Sarah Watson: ordained priest, 2018

Sarah Watson joined the Diocese of Derby as Assistant Curate in the Walbrook Epiphany Team Ministry. 

Derby County fan Sarah originally trained as a secondary school teacher, becoming Head of Faculty and Lead for Christian Distinctiveness at Bluecoat Academy in Nottingham.

During this time, she began to experience a call to ordination.

“Through working for the Church of England in education & becoming increasingly involved in school chaplaincy, pastoral care and leading worship, I began to feel a call into ordained ministry.  I prayed this through, tested it with others and had the calling affirmed by the church,” said Sarah.

After leaving teaching in 2015, Sarah trained at the newly formed Barnabus Training Centre of St Hild College. 

This involved a mix of weekly lectures in Sheffield, home study and a placement at St Paul’s Church in Chester Green.

She also took part in week long residential study period in Durham, providing a chance to return to where she studied for her undergraduate degree in Theology. 

Sarah said: “This way of training is increasingly popular, especially for those with a family and partners in employment.  

"I trained alongside Baptists and independent church leaders as well people from different traditions within the Church of England, which was enriching.

"Going away to college has its benefits but contextual training has been a great preparation for life in ordained ministry.

"I loved the college, the course and the people I met, I couldn’t recommend it more highly.”

Talking about what she hoped to achieve in her new role in the Walbrook Epiphany Team Ministry, Sarah said: “It may sound simple but I want to serve the people I am called to work with, understand the context well, seeking where God is at work and joining in.

"As a natural activist, it is easy to jump in - but I want to go there, listen and follow God’s lead. I also have a lot to learn along the way in parish ministry and would also like to explore aspects of chaplaincy.

"It will be an adjustment for myself and my family, and I am sure that through it I will be changed as God continues to work in and through me”

She added: “To anyone else considering taking this step I would say - Pray, pay attention to the ‘still small voice,’ talk with people you trust and have a chat with your incumbent. Don’t compare yourself to others, the key question is, is God calling you?

"I have really enjoyed the journey and don’t be afraid to step out from what you are doing”

Sarah lives in Derby and is married with a son. 

Kate Buckley: ordained priest, 2018

Kate Buckley joined the Diocese of Derby as Assistant Curate in the communities of South Derbyshire (The parishes of Walton on Trent with Croxall and Rosliston in the benefice of Walton on Trent with Croxall, Rosliston with Linton and Castle Gresley, of the benefice of Stapenhill Immanuel and of the parish of Coton in the Elms in the benefice of Seale and Lullington with Coton in the Elms, and of the parishes of Swadlincote and Hartshorne).

Now retired, Kate originally trained in hotels before moving into administration and secretarial work in a number of different industries – from concrete pipe manufacturers to chartered quantity surveyors. She lives in Burton on Trent with her dogs and has two sons and eight grandchildren.

Talking about her journey to ordination Kate said: “I had originally expected a quiet retirement but God clearly has other plans and I have felt Him beside me every step of the way”

“If anyone were to ask, I would suggest that if they feel called to serve God as a priest then they should certainly try.

"The consultation process, the examination of vocation and the support I have received during my own journey, has been amazing and rewarding in ways I could never have imagined.

"It really has been a wonderful adventure.”

Frank Startin: ordained priest, 2018

Frank Startin, a Chartered Accountant from Burton, joined the Diocese of Derby as Assistant Curate in the parishes of St Mark’s, Winshill, and St Wystan’s, Bretby.

Frank initially trained as a barrister before switching to chartered accountancy and joining a local accountancy firm in Burton. He went on to set up his own firm, The Chartwell Practice, allowing him to spend more time working for his local church in a variety of roles including drumming in the worship band.

He has also spent time as a School Governor and as a parish and East Staffordshire Borough Councillor.

Frank trained for ordination at the Queens Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, studying part-time whilst continuing in his role as a senior partner at The Chartwell practice.

Talking about his journey to ordination, Frank said: “Sometimes, we have to acknowledge that we are not in charge and simply step out in faith, trusting in God’s grace and faithfulness.

"God always delivers… abundantly in love… in my experience, but not always at the time and in the way in which we expect. But that is the joy and excitement in life which has kept and still keeps me going in low times, even when I have felt far off from God."

“I am excited (though with a little trepidation) to assume my new role and to step into a different path in my life, building on the experience I have, both at work and in the local community, in drawing alongside people, getting to grips with issues they are facing and doing my best to help them out.

"For me, this is all about living out and sharing the Gospel."

"I am also looking forward to going back to my family’s roots since I was baptised in St Mark’s and went to secondary school in Winshill.

"My grandparents used to take me along to sing in the choir at St Wystan’s, Bretby, from where I was confirmed at 13 in 1973.

"My parents were married at Bretby church and some of my ancestors are buried in the church yard there too!”

Born and bred in Burton, Frank is married to Christine with a son, Oliver, who is completing a Master’s degree in Theology at Oxford University.

These rules were passed by Diocesan Synod on Saturday 10 June 2017. 

Please click here to download a copy [PDF]

The Revd Philip Brooks, Vicar of Crich and South Wingfield, Diocese of Derby, will retire with effect from 4th September 2017. 

The Revd Michael Bishop, Rector of the United Benefice of Boylestone, Church Broughton, Dalbury, Longford, Long Lane, Radbourne, Sutton-on-the-Hill and Trusley, Diocese of Derby, will retire with effect from 14th September 2017. 

The Revd Brian Magorrian, Vicar of Walton, Diocese of Derby, will resign with effect from 21st May 2017. 

Many churches across the country get involved in Thy Kingdom Come by holding an event linked to prayer and mission during the period between Ascension and Pentecost.

It might take the form of 24-7 prayer, virtual prayer meetings, or a Thy Kingdom Come-themed service on Pentecost Sunday, for example.

If you're planning a TKC event, be sure to gester it here: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/list-your-event

Around the Diocese

How will your church get involved?

Thy Kingdom Come is about helping churches to do what we are called to do by God - to pray for our communities and those in them to hear, experience and receive the Good News of Jesus.

Churches can get involved however they want, in any way that works for them.

See also: All about Thy Kingdom Come | #candleofhope | TKC resources 

Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement, which invites Christians around the world to pray - between Ascension and Pentecost - for more people to come to know Jesus.

What started out as an invitation, in 2016, from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer.

In 2019, Thy Kingdom Come happens between the 30^th and the 9^th of June.

The hope is that:

• people will commit to pray with God’s world-wide family - as a church, individually or as a family;
• churches will hold prayer events - such as 24-7 prayer, prayer stations and prayer walks - across the UK and in other parts of the world;
• people will be empowered through prayer by the Holy Spirit, finding new confidence to be witnesses for Jesus Christ.

“In praying 'Thy Kingdom Come' we all commit to playing our part in the renewal of the nations and the transformation of communities."
Archbishop Justin Welby

Ways Your Church Can Get Involved

1. Initiate a prayer station (see ‘Bright ideas for your church’ for examples). Let it be somewhere that people can leave the names of the five they are praying for. If the use of candles is in your tradition invite the congregation to light a candle for their five people before the service starts.

2. Download the Morning and Evening prayer booklets and invite people to join you for the period of Thy Kingdom Come. For those at work invite them to have them on their phones and pray it either as they commute or at work. You never know it might set a new discipline for folk.

3. Sunday Intercessions. From now on, why not include one slot at which people are encouraged to name out loud, or silently, the five people they are praying for to know the love of God for themselves?

4. Try a community prayer walk using the Icthus fish symbols – acting as a prompt to pray for people locally to come to know Jesus Christ?

Have a look at thykingdomcome.global for more information on all the ideas above.

Thy Kingdom Come in the Diocese of Derby

We are encouraging every church, parish, benefice or deanery to join in with this simple yet powerful way of fulfilling God’s call to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. Our desire is to find ways to help every church in the diocese to respond to a simple invitation:

For people to pray in whatever way they want, with whoever they want and wherever they can, that others might know Jesus Christ.

The other pages in this section tell you how you can get involved, and what support there is available to help you. Please take a look at the Resources page of this section.

If you'd like someone to come and talk to a PCC, synod or chapter, do get in touch with Jason Kennedy (details below) and he would be more than happy to come and and help you to get involved.

Thy Kingdom Come is about helping churches to do what we are called to do by God - to pray for our communities and those in them to hear, experience and receive the Good News of Jesus. Churches can get involved however they want, in any way that works for them.

Rev Jason Kennedy

Diocesan Missioner, Derby Diocese
jason.kennedy@derby.anglican.org 
01332 388691
Derby Church House, Full Street, Derby DE1 3DR

The Deanery Synod meets 3 times per year.
Elections for the synod take place at Annual Parochial Church meetings in all the parishes involved with the number of representatives being determined by the size of the parish electoral roll.

Downloads

>> Deanery report for APCMs 2024

>> Deanery report for APCMs 2023

Deanery Synod meetings 2024

Wednesday, 17 July 2024, 7.00pm for refreshments, 7.30pm for meeting, St Giles Church Hall, Church Drive, Sandiacre.
Theme: Encouragement for Ministry.
Bishop Libby will be with us to commission Andie Brown to his role as Acting Area Dean.

Thursday, 10 October 2024, 7.00pm for refreshments, 7.30pm for meeting, All Saints Ripley.

Greater Chapter 2024

We produce a newsletter with  information and  events in the deanery plus links and ideas for forthcoming events and resources i.e Lent or youth activities . Any ideas for inclusion are gratefully received. The newsletter is published every 4-6 weeks.

2024

May/June 2024

March/April 2024

January/February 2024

2023

October/November