Items filtered by date: April 2026

27 July

20 July

13 July

The Revd Judy Henderson Smith, Priest-in-Charge of Ault Hucknall and Scarcliffe, Diocese of Derby, has announced her retirement. Judy’s last day in post will be Saturday, 30 September, with her retirement taking effect from Sunday, 1 October 2023. Judy will continue to live in the diocese in retirement.

10 July

The Revd Jason Kennedy, Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of Littleover, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed half-time Assistant Curate (to be known as Associate Minister) in the benefice of Littleover and Blagreaves and in the benefice of Findern.  Jason has also been appointed half-time Assistant Curate (to be known as Enabling Minister) at the Haven LEP in Derby City Deanery, in the same diocese, for a five-year fixed term. 

6 July

The Revd Canon Nicky Fenton, Acting Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales, Chaplain to the Bishop of Derby and Residentiary Canon of Derby Cathedral, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales. Nicky will be collated later in the year. Further information will be circulated when details are confirmed.

Beverly Bunting has been appointed PA to Bishop Malcolm, the Bishop of Repton. Bev started in post on Monday, 3 July 2023 and will work Monday - Thursday mornings. Her contact details are: 01332 388657, beverly.bunting@derby.anglican.org 

The Revd Tony Luke, Rector of Aston-on-Trent, Elvaston, Weston-on-Trent and Shardlow, Barrow-upon-Trent with Twyford and Swarkestone, Diocese of Derby, has announced his retirement. Tony’s last day in post will be Saturday, 31 August 2024 with his retirement taking effect from Sunday, 1 September 2024. Tony will be staying in the diocese in retirement. 

The Revd Anthony Till will be licensed as Assistant Curate (SSM) at Spondon and in the parish of Derby St Andrew and St Osmund, Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday, 25 July 2023 at 9am at Repton House by the Bishop of Repton. 

The Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, has announced that the next Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales will be The Revd Canon Nicky Fenton.

Nicky has served as the Acting Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales for the past four months.

As archdeacon, she will have responsibility for the western region of the diocese, from Hadfield and Glossop in the north to Sudbury and Egginton in the south, in Peak, Carsington, and Dove and Derwent Deaneries.

She will champion for rural and market town mission and ministry across the whole diocese.

>> Meet Nicky Fenton

On making the appointment, Bishop Libby said: “Nicky already knows and loves our diocese. She has made a significant impact as Acting Archdeacon of Peak and Dales and is deeply committed to rural and market town mission and ministry and confidently advocates that they thrive for the sake of the Kingdom of God as good news for all.

"Nicky’s experience of leading churches across a range of contexts, including in multi-parish village benefice, is complemented by her rich history of effective partnership working to bring about sustainable change for common good.

"Nicky’s professional background in education brings a commitment to schools, the flourishing of children and their families.

"The appointment panel, led by Mark Titterton, Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance, was impressed by Nicky’s passion and creativity and her demonstration of resourcing effective transformation.

"I am delighted that we will be continuing work together with Nicky in our diocese.

"Please pray for her and her family as they navigate the transitions of the coming months.”

Canon Nicky said: “I am delighted and thrilled to accept the invitation to be Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales. I have loved being acting archdeacon and feel deeply honoured and privileged to be able to continue the work.

“It has been an exciting adventure and I have thoroughly enjoyed forming relationships and partnerships with people across the archdeaconry.

“My prayer is that knowing we are loved by God, and supported by each other, we can give ourselves wholeheartedly to serving God in the communities and worshipping contexts we are part of; and consistently and persistently move forward in generous faith, courageous hope and life-giving love.”

Diocesan Secretary Will Hagger said: “This is wonderful news for the Diocese of Derby. Nicky has excelled in the role of acting archdeacon.

"I am confident that with her knowledge of the diocese, she will be a great support for our dedicated clergy and church officers across the archdeaconry.”

Nicky will continue to serve as acting archdeacon ahead of her installation as Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales later in the year.

Eight new priests and six new deacons have been ordained by the Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, assisted by the Rt revd Malcolm Macnaughton, Bishop of Repton. The special Petertide services took place in Derby Cathedral.

Ordination services are a time to celebrate and welcome new deacons (those to be given the title Reverend) and priests (deacons who have been training under an incumbent for a year) into the diocese.

With support of family and friends, the new deacons and priests were presented to Bishop Libby and made their declarations.

Welcoming those in the cathedral, Bishop Libby said: "Ordination is a significant moment for those who are called by God to these roles, and it is the start of the next phase of their journey.

"It is also significant for all of us who are here and we must uphold and encourage them in their ministry and pray for them."

The new deacons are:

Josephine Chamings, to serve in the Benefice of Brampton St Thomas and Brampton St Mark,

Peter Dale, to serve in the Benefice of Mackworth St Francis,

Emma Mallord, to serve in the Benefice of Littleover St Peter and Blagreaves,

Clare Owen, to serve in the Benefice of Mickleover and the Parish of Radbourne,

Lisa Price, to serve in the White Peak Group and Yougreave, Middleton, Stanton-in-Peak and Birchover,

Nicholas Radford-Powell, to serve in the Benefice of Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale.

>> See photos from the service of the Ordination of Deacons.

The new priests are:

Fiona Barber, to serve in the Benefice of Sinfin Moor,

Elliot George, to serve in the Benefice of Dronfield with Holmesfield,

Josephine Harbidge, to servein the Benefice of Walton St John,

Sam Mackie, to serve in the Benefice of Swadlincote and Hartshorne, the Benefice of Newhall and the Benefice of Gresley,

Fay Price, to serve in the Benefice of Derby St Alkmund and St Werburgh,

Rhiannon Singleton, to serve in the Benefice of Dinting Vale, and the Glossopdale Mission Community,

Lisa Taylor, to serve in the Benefice of Hulland, Atlow, Kniveton, Bradley and Hognaston,

Cathie Watson, to serve in the St Werburgh Derby Mission Initiative.

>> See photos from the service of the Ordination of Priests.

You can find out more about the new deacons below.

Bishop Libby has ordained six new deacons at a special service at Derby Cathedral.

>> See the pictures here

Bishop Libby has ordained eight new priests at a special service at Derby Cathedral.

 >> See the pictures from the service

Ordained deacon on 2 July 2023 | To be ordained priest on 29 June 2024

Hello everyone,

I am excited to be joining the churches of All Saints, and St John the Evangelist, Mickleover, and the church of St Andrew Radbourne to serve my curacy.

I am originally from Bedfordshire, but before beginning training for ordained ministry, I was a secondary school history teacher, and head of department, in Derbyshire for more than a decade.

I completed my training for ordination at the wonderful Westcott House, Cambridge, but am greatly looking forward to being back in Derbyshire.

My journey to faith was a long one, fully coming to faith as an adult.

I have very much enjoyed my time at Westcott studying theology, which has deepened my faith even further. I have loved the opportunity of experiencing different styles of worship in Cambridge and have developed a deep love of choral evensong during my time at Selwyn Chapel. With the help of the wonderful Director of Music and choir of Selwyn College, I have even managed to overcome my fear of singing.

I am particularly interested in ecumenical work, and a particular pleasure over the past two years has been studying alongside students from other denominations.

I remain a history geek at heart, and I have developed an interest in medieval mysticism and church history. I also cannot resist the lure of local museums and historical sites.

At heart I will always remain a teacher and I am looking forward to exploring faith with families, and when I can, discussing faith in schools.

To relax, I enjoy cooking of all kinds, but particularly sugar craft. I love to walk or visit gardens, and enjoy various different crafts, including embroidery and painting. I particularly enjoy reading historical novels and biographies.

I am looking forward to getting to know everyone in my new parish, discussing faith, life, history, and finding good places to walk and explore in Derbyshire.

Ordained deacon on 2 July 2023 | To be ordained priest on 29 June 2024

I’m excited to be moving to Derby to join in with what God is doing there. I’ll be moving with my wife, Rachel, and two boys, Simeon (4) and Felix (2). 

I felt called to church leadership soon after becoming a Christian as a teenager in my local parish church. I started leading things in the church and then when I turned 18, I took the next logical step… I went to study chemistry!

The sense of call remained in the background though and I had a bit of time to grow up (and I also got married). After a while I began exploring my call to ordained ministry with the encouragement of people around me, thankfulness for the gifts God has given me, and my excitement at seeing people transformed by the gospel of God’s grace.

After a less than succesful BAP (selection conference) I got a job managing a local Christian charity in Colchester, where we were living at the time.

The charity ran a drop-in centre supporting vulnerable people struggling with all kinds of things but especially mental illness, homelessness, and addictions.

Alongside this we had a Sunday service in the city centre Baptist church, and it was my privilege to pastor that precious and thoroughly chaotic group of people.

God taught me a lot and I saw him do incredible things.

After another BAP (more succesful this time) I have had three great years in Cambridge studying at the wonderful Ridley Hall.

Following five years in full-time ministry, it has been a welcome opportunity to step back, read, learn, and think deeply. I’ve also benefitted from being on the pioneer training pathway and I’m excited about seeing God bring new forms and expressions of church to life.

As a family we’re excited to be moving to Derby where my wife grew up and where we’ll be close to her parents.

We’re also looking forward to being able to climb hills again (Cambridge doesn’t have any).

Most of all we feel called to be part of the church family at St Francis in Mackworth. I’m excited to learn, serve and lead in that community.

Ordained deacon on 2 July 2023 | To be ordained priest on 29 June 2024

Hi, I’m Emma and I will be serving my curacy at St Peter's, Littleover with Blagreaves.

I grew up in a Christian family so have always known Jesus and had a faith.

This has been further strengthened and confirmed within me through different experiences over the years, so that it has become vital to me, and I am passionate and excited to share this faith with others.

I have just finished two years studying with St Mellitus College East Midlands in Nottingham. Here I have completed a degree in Theology, Ministry, and Mission, having completed the first year with All Saints college and he Diocese of Derby before going to BAP.

I have loved learning, and discussing ideas and concepts with others, but not the essays so much!

I feel called to ordination as I believe God has called me to serve his church.

When I was younger, I had a few years away from church and a period where I was angry with God. But when I resolved this and returned to him, I was filled with such a passion and love for the church; a passion to see people’s lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and to see the church grow and thrive.

I am always disappointed to hear stories of church decline, and of churches being closed, and I long to see this being turned around, and for the church in this country to be renewed. As part of this I am very keen on church planting and new ways of being church that are relevant and engaging.

I moved to Derby in 2017 as part of the team planting a new congregation into St Werburgh’s church in the city centre. I was the Operations Manager here for four years before leaving to train for ordination.

For my placement church as an ordinand, I joined the team who moved from St Werburgh’s to St Francis in Mackworth, to revitalize that church, and to work with the existing congregation.

I am single, and I enjoy reading, going to the cinema, and meals with friends.

I also love visiting National Trust places, so Derby is a great location for exploring from.

Ordained deacon on 2 July 2023 | To be ordained priest on 29 June 2024

I felt called to ordination when I was 21 in my final year at university studying neuroscience.

At the time I’d hoped to become a psychiatrist or do research to help enable people to become the fullest versions of themselves they could.

Becoming a priest very much felt like an extension of the hope I’d always had for my life: to see people flourish.

I’m particularly passionate about diversity in the church and seeing people who think differently and have had different experiences of life come together in community.

I’d love to see more of those not currently represented in church leadership supported to offer the gift of who they are. 

My husband Jack and I are both from North Devon but have been involved in church planting in the midlands in recent years before my training for ordination at Trinity College Bristol.

I’m very excited to begin ordained ministry in Chesterfield at St Thomas Brampton.

Ordained deacon on 2 July 2023 | To be ordained priest on 29 June 2024

The Revd Nicholas Radford-Powell, Assistant Curate in the Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale Team Ministry, will transfer his curacy and become Assistant Curate in the Wirksworth Team Ministry on Saturday, 29 June 2024, the day of is priesting at Derby Cathedral.

I grew up by the coast in the West Country but have spent the last eight years living in Northamptonshire. Since September 2020 I have been studying and training for the ordained ministry at St Mellitus College (East Midlands centre) in Nottingham following a contextual training pathway, which has seen me spend three days a week working in a parish in Wellingborough, and three days a week studying.

My journey to ordination started in 2006 when I spoke with a vicar about having a feeling of being called to something.

I wasn’t sure what I was called to, but he seemed sure that it was ordination.

I decided he was wrong and spent some time doing youth work and trying to avoid any talk of ordination.

To my surprise people asked me if I’d considered being ordained in various places and situations. When working for a wholesaler in Exeter, when attending a church service whilst on holiday in Cornwall, or chatting with a stranger during breakfast in Wetherspoon’s… It seems that there is no hiding from God and his call!

I came to faith in a non-denominational church and have journeyed with the Church of England through its various traditions.

I believe that God calls each of us in our diversity to serve in many and varied ways, and that a part of my ministry is to encourage, enable, and empower others in their calling.

I will be moving to Derbyshire with my partner, Michael, and we look forward to exploring the Peak District together.