Items filtered by date: June 2025
I've always had a sense of calling to ordained ministry, but assumed that either God or I had got it wrong!
Ordained deacon in July 2022 | Ordained priest in July 2023
I'm Elliot, and for almost all of my 32 years I've lived in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire.
I'll be ordained in July 2022 as the new curate for the Dronfield with Holmesfield Parish, and Megan and I are really looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us up there!
We're particularly looking forward to engaging with young people, music, and bridging connections with the parish's five churches.
Although I've been a "Christian" for my whole life, it wasn't until I was 13 when I first encountered the Holy Spirit that I began to have a true relationship with Jesus – showing me the errors of my adolescent mischief but surrounding me with his love and grace.
God has never failed to be with me even through my darker days, and more than ever I know that he is strong when I am weak.
To some extent, I've always had a sense of calling to ordained ministry, but assumed that either God or I had got it wrong!
For a long time I wanted to be a psychiatrist/therapist, hoping to help people by helping them understand themselves better; but academia wasn't my friend as a teenager and I never went to uni, instead I worked in electronics for a decade.
During this time, my role at church grew and expanded – worship leader, youth leader, PCC member, preacher, etc – but it wasn't until I proposed to Megan in 2016 that I felt the call to ordination reawaken, and felt a fresh outpouring of God's grace amongst my many failures and weaknesses.
Three years of patience, discernment, support from friends and family, and finally a thumbs-up from the Bishop's Advisory Panel, and we were off to train at Trinity College Bristol, and earn that degree I'd missed out on the first time around!
So here we are, on the brink of ordination, (which is both exciting and terrifying!) and I've never been so sure that God has amazing plans for us to bring his kingdom on earth, alongside amazing people to share this calling with.
A particular passion of mine is helping others to see their own calling, and hopefully helping them grow into the person God made them to be, so let’s get started together!
Favourite Bible verse: Psalm 23 has always had a special place in my heart, and helped me know God even in the valleys. But, as clichéd as it is, John 3:16 for me summarises the whole gospel in one verse: God lovingly and graciously gave his Son that we may have life to the full.
Favourite worship song: "So Will I" by Hillsong, which not only beautifully speaks of God's creation and Jesus's redemption of the world, but declares how I will respond in worship and service to him. "I can see your heart eight billion different ways, every precious one a child you died to save. If you gave your life to love them, so will I."
My passion was trying to help children and families have the best possible quality of life
Ordained deacon in July 2022 | Ordained priest in July 2023
My name is Rhiannon, and I was brought up in the Salvation Army until my parents moved us to a Presbyterian church when I was 15.
This started theological reflection and questioning as I started trying to reconcile very different understandings of some Bible passages.
I chose to attend an Anglican church aged 17 but, after marrying, we attended one of the new churches for many years.
We moved to Glossop in 1999 - convinced God wanted us in an Anglican church - and have been part of Whitfield Parish since then.
During this time, I have been a member of and led small groups, been on the prayer ministry team, on PCC and Deanery Synod and helped with a variety of church events, particularly enjoying helping with Messy Church and holiday clubs.
I was a Street Pastor for nearly a decade.
It was a privilege to show God’s love in this way and fascinating seeing and hearing what unchurched people thought about faith and the church.
I learned a huge amount, including that many non-Christians are comfortable asking faith questions when they are ‘on their own turf’ but would not consider entering a church to ask them.
I worked for the NHS most of my working life, as a children’s physiotherapist working with children with disabilities and their families in the community.
My passion was trying to help children and families have the best possible quality of life, given the disabilities children had and I took on roles which allowed me to forward this agenda.
I retired early when Occupational Health decided my health was not compatible with working with these children.
My husband Geoff and I met as students and have been married for 40 years and we have 2 (or 3) children, depending on how you count: our birth sons Barney and Pete, and Myrle, who we fostered decades ago and remains part of our family.
I love walking in the country, gardening, reading, sewing and knitting - when time allows.
Favourite hymns: there are so many, I might choose different ones on different days. Today's are ‘Thine be the Glory’ and ‘Build Your Kingdom Here’ by Rend Collective.
Favourite Bible verses: Among my favourites are John 3.16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life", Rom 12.1-2 and Eph 3.14-21.
Communion service is where I feel closest to Jesus
Ordained deacon in July 2022 | Ordained priest in July 2023
I am excited to be joining the United Benefice of Atlow, Bradley, Hognaston, Hulland and Kniveton in July.
I am originally from Birmingham and I grew up in a secular family, coming to faith in 2011 and feeling a call to ordination soon after that, although I did not seriously explore ordination until 2016.
My ordination training was at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.
After I left school, I joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a telecommunications operator, where I had a great career and enjoyed doing many sports including fencing and luge.
Twenty-eight years later, I left the RAF to answer my call to ordination.
Whilst working with the Oxford Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO), I worked in Aylesbury Prison as a teaching assistant, helping the young men who had learning difficulties with their education.
For me, it was a blessed time where God helped me to work with people who I would not normally have had chance to meet.
My sending church is: Church of the Holy Spirit in Aylesbury.
I have been on the PCC and Deanery Synod along with a number of other roles within the church.
I was also a Street Angel for the Aylesbury Church network, where we go out as a team of three on a Friday or Saturday evening in Aylesbury Town centre representing God’s presence and to care for the night-time economy.
A move to Derbyshire is exciting as I enjoy walking, so I am looking forward to exploring the five parishes of the benefice in the glorious countryside.
I also enjoy gardening and cooking, although baking is not something I have been able to master - yet.
My preferred service is the communion service, it is where I feel closest to Jesus.
One of my favourite hymns: In Christ Alone.
One of my favourite Bible verses: Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The ‘Seeing Creation’ exhibition was held on the 1-2 May 2022 at Hathersage Parish Church.
Inspired by creation it focused on six areas including textile creativity, visual arts,shaping with wood, caring for creation, children’s crafts and hospitality.
Here Bernard Madden from the organising team shares his reflection on the success of the event.
Textiles: From displaying existing and contemporary church and personal textiles to a busy table of lace making and cross-stitching workshops led by experienced hands, the area was abuzz with those trying out new skills.
Visual arts: Here we displayed how contemporary mainstream national artists capture aspects of the Christian faith; and about twenty local invited artists and photographers displayed their work.
It was heartening to see the creative talent all around us being shared with an appreciative audience.
Shaping with wood: This was hugely popular; under the careful instruction of a church member with his band fret saw, every age enjoyed having a go at cutting some creatureshape for themselves.
A lovely take-away!
Caring for creation: It was important to show how seriously we as a church take this.
Both A Rocha / Eco Church and local Climate Action Group enthusiasts were on hand to inform and encourage - and to give away something to plant!
Children’s crafts: Central in the church was a large table-top cardboard model reflecting our surrounding Hope Valley.
All ages enjoyed making a tree from a paper bag, decorating with colourful leaves and ‘planting’ it on the model and taking a scripture verse card. ‘The leavesare for the healing of the nations’.
Clay model-making proved popular with the children.
Our schoolchildren painted their self-portraits on paper plates strung overhead.
Hospitality: We ensured that Welcomers were always at the door and refreshments constantly available in the church (importantly, not in a separate room, and by donation rather than charge).
This proved to be ‘the glue’ in the event – binding each aspect together with opportunity to stay around, relax and chat. ‘Practice hospitality’ (1 Peter 4:9)!
Positive vibes
We had worked hard, transformed how the church looked - clearing away some of the flexible pews, hanging banners and displays – but were rewarded with much appreciation as well as good insights into how many ‘see church’.
One remarked: “This is how I remember church: being together and having space to chat and enjoy time here.”
Others: ‘Wonderful to visit such a vibrant and creative community.’
‘Lovely welcoming … What a fabulous use of church facilities.’
At the entrance were the words: ‘Jesus is Lord! Creation’s voice proclaims it!’
Yes, and the same Lord who made each of us gave us gifts for sharing and encouraging and testifying to all that He has given us.
As our vicar, Paul Moore, reminded us in our opening service: “Now get out and see all the wonder, beauty and glory of God all around us that He has so generously created”.
Bernard Madden and event team.
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Archdeacons-designate Carol, Karen and Matthew will begin their new ministries when they are installed and collated in Derby Cathedral on Sunday, 12th June 2022 at 5.15pm.
All the clergy and laity of the diocese are warmly invited to attend.
- The Venerable Carol Coslett will become the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales
- The Revd Canon Karen Hamblin will become the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire
- The Revd Matthew Trick will become the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire
This service represents a key strategic moment in the life of our diocese as we develop from having two archdeaconries to three, enabling the greater support of parishes and other ministries.
Each of the new archdeacons will be collated by the Bishop to their new role and the Dean of Derby will place them in their stalls within the cathedral.
We very much hope you will be able to attend this service and support the archdeacons, bishop and the diocese as we embark on this new strategic way of working for the future.
Bishop Libby said: “I am very excited by the energy, experience, expertise and commitment the new archdeacons will bring to their roles.
“They are all passionate about ‘everyday faith’ and bring understanding of the complexities and opportunities of parish ministry, and of the opportunities and challenges in aspects of mission and ministry that are not parish specific.
“They also have the capacity to think and work on a wider canvas with flair and imagination and are committed to fostering a culture of diversity.
"I am looking forward to working with them as we commit ourselves to joining in with what God is doing in transforming lives through growing church and building community.
“Please keep Matthew, Karen and Carol in your prayers as they navigate their new roles and responsibilities.”
New archdeaconry areas
The three new archdeaconry areas will legally come into being on 6 June 2022 and have been shaped to reflect the significant missional contexts of our diocese, serving our rural, urban, and emerging post-industrial communities.
The shaping of the new archdeaconries better reflects the different demographic and cultural contexts of our diocese, but each is diverse and complex with a mixture of communities and experience.
The statutory responsibilities of the archdeacons will be delivered within their geographical boundaries, and, in addition, they will champion the demographic predominant in their respective archdeaconries across the whole diocese:
- The Archdeaconry of Derby City and South Derbyshire includes our largest urban context, and Archdeacon-designate Matthew Trick will champion mission and ministry in all urban contexts across the whole
- The Archdeaconry of East Derbyshire encompasses many emerging and changing post-industrial communities, and Archdeacon-designate Karen Hamblin will champion mission and ministry in such contexts across the whole diocese
- The Archdeaconry of Derbyshire Peak and Dales is largely rural with market town communities, and the Venerable Carol Coslett (currently Archdeacon of Chesterfield) will champion mission and ministry in such contexts across the diocese.
The Venerable Karen Hamblin
Archdeacon of East Derbyshire
Archdeacon Karen has responsibility for parishes in the eastern region of the diocese, from Dronfield and Eckington in the north to Sawley and Long Eaton in the south, including Chesterfield.
Karen champions mission and ministry in emerging and transitional communities across the whole diocese.
karen.hamblin@derby.anglican.org
01332 388699
Archdeacon Karen writes:
I am excited about working with people, churches and communities across the new archdeaconry wherever they are: in workplaces, in schools, at home and in churches to see God’s Kingdom come more and more.
I relish the challenge and I know that God will highlight priorities and will go ahead of me as together we try to work more effectively, growing what we already have and developing new ways of being church to reach new, emerging and transitioning communities.
I was born in London and grew up with the Salvation Army as a backdrop to my life as both sets of grandparents were officers and we were involved as a family.
We moved to Dorset when I was 15, which is where I met my future husband, Andy (and also where I became an Anglican). Andy and I have three adult children and are blessed with a six-year-old granddaughter.
After going to the University of Durham, I moved to Derby in 1983 to start a career in teaching, but I also started working in local churches, including St Alkmund’s, where I became Children’s and Youth Worker and then a lay member of the leadership team.
It was there that I had my lightbulb moment as I believe I heard God ask me to be ordained.
It took a while to persuade me, but it was time to move.
So off I went to study at St John’s Nottingham; I was ordained in 2007 and served my curacy in Long Eaton.
And so began my priestly journey – both spiritually and also literally up the M1 as in 2011 I became Team Vicar of Pilsley in the North Wingfield team and, in 2016, Priest-in-charge at Brampton St Mark’s in Chesterfield and Area Dean of North East Derbyshire.
I had started at Junction 25 and ended up at Junction 29!
Maybe then there is a sense of fulfilment that I will now serve as Archdeacon of East Derbyshire, an area defined to an extent by the M1 corridor, with a rich mining and industrial heritage, but with areas of deprivation, emergence and transition alongside rural ones - a real mixture full of life, challenge and possibility.
For me, faith is about knowing that I am totally loved and accepted and that, despite all my imperfections, God chooses to set his hope in me as I serve and work with Him and for Him alongside others.
Our lives, our churches and communities need the hope that He alone can bring.
I am passionate about the environment, and I love growing vegetables.
I enjoy a good walk and live in one of the best counties for doing that (but I do love the coast as well, so sometimes walk there!) I love spending time with family, who live reasonably close, and any spare time gets used reading modern fiction, sewing, cooking, seeing friends or just chilled in front of the TV.
What lights me up more than anything else as a follower of Jesus, and as a leader, is prayerfully helping to connect things: people, places, situations, stories and then stepping back to see God's Spirit at work, bringing fresh life – new possibilities, new & renewed relationships growing and flourishing under His care and direction.
Let’s do that together and see God's Kingdom come more and more amongst us.
Parish map of the Archdeaconry of East Derbyshire
>> Download a printable map of the Archdeaconry of East Derbyshire (suitable for A4 and A3) [JPG]
>> Maps of individual deaneries can be downloaded from their respective pages here.
Visitors to Derby Cathedral can now see ‘Peace Doves’, a large-scale art installation which will be on display until 12 June.
The installation was created by renowned sculptor and artist Peter Walker and features more than 8,000 paper doves suspended on ribbons above the nave, accompanied by a tranquil soundscape from composer David Harper.
The paper doves have been decorated with messages of peace, hope and love – many of which have been created by members of local community and wellbeing groups who have joined workshops run by Derby community arts organisation Artcore, and the general public.
The mass participation community arts project has also involved schools across the city and county who have made their own Peace Dove displays with the support of Peter Walker’s education and arts team.
The exhibition opening will mark the start of a diverse events programme across the city with an array of free and ticketed events, workshops, talks and concerts.
The Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby, said: “The last major art installation in the Cathedral was ‘Museum of the Moon’ in autumn 2019 which drew thousands of visitors to the Cathedral and had such a positive impact on the neighbouring Cathedral Quarter and the wider city centre.
“We were keen to recreate the positivity and beauty that a major art installation brings to the magnificent space in the heart of Derby Cathedral and were delighted when we secured artist Peter Walker to bring ‘Peace Doves’ to the city.”
He continued that the messages behind Peace Doves were even more powerful in light of the continued crisis in Ukraine.
He said: “Our original driver for bringing ‘Peace Doves’ to Derby Cathedral was to create a unique piece which reflects the thoughts and feelings of local people from all faiths, ages and backgrounds following such a turbulent time for everyone during the pandemic.
“Now, with war continuing in Ukraine and the value that we all place on peace being uppermost in our minds, the messages behind Peace Doves have even greater poignancy.
“We look forward to welcoming people to the cathedral and we hope that visitors will encounter peace and the space to reflect on the past two years and the suffering that Ukrainian people are now experiencing.”
Peace Doves was first staged at Lichfield Cathedral in 2018 when it was designed to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.
It was also installed at Liverpool Cathedral in 2021 and attracted more than 150,000 visitors.
Peter Walker said: “I am delighted to bring Peace Doves to Derby Cathedral. Previous installations have been very well received and have created a prideful sense of community and togetherness.
"Sometimes, art has the ability to transcend just being an object and become the focus of our collective sentiments. That is the purpose of Peace Doves, which allows thousands of people to create, and express their own personal emotions as part of an ensemble which produces a beautiful final composition, and a series of smaller community works.
“It allows us not just see an artwork but to be part of it, to contemplate peace, as we think of those whose lives are so tragically affected by the many ordeals of life, from the tragic situation in Ukraine, and conflicts abroad to the many issues affecting people in this country, as well as those we love and who are close to us".
He added: “Nearly every message on the doves is not about one person, but about the community, the city, and the bigger picture. This artwork is designed really, by me, but it has been made by the people of Derby and Derbyshire.”
Peace Doves will be in place until 12th June 2022 and, throughout the exhibition, entry to the Cathedral will be free of charge although a suggested donation of £3 per person is requested which will go towards the care and work of Derby Cathedral helping to keep its doors open for all.
Booking is encouraged through Derby Cathedral’s Eventbrite page https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/peace-doves-at-derby-cathedral-tickets-239993104837?aff=ebdsoporgprofile as entry will be restricted at certain times eg: during services, private events and concerts.
Peace Doves at Derby Cathedral is funded by Arts Council England, Westhill Endowment, Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID), Derby City Council and Foundation Derbyshire.
For more information about Peace Doves at Derby Cathedral please visit https://derbycathedral.org/peacedoves/
General Synod report was provided to Diocesan Synod on 26 March 2022.
