Items filtered by date: December 2015

Notification of pending faculty petition for Sutton-on-the-Hill St Michael, dated 8^th June 2025

See attached Form 4a (PDF)

If you wish to object to any of the works or proposals, you should write giving reasons for your objection to:

The Diocesan Registrar at 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JT  

Derby.registry@1thesanctuary.com

so that it reaches the Registry no later than 21 days after the day of this notice (ie by 30 June 2025), stating your name and postal address, and whether you live in the parish and/or your name is entered on the electoral roll of the parish or any other capacity in which you write.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Thy Kingdom Come - a world-wide prayer movement inviting Christians around the world to prayer. Launched by the Church of England’s archbishops it now takes place in over 170 countries and involves 85 different denominations. Bishop Malcolm has been visiting churches and schools in Carsington, Bonsall, Wirksworth, Elton and Kirk Ireton - cycling between venues! 

 We have also asked people around the diocese to reflect on the Lord's Prayer, you can watch the video on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofDerby

26 June

The farewell services of celebration and thanksgiving for the ministry of the Venerable Karen Hamblin, Archdeacon of East Derbyshire, will take place on Saturday, 13th September at 2.30 pm at St John Walton (S42 7LT) and on Sunday, 14th September, at Derby Cathedral at Evensong 5.15 pm.  All welcome. Refreshments will be provided after the services. 

The Revd Dr David Mundy, Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale (Team Ministry) and Acting Area Dean of Peak, Diocese of Derby, has announced his retirement. David’s last day in post will be 31st July, with his retirement taking effect from 1st August, 2025. 

12 June

The Revd Christine (Chris) Nowak will be licensed as Assistant Curate (Associate Priest-SSM) of the benefice of Chapel-en-le-Frith and of the benefice of Chinley with Buxworth and Hayfield, Diocese of Derby, on Monday 14th July 2025 at 7 pm at St Mary’s Church, Chinley by the Bishop of Repton, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled. 

5 June

The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd Dwayne Engh, Ordained Ministries Development Officer and Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of the Cathedral Church of All Saints Derby, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Ashbourne with Mapleton, of the church of Ashbourne St John, of the benefice of Clifton and of the benefice of Norbury with Snelston, in the same diocese, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd Dr Ailsa Hunt, Assistant Curate of the benefice of Kirk Hallam, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Assistant Curate of the benefice of West Hallam and Mapperley with Stanley in the same diocese. Ailsa will start in her new post on Saturday, 28th June 2025, the day of her priesting at Derby Cathedral.

The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd David Ridley, Team Vicar in the benefice of Sittingbourne with Bobbing, Diocese of Canterbury, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Hadfield and of the benefice of Glossop, Diocese of Derby, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

Utility Bill Increases

Several parishes have recently reported significant increases in their utility bills over the past year. One of the most common reasons for this is the expiration of a fixed-term energy contract, which often results in being moved to a more expensive “out-of-contract” rate. These contracts typically last between 1 to 3 years and can easily be overlooked.

Understanding Your Utility Charges

Utility bills generally consist of two main components:

1. Standing Charge – A daily fixed fee, regardless of usage.
2. Unit Rate – The cost per unit of energy used (usually measured in kWh).

If your monthly bills seem unusually high, it’s worth checking both your standing charge and unit rate. As a rule of thumb, if your standing charge exceeds 100p per day for either gas or electricity, it’s a good idea to contact your supplier. Ask for your contract’s end date and, if you’re out of contract or nearing the end, consider renegotiating your rates.

Tips for Renegotiating Your Contract

• Know Your Usage: Smaller parishes with lower energy consumption might benefit from a plan with a slightly higher unit rate but a lower standing charge.
• Compare Services: Some suppliers, like British Gas Lite, offer cheaper rates but only provide online support. If having access to phone support is important to you, factor that into your decision.
• Plan Ahead: Contact your supplier about two months before your contract ends. This gives you time to shop around and puts you in a stronger position to negotiate.

Success Story

One parish recently had separate suppliers for gas and electricity. The treasurer contacted the gas supplier two months before the contract ended and successfully negotiated a new rate of under 6p per unit for a 3-year term. His key advice: track your contract end dates and start negotiations early—suppliers are more flexible when they know you have time to explore other options.

The Standards are broad statements of what the Church of England wants to achieve in the most important dimensions of its safeguarding work.

Each Standard has several ‘What Good Looks Like’ indicators, to identify safeguarding strengths as well as areas for learning and development.

Using the Standards is NOT a compliance-based, tick-box exercise.

The Standards and their indicators have been developed over a three-year period, working with dioceses, cathedrals, parishes and victims and survivors and were approved nationally in 2023.

A series of tools and resources have been developed to assist in measuring or evidencing of how well the Standards are being met, as well as help share best practice.

There are 3 handy documents for parishes to use:  Parish Booklet       Parish Poster 1       Parish Poster 2

(0.5 FTE: Sunday & 3 days)

We are seeking an engaging, prayerful and collaborative leader who:

The Bishop of Derby hosted the Department for Work and Pensions Minister, Baroness Sherlock OBE, to see projects and meet people involved with Derby Food4Thought Alliance and other anti-poverty work.

The visit was arranged to showcase the vital contribution of churches and other faith communities in Derby supporting children and families experiencing poverty, as part of stakeholder engagement the Government is undertaking ahead of the publication of its child poverty strategy.

The Minister visited the Osmaston/Allenton Family Hub, a partnership between Alvaston Churches Together and the Jubilee debt advice project.  She met with people who use the services, volunteers and staff to discuss the resources available, including debt and benefits signposting, food support, and activities for young children.

At the Padley YMCA Centre, the Minister heard from service users about services that have particularly helped them and their children through difficult times. This was followed by a policy-focused round table meeting with representatives from local churches, schools, the council, former service users who have become volunteers, and others involved in the Derby Poverty Commission, enabling a rich discussion of the different initiatives and joined up work taking place within Derby to tackle child poverty, and some of the barriers still faced in offering provision. 

Reflecting on the visit, the Bishop of Derby, Libby Lane, said: “It was good to give the Minister a flavour of the work taking place out of faith communities in Derby to support children and families. These examples of faith in action in Derby give hope that every child can know that they are loved and enjoy a happy, healthy start to life. I pray for an ambitious and effective child poverty strategy that draws on the skills and potential of our communities, not just to deal with the consequences of poverty but address the root causes.”

Baroness Sherlock said: "I am deeply moved by the dedication and impact of the faith communities in Derby, and I’m very grateful to Bishop Libby for her invitation to visit these projects.

“The projects I saw were inspiring, and demonstrate how essential partnerships between local organisations, churches, faith-based projects and government are in addressing the particular needs of the community.  

“As we continue to engage with stakeholders across the country, the insights gathered during my visit will help inform our upcoming child poverty strategy. We are determined that our strategy not only addresses the immediate needs of those affected by poverty but also tackles its root causes, breaking down barriers of opportunity and ensuring every child can thrive, as part of our Plan for Change." 

Paul Brookhouse, Senior Manager of Derby Food4Thought Alliance, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Baroness Sherlock and some of her team to highlight the great partnership work we have here in Derby and the collective working to tackle the high rates of child poverty. I appreciate Bishop Libby organising this so that we could specifically highlight the faith led projects and their unique offer to the residents of Derby.”

Full time permanent stipendiary role

Belper is a lively, thriving market town on the edge of a UNESCO World Heritage Site eight miles from the City of Derby.

30 May

The Revd Geoffrey Borrowdale, Rector of the benefice of Hasland and Vicar of the benefice of Temple Normanton, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Tividale, St John's Tipton and St Mark's, Ocker Hill, Diocese of Lichfield.

29 May

The Revd Alasdair (Ally) Kay will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge (Vicar-designate) of the benefice of Derby St Bartholomew, Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday 1st July at 7 pm at St Bartholomew’s Derby by the Bishop of Repton, assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire.

The Revd Fiona Kouble, Vicar of the benefice of Tideswell, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Area Dean of Peak Deanery. Fiona started in post on 28th May 2025.

The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd Christine (Chris) Nowak, Assistant Curate (SSM) of the benefice of Glossop, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (Associate Priest-SSM) of the benefice of Chapel-en-le-Frith and of the benefice of Chinley with Buxworth and Hayfield in the same diocese, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

The Revd Alison Redshaw, Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of the benefice of Swadlincote and Hartshorne, the benefice of Newhall and the benefice of Gresley, Diocese of Derby, has announced her retirement. Alison’s last day in post will be 30th June, with her retirement taking effect from 1st July 2025.

22 May

The Revd Dr Jocelyn Lewis, Non-stipendiary Minister of Brimington (Derby) 1994-1999, Diocesan Director of Reader Training Derby 1997-2002, Priest-in-Charge of Whittington St Bartholomew 1999-2009, Priest-in-Charge of New Whittington St Barnabas 2004-2009, who retired in 2009 and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate 2009-2023, died on Saturday, 10t May 2025.

Her funeral will take place on Thursday, 12 June 2025 at 1pm at Loundsley Green Church (LEP) followed by a private family service of committal at the crematorium.

8 May

The Revd Simon Drew will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Chellaston, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday 20th July at 3 pm at St Peter’s Chellaston by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire.

1 May

The Revd Derek Booth, Curate of Holy Cross Woodchurch (Chester) 1962-1965, Curate of St Andrew’s Penrith (Carlisle) 1965-1967, Curate of St Paul’s Tranmere (Chester) 1967- 1969, Curate of St Bartholomew’s Wilmslow 1969-1973, Vicar of All Saints Micklehurst 1973-1997, Curate of Staveley and Barrow Hill (Derby) 1997- 2001, who retired in 2001 and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate until 2021, died on Wednesday 16th April 2025. His funeral will take place on Friday 16th May at 11.45 am at St Paul’s Hasland. 

The Venerable Karen Hamblin, Archdeacon of East Derbyshire, Diocese of Derby, has announced her retirement. Karen’s last day in post will be 30th September, with her retirement taking effect from 1st October, 2025. Karen will be appointed Archdeacon Emeritus in retirement.

The Revd Dr Paul Moore, Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Hathersage with Bamford & Derwent and Grindleford, Diocese of Derby, has announced his retirement. Paul’s last day in post will be 31st October, with his retirement taking effect from 1st November 2025.

The Revd Matthew (Matt) Taylor will be licensed as Minister of Trinity Church Buxton, Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday 12th August at 1 pm by the Bishop of Derby, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

Hardwick Deanery

The Revd Rachel Williams, Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of the benefice of Bolsover, has also been appointed Area Dean. Rachel started in post on 24th April 2025.

The Revd Imogen Black, Priest-in-Charge of the benefices of Somercotes and of Pinxton, and Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of the benefices of Alfreton and of Riddings and Ironville, has also been appointed Assistant Area Dean. Imogen started in post on 24th April 2025.

The Revd Dr Peter Bold, Rector of the benefice of Ashover and Handley, and Brackenfield with Wessington, has also been appointed Assistant Area Dean. Peter started in post on 24th April 2025.

South East Derbyshire Deanery

The Venerable Andrew (Andie) Brown has stepped down as Acting Area Dean. His last day in post was 22nd April 2025. He will continue to hold the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate. Thank you to Andie for his contribution and commitment in this role over the last year. Our prayers for him and his family as he returns to his retirement.

The Revd Dawn Knight, Assistant Area Dean, has been appointed Area Dean. Dawn started in post on 24th April 2025. She will continue as Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Cotmanhay and Shipley.

The Revd Anne Wilkins, Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Sawley, has also been appointed Assistant Area Dean of South East Derbyshire. Anne started in post on 29th April 2025.

After many years of faithful and fruitful ministry in our Diocese, the Venerable Karen Hamblin will retire as Archdeacon for East Derbyshire in September this year.

Karen grew up in London and Dorset, before studying for a degree at the University of Durham. She began her ministry in Derbyshire in 1983, serving as a lay leader and children’s and youth worker at St Alkmund’s Derby, alongside her career as a teacher.

She was ordained in 2007 after training at St John’s Nottingham. After her curacy at St John’s, Long Eaton, she has since served in ministry at Pilsley in the North Wingfield Team, Brampton St Mark’s in Chesterfield, and as Area Dean of North-East Derbyshire.

In 2022 she was appointed as Archdeacon for East Derbyshire, where she has encouraged and enabled churches in their missional response to the challenges and opportunities faced by post-industrial communities.
Reflecting on her ministry, Karen said:

“During the whole of my time in ordained ministry I have worked and served amongst the churches and communities of what is now the archdeaconry of East Derbyshire. It has been a privilege to do so. I have worked with some fabulous colleagues, lay and ordained, in Parishes, in the Parish Support Team and DBF and on the Senior Staff – thank you.

“The last few years have contained joy and challenge, hope and struggle for everyone but we trust in the immense faithfulness of God and continue to work and pray to see His Kingdom come in our lives, churches and communities across the Diocese.”

The Bishop of Derby, the Right Reverend Libby Lane added:

“Karen is a much loved and highly valued colleague. She has embodied in all the different ministries she has undertaken our diocesan values of generous faith, courageous hope and life-giving love. Her commitment to Christ and His church has inspired us.Her most recent ministry as Archdeacon of East Derbyshire, rooted in costly, prayerful accompaniment of people and places, has been transformational.

"I am grateful for all that Karen has offered. Please join me in praying for her and Andy over these coming months and as they prepare for retirement.”

The farewell services of celebration and thanksgiving will take place on Saturday, 13th September at 2.30 pm at St John Walton (S42 7LT) and on Sunday, 14th September, at Derby Cathedral at Evensong 5.15 pm.  All welcome. Refreshments will be provided after the services. 

Addendum

During the period of the vacancy following Karen’s retirement the Venerable Matthew Trick, Archdeacon for Derby City and South Derbyshire, will act as Archdeacon for East Derbyshire. Matthew will be supported by the Bishop of Repton, Rt Revd Malcolm McNaughton, the Venerable Nicky Fenton (Archdeacon for Derbyshire Peak and Dales) and the Area Deans.

The timetable and process for recruiting a new Archdeacon for East Derbyshire will include engagement with the archdeaconry on their hopes for the new archdeacon during May and June. The advertisement for initial expressions of interest will be released in July, ready for a discussion with Bishop Libby on her return from sabbatical in early August. Interviews are planned for September 2025 with the hope of appointing the successful candidate in December 2025.