Priest-in-Charge:  Reverend Sarah Watson

Sarah arrived in January 2024 and was licensed as priest in charge to the parishes of St Nick’s, St Pauls, St Edmunds & St Matthew’s, alongside her colleague Rev Rachael Brooks. It was a homecoming of sorts having lived in the area for many years with St Matthew’s as her sending church for ordination.

Prior to ordination Sarah taught Religious Studies having studied Theology at Durham University as an undergraduate. Her specialist areas whilst teaching were Philosophy of Religion and The Fourth Gospel. You will be unsurprised to know that PE was her second subject. Most of her teaching career was at Bluecoat Academy in Nottingham a Church of England comprehensive, and it was through her involvement in the chaplaincy and Christian distinctiveness team there that she felt the call to ordination, having previously served on leadership teams in other churches.

Sarah completed her ordination training with St. Hild in 2017. gaining an MA in Theology & Ministry with her research based on mission & chaplaincy within church schools. Sarah has written a Grove booklet on this subject and also has a particular interest in Entrepreneurial Mission and Fresh Expressions. She has been an associate faculty member at St Hild before stepping down in 2023 to focus on her parish and deanery roles.  She served her curacy in the Walbrook Epiphany Team in Normanton before taking up a post as the enabling minister of a church plant at St Philip in Chaddeseden.

In 2022 Sarah was appointed Area Dean for Derby City and serves the diocese in numerous ways including being on Diocesan Synod and the Board of Education.

Anyone who knows Sarah will know that sport is her passion, representing Durham University first teams in football and cricket. She's also played basketball and hockey for local clubs. Nowadays she's more likely to be seen in the gym or having a social game of tennis, she is also chaplain to Derbyshire Tennis. Sarah also enjoys watching sport particularly football and as well as supporting the team of her family roots, having lived in Derby for over 20 years she's also adopted Derby County, having been a season ticket holder in the past and watching when she can.

She enjoys meals out with friends. She is also a self-confessed coffee snob so the golden rule is proper coffee or a cup of tea!

Phil: Reader

Phil is a licensed lay Reader, authorised by the Bishop of Derby and often leads Sunday worship. He can also officiate at funerals and is part of our Ministry Team. He previously worked as a primary head teacher and Diocesan Education Officer. He is involved with holiday clubs, Messy Church and continues to have links with local schools. He has for several years, been involved in leading All Age Worship at Spring Harvest.

Phil has a passion for trains and can be found volunteering as a signalman on the Great Central Railway between Loughborough and Leicester.