April 2026 - Diocese of Derby

Bishop Libby's autumn deanery visits

Bishop Libby will be visiting all the deaneries during October and November to meet people in the parishes, spending time in both private and open conversations about parish life and our vision for the future.

This is the first time since the start of the pandemic that Bishop Libby has been able to have face-to-face meetings on this scale and it is a great opportunity to hear from the bishop on our vision for the life of the Church, with an time for questions and to give feedback.

(Events marked * are open to all)

Can I get married in church?

We always welcome those wanting to get married in church!

Here are a few things any couple wanting to get married in a Church of England church needs to know.

>> More about getting married in church

>> YourChurchWedding.org

More learning for churchwardens

Leading Worship at Short Notice See More

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General Synod

General Synod Elections 2026

Information and details about standing for election to the General Synod for the next five-year term 2026-2031.

>> Elections to Synod information on CofE website

Dissolution of the current General Synod is expected on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, with the inauguration of the twelfth General Synod to follow on Tuesday, 17 November 2026. The election period begins on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 and concludes on Monday, 19 October 2026.

The election timetables for dioceses as set by the House of Clergy Election Rules 2025 (HCR) and the House of Laity Election Rules 2025 (HLR) are now available.

A notable change from previous elections is that the archbishops no longer decide the election period, meaning dioceses now have very limited flexibility within the published timetables. Please ensure that every stage indicated in the timetables is completed by 5 pm on the date assigned for that stage.

More details will follow when information is available.

The General Synod

The General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England. It came into being in 1970 under the Synodical Government Measure 1969, replacing an earlier body known as the Church Assembly.

The General Synod considers and approves legislation affecting the whole of the Church of England, formulates new forms of worship, debates matters of national and international importance, and approves the annual budget for the work of the Church at national level.

Houses of the General Synod

There are 483 members of General Synod. Members are arranged into three Houses:

House of Bishops

House of Clergy

House of Laity

Further information

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Bishop's Badge 2021

People from all over the Diocese of Derby have been presented with their Bishop's Badge in celebration of their lay ministry.

Bishop Libby presented the badges at a special service in Derby Cathedral, and online to those joining the service from home.

The badges recognise the distinguished service and dedication of many individuals contributing to the mission of the Church.

A number of awards were made to celebrate mission and innovation whilst others were presented to recognise long service.

>> See photos from the Bishop's Badge service [on Flickr]

Awards for Mission and Innovation

Paul Black - St John the Baptist, Tideswell

Nigel Brown - St. Mary's, Marston on Dove

Angela Cope - St Thomas, Somercotes

Mark Depiedge - St Thomas, Brampton

Sarah Johnson - The BMO of The Journey Community, St Osmund's Parish, Wilmortion

Sara Krohl - St Werburgh, Spondon

Lorraine and Simon Marrow - Buxton Team Parish

Janet Micklewright - All Saints' with St Mary's Sawley (and long service)

Katrina Pargma - The BMO of The Journey Community. St Osmund's Parish, Wilmorton

Nick Roberts - St Peter and St Paul, Old Brampton

Tim Scott - The BMO for The Journey Community in St Osmand's parish, Wilmorton

Leon Shufflebotham - St George the Martyr, New Mills

Susan Silcock - Kirk Langley, Mackworth and Mugginton

Christine Tilbrook - St Giles, Killamarsh

Julie Ann Tilbrook - St Giles, Killamarsh

Awards for Long Service

Meleta Barlow - Charlesworth with Gamesly

Pauline Boon - Buxton Team Parish

Marylyn Bryan - St James Codnor

Sylvia Bunting - St Mary's Cromford

Barbara Buxton - St Osmund Wilmorton

Barrie Clayton - Charlesworth with Gamesley

Maggie Davis - Buxton Team Parish

David Gardner - Wallbrook Epiphany

Lawrence Green - St. Mary in the United Benefice of Calow with Sutton-cum-Duckmanton

Mille Guthrie - St Thomas, Brampton

Sheila Harper - Oakwood

Christine Hill - St Michael and All Angels Brimington

Paul Hunter - Holy Trinity, Matlock Bath

Ena Johnson - Newbold with Dunston

Vicks Keane - St Helen's, Etwall

Robin Lacey - St Michael and All Angels

Evelyn Lowe - Newbold with Durston

Gay Lowe - St John the Baptist, Croxall

Peter Lowe - St John the Baptist, Croxall

Janet Mowman - St Osmund, Wilmorton

Lesley Mundy - St Andrew's, Hadfield

Beryl Murdy - Marlpool

Diane Peet - Stanton In Peak

Douglas Poole - Derby Cathedral

John Roberts - Hadfield

Peter Robinson - St John the Baptist, Tideswell

Helen Smart - St Mark's, Winshill

Hilary Smith - All Saints, Hatton

Arthur Stamper - Clowne

Barbara Stringer - St Peter and St Paul, Old Brampton

Marion Tauibut - St Alkmund's, Duffield

Paul Taylor - Buxton Team Parish

Ruth Taylor - St Margaret's, Tideswell

Josephine Vallence - St Clement's, Horsley

Calow with Sutton-cum-Duckmanton

Report a safeguarding concern

If a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention, you must dial 999.

Please note that we will respond to all concerns reported in the strictest confidence.

Our office hours are Monday to Friday 9am until 4pm.

To report a concern or request advice regarding a safeguarding issue, please use this form, as it will alert the safeguarding team via our safeguarding email inbox.

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https://forms.office.com/e/zdUMNPn0kN

We will respond to all contacts as a matter of priority, at the latest on the next working day.

If you are unable to complete this form, you can call 01332 388678 and ask to speak to a Safeguarding Officer.

If your concern escalates and someone is in danger, call 999.

You can also report any concerns to the Police or Social Care.

Derby City
Children 01332 641172
Adults 01332 642855
or out of hours call Careline 01332 956606

Derbyshire (Adults and Children)
Call Derbyshire 01629 533190
or out of hours 01629532600

The important thing is that your concerns are shared with someone in a position to help.

Ian Blaney appointed new Diocesan Registrar

Bishop Libby is pleased to announce that Ian Blaney of Lee Bolton Monier-Williams has been appointed the next Registrar of the Diocese of Derby and her Legal Secretary, following the retirement of Nadine Waldron.

The appointment will take effect on 1 October 2021 and all Registry enquiries should be directed to the new registrar from that date.

He is to be supported by three deputy registrars, Howard Dellar, Susan Newell and Ed Henderson who each have their own specialist expertise.

Susan Black is to be the principal registry clerk, supported by Kevin Diamond.

Ian Blaney is a solicitor with over 15 years’ experience in ecclesiastical law. He has written various publications on church, burial and marriage law and has a degree in canon law.

He lives in north London where he is a member of his parish church, on the PCC, and is Vice-Chair of Governors of the church school.

He hails from Cheshire and Staffordshire where family members still live. He has served as Registrar of the Diocese of Lincoln for the last 4 years and will continue in that post.

His firm, Lee Bolton Monier-Williams is known for its expertise in ecclesiastical, charity and educational law.

Bishop Libby said: “I am delighted that Ian is joining us as our new registrar. His knowledge, experience and expertise will be an valuable addition to our diocesan team. I am inspired by his commitment to live out his faith by offering the best practice of law in the service of the Church for the sake of the Kingdom. I am looking forward to working together so that we can be good news for all in transforming lives through growing the church and building community.”

Ian Blaney said: “I would like to thank the Bishop and her team for appointing me to this important role. I look forward to exploring the parishes of the Diocese and getting to know the clergy, lay officers and volunteers who faithfully make their churches a place of welcome and sanctuary. I am grateful to my predecessor Nadine Waldron for her steadfast work over many years for and making the handover as smooth as possible. My office is based in London, where the Registry is easily contactable by phone, email, ‘snail mail’ and video. Although the last year has highlighted the convenience and usefulness of online meetings, I and my team value forming relationships and maintaining a presence through personal visits, and we look forward to being with you.”

The contact details for the new Registrar are:

Derby Diocesan Registry
1 The Sanctuary
Westminster
London
SW1P 3JT

Reception Telephone: 020 7222 5381

Direct Telephone (Registry Clerk): 0207 960 7152

Email: derby.registry@1thesanctuary.com

A registry website is in the process of being built and information about this will be published in due course.

Curacy Vacancies (Title Posts) for the Diocese of Derby

Welcome to the Diocese of Derby and thanks for considering serving your curacy with us!

If you are completing ordination training in 2026 and have been officially released by your sponsoring diocese to look elsewhere, then please consider coming to the Diocese of Derby to serve your curacy.

If you are interested: