind."
Joan has lived in Eyam - often known as the Plague Village - all her life.
She has been churchwarden and has an extensive knowledge of the history of the village and its association with the plague of 1665/6.
>> Parish spotlight: Eyam St Lawrence
>> Eyam recreated in fruit cake
The Revd Mike Gilbert, Rector of Eyam, expressed his delight for Joan.
He said: "I can't think of a better person to get it - she is pretty much 'Mrs Eyam'!
"Joan has been a long and faithful servant, not only to the church but also to the village and she is known, loved and respected by everyone here."
The King and Queen Consort will distribute the Maundy money at York Minster in the first such service since the death of Queen Elizabeth.
There will be 74 recipients, one for each year of the King's age.
Maundy Thursday is a symbolic ceremony, dating back to AD600, where the monarch gives out specially-minted coins.
The recipients are traditionally elderly people, who are recognised for their contribution to their church and community.
The Spring 2023 Safeguarding Newsletter has just been sent to all Parish Safeguarding Officers. If you do not receive a copy and would like to read more about the work happening in Safeguarding in the diocese and a little more about one of the safeguarding team you can download the newsletter here.
St Philip's Church in Chaddesden, Derby, has seen a growth in both community and congregation, thanks to its year-old café and support groups.
The church has positioned itself as a community facility and partnered with Derby County Community Trust and others to provide not only affordable meals, but also mental health groups for men, a dads' network, debt counselling and much more.
The Revd Sarah Watson, Enabling Minister for St Philip's, said: "What I kept hearing was 'weve got no pub, we've got no café, we've got no community space'.
"So I looked at this space and thought, well, why not?"
Following a period of planning and finding funding, the venture eventually got off the ground - initially on two days a week.
Now the church building is also a thriving community hub.
Revd Sarah said: "Many places have mum's groups available, but we have men's groups, a men's mental health group so to have a space for dads to come to is great.
"Having said that, a menopause group is also on the cards.
"We have craft groups, a fibromyalgia group and a debt clinic. The café is used by walking groups and a bowling group too.
"So I've told the community that we have an amazing space, and asked how can we facilitate this being a space that is here for the whole parish?"
Engaging with the community has also seen congregation numbers increase.
Some of those visiting now also go to Sunday services, and the Christmas Carol service saw more than 70 people go along - more than treble the previous year.
>> Find out more about St Philip's Chaddesden.
Tea and Toast is a ministry that has been set up at Holy Trinity Dinting Vale.
This fantastic ministry is engaging with young people in the community from local secondary schools, and in partnership with other churches they are seeking to be good news for young people.
To find out more visit http://www.dintingchurch.org.uk/
To find out more about Growing Faith and the Diocese of Derby's work to support youth and children's ministry across churches, schools and households visit http://www.derby.anglican.org/youngpeople
Watch the video
30 March
The Revd Rhoda Blackwell will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Newbold, Diocese of Derby, on Wednesday, 28 June 2023 at 7.30pm at St John the Evangelist Newbold, by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.
Lisa Hall, PA to Bishop Malcolm, the Bishop of Repton, has resigned her post. We wish Lisa success in her future endeavours. Please hold Lisa in your prayers.
23 March
The Revd Neil Barber will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Sinfin St Stephen, Diocese of Derby, on Monday 24th April at 7.30 pm at St Stephen’s Sinfin by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire. The Revd Will Eley will be licensed as Assistant Curate (known as Associate Minister) of Normanton-by-Derby and of Sinfin St Stephen, Diocese of Derby, during the same service.
The Revd Neil Griffiths will be collated as Rector of the Wirksworth Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby, on Thursday 25th May at 7.30 pm at St Mary’s Wirksworth by the Bishop of Derby and inducted by the Acting Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.
16 March 2023
A service of thanksgiving for the life of the Revd Tom Comley will be held on Friday, 14 April 2023 at 2.30 pm in Loundsley Green Church (LEP).
The Revd Rhoda Blackwell, Assistant Curate of Newbold, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the same benefice.
Ms Stella Collishaw, Diocesan Community Action Officer and Diocesan Environment Officer, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Independent Living Coordinator at an Almshouse Complex in Beeston, Nottingham. Stella’s last day in post will be Thursday, 16 March 2023. During the interim please contact Amanda Shreeve: Amanda.Shreeve@derby.anglican.org.
The Revd Mel Hartley, Assistant Curate of Baslow and Eyam, has also been appointed Acting Bishop’s Advisor for Spirituality from Wednesday, 1 March 2023 until Thursday, 31 August 2023.
The Revd Jacqueline Stober, Priest in Charge of Kirk Langley and Mackworth and of Mugginton and Kedleston, and Area Dean for Dove and Derwent Deanery, has been appointed Senior Associate Priest of the parish of Christ Church Cathedral Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
The Venerable Lee Townend will be instituted as Rector of the Dronfield with Holmesfield Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby, on Thursday, 11 May 2023 at 7.30 pm at St John the Baptist Dronfield by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.
9 March 2023
The Revd Tom Comley, Curate of Leadgate St Ives (Diocese of Durham) 1964-1967, Curate of Shirley St James (Diocese of Birmingham) 1967-1971, Vicar of Smethwick St Alban 1971-1976, Permission to Officiate 1976-1982, Vicar of North Wembley St Cuthbert (Diocese of London) 1982-1992, Vicar of Taddington, Chelmorton and Flagg, and Monyash (Diocese of Derby) 1992-2001, who retired in 2001 and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate, died on Thursday, 2 March 2023. Funeral details will follow.
Bishop Libby is pleased to announce that the Venerable Carol Coslett will be appointed Archdeacon Emeritus from Saturday, 1 April 2023.
The Revd Neil Griffiths, Rector of the Colsterworth Group of Churches, Diocese of Lincoln, has been appointed Rector of the Wirksworth Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby.
The Revd Jason Kennedy, Diocesan Missioner, Diocese of Derby, has announced his resignation. Jason’s last working day will be Thursday, 6 April, with his resignation taking effect from Thursday, 20 April 2023. Jason will continue in post as Assistant Curate (SSM - Associate Priest) of Littleover after his resignation.
The Revd Dawn Knight will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Cotmanhay and Shipley, Diocese of Derby, on Wednesday, 10 May at 7.30 pm at Christ Church Cotmanhay and Shipley by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.
The Revd Nicola McNally will be licensed as interim part-time Priest-in-Charge of ‘The Peak Five’ Benefice (comprising Fenny Bentley, Thorpe, Tissington, Parwich and Alsop-en-le-Dale) and interim part-time Assistant Curate (known as Associate Priest) for Carsington Deanery, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday, 23 July 2023 at 2 pm at St Peter’s Parwich by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Acting Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.
The Venerable Lee Townend, until recently Archdeacon of Carlisle, Diocese of Carlisle, has, with the Lord Chancellor’s approval, been appointed Rector of the Dronfield with Holmesfield Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby.
The Venerable Carol Coslett, the outgoing Archdeacon of Derby Peak and Dales, writes:
To all my diocesan friends,
Thankyou so much for your generosity and lovely gifts as I prepare to leave Derbyshire.
The people and places I have got to know and love in my time with you all will remain close to my heart as I travel south.
I have made some very special friendships and enjoyed many a conversation.
I take with me a little bit of the land in the Blue John Stone earnings which I shall treasure, and having got to know this wonderful part of the country I am sure Martin and I will be visiting from time to time to get away from the smoke and take in the fresh air of this wonderful landscape.
My prayers and blessings for you all, and Martin joins with me in saying Thank you God Bless.
Carol
Carol's Farewell Service was held at St John the Baptist, Buxton.
>> See more photos on Facebook
Hundreds of people walked through Derby to mark the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, starting the biggest conflict in Europe sice World War II.
Accompanied by a giant Ukrainian flag, members of a number of communities, including the Ukrainian community, civic dignitaries and the Dean of Derby, processed from Cathedral Green, along Full Street, through the Market Place, along Iron Gate and to Derby Cathedral.
>> In pictures: Derby's Ukraine 365 walk
Many of the walkers carried candles, sunflowers and Ukrainian flags, and once they arrived at the cathedral they placed candles in the formation of '365' at the foot of the tower.
Iryna Dobrowolskyj, a leader of the Ukrainian community in Derby, said: "Ukraine has had 365 days of war, 365 days of aggression, but it has also received 365 days of kindness, 365 days of support, 365 days of love."
Inside the Cathedral, the Very Reverend Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby, led the communities in prayer, standing behind a candle whose flame had been burning continuously for each of the 365 days.
He said: "Today is hugely significant and I have felt quite emotional.
"We pray for the people of Ukraine and their families and we pray for an end to the war, conflict, violence and suffering.
"We thank God for the love and support that Ukrainians all over the world have received."
People were invited to write messages of support and solidarity on petals that were added to a specially created Sunflower of Hope.
The event included a film and music installation by local artist Phil Harris and was also supported by Derby's Multi-Faith Centre and Derby CAN (Derby Creative Arts Network)
On Sunday, 26th February, local leaders of the Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Baha’i and Quaker faiths will offer prayers and readings at a vigil scheduled to start at 2pm, also in Derby Cathedral.
Click the links below to download the monthly report.
The Very Revd Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby, will join a candlelit procession to mark the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
The procession, on Friday, 24 February, will start from Cathedral Green at 6.20pm and then move along full street, Derby Market Place, and up Iron Gate to Derby Cathedral.
Those who wish to join in are asked to congragate at Cathedral Green at 6pm.
At the end of the procession, those taking part will be invited to place their candles near the foot of the cathedral tower to spell out '365' as a powerful, visual reminder.
Afterwards, Dean Peter will lead prayers inside the cathedral. All are welcome.
And on Sunday, 26th February, local leaders of the Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Baha’i and Quaker faiths will offer short prayers and readings at a vigil scheduled from 2pm to 3pm.
The event will include a film and music installation by local artist Phil Harris.
People in attendance will have opportunities for quiet prayer and to light a candle for an end to violence and suffering.
They will also be invited to write messages of support on a petal that will be added to a specially created Sunflower of Hope.
