OUR
Ministries
Church is more than just Sunday. Explore in this section the different activities that happen throughout the week.
Baby and Toddler Group
Thursday mornings during term time, 10-11:30am in St Edmund's Church Hall, on Kings Croft, just up from the Palm Court island. There are toys to play with and books to read, refreshments for the children and their adults. Each session ends with group singing and a story. We ask for a £1 donation per child to help cover costs.
Once a month our baby & toddler group will move to Allestree Park for Nature Tots. Contact the church office for more details.
homegroups
Meeting together midweek, to discuss our faith journey, explore the Bible and learn alongside each other. The Bible encourages us to meet and build one another up. Different groups meet in various homes at different times of day. There will be a group that suits you. Come along to church and join our community to find out more.
luncheon club
Fortnightly, 12-2pm at St Edmund's Church Hall. £5 for a 3 course lunch. Good chat, good company, good food. Transport may be possible in some cases or lift sharing with someone in a taxi. Please contact the church office for more details and to book (stock image may not reflect actual food on offer!).
Groundforce at st edmund's & Churchyard working party at st matthew's
St Edmund's meet on the first Saturday of the month and St Matthew's meet on the last Saturday of the month. The aim is to maintain the churchyards at both churches.
Eco group
St Matthew's has achieved the Silver Eco Church Award and is working towards Gold.
Flourish
This is a new expression of what church can look like. St Matthew's and St Edmund's have partnered with Walter Evans School as part of a national church pilot. It is a regular worship event planned and directed by the children, with support from an adult team. The children choose the theme for each monthly event and pick the activities. There is music, craft, physical games, and of course, food.
messy church
In spring 2025 we began trialling Messy Church, 3 events are planned for this year. We've had a Messy Mother's Day, on 17th August we'll have Messy Church in Darley Park and in November we'll have another one at St Edmund's Church Hall. Fun for all the family, craft, games and a story. Come as a family and explore the theme.
Friends of St matthews
FoSM meet on the first Tuesday of the month in the Fellowship room at St Matthew's. There is a visiting speaker and tea/biscuits. Everyone is welcome.
Community Café
Monthly pop up café held at St Matthew's Fellowship Room. Usually the 2nd to last Friday of the month, 8:30 am - 10 am, but please check the diary page to confirm. Ideal for after you have dropped the children off at school.
Food bank
We collect food and other items for the Hope Centre food bank in Derby on the first Sunday of each month. Donations can be left in St Edmund's Church or St Matthew's Fellowship Room.
Bookworms
Bookworms meets monthly in St Edmund's choir vestry.
We are a small friendly group who enjoy lively discussions centred around a specific title which has been selected by one of the regular members of the group
2025:
11th August - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry,
by Rachel Joyce
8th September – To Kill a Mockingbird,
by Harper Lee
13th October – Innocent Traitor,
by Alison Weir
10th November - The Tenderness of Wolves,
by Stef Penney
8th December - The Day of the Jackal,
by Frederick Forsyth
2026:
12th January – The Island,
by Victoria Hislop
9th February - Hamnet,
by Maggie O ‘Farrell
9th March - The Women,
by Kristin Hannah
13th April - 44 Scotland Street,
by Alexander McCall Smith
11th May – Cider with Rosie,
by Laurie Lee
8th June – The Day of the Triffids,
by John Wyndham