Dave King
General Synod report written by Revd Neil Barber.
Ten pupils from Church of England Schools from all over the diocese have received their Bishop's Badge in recognition of their commitment to Christian values in their schools and communities.
The badges were presented by Bishop Malcom in a service at Derby Cathedral and were nominated by their head teacher for their generous faith, courageous hope and life-giving love.
Pupils from St James CE Junior School led readings and prayers.
Nominating Jack, his head teacher said: "Jack took it upon himself to raise money for charity by completing a 5 km inflatable course. He requested that all donations go to the Sick Children's Trust Charity which is a charity close to his family’s heart, and has asked questions to find out how he and others can help children who are sick. Jack also shows great compassion in and out of school and was recently nominated to become an anti-bullying ambassador.
"He is very aware of the thoughts and feelings of others and values difference greatly."
Another head teacher said: "George works hard to encompass his love of nature and history to serve the Lord. He shares his knowledge generously to support the school and local community.
"George has helped to transform the lives of others by actively working with the younger children in school to be a role model independently taking on the role of pastoral support to make sure all children in school are safe, well and have a voice.
"He has taken on the role of head boy this year however, at no point has he ever put himself first he continues to put others including the adults in school first."
Other citations from head teachers included:
As Hebrews 13:16 states, ‘Generosity is a simple act’ – however, in Amber’s case, it is a way of life. Amber leads worship with dedication and empathy. She is a great friend to others and offers support to not only her peers, but to staff and visitors too. Her caring and supportive nature is ever-present and this is typified in the way she conducts herself around younger children in the school.
Cara goes above and beyond to show love and support to her peers; always noticing if someone is struggling or left out and offering friendship; showing what it means to build community by supporting and welcoming everyone. Her unquestioning support for others during tough times, even when she herself has been experiencing difficult situations, is transforming to those who she stands alongside and a model for others to follow.
Frankie shows kindness, always helping the younger children. She happily gives up her own social time to help others. Frankie lives out our school values of P.E.A.C.E – and this nomination demonstrates how she meets the C for compassion.
Despite the challenges that he has faced over the last year, Freddie has remained able to put the needs of others first. He is a fabulous role model and has earned almost all available prefect badges. He has generously shared his treatment journey with the whole school, embodying courage and inspiring his peers through his complete dedication to all that he does. As a school community, we are stronger for knowing and working with him.
Manahil shines God’s love onto everyone she meets. She encourages and supports her friends and champions them when they have done well in class or out on the playground. She reaches out when she sees someone in need and truly embodies our school’s Christian values of love, friendship, compassion and respect.
Martha is a driving force behind writing the school’s Friday worship, which she does without being prompted. Her prayers are heartfelt, beautifully sensitive and reflects meaningful links to school worship themes. Martha is generous – she gives her own time for others, despite facing many significant personal challenges. Martha cares deeply about her family, her school and broader community.
Spending time in Mia’s company enriches everyone. She does not change things by being argumentative or forceful but by modeling unfailing love. She is one of our school chaplains and works to ensure all children and adults feel welcomed and part of our collective worship. I aspire to be as positive and loving as Mia!
In 1927, the Diocese of Derby was founded and Bishop Edmund Courtenay Pearce, the first Bishop of Derby, arranged for a medal to be struck to celebrate this new beginning.
Copies of the medal were presented to prominent members of the diocese and to all those being confirmed in that year.
In recent years, the seventh Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern, arranged for a replica of this medal to be minted and mounted in the form of a badge.
As the eighth Bishop of Derby, Bishop Libby continues this tradition.
Each year these badges are awarded based upon recommendations made to the bishop, as a gesture from the diocese to acknowledge outstanding service to God's church.
The Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, has announced that the next Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales will be The Revd Canon Nicky Fenton.
Nicky has served as the Acting Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales for the past four months.
As archdeacon, she will have responsibility for the western region of the diocese, from Hadfield and Glossop in the north to Sudbury and Egginton in the south, in Peak, Carsington, and Dove and Derwent Deaneries.
She will champion for rural and market town mission and ministry across the whole diocese.
On making the appointment, Bishop Libby said: “Nicky already knows and loves our diocese. She has made a significant impact as Acting Archdeacon of Peak and Dales and is deeply committed to rural and market town mission and ministry and confidently advocates that they thrive for the sake of the Kingdom of God as good news for all.
"Nicky’s experience of leading churches across a range of contexts, including in multi-parish village benefice, is complemented by her rich history of effective partnership working to bring about sustainable change for common good.
"Nicky’s professional background in education brings a commitment to schools, the flourishing of children and their families.
"The appointment panel, led by Mark Titterton, Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance, was impressed by Nicky’s passion and creativity and her demonstration of resourcing effective transformation.
"I am delighted that we will be continuing work together with Nicky in our diocese.
"Please pray for her and her family as they navigate the transitions of the coming months.”
Canon Nicky said: “I am delighted and thrilled to accept the invitation to be Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales. I have loved being acting archdeacon and feel deeply honoured and privileged to be able to continue the work.
“It has been an exciting adventure and I have thoroughly enjoyed forming relationships and partnerships with people across the archdeaconry.
“My prayer is that knowing we are loved by God, and supported by each other, we can give ourselves wholeheartedly to serving God in the communities and worshipping contexts we are part of; and consistently and persistently move forward in generous faith, courageous hope and life-giving love.”
Diocesan Secretary Will Hagger said: “This is wonderful news for the Diocese of Derby. Nicky has excelled in the role of acting archdeacon.
"I am confident that with her knowledge of the diocese, she will be a great support for our dedicated clergy and church officers across the archdeaconry.”
Nicky will continue to serve as acting archdeacon ahead of her installation as Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales later in the year.
Eight new priests and six new deacons have been ordained by the Rt Revd Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, assisted by the Rt revd Malcolm Macnaughton, Bishop of Repton. The special Petertide services took place in Derby Cathedral.
Ordination services are a time to celebrate and welcome new deacons (those to be given the title Reverend) and priests (deacons who have been training under an incumbent for a year) into the diocese.
With support of family and friends, the new deacons and priests were presented to Bishop Libby and made their declarations.
Welcoming those in the cathedral, Bishop Libby said: "Ordination is a significant moment for those who are called by God to these roles, and it is the start of the next phase of their journey.
"It is also significant for all of us who are here and we must uphold and encourage them in their ministry and pray for them."
The new deacons are:
Josephine Chamings, to serve in the Benefice of Brampton St Thomas and Brampton St Mark,
Peter Dale, to serve in the Benefice of Mackworth St Francis,
Emma Mallord, to serve in the Benefice of Littleover St Peter and Blagreaves,
Clare Owen, to serve in the Benefice of Mickleover and the Parish of Radbourne,
Lisa Price, to serve in the White Peak Group and Yougreave, Middleton, Stanton-in-Peak and Birchover,
Nicholas Radford-Powell, to serve in the Benefice of Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale.
>> See photos from the service of the Ordination of Deacons.
The new priests are:
Fiona Barber, to serve in the Benefice of Sinfin Moor,
Elliot George, to serve in the Benefice of Dronfield with Holmesfield,
Josephine Harbidge, to servein the Benefice of Walton St John,
Sam Mackie, to serve in the Benefice of Swadlincote and Hartshorne, the Benefice of Newhall and the Benefice of Gresley,
Fay Price, to serve in the Benefice of Derby St Alkmund and St Werburgh,
Rhiannon Singleton, to serve in the Benefice of Dinting Vale, and the Glossopdale Mission Community,
Lisa Taylor, to serve in the Benefice of Hulland, Atlow, Kniveton, Bradley and Hognaston,
Cathie Watson, to serve in the St Werburgh Derby Mission Initiative.
>> See photos from the service of the Ordination of Priests.
You can find out more about the new deacons below.
Ordinands 2023 - Clare Owen
Ordinands 2023: Peter Dale
Ordinands 2023: Emma Mallord
Ordinands 2023: Josie Chamings
Ordinands 2023: Nicholas Radford-Powell
Ordinands 2023: Lisa Price
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Bishop Libby has ordained six new deacons at a special service at Derby Cathedral.
Bishop Libby has ordained eight new priests at a special service at Derby Cathedral.
Ordained deacon on 2 July 2023
Hello everyone,
I am excited to be joining the churches of All Saints, and St John the Evangelist, Mickleover, and the church of St Andrew Radbourne to serve my curacy.
I am originally from Bedfordshire, but before beginning training for ordained ministry, I was a secondary school history teacher, and head of department, in Derbyshire for more than a decade.
I completed my training for ordination at the wonderful Westcott House, Cambridge, but am greatly looking forward to being back in Derbyshire.
My journey to faith was a long one, fully coming to faith as an adult.
I have very much enjoyed my time at Westcott studying theology, which has deepened my faith even further. I have loved the opportunity of experiencing different styles of worship in Cambridge and have developed a deep love of choral evensong during my time at Selwyn Chapel. With the help of the wonderful Director of Music and choir of Selwyn College, I have even managed to overcome my fear of singing.
I am particularly interested in ecumenical work, and a particular pleasure over the past two years has been studying alongside students from other denominations.
I remain a history geek at heart, and I have developed an interest in medieval mysticism and church history. I also cannot resist the lure of local museums and historical sites.
At heart I will always remain a teacher and I am looking forward to exploring faith with families, and when I can, discussing faith in schools.
To relax, I enjoy cooking of all kinds, but particularly sugar craft. I love to walk or visit gardens, and enjoy various different crafts, including embroidery and painting. I particularly enjoy reading historical novels and biographies.
I am looking forward to getting to know everyone in my new parish, discussing faith, life, history, and finding good places to walk and explore in Derbyshire.
Ordained deacon on 2 July 2023
I’m excited to be moving to Derby to join in with what God is doing there. I’ll be moving with my wife, Rachel, and two boys, Simeon (4) and Felix (2).
I felt called to church leadership soon after becoming a Christian as a teenager in my local parish church. I started leading things in the church and then when I turned 18, I took the next logical step… I went to study chemistry!
The sense of call remained in the background though and I had a bit of time to grow up (and I also got married). After a while I began exploring my call to ordained ministry with the encouragement of people around me, thankfulness for the gifts God has given me, and my excitement at seeing people transformed by the gospel of God’s grace.
After a less than succesful BAP (selection conference) I got a job managing a local Christian charity in Colchester, where we were living at the time.
The charity ran a drop-in centre supporting vulnerable people struggling with all kinds of things but especially mental illness, homelessness, and addictions.
Alongside this we had a Sunday service in the city centre Baptist church, and it was my privilege to pastor that precious and thoroughly chaotic group of people.
God taught me a lot and I saw him do incredible things.
After another BAP (more succesful this time) I have had three great years in Cambridge studying at the wonderful Ridley Hall.
Following five years in full-time ministry, it has been a welcome opportunity to step back, read, learn, and think deeply. I’ve also benefitted from being on the pioneer training pathway and I’m excited about seeing God bring new forms and expressions of church to life.
As a family we’re excited to be moving to Derby where my wife grew up and where we’ll be close to her parents.
We’re also looking forward to being able to climb hills again (Cambridge doesn’t have any).
Most of all we feel called to be part of the church family at St Francis in Mackworth. I’m excited to learn, serve and lead in that community.
Ordained deacon on 2 July 2023
Hi, I’m Emma and I will be serving my curacy at St Peter's, Littleover with Blagreaves.
I grew up in a Christian family so have always known Jesus and had a faith.
This has been further strengthened and confirmed within me through different experiences over the years, so that it has become vital to me, and I am passionate and excited to share this faith with others.
I have just finished two years studying with St Mellitus College East Midlands in Nottingham. Here I have completed a degree in Theology, Ministry, and Mission, having completed the first year with All Saints college and he Diocese of Derby before going to BAP.
I have loved learning, and discussing ideas and concepts with others, but not the essays so much!
I feel called to ordination as I believe God has called me to serve his church.
When I was younger, I had a few years away from church and a period where I was angry with God. But when I resolved this and returned to him, I was filled with such a passion and love for the church; a passion to see people’s lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and to see the church grow and thrive.
I am always disappointed to hear stories of church decline, and of churches being closed, and I long to see this being turned around, and for the church in this country to be renewed. As part of this I am very keen on church planting and new ways of being church that are relevant and engaging.
I moved to Derby in 2017 as part of the team planting a new congregation into St Werburgh’s church in the city centre. I was the Operations Manager here for four years before leaving to train for ordination.
For my placement church as an ordinand, I joined the team who moved from St Werburgh’s to St Francis in Mackworth, to revitalize that church, and to work with the existing congregation.
I am single, and I enjoy reading, going to the cinema, and meals with friends.
I also love visiting National Trust places, so Derby is a great location for exploring from.
Ordained deacon on 2 July 2023
I felt called to ordination when I was 21 in my final year at university studying neuroscience.
At the time I’d hoped to become a psychiatrist or do research to help enable people to become the fullest versions of themselves they could.
Becoming a priest very much felt like an extension of the hope I’d always had for my life: to see people flourish.
I’m particularly passionate about diversity in the church and seeing people who think differently and have had different experiences of life come together in community.
I’d love to see more of those not currently represented in church leadership supported to offer the gift of who they are.
My husband Jack and I are both from North Devon but have been involved in church planting in the midlands in recent years before my training for ordination at Trinity College Bristol.
I’m very excited to begin ordained ministry in Chesterfield at St Thomas Brampton.
