Meet The Team

Hi, I’m Rachael, married to Andrew, with one adult son, Isaac. I love reading, watching all kinds of TV programmes, discussing books with my book group, walking, body boarding when waves and holidays allow, eating and enjoying food with friends and family.

 

I’m a former Junior school teacher and then Special Educational Needs support teacher. After a long gap when I did a range of voluntary work – church warden, college and then Council House Chaplain – while being an at-home Mum, I began training for ordination at St Hild College, at their Sheffield site each Monday, with residential weekends several times a year.

 

I then served as a curate at St Peter’s, Littleover, learning from my fabulous training incumbent, Rev’d Alicia Dring. Covid hit just as my training finished and my curacy started, so I’ve done a lot of my learning in ‘interesting times’, but it’s all been a valuable experience.

 

Moving to work in this group of parishes with Rev Sarah has been great. I love that I can put my experience to date to good effect and follow Jesus here, encouraging all who wish to, to follow him with me and go deeper into the adventure that is life with him, serving and loving our local communities.

Sarah was licensed as priest in charge to the parishes of St Nick’s, St Paul's, St Edmund's & St Matthew’s, alongside her colleague Rev Rachael Brooks, in Jan 2024. She had lived in the area for many years with St Matthew’s as her sending church for ordination.

 

Before ordination Sarah taught Religious Studies having studied Theology at Durham University, PE was her second subject. She taught at Bluecoat Academy in Nottingham a Church of England comprehensive, and was involved with chaplaincy and Christian distinctiveness team. She served on leadership teams in several churches.

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Sarah trained at St. Hild College, gaining an MA in Theology & Ministry with her research based on mission & chaplaincy within church schools. She has a particular interest in Entrepreneurial Mission and Fresh Expressions. She was curate in the Walbrook Epiphany Team in Normanton, then, enabling minister of a church plant at St Philip in Chaddesden.

Sarah is Area Dean for Derby City, and serves on Diocesan Synod and the Board of Education.

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Sport is her passion, playing university football and cricket, and basketball and hockey for local clubs. Now she's a social tennis player and gym goer. She is chaplain to Derbyshire Tennis. Sarah watches football, supporting her family team and adopting Derby County.

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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!