Andrew Salt
Revd Fiona Barber, Assistant Curate at Sinfin Moor, and her family moved into the Sinfin Moor estate and started to build links. She recognised the multicultural community and embraced the opportunity of getting to know people of different faiths and cultures.
“Food and Faith” is a time where everyone brings food from across the world, and everyone eats, prays, reads scripture and learn together. Most of all, they seek God in this place and where he is leading them.
Held monthly on a weekday evening around a dinner table, it's multi-generational and multicultural. Everyone benefits from the different insights from all traditions and ways of doing things.
Revd Fiona said, “We have no idea what this new worshipping community will look like as it flourishes and grows, but we do just seek God in that. We seek and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us. We have no idea what's down the line, but at this point we're listening to the community around us”.
This truly explores what it means to grow church and build community. It is exciting to see what God will grow at Sinfin Moor.
Please enjoy this short video of Revd Fiona talking about “Food and Faith”:
Chellaston church leads the way in accessibility
Visit St Peter’s Church in Chellaston, and you will always feel a special welcome – especially if you have accessibility needs.
An early adopter of the accessibility symbols, devised by The Diocese of Derby Disability Inclusion Action Group (DIAG), they identified the most appropriate for their church and proudly display them on their welcome leaflet, the weekly notice sheet, on service notice screens and in relevant event publicity.
Congregation members with disabilities have appreciated this step forward and moved by the efforts made to make church life more accessible to them.
Revd Simon Drew, Vicar of St Peter's, said “The symbols are a great way of raising awareness in the wider congregation and making those with disabilities feel valued and welcomed in a practical way”.
Congregation members are more aware now of the needs of others, and the symbols provide additional support. Adaptations have been made, as appropriate, for existing members of the congregation.
The PCC is reviewing how the church provides for each of the symbols used and is including neurodivergent-friendly considerations in that. There are also plans to include the symbols on the church website.
Full details of the DIAG accessibility symbols, including download options, are available at https://accessiblechurch.net.
You can also learn more about DIAG and it’s work on the Diocese of Derby website.
>> February 2026 [PDF]
>> January 2026 [PDF]
Infra-red Heating in Churches demonstration
Tuesday, 24 February 2024
St Mary the Virgin, Church Street, Denby Village Ripley, DE5 8PH
Due to high demand we have taken the decision to run two separate sessions:
Morning session from 10 am to 12.30 pm
Afternoon session from 2 pm to 4.30 pm
If you would like to attend, please contact netzero@derby.anglican.org
(If you have previously expressed an interest you will be contacted about which session to attend).
Are you looking for more efficient heating for your church building? Would you like to learn more about low carbon alternatives to oil or gas boilers?
Modern infra-red electrical heaters are a popular heating solution for churches. They are a ‘heat the people’ solution, rapidly providing heat where a congregation is gathered. With renewable electricity this means much lower greenhouse gas emissions when compared with a gas or oil boiler.
St Mary the Virgin in Denby have installed such a system to their grade one listed medieval church building. In the process they have gained much valuable knowledge and experience, which they are happy to share.
Come and see it in action on! Contact Gordon Sephton at netzero@derby.anglican.org for booking and further details.
19 February 2026
The Revd Jason Kennedy has announced his resignation as Assistant Curate (Enabling Minister) at the Haven LEP in Derby City Deanery, Diocese of Derby. His last day in post will be 28 February 2026. He will remain as Assistant Curate (Associate Minister) in the benefice of Littleover and Blagreaves and in the benefice of Findern.
12 February 2026
The funeral for the Revd Christopher (Michael) Brinkworth, who died on 24 January 2026, will take place at St Anne's Derby. On Monday, 23 February 2026 at 4.30 pm there will be Reception into Church and Vespers of the Dead, followed by a Requiem Mass on Tuesday, 24 February 2026 at 10 am.
The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the Revd Samantha (Sam) Dennis, Assistant Curate of the benefice of Sawley, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of the same benefice, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.
The Revd Mark Griffin will be instituted as Vicar of the benefice of Beeley and Edensor, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday,12 April 2026 at 4 pm at St Anne’s Beeley by the Bishop of Repton and inducted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.
5 February 2026
Collation and Installation of the Revd Emma Sykes as Archdeacon of East Derbyshire
Derby Cathedral. Sunday, 17 May 2026 at 5.15 pm
The clergy and laity of the Archdeaconry of East Derbyshire, and all those wanting to support from elsewhere in the diocese, are warmly invited to join the Bishop of Derby in the Cathedral Church as Emma begins her new ministry.
>> New Archdeacon announced for East Derbyshire
Emma will be collated by the Bishop to her new role and the Dean of Derby will place her in her stall within the Cathedral.
We hope you will be able to attend this service: please hold Emma and the Archdeaconry in your prayers.
The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the Revd Joseph (Joe) Cooper, Prison Chaplain at HMP Ranby, Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, has been appointed Rector of the benefice of Hasland, Vicar of the benefice of Temple Normanton and Priest-in-Charge of the parish of St Peter Calow, Diocese of Derby, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.
The Revd Fiona Kouble has been appointed Area Dean of Peak Deanery, Diocese of Derby. She started in post on 4 February, 2026. She will continue as Vicar of the benefice of Tideswell.
2 February 2026
The Revd Catherine (Kate) Buckley, Curate (OLM) of Walton-on-Trent with Croxall, Rosliston with Linton and Castle Gresley (Derby) 2017-2022, Curate (OLM) of Seale and Lullington with Coton-in-the-Elms 2017-2022, Curate (OLM) of Hartshorne and Bretby 2017-2019, Curate (OLM) of Stapenhill Immanuel 2017-2022, Curate (OLM) of Swadlincote 2017-2019 and Curate (OLM) of Swadlincote and Hartshorne 2020-2022, died on 18 January, 2026. Her funeral will be at Bretby Crematorium, followed by a memorial service on Thursday, 5 February 2026 at 3 pm at St John the Baptist Croxall.
Ten clergy from across our diocese have recently completed the Launchpad course, giving them skills and tools to begin youth work programmes in their churches.
Launchpad, developed by Youthscapes, is a five-week course designed for clergy with emerging or no current youth ministry, to encourage, equip and embolden them with new ideas, knowledge and confidence around working with young people. The programme was developed and piloted with churches in the Church of England in the Dioceses of London, St Alban’s and Blackburn, and is now running across over 20 Dioceses.
Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, and Rt Revd Malcolm Macnaughton, Bishop of Repton, presented the clergy with certificates as they celebrated their developing visions, strategies and commitment to youth ministry.
Bishop Libby shared her story of being a young person in a church youth group, and how the simple act of someone remembering her name had impacted her and helped her to feel a sense of belonging.
Alice Smith from Youthscape spoke about the importance of youthwork and shared pieces of art created by young people in response to Bible verses. These reflected how profoundly young people can think about complex and deep topics, and that they should not be underestimated.
As well as sharing in a time of prayer for the young people in our communities, the cohort talked about the impact that the course had on them and how motivated they are to keep youth ministry at the forefront of their prayers and plans moving forward.
You can read more about the resources the Diocese of Derby has available for working with young people on the Growing Younger pages of our website.
On 28 January 2026, The Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, undertook an important role as a King’s Commissioner during the Archbishop of Canterbury's Confirmation of Election at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Election is a formal legal ceremony where the King's Commissioners confirm the election by the College of Canons, officially making the Archbishop-elect the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Archbishop Dame Sarah Mullally paid homage to the King (as Supreme Governor) and received the restoration of temporality (rights of office) before her installation at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026.
After this confirmation, Dame Sarah officially became the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Bishop Libby said, “It is an honour to have been invited to undertake this role as part of the Confirmation of Election. I am delighted to support Archbishop Sarah as she takes up her new ministry. It has been a privilege and pleasure to work with her over many years, and to serve with her now as Archbishop. Please join me in praying for Sarah, and her family, as she begins her new role, leading the Diocese of Canterbury, Church of England and the Anglican Communion”.
This Holocaust Memorial Day we are reminded that the responsibility of remembrance doesn't end with the survivors - it lives on: through their children, their grandchildren and through all of us. The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2026, 'Bridging Generations', is a call-to-action.
We are challenged to engage actively with the past - to listen, to learn and to carry those lessons forward. By doing so, we build a bridge between memory and action, between history and hope for the future.
Services and events will be held to mark the day, including a Stone Setting Service and a Service of Remembrance, Commemoration and Hope at Derby Cathedral, and QUAD will host a Multicultural Holocaust Memorial event in the evening.
The Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, said, “It is imperative that the lived experience of the Holocaust continues to shape our understanding and behaviour. I echo the national theme of the importance of ‘bridging generations’, which will ensure we never forget. On this day, especially in light of recent terrible events of violence against them, our prayers remain with the Jewish community”.
Learn More
>> Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
>> Derby Cathedral
Alterations to enable the conversion of the former bank/office-premises on the corner of King Street and Milford Road in Duffield into a new daytime café and evening event space have now been approved by Amber Valley Borough Council.
Planning permission has now been granted for a new accessible entrance, which will enable the conversion of the former bank building into a café over the next few months.
The Duffield Bank Café will provide an attractive and welcoming space to people in Duffield during the daytime on Tuesdays to Saturdays.
After it has closed for the day, the café space and other areas in the premises will be available for a wide range of activities during the evenings, with the building equipped for flexible use as an event-space.
The new café will create two full-time jobs (a Chef and a Manager).
There will also be various volunteer opportunities to support the running of the café, both in the kitchen and with front-of-house; working alongside the full-time staff.
The project is being implemented and financed by members of the congregation of St Alkmund’s Parish Church in Duffield.
Revd Dr James Hughes, Vicar of St Alkmund’s said: “Our vision as a church is to have a presence in the village where we can reach out to, and make connections with, our friends and neighbours in the village, and provide a base for both our church ministries and for other activities. We’re really looking forward to developing this exciting project over the next few months and welcoming people to the café in the near future”.
image provided by James Boon Architects.
