The Revd Canon Jean Burgess, Priest - in - Charge of Derby St Alkmund and St Werburgh, and Dean of Women’s Ministry, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Assistant Archdeacon of Derby for the period 1st May - 30th September, 2017.

Stella Greenwood: ordained priest, 2018

Rolls Royce Engineering Operations Controller, Stella Greenwood was ordained Deacon at in 2017.

Stella, from Church Gresley, Swadlincote became Assistant Curate to the parishes of Emmanuel Swadlincote and St Peter’s Hartshorne.

Married to Paul with two children, Stella also works with South Derbyshire Scouts as a Local Training Manager and has been licensed as a Reader since 2006.

As a self-supporting minister, Stella continues in her other roles whilst taking on a new identity as a deacon following studying for ministry at All Saints Centre for Mission and Ministry.

Stella said: “On completion of my Reader training I believed that my calling was to Reader ministry and in many ways, it was. But God had further plans for me and over time and with much prayer and discussion it became clear to me that God was calling me to ordained ministry.  Through my training, my understanding of my future ministry has grown clearer as I have learnt a lot about myself and about the way that God wants to use me.  This step into ordained ministry is a challenging one but I know that it is me that God is calling to this ministry and he will support me as I move into this new phase of my journey with him.”

She added: “My hope is that I can make my own contribution to the life of these parishes and be an instrument of God's love to these people and these communities.  This will be an exciting challenge but one which with God's help I believe I can meet. The biggest thing I have learnt is that God calls and uses all sorts of people.  If he is calling you then he wants you as you are.”

Edward Backhouse: ordained priest, 2018

Edward Backhouse joined the Diocese of Derby as Assistant Curate following his ordination in 2017. He serves the communities of Aston on Trent, Weston on Trent, Elvaston, Shardlow, Swarkestone, Barrow upon Trent and Twyford.

Edward was encouraged to explore the possibility of ministry by a local minister after he felt the call at the age of 16. Hew was ordained Deacon when he was 26, having spent five years studying theology both at St John’s Theological College, Nottingham and Cranmer Hall, Durham.

Talking about his new role Edward said:

“I hope that I will see many blessings in my life when I start my new role as a deacon. I hope to see the churches flourish and equip the laity to do God's work in our local area.

"I'm most looking forward to actually doing on-the-ground ministry, after the last five years have been spent in theological college forming myself for that role.

"To anyone considering the step into ministry, I would encourage you to step out and explore the possibility of vocation in the church."

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.