Items filtered by date: April 2026
19 March 2026
The Revd Canon Patrick Coleman, Vicar of the benefice of Chesterfield St Mary and All Saints, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (House for Duty) at Guildford Cathedral, Diocese of Guildford. Patrick’s last day in post will be Friday, 1 May 2026.
13 March 2026
The Revd Margaret Slyfield, Curate of Buxton and Burbage with King Sterndale (Derby) 2014-2019, Associate Priest of the same 2019-2024, Associate Priest in the parishes of Chelmorton, Earl Sterndale and Taddington, within the benefice of The White Peak Group, 2024-2026, died on 9 March 2026.
Her funeral will take place on Wednesday, 25 March 2026 at 10.30 am at St John the Baptist Tideswell.
12 March 2026
The Revd Joseph (Joe) Cooper will be instituted as Rector of the benefice of Hasland and Vicar of the benefice of Temple Normanton by the Bishop of Derby, with the inducted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire, and licensed by the Bishop as Priest-in-Charge of the parish of St Peter Calow, on Monday, 1 June 2026 at 7 pm at St Paul’s Hasland, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.
5 March 2026
The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the Revd Lindsay Pearson, Priest-in-Charge of St Michael and All Angels Cottingley and Holy Trinity Bingley with St Wilfrid's Gilstead, Diocese of Leeds, has been appointed Canon for Worship and Music at Derby Cathedral, Diocese of Derby, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.
The Revd Sarah Watson will stand down as Area Dean of Derby City, Diocese of Derby, from Wednesday, 1 April 2026. She continues in post as Priest-in-Charge of the benefices of Allestree St Edmund & Darley Abbey, of Allestree St Nicholas, and of Quarndon.
The Revd Samantha (Sam) Dennis will be licensed as Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of the benefice of Sawley, Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday, 14 April 2026 at 7 pm at All Saints Sawley by the Bishop of Repton.
The Revd Sandra Doore’s interim post as Vicar in the benefice of Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale, Diocese of Derby, will finish on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, due to pastoral reorganisation.
Parish Support Team Chaplain
This is a voluntary position.
The Chaplain will lead and support the spiritual and religious life of the DBF, to oversee the opportunities for regular worship, prayer and special occasions, and to contribute to the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of all the DBF’s members, of all faiths and none. They will offer a confidential, pastoral, listening service with spiritual care.
Workplace: Church House, Derby
Hours: Approx 2 hours bi-weekly (flexible)
Accountable to: Director of People and Ministry Development
>> Parish Support Team Role Description [PDF]
>> Volunteer application form [Word]
This is a summary of the monthly Church Leaders' mailing which was sent on Thursday 5 February. The full version can be found here
Looking ahead
- Join the Bishop's lent reglections online, Mondays 8am and Tuesdays 8pm. Join the Monday mornng session on Microsoft Teams here. Join the Tuesday evening session on Microsoft Teams here.
- Sunday 8 March is International Women’s Day. In line with one of our priorities of growing more diverse, the Parish Support Team, including the Bishop’s Office and the Diocesan Board of Education have recognised International Women’s Day (IWD) this year. Read more here.
Mission and ministry
- If you are interested in learning more about working with children and young people please get in touch at growing.younger@derby.anglican.org or find our pages on the website here and definitely get onto the Growing Younger Mailing list here.
- 3rd Anglican Intercultural Mission Conference: The Primer, Saturday 21 March 2026, 9.30am to 4pm, St John's Church, Wolverhampton, book via Eventbrite.
- Are you looking for more efficient heating for your church building? Would you like to learn more about low carbon alternatives to oil or gas boilers? Come to our event Wednesday 22 April, Derby Urban Church (Osmaston Rd Baptist Church), Charnwood Street, Derby. Contact the Net Zero team here.
- The world of HR can be complex, and there are several changes coming into effect this year, particularly with the new Employment Rights Act which became law on the 18 December 2025. If you need any support with employment related matters, please don’t hesitate to contact the HR Department of the Parish Support Team.
- In January 2026, the Clergy Transition Service has relaunched its service.
- The newly released book The Starter’s Way edited by Ed Olsworth-Peters and Dwight Zscheile is for anyone in, or considering, a leadership capacity with New Worshipping Communities or Fresh Expressions of Church.
- Ministry Mondays - join via Zoom
- How to Use AI in Ministry led by James Lawrence from CPAS, Monday 20 April, 1pm to 2pm
- All things young people, Monday 18 May, 1pm to 2pm
- Following St Francis of Assisi: lessons for everyday ministry
- Upcoming events
- Women in Ministry Day, Wednesday 6 May, 10am to 3pm, St Alkmunds Church, Kedleston Road, Derby. Light refreshments will be available but do please remember to bring your own lunch. Book your place here.
- Working with Teams, led by Rev Nicky McGinty, Tuesday 19 May, 10am to 4pm,St Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Chesterfield. Light refreshments will be available but do please remember to bring your own lunch. Book your place here.
- Trauma-informed Ministry: Moving forward in a changed world, led by Rev Tim Treanor, Tuesday 7 July, 10am to 3.30pm,St Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Chesterfield. Light refreshments plus lunch will be available. There is space for 12 to 18 participants which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Book your place here.
- Preaching the Lectionary - Mark, led by Rev Amy Hole Monday 2 November, 7pm to 9pm (online via Zoom), Tuesday 3 November, 2.00pm - 4.30pm (in person St Johns Walton, Walton Back Lane, Chesterfield). Book the online session here or book the in person session here.
- How to Lead a Church where Discipleship Thrives, led by Matt Hogg CPAS, Tuesday 2 February, 10am to 4pm, St Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Chesterfield. Light refreshments will be available but do please remember to bring your own lunch. Book your place here.
Updated guidance
- Treasurers' newsletter - Springing Forward Together. Download it here.
External events
These events or services are not organised by the Diocese of Derby and are shared for information only.
-
Diocese of Manchester: Financial Planning for Retirement: During Your Ministry and Beyond - Wednesday 13 May 2026, 9.30am to 2.00pm, 155-163 The Rock, Bury, BL9 0ND, registration via Eventbrite here.
-
Church Action on Poverty: Rural poverty roundtable, Thursday 21 May 2026, 10.30am to 12 noon, Sign up via Eventbrite.
- Pilgrimage to Taizé for young adults: Saturday 1 to Sunday 9 August, For more information, contact Revd Dwayne Engh at vicar@ashbournechurch.org.uk - To book your space on the pilgrimage follow this link to the Diocese of Lincoln websit
Future dates for your diary
- Growing a Younger Church conference - Saturday 6 June, Location to be confirmed - Details for how to book will follow in future mailings, but for now please save the date in your diaries!
- Lay Ministry conference - Saturday 12 September, Cliff College - Registration can be done here
- Annual Clergy conference - Monday 12 to Tuesday 13 October 2026, The Hayes Conference Centre - Details for how to book will follow in future mailings, but for now please save the date in your diaries!
In case you missed it
Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy are looking for a gifted and experienced administrator to support the team develop new and existing mission and ministry opportunities that engage with the agricultural and rural community in Derbyshire.
Salary: £30,000 (full time equivalent)
Hours: 30 hours per week (0.8)
Contract: 3 year fixed term contract
Location: Home working, plus working out of the Agricultural Business Centre in Bakewell once a month and occasional travel across Derbyshire.
Application pack can be downloaded from the DRC website www.derbyshireruralchaplaincy.org.uk
Closing date: Wednesday 8 April at 5pm
Interview date: Tuesday 21 April
Following a rewarding experience with a visiting preacher, Christ Church Holloway is actively thinking “outside of the box” – appreciating what they currently offer for those with disability needs and starting to consider what they could offer in the future.
Lynda Herbert, Reader, recently preached on the discrimination suffered in Jesus’s time, and gave an insight into the new disability symbols that were launched at Derby Diocesan Synod in June 2025.
The symbols are the work of the Disability Inclusion Action Group (DIAG) and help churches nationwide inform disabled people about what they can expect when they visit a church. They will soon be displayed on the Church Near You webpages, and this will help disabled people thoughtfully plan their visits.
Peter Kelsey, PCC Lay Chair and Treasurer, said, “We offer large print books, a hearing loop, disabled toilet facilities and ramps to allow wheelchairs to get up the steps into our church. What we don’t offer is significant, and it’s difficult to make the slope up to our church less steep, but we can and will do more, maybe a disabled parking space, maybe some other idea.
“I think we all learned a great deal from Lynda, and our thanks go out to her”.
Lynda Herbert said, “It was a privilege to be invited to preach at Christ Church Holloway for their Dedication Festival. It is a truly beautiful church, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The Disability Symbols Project includes a wide range of accessibility symbols that highlight what churches can offer and encourage them to be confident in their outreach.
More Information
>> View and download the Accessibility Symbols
>> Learn more about DIAG – the Disability Inclusion Action Group
Sunday 8 March is International Women’s Day. In line with one of our priorities of growing more diverse, the Parish Support Team, the Bishop’s Office and the DBE have recognised International Women’s Day (IWD) this year.
Since 1911, IWD has raised awareness on gender equality, celebrating women's achievements, and raising awareness about discrimination. This years’ give to gain campaign encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration. It recognises the power of reciprocity and support. Some Parish Support Team staff have been considering what this means for them:
“I am "giving to gain" by holding strong boundaries and prioritising family life over career advancement, sharing the responsibilities of running our home with my wife, and encouraging her to explore and develop her own career in a pressure-free environment”.
“I am ‘giving to gain’ by becoming a mentor in the NCI HR network, giving back to new female HR staff who want a career in the field”.
“Give to gain ... it is a privilege to continue to journey with women whom God is calling through vocational exploration, curacy training and in their ministry. I also delight in raising my young daughter to truly be the person God is calling her to be.”
“I celebrate women and the incredible gifts they bring. I try to model positive affirmation every day, recognising her hard work, telling her how lovely she looks, or simply cheering her on. The media is often full of negativity about women, so let’s change that narrative. Let’s celebrate each other. We are all wonderful, and the world becomes brighter when we lift one another up!”
“This International Women’s Day, I give thanks for the women who have shaped my faith, my ministry, and my life. From the strong female priests who guided my calling, to my wife and daughter who inspire me daily, I stand in gratitude and solidarity. May we continue building a Church and a society where every woman’s God‑given dignity, wisdom, and leadership are fully recognised and celebrated.”
“As a woman, don't feel that you have to emulate masculine qualities to reflect God, rather embrace your deep strength as a woman and know that you are reflecting a beautiful quality that is in our God. We all, male... female... and all colours and sizes have been created to reflect His beauty and strength.”
These vibrant, welcoming and inclusive rural parishes lie in the beautiful Peak District National Park. Offering strong support from the PCCs, congregations and retired clergy, the church members are looking for an enthusiastic, pastorally hearted, missional priest to work with them to:
Revd Fiona Barber, Assistant Curate at Sinfin Moor, and her family moved into the Sinfin Moor estate and started to build links. She recognised the multicultural community and embraced the opportunity of getting to know people of different faiths and cultures.
“Food and Faith” is a time where everyone brings food from across the world, and everyone eats, prays, reads scripture and learn together. Most of all, they seek God in this place and where he is leading them.
Held monthly on a weekday evening around a dinner table, it's multi-generational and multicultural. Everyone benefits from the different insights from all traditions and ways of doing things.
Revd Fiona said, “We have no idea what this new worshipping community will look like as it flourishes and grows, but we do just seek God in that. We seek and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us. We have no idea what's down the line, but at this point we're listening to the community around us”.
This truly explores what it means to grow church and build community. It is exciting to see what God will grow at Sinfin Moor.
Please enjoy this short video of Revd Fiona talking about “Food and Faith”:
Chellaston church leads the way in accessibility
Visit St Peter’s Church in Chellaston, and you will always feel a special welcome – especially if you have accessibility needs.
An early adopter of the accessibility symbols, devised by The Diocese of Derby Disability Inclusion Action Group (DIAG), they identified the most appropriate for their church and proudly display them on their welcome leaflet, the weekly notice sheet, on service notice screens and in relevant event publicity.
Congregation members with disabilities have appreciated this step forward and moved by the efforts made to make church life more accessible to them.
Revd Simon Drew, Vicar of St Peter's, said “The symbols are a great way of raising awareness in the wider congregation and making those with disabilities feel valued and welcomed in a practical way”.
Congregation members are more aware now of the needs of others, and the symbols provide additional support. Adaptations have been made, as appropriate, for existing members of the congregation.
The PCC is reviewing how the church provides for each of the symbols used and is including neurodivergent-friendly considerations in that. There are also plans to include the symbols on the church website.
Full details of the DIAG accessibility symbols, including download options, are available at https://accessiblechurch.net.
You can also learn more about DIAG and it’s work on the Diocese of Derby website.
