Welcome to the Nottingham and Derby Methodist District website, where you can learn more about our wonderful community of faith. We are part of the Methodist Church in Britain, a Christian denomination that follows the teachings and example of John Wesley, an 18th century preacher and reformer who inspired a movement of social and spiritual renewal. We are also part of the worldwide Methodist family, which has over 80 million members in more than 130 countries.
Our district covers the counties of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, as well as parts of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Staffordshire. We have over 150 local churches in our district, each with its own unique identity and mission. We also have several chaplaincies, projects, and initiatives that work to serve the different needs in our communities.
Click on the subheadings below to read more about our values, our calling and who we are.
Our Values
Love God, Love Others, Make Disciples
The Nottingham and Derby Methodist District is a community of Christians who are committed to sharing the love of God with all people. We have a vision of being a growing, evangelistic, inclusive Church that celebrates the diversity of God’s creation. We seek to speak of, listen for, and live out the goodness of God in their words and actions. We value every human being as part of God’s family and strive to serve the needs of our neighbours and the world.
Our Calling
Our Calling as the Nottingham and Derby Methodist District is to respond to the gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out our discipleship in worship and mission, doing this through Evangelism, Worship, Service, Learning and Caring.
The Nottingham and Derby District is called to be a growing, evangelistic, inclusive Church of flourishing Gospel people who speak of, listen for, and live out the goodness of a God for All, as we make disciples for the transformation of the world. It is our intention as a District to value every human being as part of God’s creation. At the heart of every Methodist community is a deep sense of the place of flourishing, welcome, hospitality and openness which demonstrates the nature of God’s grace and love for all.
The aim is for our circuits and churches to implement a living mission plan which is rooted in God and growing naturally in courage and life.
Evangelism: To make more followers of Jesus Christ
Our focus in the coming years is on resourcing circuits to increase the number of disciples with the number of new members outweighing natural loss in churches and circuits through varying styles of evangelism, including New Places for New People (NPNP), pioneer ministry, fresh expressions and church planting, plus doing existing church well.
Worship: To increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love
The district seeks to enable people to be centred on God by encouraging inter-generational Church, providing opportunities for regular District Worship Celebrations, offering online reflections and prayers and encouraging creative forms of worship, enabling the development of Christian faith.
Service: To be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice
The District challenges circuits to align themselves with the Mission of God by being outward looking in their communities; to build on the biblical connection between evangelism and social justice, to serve the needs around them, and to seek justice.
Learning & Caring: To help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care.
Together with the Learning Network, the District resources circuits to nurture an attitude of intentional faith development through resourcing and supporting circuit and church officers; developing working partnerships with organisations promoting training, aid and assistance inside and outside the Church; offering opportunities and venues for learning and caring. The district also supports various groups and networks that cater to different needs and interests. Pastoral care and counselling are also provided for those who are facing challenges or crises in their lives.
Our Team
Rev. Andy Fyall
District Chair
As District Chair, Andy provides leadership and pastoral care within the district, in addition to working with other District Chairs across the country as part of the Connexional Leaders’ Forum.
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Andy brings a considerable wealth of leadership experience, he is Spirit-led visionary and pro-active whilst engaging in maximum consultation and collaboration before acting. His passion for making God’s love known in any way and every way possible is what Andy lives for! Indeed, he sees every aspect of his ministry, whether strategic planning, administration, or the care of colleagues as an opportunity for furthering this aim.
Andy brings creativity, ability to communicate, and skills in forming and developing positive relationships within the church, with ecumenical partners and beyond to community and civic organisations. He is thoughtful and strategic and has a strong pastoral instinct.
Michelle Gentle
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR
As District Administrator I am responsible for the day to day admin and I am a central point of contact for the churches in the circuit, plus I also provide support for District Officers and manage the central office.
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My family and I have always been members at Arnold Methodist Church and I was a member of 2nd Arnold Girls Brigade for many years and also a Junior Sunday School Teacher. I also helped run the Saturday coffee morning.
I am married to Ashley, who is originally from South Africa and we both enjoy travelling and cycling in our spare time.
Ashley and I still worship at Arnold Methodist Church, but have started to worship at Sherwood Methodist Church
Rev. Helen Penfold
Deputy Chair
Well, this is me, Rev Helen Penfold. I’m a ‘born and bred’ Methodist, my parents and grandparents being faith-filled stalwarts of their chapels during their time. I’ve lived in the Nottingham and Derby district all my life, this is home. In fact, I’m one of those ‘peculiar’ presbyters who live in their own home rather than a manse. One reason for this is that I inhabit a farm, run by other members of the family, which makes it difficult to move.
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I’m married to Julian, who is an Anglican associate priest. We met when I went to EMMTC to do my ministry training, he was in the third year and saved me a fortune because he had already bought all the books for the three year course!
We enjoy walking in the countryside, especially when it’s followed by Afternoon Tea!
I am much looking forward to working alongside Andy and Stuart and hope to get to know you soon.
Liz Demaine
PA to District Chair
Liz moved to Nottingham in 2009. As well as her role as PA to the District Chair, Liz is a committed member of the Clifton St Marys/Holy Trinity Parish. In her spare time, she enjoys taking her two sons for walks, and joining the bell ringing group at St Marys. Her main responsibility is to look after the District Chair’s diary.
Tess Clothier
digital media Champion
Tess moved to Nottingham in 2019 and is a medievalist and historical linguist by training. Alongside her role in the District, she works as Parish Administrator at St Mary’s in the Lace Market and is a committed member of the choir and congregation there. In her spare time she has been taking ballet lessons, and enjoys long walks and birdwatching.
Jo Padmore
District HR OFficer
As District HR Officer I am responsible for the employment lifecycle, ensuring the District is compliant with Methodist Church policy and legal requirements. I act as liaison between management and employees, handling tasks such as recruitment, onboarding, training, benefits administration, employee relations and payroll.
Rosie Clements
ROS (Regional Officer for Safeguarding)
Rosie is the District Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and can be contacted by email districtsafeguarding@methodist-nd.org.uk or on 07434 284633. Outside of work she enjoys tending her allotment and being out and about in the countryside.
Rev’d Dr Simon Cartwright
District mission enabler
I believe Jesus is the hope of the world, and the local church is meant to be a vehicle to express that hope to the world. As followers of Jesus, we are all called to demonstrate and share the good news of Jesus through mission and social justice.
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I have over 30 years’ experience in project development – working in the public, voluntary and faith sector. I have been ordained for over 20 years and am currently a licensed Anglican Minister and Authorised Methodist Presbyter.
My role is to:
- Support local churches and Circuits in developing and implementing their mission/growth plans. Focusing on evangelism, worship, service, and learning and caring.
- Act as a trainer and group facilitator to help local churches grow and respond to the call to love God, love others and make disciples.
- Facilitate a range of District-wide mission initiatives and events.
- Work alongside ecumenical contacts and other community and business partnerships.
- Facilitate consultation and drafting of the District Mission Policy and Mission Plan each year
How can I support you?
Suzanne Morton
FRCO And NPNP Lead.
Hi I am Suzanne Morton and I am the Faith Rooted Community Organiser and “New Place for New People” (NPNP) lead. I was born into Methodism but have also explored a variety of other denominations too. In the last 13 years I have studied at Cliff College attaining a Masters degree in Mission and Ministry with a specialism in Third Age.
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My working career has involved working for local councils, care in the community, sign language and deafblind manual support in Nottingham University campuses. I have spent the last 17 years working for churches firstly as an events co-ordinator then broadening out into mission and outreach and finally pioneer work on a socially and economically deprived estate in Sheffield.
I am passionate about seeing people come to faith in Christ and begin their relationship of faith. I love to explore new and culturally appropriate ways to share the love of God and share good practice of mission with others. As Mission Enabler for the District I seek to support, resource and guide in areas relating to mission, evangelism and discipleship throughout the district. I also am part of the Young Evangelists Team and seek to support young people to discover their giftings.
James Key
Learning network liaison
James is the new Learning Network Liaison for the District. He joins the Learning Network with vast experience in education and training, and has a particular passion for missional, grass-roots church.
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He loves to champion and empower others to flourish and achieve a “double portion” and he would love to get involved in your setting to help you to thrive! In his spare time, James enjoys playing any sport, hiking up a tall hill, cooking for the masses, playing an instrument and tackling his fixer-upper home. He lives in Spondon and is married to Jess.
our circuits
Our district is made up of several circuits, click on the circuit to visit their website.
If you’d like to read more about Methodism click the button to be taken to the ‘About’ section on the Methodist Church website.