The Diocesan Synod for the Diocese of Derby convened for its 149th session this weekend (Saturday 13 June 2026), at St Werburgh’s Church in Derby. Members gathered from across the diocese to worship, reflect on our common life, and engage with significant matters of governance, finance, mission, and ministry.
Opening worship
The opening session was chaired by Peter Kelsey, Chair of the House of Laity. In his opening remarks he welcomed Rt Rev Jackie Searle to her first meeting of Synod as Acting Bishop of Derby. There was also a moment of reflection to remember Rev Benedict (Mark) Crowther-Alwyn, who died suddenly on 25 March this year. Mark served in various roles in the diocese from 1990, and continued to hold Permission to Officiate after his retirement in 2023.
Morning worship was led by Rev Sarah Watson, assisted by Kelly Martin from the Parish Support Team, on behalf of City of Derby Deanery. Songs of worship included Here is love vast as the ocean (William Rees, 1847) and Our God is greater (Chris Tomlin 2010), with a reading from Romans 8:31-39 by Archdeacon Matthew Trick, followed by the Benedictus.
Matthew also led prayers of intercession, bringing the needs of the church, the world, and all people to God. Prayers were shared for Bishop Libby, who is currently on sick leave, and for Bishop Jackie who is acting as diocesan bishop for the time being. Matthew also prayed for communities beyond the diocese where there has been unrest in recent times, including Southampton and Belfast, asking for God to shine a light in the darkness and lead all in the way of peace.
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Worship was concluded with the lord’s prayer and Diocesan Prayer.
Essential business and the Presidential Address
A new standing order, number 122, was agreed by Synod, which allows references to the Bishop of the Diocese to ‘include the person in Episcopal Orders to whom the functions of the Bishop of Derby have been delegated’. After some clarifying questions this was passed unanimously. Peter then invited Bishop Jackie to give her Presidential Address.
Bishop Jackie began by introducing herself, and explaining why she was there, having been asked by Archbishop Sarah to take up the role temporarily while Bishop Libby recovers. Describing the period that we are in as the ‘current season’, she acknowledged the uncertainty of the word ‘season’ in Church of England terms – that no one quite knows how long this arrangement will last. Yet she stressed that diocesan life continues: parishes, chaplaincies, schools, and new worshipping communities are all still living out the diocesan vision and serving the kingdom of God.
She explained that her role here is part-time and that she has been working collegially with the senior clergy of the diocese and senior staff in the Parish Support Team. She also shared that it has been a joy to see how God has been working in the years that she has been away from the diocese (having served as Vicar of Littleover here previously), and that she has enjoyed getting to know the diocese afresh.
Bishop Jackie’s address drew on the parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed from Mark 4 (v26-34). She reminded us that we do what we can to prepare the ground and scatter the seed, using our gifts and resources, but that growth comes through God and the will of the spirit, and that ultimately we are not in control of the outcomes. She shared the story of a priest handing out mustard seeds to children (and the chaos that ensued!) before one child returned with a healthy and thriving mustard plant – reflecting the importance of nurture and care. She also said that the mustard plant grows into a tree with large branches where birds find shelter and belonging.
Drawing on these themes, she spoke of the resilience of the Church in the Diocese of Derby, and its commitment to our diocesan outcomes. She likened the parables to the work of the diocese in stewarding our resources, planning, mission and governance.
Recognising the uncertainty of the season, but also in the confidence of the promises of God, Bishop Jackie closed with the words of Mother Julian of Norwich: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
Down to business
After the presidential address Peter led Synod seamlessly into the Annual General Meeting of the Derby Diocesan Board of Finance (DDBF).
The AGM began with similar business to the amendment to the standing orders of Synod: to amend the memorandum of understanding Articles of Association of the Derby Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd to allow for references to the Bishop of the Diocese to include anyone in Episcopal Orders to whom the functions of the Bishop have been delegated. This too was passed unanimously.
Mark Titterton was asked to continue in the role of Executive Chair of the DDBF for the year 2026 to 27, to which he agreed. Mark joined the top table for the remainder of the AGM and acted as chair. James Hughes was elected, by show of hands, as Vice Chair of the Business Committee (a subcommittee of Bishop’s Council), and Emily Brailsford was elected as an additional member of Business Committee by secret ballot.
Annual reports
Martyn Marples, Director of Finance and Operations, was invited to speak to the Annual Report. He shared the key themes highlighted in the report: its focus on strategy, sustainability, and people and culture for the future.
He gave reassurance that the DDBF accounts have been thoroughly scrutinised and signed off by the auditors, and that the DDBF can continue as a going concern for the next 18 months (to the end of the next calendar year).
That said, he spoke of the financial challenges that the DDBF is facing in the medium and long-term. At the moment we are operating with an underlying deficit of £1m (based on an operational income of around £9m and operational expenditure of around £10m). While reserves can sustain this in the short-term, this cannot be sustained indefinitely.
Members of Synod were asked to consider whether there was anything in the annual report which stood out as significant or that came as a surprise. After a short period of group discussions, the following themes emerged:
- an endorsement of our analysis regarding the unsustainability of the current financial model
- the need for a new narrative around generosity, mission, and shared responsibility, and for clearer communication about how Common Fund is used
- a recognition of the pressure parishes face with rising costs and fewer clergy
- the impact that the late requests for Common Fund contributions had on PCC budgeting time
- the importance of exploring alternative models used in other dioceses
- an appetite for trying something ‘radical’ or innovative, thinking outside the traditional box
The annual report was formally proposed for adoption by Rev Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby. It was received unanimously.
Reports from the Diocesan Advisory Committee on the Care of Churches and the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee were also noted, and the auditors were appointed for the next year without objection.
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Synod resumes
After a short break, the AGM concluded and the meeting resumed as Diocesan Synod. The minutes of the previous meeting of were agreed, with one amendment made, and approved (with six members of Synod abstaining).
Moving onto matters arising, Martyn returned to present an update on financial sustainability. Referencing the earlier conversations about finance during the AGM, he provided some reassurance we have funds to manage the very short term, and provide some investment in growth activity, but that he reiterated the point that we need to do something different if we are to see a change in our current financial forecasts. Martyn stressed the point that these challenges cannot be overcome in isolation. He referenced the umbrella phrase ‘Resourcing Mission Together’, a strategy the Parish Support Team proposes to underpin the importance of parish contributions to the Commun Fund and the wise stewarding of those finances centrally.
The second matter arising related to the Governance Review that was commissioned in September last year. Will Hagger, Diocesan Secretary, gave an update on the outcomes of the review, and reminded Synod of the context and purpose that surrounded it: to provide assurance that governance in the Diocese is 'fit for purpose’.
The review was conducted by Andy Brookes, a consultant with significant experience in Diocesan leadership across the Church of England, specialising in good governance structures and the culture they sit within. Will shared that Andy had conducted a range of interviews with Trustees, Clergy, Parish Support Team staff and other key stakeholders, as well as attending a number of governance meetings, and analysing a range of documents such as meeting agendas, minutes and reports.
Andy reported his findings, including his recommendations on next steps, to Bishop’s Council on Monday 11 May. Some of these recommendations require some thought as to how they should be implemented, and so work is going on now to identify and plan what needs to happen next, for Bishop’s Council to consider in July and September of this year.
The third and final matter arising related to an action from the last Synod meeting to continue discussions about how Synod can host a facilitated conversation following the conclusion of the Living in Love and Faith process. With Bishop Libby being on sick leave, this has not yet happened, but Bishop Jackie gave assurance that this would be picked up again in the coming months.
Diocesan Board of Education
Liz Seymour, Acting Director of Education, presented the Diocesan Board of Education’s (DBE) annual report and accounts. Liz shared that the Diocese has 111 Church of England Schools of various types, serving the common good and introducing Jesus to 13,656 pupils and their families. She expressed gratitude to school leaders, teachers, clergy and the wider communities they serve for all that they do to support their schools. Liz also used the opportunity to remind Synod about the opportunities for people to become Foundation Governors of our schools.
Safeguarding
Lisa Marriot, Diocesan Safeguarding Officer and Head of Safeguarding, presented a written report on Safeguarding. She affirmed the team’s commitment to relational, hands‑on support, and introduced Hannah Cliff – the new Safeguarding Support Officer who was taking minutes for the Synod meeting this time. There were some questions about data‑sharing agreements, the new safeguarding dashboard and support for parishes in implementing new expectations.
Debate on discrimination
A motion brought by Peter Kelsey (in a personal capacity) on discrimination within church structures prompted a thoughtful and respectful debate. While members affirmed the importance of addressing discrimination, Synod felt that it required further consultation and theological reflection. Synod voted to move to the next item on the, with the intention that a more developed proposal return to a future meeting. Peter thanked Synod for their input and indicated his support for this.
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See of Repton and future funding
Bishop Jackie spoke about the process for appointing a new Bishop of Repton, following the retirement of Rt Rev Malcolm Macnaughton in April. At the previous meeting of Synod in March members indicated their support that the See of Repton be filled, however with Bishop Libby being ill this had not been progressed.
Bishop Jackie said that filling the See of Repton would give the diocese realistic options and resilience in leadership, reminding Synod that she was asked to take on the role of Acting Bishop because there was no Suffragan bishop to deputise for Bishop Libby in her absence.
Following Synod’s previous endorsement, work will begin soon to develop a case for the Dioceses Commission to consider. The commission next meets in September, so if a case can be put to them in time we may hear back in October or November of this year.
Appointments and funding
Will Hagger returned to share the outcome of some recent successful funding applications, including £245k secured for racial justice work, £168k for Net Zero capacity building and £146k for Church Buildings Support .
Will reminded members of the upcoming elections to General Synod, and also shared some news around committee appointments, including the election of Rev Joanna Honour and the uncontested election of John Atkin to fill clergy and lay vacancies respectively on the Vacancy in See committee. One clergy vacancy to represent the Archdeaconry of Derbyshire Peak and Dales remains unfilled.
There remain two lay vacancies on Bishop’s Council for members from Derby City and South Derbyshire.
Closing remarks
Synod concluded in prayer, giving thanks for the spirit of honesty, hope, and shared purpose that shaped the morning’s discussions. The 150th meeting of Synod will take place on Saturday 17 October at Cliff College.
