Items filtered by date: May 2025
St Peter's Church in Fairfield, Buxton, is one of over 100 churches to be offered a grant as part of the £5.2M Demonstrator Churches project from the Church of England’s Net Zero Programme.
This aims to help 114 churches in 2024 and 2025 pay for items such as solar panels, heat pumps, insulation, secondary glazing, LED lighting and infrared heating systems.
The Victorian church has been given funding for net zero projects as part of a new project from the Church of England.
As work progresses, the network of Demonstrator Churches - representing many different types of community and situations - will share what they have learned more widely with dioceses and parishes so that all Church of England churches can learn from their experiences.
Fairfield St Peter has received a Church of England Demonstrator Churches grant of £15,000 to explore transforming its carbon footprint and energy use by replacing its defunct boiler with a low-carbon alternative. The grant will be used to employ consultants to assess the alternatives and the needs of the church going forwards.
The Revd Howard Robson, priest-in-charge, said: “We’re delighted to have been selected by the Diocese of Derby to be a Demonstrator Church and showcase what can be done to reduce a church’s carbon emissions, and we're keen top see what he consultants come up with!"
“Climate change is having negative effects on communities everywhere and by exploring how to best make changes to reduce our own emissions, we can play a part in tackling the problem and make a real difference.
"We’re pleased we'll be able to share our experience, knowing we can help other churches in our area with their net-zero projects.”
Abi Hiscock, Project and Grants Manager for the Church of England’s Net Zero Demonstrator Churches Project, said: “Ultimately, we want to demonstrate that with the right support and infrastructure, churches from diverse settings and facing a variety of challenges can reach net zero by 2030.
“By the end of this project, we will have over 100 case studies on what to do and when, and what not to do. Along the way, the supported churches are all required to act as champions to other churches in their dioceses or geographically near to them, or simply to other churches working from similar baselines to them, so that the learnings from these projects engage, influence and support this vision.”
It is hoped the project will reduce carbon emissions by 6,615 tonnes by 2030 – targeting some of the highest emitting churches across the UK.
The Demonstrator Churches project is part of the Church of England’s ambitious Net Zero Carbon Programme which aims to equip, resource and support all parts of the Church to reduce carbon emissions from the energy used in its buildings, schools and through work-related transport by 2030.
25 July
The Revd Peter Barham, Curate of Fornham All Saints and Fornham St Martin with Timworth (St Edmundsbury and Ipswich) 1994-1997, Priest-in-Charge of Cockfield with Bradfield St Clare, Felsham and Gedding 1997-2001, Minor Canon of St Edmundsbury Cathedral 1998-2003, Chaplain at St Edmundsbury Cathedral 2001-2003, Canon Residentiary of St Edmundsbury Cathedral 2003-2008, Vicar of Ponteland (Newcastle) 2008-2016, Vicar of Allestree St Edmund and Darley Abbey St Matthew (Derby) 2016-2023, Diocesan Ecumenical Officer 2017-2023, who retired in 2023, died on Thursday, 11 July 2024. The funeral will take place on Wednesday, 31 July at 12.30pm at Hexham Abbey.
The Revd Melanie (Mel) Hartley will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Chapel-en-le-Frith and of Chinley with Buxworth and Hayfield, Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday, 3 September 2024 at 7.30pm at St Thomas Becket’s Chapel-en-le-Frith by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.
The Revd Dr David Mundy, Priest-in-Charge (SSM) of Glossop, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed interim Priest-in-Charge of the Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale Team Ministry in the same diocese. David will be licensed on Thursday, 26 September at 7.30pm at St John the Baptist Buxton by the Bishop of Derby, assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.
The Revd Carla Vicêncio Prior, Canon for Community Learning at Derby Cathedral, has been appointed part-time Chaplain for Central and Eastern Algarve, Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe.
18 July
The Revd Mark Broomhead, Ordained Pioneer Minister to the Order of the Black Sheep, Diocese of Derby, has resigned. Mark’s last day in post was 16 May 2024, with his resignation taking effect from 17 June 2024.
The Revd Melanie (Mel) Hartley will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Chapel-en-le-Frith and of Chinley with Buxworth and Hayfield, Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday, 3 September 2024 by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.
The Revd Catherine (Cath) Hollywell, Pioneer Minister of the Journey Community Bishop’s Mission Order in the parish of Derby St Andrew with St Osmund, Diocese of Derby, has resigned. Cath’s last day in post was 16 May 2024, with her resignation taking effect from 17 June 2024.
11 July
The Revd Mark Griffin, Priest-in-Charge of Beeley and Edensor, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Assistant Area Dean of Peak. Mark started in post on Monday, 8 July 2024.
The Revd Dawn Knight, Priest-in-Charge of Cotmanhay and Shipley, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Assistant Area Dean of South East Derbyshire. Dawn started in post on Monday, 8 July 2024.
4 July
The Revd Karen Bradley will be collated as Team Rector of the East Scarsdale Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby, on Monday, 30 September 2024 at 7 pm at Holy Trinity Shirebrook by the Bishop of Repton and inducted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.
The Revd Susannah (Susie) Curtis, who holds the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate, has also been appointed Assistant Area Dean of Derby City, Diocese of Derby. Susie started in post on Tuesday, 2 July 2024.
The Revd Nicholas (Nick) Gurney, Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity, Dinting Vale and Pioneer Minister of Glossop, of Charlesworth and Gamesley, of Hadfield and of Whitfield, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Youth Pioneer, Diocese of Hereford. Nick’s last day in post will be Monday, 30 September 2024, with his new role starting on Tuesday, 1 October 2024.
The Revd James Lee will be licensed as Team Vicar in the North Wingfield, Clay Cross and Pilsley Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby, on Monday, 9 September 2024 at 7 pm at St Lawrence’s North Wingfield by the Bishop of Repton, assisted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.
Bishops Libby and Malcolm have ordained four new deacons and six new priests in Petertide services at 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.
The new deacons (ordained by Bishop Libby) are:
Benjamin Andreo-Boosey, to serve in the the Benefice of Chesterfield Ss Augustine
Kara Gander, to serve in the Benefice of Swadlincote and Hartshorne, Newhall, and Gresley (collectively known as Swadlincote Minster)
Ailsa Hunt, to serve in the Benefice of Kirk Hallam
Sue Leather, to serve in the Benefice of Derby St Peter and Christ Church with Holy Trinity.
The new priests (ordained by Bishop Malcolm) 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 and Blagreaves, and Findern,
Clare Owen, to serve in the Benefice of Mickleover and the Parish of Radbourne,
Lisa Price, to serve in the Benefice of Hope, Castleton and Bradwell,
Nicholas Radford-Powell, to serve in the Benefice of Wirksworth (Team Ministry).
The preacher was The Revd Prebendary Dr Isabelle Hamley, Principal of Ridley Hall College, who led the ordination retreat.
To download a copy of this years event list please follow the link below
Around 40 children have received Bishop's Badge Awards at a special service in Derby Cathedral.
Bishops Libby and Malcolm celebrated the contribution the children have made to the mission and ministry of the Diocese of Derby.
Individuals and groups of children were honoured for their commitment to generous faith, courageous hope and life-giving love after Bishop Libby invited headteachers to nominate the child in their school who they feel best exemplifies the diocesan values in an age-appropriate way.
Speaking directly to the youngsters during the service, Bishop Libby said: "Don't ever let anyone tell you that you're not good enough or not valued - you are someone special and Jesus has seen that in you all. Thank you for all you are doing."
Each child presented with a badge also received a certificate of excellence.
| Children from Scargill CE Primary School led the congregation in prayer
Information About the Recipients
Breadsall CE Primary School - Bella, Bobby, Ronnie, Kathryn, Agnes, Ellen, Xander, Maisie, Poppy, Edward, Isabelle, Harper, Eilis, Callum and Rhys.
Generous Faith
The children joined with the congregation of Breadsall All Saint’s Church to take part in their annual Lent Challenge to support Kumi Primary School in Uganda to purchase some locally produced desks for their school.
Children undertook a variety of jobs for family and friends throughout the 40 days of Lent and were paid small amounts for these jobs.
The idea of using the period of Lent to take positive action rather than “giving up” something resonated with our community and thanks to the generous gift of time given by the pupils, the generosity of the families and friends who paid them to do a wide variety of jobs and the support of the Church, four desks (made by local people in the Kumi region) will be given to the Ugandan school.
Jacob - Monyash CE Primary School
Generous Faith
Jacob has been a shining light in our school all year. As an active member of the worship team he has led prayers which have been thoughtful, caring and reflective. He has never failed to amaze us with his maturity.
Ben – Church Broughton CE Primary School
Courageous Hope
Ben embodies courageous hope as he has shown an amazingly positive attitude towards his treatment and changes that his body and life has undergone. The plan has often changed, but he takes everything in his stride. Ben is able to talk openly about his condition and his treatment, showing others that there is hope.
Lily – Coton-In-the-Elms CE Primary School
Courageous Hope
Lily has personally taken it upon herself to set up a small enterprise, selling eggs from her chickens to raise money for toys for the local preschool in Rosliston. She is always offering to help around the school - in her own time as well. She has faced her own challenges in life but continues to put others first and outwardly be positive encouraging others to be so too.
Izzy – Dinting CE Primary School
Generous Faith
Izzy is so giving with her time to others, she is an incredibly thoughtful and caring human being, who always thinks of others.
Hudson-Lee – Langley Mill CE Infant and Nursery School
Generous Faith
Hudson-Lee has raised £465 for the ‘Little Princess Trust’ and donated his hair to make wigs for children who have lost their hair because of life changing medical conditions.
Isla – Loscoe CE Primary School
Generous Faith
Isla is an outstanding, dedicated worship leader, whose faith shines out and inspires those around her. She is a supportive, kind role model for everyone within our community.
William – Loscoe CE Primary School
Generous Faith
William is an inspirational, committed worship leader, who always shows dedication and resilience. He mentors younger worship leaders and inspires everyone to be the best that they can be.
Millie – Norbury CE Primary School
Generous Faith, Courageous Hope and Life-Giving Love
Since her diagnosis of diabetes, Millie has shown incredible courage, managing medication, sharing her awareness of signs and symptoms by running events and assemblies and raising £6,000 for diabetes charities.
Isla – Ripley St John’s CE Primary School
Life-giving Love
For spreading our school values all day, every day. Isla is an upstanding member of our school community, she is always making the right choices and supporting her peers. She lives through our Christian values every day and models our school rule of 'treat other people how you would like to be treated' at all times.
Seth – Ripley St John’s CE Primary School
Generous Faith
For leading our Worship Team with enthusiasm and courage and wants to encourage all of our children to be the best that they can be! Seth spreads our worship values and messagesdaily and wants to encourage all of our pupil to see things from different points of view.
Scargill CE Primary School - Edith, Lucia, Edward, Beatrix, Una, Hattie, Kauan, Reggie, Anya, Ava.
Generous Faith
Being part of the Collective Worship Committee of Scargill Church of England Primary School who work together as a team to inspire others through our Bible message ‘Let all that you do, be done in love’
Isla – St Chad’s CE Nursery and Infant School
Courageous Hope
Isla has overcome some personal challenges this academic year. She demonstrates so much bravery and courage. With ongoing love and encouragement from her wonderful mummy and school she has learnt that her voice matters.
Abdulrahman – St Chad’s CE Nursery and Infant School
Courageous Hope
Abdulrahman has not been in the UK long after arriving from Afghanistan with his father. He has faced personal difficulties and continues to show fierce bravery. He has a smile that brightens up any room. His thirst for learning is infectious.
Charlie – St Werburgh’s CE Primary School
Courageous Hope
Charlie is a courageous advocate for hope and inclusion. He uses his actions and words to stand up for what he knows to be right, respectfully challenging injustice.
Olivia – Turnditch CE Primary School
Generous Faith, Courageous Hope, Life Giving Love
For being a real team player, showing compassion for others and being determined to help raise money for the school.
Oriel – Youlgrave All Saints CE Primary School
Life-giving Love
Oriel has lived out our school ethos since her first day in school. She has an obvious love of learning and looks to help everyone, always with a smile.
Growing Younger Additional Needs Training Events
The Diocese of Derby is hosting two key training events being led by Dr Naomi Fox, the Founder and CEO of Growing Hope, a charity that works with local churches to offer free therapy for children with additional needs.
The events will both be held on 8 July 2024, with the first session from 10.30am – 1pm and the second session 7pm – 9pm.
Both training events will be held at St Alkmund’s Church.
Join us for a time of learning and collaboration as we explore how to better serve children, young people and families with additional needs in our ministries.
Our churches have the opportunity to be good news to their communities as they face the challenge of supporting children, young people and families where any members have additional needs.
With resources stretched and waiting lists increasing, the local church has resources which can positively impact the lives of families who often do not get the level of support that they need.
The morning is suitable for all but is aimed particularly at leaders of ministry with children and young people, as well as church leaders and clergy.
The evening event is open to all, but is especially relevant for volunteers with children, young people and families.
Youth and children's ministers and/or clergy may want to come on their own in the morning and then come with their volunteer teams in the evening.
>> Lean more
>> Book your ticket for the morning event (10.30am - 1pm)
>> Book your ticket for the evening event (7pm - 7pm)
To be ordained deacon on Sunday 30 June 2024, at 10:45 in Derby Cathedral
When I was discerning a call to ordination the words of the hymn ‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing’ spoke deeply to me.
As I now approach ordination, I still find myself drawn to this hymn.
Ordination is a turning point at which I want to look back and thank God for all that he has done: in the words of the hymn, ‘here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I’ve come’.
It is a point of deep commitment which a line in the hymn also captures beautifully: ‘here’s my heart, oh take and seal it’. It is also a time for looking to the future.
I am looking ahead with hope and anticipation to serving my curacy in Kirk Hallam.
I love this verse from Psalm 27 – ‘I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living’ (13) - and I hope that, as I learn to minister in Kirk Hallam, I will always keep my eyes open to the goodness of the Lord and all he is doing in that place.
For the past three years I have been training at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, whilst living in Leicestershire.
Previously I worked as a Lecturer in Ancient History (most recently at the University of Birmingham) and I come to ministry with a passion for education and widening access to education, with a particular interest in developing chaplaincy in secondary schools.
I have lived in a number of different places, but grew up in North Yorkshire near the moors, which gave me a love of wild, open spaces; I am looking forward to having the Peak District on my doorstep.
To be ordained deacon on Sunday 30 June 2024, at 10:45 in Derby Cathedral
My heart ached for those who faced barriers in their relationship with God, and I knew I had to take action.
I saw the ways in which the church was discriminating against those who thought differently, behaved differently, and worshipped differently, and I felt God prompting me to do something.
I was frustrated with how people in the past had been disempowered, and I was determined to find a way to dismantle these barriers and rebuild a more inclusive community.
That's when I realised that formal ministerial training was the best route to equip myself for this important work.
Through my ministry, I have come to understand the power of forgiveness and absolution, and how it can truly transform lives.
It is this gift of pronouncing God’s absolution that comes with priestly ministry that has led me to pursue ordination.
I am excited to come alongside those who find themselves on the edge of church, community, and society, and to help them flourish as individuals.
I believe that by working together, we can bring about positive change in the structures that have left them feeling excluded.
My passions lie in working with LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and those who have mental health needs, and I am committed to developing the skills required to communicate with sign-language users.
I believe that everyone deserves to feel seen and heard, and I am dedicated to using my ministry to make sure that happens.
I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire, and I look forward to the journey ahead.
I am finishing my training at Trinity College Bristol and live in Milton Keynes with my husband Ben and three children.
I have previously worked in fashion and boardgame sales and distribution when we lived in London previously.
As a family we enjoy strategic boardgames, Lego and outdoor activities.
Earlier this year, the Diocesan Board of Finance purchased a joint subscription so that all churches in the diocese can access this grant searching platform for free.
This gives every PCC the opportunity to search a maintained list of local and national grant funders and trusts.
All you need to start looking for that vital funding is your 6 figure parish reference code 120### and the name of your church building.
If you don't know your parish reference code email the Church Buildings Support Officer or you can find it on the Church Heritage Record portal.
Here is the link to the Diocese of Derby Church Grants site
Apply now for a grant to help you kickstart a net zero project in your church
If you are looking to reduce your carbon emissions, why not apply for a Quick Wins grant to help launch a small project.
Grants of up to £5,000* can be applied for to help fund small scale decarbonisation projects such as new LED lighting, pew heaters, insulation or updating electricity supplies.
The Quick Wins grant scheme is part of The Church of England’s ambitious Net Zero Carbon by 2030 programme, which aims to equip, resource and support all parts of the Church to reduce carbon emissions from the energy used in its buildings, schools and through work-related transport by 2030.
Download the eligibility and guidance [Word Doc]
Contact the Church Buildings Support Officer if you have any further questions.
The application dealine for this final round is 18th June 2025
Before making an application to the fund the following activity should be carried out:
- Complete your Energy Footprint Tool on the Parish Retuns Portal data for the church buildings.
We’ve even created a simple guide for you. - Download and complete the Practical Pathway to Net Zero Carbon to generate a carbon reduction plan. This is especially useful if you do not already have a church decarbonisation plan.
*The award panel may choose to restrict the maximum grant available where the funding round is oversubscribed, and parishes in areas of higher deprivation will receive a higher ratio of funding to total project costs.
