Items filtered by date: November 2025

On 1 March 2025, Belper Town Football Club welcomed their new Chaplain Revd Rachel Burdett. Revd Rachel was joined by Bishop Libby who presented the man of the match. 

It turns out that Bishop Libby and Revd Rachel were lucky mascots on the day as Belper Town FC won 2-0 v Garforth Town FC.

Photo L-R: Revd Rachel, Bishop Libby, Ian Woodward (BTFC Chairman) and Lee Attenborough (BTFC Manager)

Revd Rachel said: It was exciting to watch my first Nailers’ game, especially as they won! I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and adding my support to the team. It is an important part of life in Belper and it is an honour to be the new chaplain.

Ian said we welcome Revd Rachel as our new Chaplain. We look forward to working with her as she continues to build on the existing relationship with Christ Church Belper and we look forward to welcoming her to support “The Nailers!”.

Photo Credit to Tim Harrison (BTFC)

Question & Answer Session with the Archdeacons

Thursday, 20 November 2025
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

We are delighted to invite all Churchwardens to a special online Q&A session with the Archdeacons.
This is a valuable opportunity to put forward your questions in advance and hear directly from the Archdeacons as they respond during the meeting.

• An email will be sent out with details on how to submit your questions.
• A meeting link will also be provided so you can join easily on the day.

This will be an informative and supportive session, and we very much hope you will be able to attend.

The care and maintenance of church buildings 

Whether you are new to the role or have been serving for some time, the church warden training events aim to provide you with important tools, strategies, and support for you in your role.

It will also be a wonderful chance to connect with other church wardens, discuss challenges, and learn from one another.

Training dates
Saturday, 8 March 2025, 9.30am - 1.00pm, St Alkmunds Church, 40 Kedleston Road, Darley Abbey, Derby DE22 1GU
Saturday, 5 July 2025,  9:30am – 1:00pm, St Thomas, Chesterfield
Saturday, 27 September 2025, 9:30am – 1:00pm, St Barnabas Centre, Danesmoor
Saturday, 8 November 2025,  9:00am – 10:00am on Zoom, Question and Answer session with the Archdeacons.

Please click on the link below to book your place on the next event.  
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/churchwardens-morning-tickets-1152516851929?aff=oddtdtcreator
Date: Saturday, 8 March 2025
Time: 9.30 – 1pm
Location: St Alkmunds Church, 40 Kedleston Road, Darley Abbey, Derby DE22 1GU

The plan for the day will be as follows:
0930: Arrival and refreshments 
1000: Event starts (Opening worship)
1020: Keynote
1045: Workshop 1
1130: Coffee / Tea break
1145: Workshop 2
1230: Plenary/Q&A
1300: Finish

There will be a choice of workshops and this time they will cover these topics:

• Leading worship & intercessions in an emergency
• Buildings for Mission & Environment
• Wellbeing
• ‘Help! I’m the only one!’ 

Two weeks before the event a sign-up form for the workshops will be sent out, so you can choose which workshops you would like to attend.

Please ensure you have booked in good time to make sure you receive this email.

If you have any queries, please contact:

Derby City and South Derbyshire Archdeaconry - sue.hidderley-burton@derby.anglican.org

Derbyshire Peak and Dales Archdeaconry - emily.redmond@derby.anglican.org

South Derbyshire Archdeaconry - claire.collishaw@derby.anglican.org

27 February

The Revd Janet Turville, who holds Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Lincoln, has been appointed Vicar of the benefice of Wirksworth (Team Ministry), Diocese of Derby. Janet will be licensed on Monday, 31 March 2025 at 7 pm at St Mary's, Wirksworth by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

14 February

The Revd Canon Anthony (Tony) Kaunhoven, Vicar of the benefice of Bakewell, Ashford in the Water with Sheldon and Rowsley, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the parish of Longstone St Giles, within the benefice of Longstone, Curbar and Stoney Middleton in the same diocese. Tony will be licensed to this post on Tuesday, 25 February 2025 at 7 pm by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.This post will run concurrently with Tony’s present post, thus his last day in post at Longstone St Giles will be 18th May, with his retirement taking effect from 19th May 2025.

The Revd Phil Mann has announced his resignation as Priest-in-Charge of the parish of Allenton and Shelton Lock, within the benefice of Pride Park, Wilmorton, Allenton and Shelton Lock, Diocese of Derby. Phil’s last day in post will be Saturday, 22 February 2025. Phil will continue as Pioneer Minister of Derby St Werburgh’s BMO and Priest-in-Charge of Mackworth St Francis.

The Revd Jeff Golding, Assistant Curate in the parish of Allenton and Shelton Lock, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the same parish. Jeff will be licensed on Sunday, 23 February 2025 at 3pm at St Edmund’s Allenton and Shelton Lock by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire.

13 February

The Revd Bryony Taylor, Rector of the United Benefice of Barlborough and Clowne, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Assistant Area Dean of North East Derbyshire. Bryony started in post on 10th February 2025. 

6 February

The Revd Canon Julian Hollywell has announced his resignation as Assistant Curate (Minister Responsible) of the parish of Derby St Andrew with St Osmund, within the benefice of Pride Park, Wilmorton, Allenton and Shelton Lock, Diocese of Derby. Julian’s last day in post will be 16 February 2025. Julian will continue as Vicar of the benefice of Spondon and Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Chaddesden St Philip with Derby St Mark in the same diocese.

The Revd Canon Anthony (Tony) Kaunhoven, Vicar of the benefice of Bakewell, Ashford in the Water with Sheldon and Rowsley, Diocese of Derby, has announced his retirement. Tony’s last day in post will be 18th May, with his retirement taking effect from 19th May 2025. Tony will be appointed Canon Emeritus of Derby Cathedral in retirement.

The Revd Ian Jarvis, Curate of Penge Christ Church with Holy Trinity (Rochester) 1963- 1967, Curate of Bilston St Leonard (Lichfield) 1967-1971, Vicar of Lozells St Silas (Birmingham) 1971-1976, Vicar of Chaddesden St Mary (Derby) 1976-1995, Vicar of Newhall 1995-2002, who retired in 2002 and held Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Derby 2002-2022, died on 18th January 2025. The funeral will take place on Monday 24th February at 11.15 am at St Mary’s Chaddesden, followed by a private committal.

 Parenting for Faith 

Right from their very earliest days, we can help our children to meet and know God. On Wednesday afternoons in June, we will be running the Bitesize Babies and Toddlers Course, which will equip you with confidence and practical ideas to do this. The course is a mixture of short videos, a chance to reflect on your own and to chat with others.

The call will be open from 1.15pm and the content will be from 1.30 - 2.30pm. Don't worry if you can't make every week or have little people running around or are in the office on your lunchbreak, come just as you are!

When churches or groups sign up, they can invite as many parents/carers of under-fives as they like to join their group. The course is suitable for those new to faith or just exploring, so do invite families you know from baby and toddler groups or other community activities.  You can meet in person, online or a hybrid. For the discussion times, you will have your own breakout room. If you have lots of participants we can add extra breakout rooms, free of charge.

If you're not part of a church or group, sign up for an individual/couple ticket. We'll pop you into a group with others in the same boat for the discussion times. This will be the same each week so that you can get to know each other and feel safe to share and support each other. 

Click this LINK to find out more and book onto the course.

 The Kitchen Table Project is an initiative from Care for the Family 

Just 50% of children growing up in Christian homes keep their faith as adults.
Parents and churches – we can change that! Find out more and see their resources (many of which are free) through this link.

Delivered by Ridley Hall, free and fully funded by the Church of England, Catalyst is a dynamic training course which aims to equip and connect those who work with children and young people in the local church. It’s for anyone, whether you are experienced or new to working with children and young people.

Starting this October, you will gain new knowledge and skills, connect with others, and also have the option to complete an assignment and gain 20 credits at level 4 qualification if you would like to.

Find out more, and sign-up on their website here.

 God is on the move and can use each of us to reach our friends, communities, workplaces, but how do we play our part? Come and be equipped, inspired and encouraged with how God can use you as The Message goes on tour.

The evening will be packed with challenging teaching from Andy Hawthorne, powerful worship and prayer, as well as loads of stories that will encourage you about what God’s doing across the East Midlands and the Midlands as The Message steps out on mission.

Tickets are free, and it’s not to be missed. You can book yours today by clicking here.

• Thursday 30th October

• Reach Church, Riverside Court, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8HY

• 7:30pm - 9:35pm

This Lent we are encouraged to put down deep roots of hope by connecting with God who is with us at all times.

The Church of England’s Lent theme for 2025 is Living Hope.

In Lent we journey with Jesus on the difficult and thorny road that leads all the way to the cross on Good Friday – and beyond, to the transformation of Easter Day.

God invites us to bring to him our own journey through everyday life. In the disappointment of daily setbacks and the pain of deeper hurts, we discover that God is present with us. And God promises a future where all things are healed and made new.  

Living Hope offers us the opportunity to deepen our hope in God and be part of what God is doing to bring hope in the world.

Alongside a printed reflection booklet, the everyday faith app and daily emails there are a range of new resources available for churches, schools, families and individuals available from churchofengland.org and logo and branding items for the resource hub on achurchnearyou.com

A special webinar hosted by the national team will be held on 5 February please click here to register. 

About the Vacancy In See Committee

This is a statutory committee, serving for a three-year term, who only meet when there is a Vacancy in See.
Meaning, in the case of the Diocese of Derby, if the post of the Bishop of Derby were to become vacant, then the Vacancy in See committee would meet. 

• Members don’t need to be on any other committee, synod or be a PCC member.
• Members do need to be on an electoral roll or be a clerk in holy orders within the Diocese*

Should a Vacancy in See arise, Members would then meet to identify the needs of the Diocese and work with the Crown Nominations Commission of the General Synod, to identify the next Diocesan Bishop.

This process is governed by The Vacancy in See Committees Regulation 2024. The General Synod makes the Regulation, which is a Consolidation Instrument within the meaning of Standing Order 71(9) of the General Synod.

*Eligibility Criteria (in full…)

Any cleric beneficed in the Diocese or licensed under seal by the Bishop of Derby is eligible for election by members of the House of Clergy of the Diocesan Synod, except that no archdeacon and no person in Episcopal orders is eligible to be elected in this election. (The election involves the whole House of Clergy of the Diocesan Synod. This means that a person from one Area/archdeaconry can be proposed, seconded and be voted for by persons from another).

Any lay person who is an actual communicant, as defined in Church Representation Rule 83(2), and whose name is entered on the electoral roll of a parish in the Diocese is eligible for election by the House of Laity of the Diocesan Synod. (The election involves the whole House of Laity. This means that a person from one Area/archdeaconry can be proposed, seconded and voted for by persons from another).        

 More information

For more information, please contact the Presiding Officer - presidingofficer@derby.anglican.org.

 Resources

>> Diocesan Synod Members for Triennium 2024 - 2027 [PDF]

Volunteer with us

An opportunity has arisen to become an adviser to the Derby Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), our expert committee on church buildings.

• Do you love church buildings and want to see their communities flourish?
• Do you share the goal for churches to become carbon net zero by 2030?
• Have you got the insight and enthusiasm to help drive this mission forward?

The Diocese of Derby (Church of England) would like to hear from specialists in building services – specifically heating, lighting and electrics – with the skills and time to offer advice, in a voluntary capacity, to the DAC.

About us

The Diocese of Derby consists of most of Derbyshire and a couple of parishes on the fringes of Staffordshire.

The diocese serves a population of around one million people and has more than 300 churches.

It works in communities, schools, prisons and hospitals as well being represented in various other aspects of city and county life. Under three archdeacons, the Archdeaconries of Derby City and South Derbyshire, Derbyshire Peak and Dales, and East Derbyshire consist of deaneries and parishes all of which work alongside Christians of other denominations.

Our heritage

There are 318 open church buildings in the diocese, approximately 80% of which are listed as buildings of national significance, including 65 Grade I and 80 Grade II* churches. These church buildings are part of the nation's heritage. It is our duty and privilege to work with local communities to care for them and make sure that they are fit for purpose.

Changes to church buildings, their settings and their contents are managed by a statutory planning system – the Faculty Jurisdiction – of which our committee is an integral part.

Net zero carbon

In 2020 the national Church of England recognised the climate emergency and set a target to reach net zero carbon by 2030.

This commitment requires churches to take action to reduce their carbon footprint. This will involve making material changes to buildings and adopting new behaviours that both reduce energy use and switch usage to renewable sources.

The Derby DAC supports the goal for all church buildings in the diocese to achieve net zero by 2030.

Adviser role

All DAC Advisers are expert volunteers for the Diocese.

The function of the DAC is to advise the diocesan chancellor (decision-maker) on proposals relating to the conservation, alteration and appropriate development of churches.

The primary role of DAC advisers is to give advice to the DAC on matters requiring particular specialist knowledge, including works to churches that specifically relate to net zero carbon.

Applications are invited from individuals in the following separate areas:

• Heating
• Lighting
• Electrics

We are seeking competent and experienced professionals or experts (in practice or retired) who can commit to giving written advice on casework on a rolling programme, as well as undertaking site visits.

The role will involve close working with the DAC secretary, who allocates casework to DAC advisers and coordinates site visits when necessary.

Applications are submitted by parishes through the Church of England's Online Faculty System (OFS), to which DAC Advisers have access (training will be provided).

There is no requirement to attend DAC meetings (held six times a year), either in person in Derby or at one of the churches or online via Teams, though advisers are welcome to do so.

DAC advisers are insured for errors and omissions under the provisions of the Derby Diocesan Board of Finance (DDBF).

For more background information about the role, please see:

• A Brief Guide to the Role of DAC Advisers
• A Note for DAC Members and Advisers Regarding Conflicts of Interest

Benefits

Being a DAC Adviser offers a unique opportunity to help to ensure the long-term protection and sustainability of our churches. The role provides prospects for professional development and personal networking (non-commercial) and will allow engagement with unique situations in special buildings.

You will be part of a wider team of expert DAC Members and Advisers, who have extensive knowledge in a variety of specialist fields, including archaeology, bells, clocks, organs, AV systems, sustainability, stained glass, monuments and liturgical furnishings.

Travel expenses will be paid when undertaking the role.

About you

We are looking for applicants who will bring knowledge and practical expertise but also imagination, insight, and new and diverse perspectives. An important criterion for an Adviser is a familiarity with and understanding of heritage buildings.

Whilst there is no requirement to be a Christian, DAC advisers must act in sympathy with the mission of the Church of England.

All advisers work from the understanding that churches are primarily centres of Christian worship and mission.

As an advisory body, the DAC is keen for its advisers to reflect the diversity of the diocese, particularly in relation to gender, ethnic and geographic location, and to broaden the experience and perspective of the committee.

To apply

If you would like to apply, please send your CV (or equivalent) and a covering note to Kat Alldread, DAC Secretary kat.alldread@derby.anglican.org.

Your covering note should briefly say which position/s you are interested in and why, what skills you would bring, and indicate something about your approach to proposals for works in heritage buildings. Responses will only be used internally by the Diocese.

For further information, please see:

• Diocese of Derby
• Derby DAC

Kat Alldread, DAC Secretary
kat.alldread@derby.anglican.org

30 January

The Revd Julian Penfold, Assistant Curate (Associate Priest-SSM) in the benefice of Alfreton, the benefice of Riddings and Ironville and the benefice of Somercotes, Diocese of Derby, has announced his resignation. Julian’s last day in post was 31 January 2025.

The Revd Dr Gillian White will be licensed as Assistant Curate (SSM-known as Associate Priest) in the parish of Fairfield, within the benefice of Fairfield, Peak Forest and Dove Holes, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday 16 March at 11 am at Charles, King & Martyr, Peak Forest by the Bishop of Repton.

23 January

The Revd Philip Bosher, Vicar of the benefice of Winshill and Bretby and Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Stapenhill Immanuel, Diocese of Derby, has announced his retirement. Philip’s last day in post will be 31st May, with his retirement taking effect from 1st June 2025.

The Revd Dr Gillian White, Assistant Curate (Pioneer Priest-SSM) of Tideswell, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (SSM-known as Associate Priest) in the parish of Fairfield, within the benefice of Fairfield, Peak Forest and Dove Holes, in the same diocese. Gillian will be licensed on Sunday 16th March at 11 am at St Peter’s Fairfield by the Bishop of Repton.

16 January

The Revd Karen Bradley, Rector of the East Scarsdale Team Ministry and Area Dean of Hardwick, Diocese of Derby, has stepped down as Area Dean of Hardwick. Her last day in this role was 31st December, 2024. The Venerable Karen Hamblin, Archdeacon of East Derbyshire, will be the interim point of contact until such time as a permanent appointment is made.

The Revd Christine French will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of West Hallam and Mapperley with Stanley, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday 26th January at 4 pm at St Wilfrid’s West Hallam by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.

 The Revd Elliot (Malcolm) Duthie, Curate of Eccleston St Luke (Liverpool) 1966-1969, Malaysia 1970-1975, Priest-in-Charge of Bootle St Leonard 1976-1978; Vicar of the same benefice 1978-1981, Vicar of Charlton Kings Holy Apostles (Gloucester) 1981-1994, who retired in 1994, and held Permission to Officiate in the Dioceses of Gloucester 1994- 2000; Exeter 2002-2005 and Derby 2006-2018, died on 10th December 2024. A service of thanksgiving will take place on Friday 24th January at 1.30 pm at St Barnabas’ Derby.

A memorial service for the Revd Simon White, who died in November 2024, will take place on Saturday, 15 February at 2 pm at St John the Baptist Tideswell.

The Revd Phillippa Taylor will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Boulton St Mary, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday,9 March at 3 pm at St Mary’s Boulton by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire.

9 January 

The Revd Rachel Burdett will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Belper Christ Church and Turnditch, the benefice of Hazelwood, Holbrook and Milford and the benefice of Ambergate and Heage, Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday 18th February at 7 pm at St Luke’s Heage by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.

The Revd Christine French, Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Kirk Hallam and Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) in the benefice of Ilkeston St John, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of West Hallam and Mapperley with Stanley in the same diocese.