30 October

The Revd Sarah Colver, Vicar of Old Brampton and Great Barlow and Priest-in-Charge of Loundsley Green LEP, Diocese of Derby, has stepped down as Assistant Area Dean of North East Derbyshire. Her last day in this role was Saturday, 18 October 2025.

23 October

The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the Revd Matthew (Matt) Green, Curate of Emmanuel Loughborough, Diocese of Leicester, has been appointed Rector of the Benefice of Aston-on-Trent, Elvaston, Weston-on-Trent and Shardlow, Barrow-upon-Trent with Twyford and Swarkestone, Diocese of Derby, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the Revd Laura Neilson, Assistant Curate of the benefice of Dinting Vale and the Glossopdale Mission Community, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed interim part-time Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Charlesworth and Gamesley and of the benefice of Dinting Vale, Diocese of Derby. Laura will be licensed on Sunday, 23 November 2025 at 4pm at Holy Trinity Dinting Vale by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

16 October

The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the Revd Frances (Fran) Smettem, Assistant Curate in the benefice of Chew Valley West, Diocese of Bath and Wells, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Eyam with Foolow and Baslow, and Priest-in-Charge of the parishes of Curbar and Stoney Middleton, Diocese of Derby, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

9 October

The Revd John Drackley, Curate of Eckington, (Derby) 1959-1962, Curate of the Good Shepherd with St Peter’s Lees (Southwark) 1962-1963, Curate of Derby St Thomas (Derby) 1963-1967, Curate of Matlock and Tansley 1967-1977, Priest-in-Charge of Radbourne, of Longford and of Dalbury and Long Lane 1977-1982, Curate of Turnditch and Hazelwood 1982-1995, Curate of Matlock St Giles 1995-1998, who retired in 1998, held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate 1998-2016, and was for many years Secretary of the Diocesan Advisory Committee, died on Sunday, 29 June 2025.

The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the Revd Phil Michell, Rector of the Benefice of Hulland, Atlow, Kniveton, Bradley and Hognaston and Area Dean of Carsington, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Lead Agricultural Chaplain to Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy and will hold the Bishop of Derby’s licence in the same diocese, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

The Revd Fay Price, Assistant Curate in the Benefice of Derby St Alkmund and St Werburgh, Diocese of Derby, has announced her resignation as she moves to the Diocese of Gloucester. Fay’s last day in post will be Wednesday, 3 December 2025.

2 October

The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the Revd Christopher (Chris) Neilson, interim Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Whitfield, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed to the same benefice on a permanent basis. This took effect on 25 September 2025.

The secondment arrangement with the Diocese of Leicester, whereby Carolyn Shoyer has been Director of Education for the Diocese of Derby, is concluding on 31st October 2025. Carolyn will return to her role as Director of Education in the Diocese of Leicester fulltime. We thank Carolyn for her leadership of Derby Diocesan Board of Education for the past 4 years. Liz Seymour, currently Deputy Director of Education, will become interim Acting Director of Education effective 1 November 2025.

The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the Venerable Matthew Trick, Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire and Residential Canon of Derby Cathedral, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Acting Archdeacon of East Derbyshire from 1 October 2025.

Our Growing Younger team recently met with Revd James Lee, Team Vicar in the North Wingfield Team about how his team are encouraging families with a new Sunday afternoon service.

Q: Hi James, can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

James: My name is Revd James Lee and since last September, I’ve been Team Vicar in the North Wingfield Team, which is a team of five churches just south of Chesterfield.

Q: What was your motivation for starting your new service? 

James: Of our five churches, four meet on Sunday mornings, but St Barnabas Danesmoor has been a small afternoon congregation for many years, meeting at 5pm. Soon after I started I had a strong sense that there was a brilliant opportunity here for a family-friendly afternoon service for the many families who access the St Barnabas Centre throughout the week. I found that others I spoke to felt the same – and the scale of opportunity was confirmed by seeing 92 people (including nearly 50 children) come to our Christingle service last December.

And so a small team of us began working to launching this new service, which we decided to move to 4pm (as a better time for families) and call ‘St Barnabas@4’.

Q: What does the service look like now? 

James: We launched St Barnabas@4 in February and it’s been a fun roller-coaster ride ever since. If you were to walk in on a Sunday, you’d find us sat round tables in a relaxed style, with paper for drawing/doodling covering each table, with pens, fidget toys and a craft available, as well a play area at the back.

But as you stay, you’ll find that we seek to incorporate many of the normal parts of a regular service – songs, confession, Bible reading, prayers and a short talk – but with a very clear communication that it is ok for children to make noise, run around and play. This has been the most frequent comment from parents – that they’ve been able to come and relax and enjoy it, because they’re not constantly stressing about the noise their child is/could make.

Q: How have you seen your ministry grow? What do you think was the catalyst for this? 

James: We were blown away by having 71 people there on our first week, though I was always aware that ‘regular numbers’ would likely fall off from that. We’ve settled into an average of around 40-45 people each week, about half of whom are children, which is great.

But more than just numbers, it’s been really exciting to see a sense of community and belonging begin to grow – we’ve recently seen our first baptism, with interest in thanksgiving services too. We’re looking to grow our team as well, encouraging people to consider how they might be able to get involved.

As to a catalyst for growth – I think the excellent connections developed over many years at the St Barnabas Centre have been a big part of it, as well as the importance of sharing food together at 5pm each week too! It’s been really encouraging to see people start to invite their own families and friends to come along too!

Q: What is your recent success? 

James: Aside from the blessing of having a baptism a few weeks ago, we’ve had some big highlights over recent months, particularly having a live donkey (and a horse) with us on Palm Sunday and having a big Easter Party with over 100 people coming along!

Q: How has this impacted your wider church community?

James: It’s been an encouragement within our Team of church to see so many children and young people coming along, with St Barnabas going from our smallest congregation to nearly the largest, and is helping us think through what more we can be doing to engage with children and young people across the team.

It’s also given us a closer connection point between the brilliant work of the team at the St Barnabas Centre, and all they do for the community, and St Barnabas Church.

Q: Do you have plans going forward for your current ministry, or anything new starting? 

James: My key watchword for St Barnabas@4 is ‘sustainable’ – it’d be very easy to come in, do a flashy new thing and then fizzle out after six months, but  we’re determined to build something stable and faithful to last for many years to come – still looking to make things good quality and staying fresh, without going in for gimmicks etc.

Our focus at present is building something to last, though we are always considering how to adapt and make things better. Our hope is, in time, to introduce a simple celebration of communion, and explore whether those who attend might be interested in a smaller bible study group. There’s lots of other possibilities too – the challenge is being patient to see what God is calling us into next!

Q: What has challenged you or your team, or continues to challenge you?

James: One of the challenges has been starting with a relatively small team, without a long lead-in time before we launched. But alongside that, it’s been encouraging to see people getting involved in helping out in lots of different ways too.

Also, building community takes time! Many of those who come along have little history of attending church and there are weeks where the number of people there fluctuates a lot, which is normal – I have to keep reminding myself not to judge things solely on numbers!

Q: How would you encourage churches who are thinking of starting out with a children’s or youth ministry? 

James: I would encourage all churches to have ‘Growing Younger’ as a key part of your discussions at PCC and as a church team – to think through what will best enable you to reach children and young people in your area.

Also, have courage to try things! We had no idea how things would go with St Barnabas@4, no idea if anyone would turn up, but we felt this was the opportunity God was leading us towards – so we went for it!

Q: We would love to pray for you, what specifics can we pray for? 

James: Please do pray for us as we continue to get established, for God to be at work to bring more people along, as well as building us into a loving, caring, welcoming community of people who are getting to know Jesus better together. 

Please pray as well for us to continue to find creative and engaging ways to help both adults and young people to be engaging with God’s Word, and to be able to build something that is sustainable for the long term.

25 September

The Revd Josephine (Jo) Harbidge, Assistant Curate of the benefice of Walton St John, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Academic and Formational Tutor at St Hild College. Jo's last day in post will be 31 October 2025. 

The Revd Katherine (Kate) Plant, Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Breadsall and of the benefice of Morley with Smalley, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed part-time Associate Vicar of Bingley Holy Trinity with St Wilfrid's Gilstead, and St Michael and All Angels Cottingley, Diocese of Leeds.

18 September

The Revd Nicholas (Nick) Green, Vicar of the benefice of Walton St John, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Christchurch Stockton, Diocese of Durham.

The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the following clergy have taken on additional responsibilities in the diocese alongside their current roles, and were licensed on Sunday, 7 September, as follows:

The Revd Katrina Jenkins: Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) in the benefices of Matlock Bank and Tansley, of Darley, South Darley and Winster, and of Matlock Bath and Cromford.

The Revd Stephen Monk: Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) in the benefices of Matlock, Dethick, Lea and Holloway and of Matlock Bank and Tansley.

The Revd Richard Reade: Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) in the benefices of Matlock, Dethick, Lea and Holloway, of Darley, South Darley and Winster, and of Matlock Bath and Cromford.

The Revd Catherine (Cathie) Watson, Assistant Curate in the Benefices of Allestree St Edmund and Darley Abbey, of Allestree St Nicholas and of Quarndon, Diocese of Derby, has announced her resignation as she moves to the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Cathie’s last day in post will be 24 September 2025.

Derby Cathedral welcomed people from all over the diocese on Sunday 14 September for the annual Bishop's Badge service. 

This special service celebrates ministry and service in the church and the community. The Bishop of Derby's badges recognise the distinguished service and dedication of many individuals contributing in Jesus' name to the mission of the church. 

The service was led by the Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, assisted by the Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby. The reflections were given by the Rt Revd Malcolm Macnaughton, Bishop of Repton. Music for the service is sung by the Girls and Lay Clerks of the Cathedral Choir. 

A second service will take place on Sunday 5 October. 

Awards for Missional Innovation

Mary Cox, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley

Margaret Crouch, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley

Martin Frost, St Michael, Sutton-on-the-Hill

Chris Hartshorn, St Wilfrid, West Hallam

Steven Hughes, St Michael and All Angels, South Normanton

Clarke Lomas, St Leonard, Thorpe

Don McLure, All Saints, Mackworth

Andrew Wright, St Oswald, Ashbourne

Janet Wright, St Oswald, Ashbourne

Awards for Missional Service

David Allen, St Barnabas, New Whittington

Josie Allman, St Michael, Stanton by Bridge

Elizabeth Arnold, St George, Ticknall

Lorna Barnett, St Mark, Winshill

Paul Baxter, Boulton St Mary, Alvaston

Alec Bemment, St Wilfrid, Egginton

Robin Blackwell, St Peter and St Paul, Old Brampton

Alex Carter, The Parish of Dethick, Lea and Holloway

Penny Carter, The Parish of Dethick, Lea and Holloway

Lynne Clark, St Peter, Edensor

Barbara Coe, The Parish of St Matthew

Brian Dawson, St Peter and St Paul, Old Brampton

Ann Ellis, St Luke the Beloved Physician, Derby

John Fletcher, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley

Margaret Foster, Alvaston

Elaine Hanson, St Werburgh, Spondon

Rachel Heath, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley

Geoff Howell, The Parish of St Matthew

Carol Jenkins, St Michael, Stanton by Bridge

Keith Jennison, Sinfin Moor Benefice 

Chris Jones, St Peter, Littleover & Blagreaves

Griselda Kerr, St Michael with St Mary, Melbourne

Sally Knapp, St Wilfrid, West Hallam and St Andrew’s, Stanley

Irene Lawrence, St Bartholomew, Whittington

John Mazillius, St Andrew, Stanley

Kathryn Mazillius, St Andrew, Stanley

Simon Melen, St George, Ticknall

Sandra Morris, United Church of All Saints, Stanley Common

Jane Mortimer, All Saints, Kirk Hallam

Anne Musson, St Lawrence, Heanor

Elizabeth Newton, Walbrook Epiphany

Brian Parker, St John, Long Eaton

Pauline Piggin, St Werburgh, Spondon

Celia Potter, The Cathedral of All Saints, Derby

Audrey Rose, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley

Alan Sheldon, St Thomas and St Mark, Brampton

Jacques Sigston, Emmanuel, Swadlincote

Joan Suiter, Sawley 

Jennifer Swabey, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley

Tony Taylor, The United Benefice of Brailsford with Ednaston, Edlaston, Osmaston, Shirley and Yeaveley.

Marilyn Trueman, St Bartholomew, Whittington

Liz Turner, St Anne, Beeley

Ann Unwin, St Mary, Tissington

Photos from the event are available here

More photos will be added shortly

29 August

The Revd Anita Matthews will be instituted as Rector of the benefice of Derby St Peter and Christ Church with Holy Trinity, Diocese of Derby, on Monday, 20 October 2025 at 2.30 pm at St Peter’s Derby by the Bishop of Repton and inducted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the Venerable Dr Paul Moore, Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Hathersage with Bamford and Derwent, and Grindleford, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Rector of the same benefice.
Paul will be instituted on Wednesday, 24 September 2025 at 7 pm at St Michael and All Angels, Hathersage by the Bishop of Repton and inducted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

21 August

Tumpa Das has announced her resignation as Administrator to the Bishop of Derby. Owing to personal circumstances, her last day at work will be Thursday, 21 August 2025, with her resignation taking effect from Saturday, 23 August 2025.

14 August

The Revd Lisa Taylor will be licensed as part-time Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Wilne and Draycott with Breaston, Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday 30th September at 7 pm at St Chad’s Wilne by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Acting Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.

7 August

Amendment

The Revd David Ridley will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Hadfield and of the benefice of Glossop, Diocese of Derby, on Saturday 27th September at 3 pm at All Saints Glossop, by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

31 July

The Revd Canon Rosemary Donovan will be collated as Vicar of the benefice of Melbourne, Ticknall, Smisby & Stanton by Bridge, Diocese of Derby, on Saturday 4th October at 3 pm at St Michael with St Mary’s Melbourne by the Bishop of Derby and inducted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

The Revd Elliot George will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Belper St Peter, Diocese of Derby, on Wednesday 22nd October at 7 pm at St Peter’s Belper by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.

The Revd Alan Griggs will be collated as Vicar of the benefice of Derby St Barnabas, Diocese of Derby, on Wednesday 3rd December at 7 pm at St Barnabas’ Derby by the Bishop of Repton and inducted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire.

The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd Dr Nicola McNally, interim part-time Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of Fenny Bentley, Thorpe, Tissington, Parwich and Alsop-en-le-Dale, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed permanently on a full-time basis to the same benefice, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled. She has also been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the parish of Hartington and the parish of Biggin within the benefice of the White Peak Group. Nicola will be licensed to both roles on Wednesday 3rd September at 7 pm at St Giles’ Hartington by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales. Nicola will resign as interim part-time Assistant Curate (Associate Priest) of the Benefice of Ashbourne with Mapleton and of the Benefice of Wirksworth with effect from this date.

24 July

The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd Alasdair (Ally) Kay, Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Derby St Bartholomew, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Vicar of the same benefice by Pastoral Order dated 24th July 2025.

17 July

The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd Cynthia (Rhoda) Blackwell, Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of St John Newbold with Dunston, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Vicar of the same benefice, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled. Rhoda will be instituted on Saturday 23rd August at 3 pm at St John’s Newbold by the Bishop of Derby and inducted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire

The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd Anita Matthews, Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Derby St Peter and Christ Church with Holy Trinity, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Vicar of same benefice, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

10 July

The Revd Dwayne Engh will be licensed as 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, Diocese of Derby, on Monday 15th September at 7 pm at St Oswald’s Ashbourne by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

The Revd John Ferguson will be instituted and inducted as Vicar of Ripley and licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Swanwick and Pentrich, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday 7th September at 3.30 pm by the Bishop of Repton, assisted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd Lisa Taylor, Assistant Curate of the benefice of Hulland, Atlow, Kniveton, Bradley and Hognaston, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed part-time Priest-in-Charge of the benefice of Wilne and Draycott with Breaston, in the same diocese, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

4 July

Justin Thacker’s ordination and licensing as Assistant Curate in the benefice of Chesterfield Holy Trinity and Christ Church, Diocese of Derby, which was to take place on Sunday 29th June, was postponed due to his ill health. Justin will now be ordained and licensed on Sunday 27th July at 3.30 pm at Holy Trinity Chesterfield by the Bishop of Repton.

3 July

The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd Daniel Cooke, Rector of the benefice of Brimington, Diocese of Derby, has, with the Crown’s approval, been appointed Rector of the benefice of Killamarsh and Renishaw in the same diocese, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled. Daniel will continue to hold the Bishop of Derby’s commission as Area Dean of North East Derbyshire alongside this new role. Daniel will be instituted on Tuesday 7th October at 7 pm at St Giles’ Killamarsh by the Bishop of Repton and inducted by the Acting Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.

The Bishop of Derby is delighted to announce that the Revd Canon Rosemary Donovan, Vicar of the benefice of Christ Church Epsom Common and Area Dean of Epsom, Diocese of Guildford, has been appointed Vicar of the benefice of Melbourne, Ticknall, Smisby & Stanton by Bridge, Diocese of Derby, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd John Ferguson, Assistant Curate of the benefice of Ripley and of the benefice of Swanwick and Pentrich, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Vicar of Ripley and Priest-in-Charge of Swanwick and Pentrich, in the same diocese, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

The Bishop of Repton is delighted to announce that the Revd Alan Griggs, Agricultural Chaplain, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Vicar of the benefice of Derby St Barnabas, in the same diocese, subject to all legal and safeguarding requirements being fulfilled.

The Revd Aidan Watson, Strategic Lead for Youth Ministry, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Team Rector of the Keynsham Team Ministry, Diocese of Bath and Wells.

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.

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.

On Saturday 3 May, 12 people were admitted to the office of Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) at a special service at Derby Cathedral. 

Licensed Lay Ministers are volunteers who are called and theologically trained to teach, lead, and equip the church for mission. They are people from a variety of backgrounds, occupations, and contexts who have heard God's call. They work collaboratively with clergy as fellow ministers with complementary gifts and callings.

Photos from the service are available here

We asked each of them to tell us a little about themselves and their journey to ministry.

Patience Atkinson-Gregory

To be licensed to: Benefice of Belper

When I joined the discipleship course at the beginning of 2022, I was considering taking early retirement from my work in a family business.  I felt the course would help me to further develop my own relationship with God and be a good opportunity to develop my theological knowledge. 

Towards the end of the course, we were asked if we would like to transfer to the LLM (Readers) course. I found myself saying yes and feeling comfortable with the decision (which I think is always a good sign).

Throughout the course I have felt a calling to serve and feel particularly drawn to pastoral roles.  I have a particular passion and desire to work with older people, supporting and encouraging them on their own spiritual journey. 

Rachel Bond

To be licensed to: Benefice of Mackworth St Francis

For as long as I can remember I have been a reluctant leader! I became a follower of Jesus when I was 14, having met some Christians through friends at school. As young adults my (now) husband and I led the 14-18s and then the 18-30s in our church which was so much fun and we saw many people give their lives to Christ. Alongside these leadership roles in church, I worked for 4 years at Sport England and then 7 years at a Bank in central London, places where I enjoyed the work but even more so sharing Jesus in the work place. I then gave up work to take some time out to have my 2 children. 

Fast forward to now and I have completed the Licensed Lay Ministry course following some encouragement after I’d preached at church one Sunday. I was asked where I’d trained and I said I hadn’t! Training for leadership was not something I’d ever considered as I just didn’t feel capable and was rather reluctant. But I also had to recognise that God has given me gifts to use and so I should follow his calling. It is such a privilege to walk alongside people and so exciting when people choose to give their lives to Jesus, the most important decision anyone, anywhere can ever make! That is the whole reason I find myself standing where I am today.

Meri Braziel

To be licensed to: Benefice of Foremark and Repton with Newton Solney and Benefice of Willington

As a child I was raised as a Baptist in Texas and then baptised as a Presbyterian in Pittsburgh in my early twenties.  Moving to London in the late nineties, I was fortunate to be introduced to the Church of England and the Alpha programme at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB). 

My family and I moved from London to Repton in 2013 and began attending St. Wystan’s. I started helping with Messy Church and then felt moved to start Youth Alpha. We have been running it for almost five years and it continues to thrive.

Two years ago, I felt called to do the lay reader training as I had wonderful role models in fellow lay readers, Ruth Attwood and Stephen Longden. Some of the highlights of my ministry thus far has been my involvement with the All Age Worship Services and Bible Study at St. Michael’s-Willington in our Benefice. 

Linda Clark

To be licensed to: Benefice of Belper

During the Everyday Faith module, we looked at our faith journeys and asked ourselves the question, ‘Do I have a calling and can we have more than one calling during our lives?’

I reflected that my work in the NHS, caring for and rehabilitating the sick in both physical and mental health settings was very much part of my journey and was a calling to be Jesus’ hands and feet in our local community. I also reflected on what I was being called to do with my time now, as that role had come to an end.

I had been involved in children’s work and teaching in our parish for many years and in helping the team delivering All Age Worship and Café Style worship in our Church. As I retired, I was encouraged to become involved in a new Messy Church and to help in the Parish Little Church. 

 As I became more involved in church services and parish work, the course was an invaluable resource to enable me to explore my own faith more and to be equipped to share it more effectively with others. I have learned a great deal not only from the study but also from the people I have studied alongside.  As a result of continuous reflection on my calling and advice, I transferred from the Certificate to the Lay Readership training.

Although my experience has been with older adults in work and with children within the church setting, I increasingly feel called to support families and the local community as a whole. It is not just about the child who attends Sunday Club or Toddler group, it’s also about the Grandparent who brings them along or the whole family who attend Messy Church. They should all experience and encounter God’s welcome. I am looking forward to seeing what God’s plan is for the future of our parish and how I can be part of that service.

Ann Cooper

To be licensed to: Benefice of Chesterfield Holy Trinity and Christ Church

I have been connected to Holy Trinity Church for many years; it’s the church my parents attended, the one in which I was married and where my own children attended Sunday school and youth groups. I have played the organ there for almost 45 years, having started as a ‘temporary measure’ in 1980 (even as I write I can hardly believe it’s been that long!), and have been involved in children’s holiday clubs and family services over the years; 30 years’ experience as a primary school teacher certainly helped. Stepping out into ‘adult’ services is more daunting, however, but the vicar and congregation have given me great support and encouragement. I’m excited to be licensed as a lay minister, and look forward to serving the church and community in the parish. I’m sure that God has great things in store for us!

Karen Cowgill

To be licensed to: Benefice of Mickleover and Radbourne

God’s time is not human time, and we should always trust that He has all things in hand!

This statement probably sums up the most important thing I have learnt during the LLM training process. I first felt called to be a Lay Reader eleven years ago but events conspired against me to prevent anything coming of it. I felt I was letting myself, my family and most importantly, God, down. My faith was not strong enough at that time to realise God had everything in hand. It took a pandemic and a change of Church for me to be in the right place to begin my learning journey. 

Everything has worked out well, I am worshiping in a fabulous parish with a loving and supportive congregation, without whom I could never have completed the training. At times it has been tough and I have questioned my ability to finish. God and my friends at Mickleover Anglicans have encouraged me every step of the way and turned up to support me with every task and assignment. I have also had the privilege to train with a wonderful cohort of students. This is not the end of my journey but the beginning of a new chapter.

Helen Hodgson

To be licensed to: Benefice of Belper

I have attended church for as long as I can remember.  At 12 I was confirmed but, looking back, I didn’t fully understand what I was committing to.  It happened because that was the ‘normal’ progression and expectation for the young people at church.  Church became part of my life and weekly routine.

Fast forward to 2007.  As a family we attended New Wine at Newark Showground.  We all loved it!  The worship, the children’s work, the atmosphere was all amazing and that is when I truly felt that the Holy Spirit was at work in me.  I felt a renewing and deeper understanding of what my faith was all about.

I have been part of all-age services for a number of years and enjoy the challenge of finding different ways for people to explore scripture.  It is through this ministry that I was encouraged to begin studying and training for lay ministry. 

I have learnt so much during the course, especially about myself and my faith.  I am looking forward to seeing what God has in His plan for my future – in my family, in my ministry, and in my work as a teaching assistant.

Annette Lowe

To be licensed to: Benefice of Matlock, Dethick, Lea and Holloway

When, three years ago, I began to ask what should I do next, I had not thought that it might be training as a Reader. However, when chatting with our rector, he suggested I think about, and after prayer, thought and talking with friends I enrolled on the course.

The training was challenging, interesting and enjoyable. It introduced me to many new ideas, experiences and people and opened my mind and heart to different approaches and ideas.

I am excited to continue learning and pray that my relationship with God, with those whose faith I share and with those whose faith is different will also develop and be fruitful.

Anna Mann

To be licensed to: St Werburgh's Derby Bishop's Mission Order

I've been exploring my call over the past few years as I've been part of helping with a church plant for the past 7 years.  We moved to Derby in 2017 to plant St Werburgh's - the church had been closed for over 30 years and derelict and we reopened in September 2017. 

My husband is the vicar there so we have been working out what it means for me to be involved in serving and leading within the church.  As I've started to preach and lead services more regularly exploring LLM seemed a wise option. 

As I've completed the training I've found that the input has helped me prepare for this different role and that the accountability the role provides will help in my setting as well as give clarity around my role and part that I can play in the church. 

James Rollin

To be licensed to: Benefice of Duffield and Little Eaton

I grew up in a Christian home and as such my Christian journey doesn’t feature a dramatic “road to Damascus” moment of conversion. Rather it has been one of spiritual learning & development over the years, since I first made a personal commitment to follow Jesus at the age of 11, at a Billy Graham ‘Mission England’ crusade in Sheffield, during summer 1985.

After graduating from university, I spent almost 20 years working in various communications roles within the railway industry, before a change in career circumstances led me to initially volunteer as Churchwarden and subsequently start working full-time for St Alkmund’s church Duffield in late 2019.

Over the past five years working for my church and the past two years undertaking the Lay Reader training, I have led and preached at Sunday services and supported a range of other ministries across the life of our church and benefice, as part of my journey of ministry discernment. 

What I am most excited about for my ministry is the opportunity to faithfully preach and teach God’s Word, the Bible, to others and to share the ‘good news’; the great salvation hope of the Gospel. I am also excited about helping other Christians to develop and grow in their faith and discipleship, through sharing fellowship, praying and learning together from God’s word.

Aileen Warneford

To be licensed to: Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale

I came from an evangelical background with a strong emphasis on knowledge of the Bible. When I was twelve years old, I read the whole Bible, word for word, all the way through. I would not recommend this to any Reader in Training today, but I have always had a love of Scripture and I enjoy sharing this with others, either in discussion, guided reflection, or preaching. 

I was delighted to find myself on the Ministry Course and find out how the Word of God is put into action through the ministries offered in the Diocese. It was good to find a variety of lenses and the different ways in which outreach can happen.

I am excited about becoming a part of this, developing liturgical skills and practical application so that others will be aware of the love of God and the fullness of life he wants them to have. I see this as a small offering for all I have received myself.

Margaret Wilson

To be licensed to: The Benefice of Charlesworth and Gamesley

My journey towards licencing feels as though it has taken a number of years to get going. But through the encouragement and prayers of friends I started the course, which has been amazing. I have learnt a lot about both God and myself and met some truly lovely people along the way.

Unlike a lot of people on the course, I have no particular ministry in mind at the moment, which is a little daunting, as God could take me anywhere. But also extremely excited to see where He is going to take me next as I start this new adventure with him.