Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy

Offering spiritual and pastoral support to the agricultural and rural community

Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy

Our Story

A rural chaplaincy in Derbyshire was first established in 2003 following the devastating foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001. Graham Hinds was the first agricultural chaplain to be employed through a collaboration between the Methodist Church, Workplace Chaplaincy in Derbyshire, and Rural Action Derbyshire.

"First and foremost, we want to celebrate all that our agricultural and rural communities offer to our shared life in Derbyshire!"

The Rev’d Alan Griggs took on the role as Lead Rural Chaplain in July 2015 and has since been licensed as an Agricultural / Rural Chaplain in Derby Diocese. Alan works with a team of committed volunteers who are passionate about walking alongside the agricultural and rural community in Derbyshire.

Chaplaincy Derbyshire

Charity Number 1172198

The Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy is hosted by Chaplaincy Derbyshire, an independent Christian organisation and registered charity, operating across the county. Chaplaincy Derbyshire provides training, support, and oversight to over 150 chaplains from police and fire chaplains to retail, industry, GP surgeries, sport, transport, education, social care, and our rural chaplains with a specific focus on the farming community.

What We Do

First and foremost, we want to celebrate all that our agricultural and rural communities offer to our shared life in Derbyshire. The Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy believe that the agricultural sector navigates significant uncertainty with skill and ingenuity. Yet, the Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy is here to offer pastoral and spiritual support when life doesn’t always go to plan journeying with the community in the ups and downs of life.

DRC is an ecumenical Christian organisation. It concentrates workplace support to the farming and rural sector throughout the County of Derbyshire. Chaplaincy is provided by ordained and lay people from within authorised Christian traditions. Further support is provided by DRC volunteers from the farming and rural communities, collectively known as the Farmers’ Support Team.

Community Outreach

The Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy assist in various ways from a one-off phone call to on-going face to face pastoral and spiritual care.

We visit Bakewell Livestock Market every week and attend agricultural shows and the team work closely with a range of other local and national farming help organisations.

The Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy is also available to support special acts of worship across Derbyshire including a Harvest and Carol Service in the main store ring in Bakewell Livestock Market every year, and by invitation we often take weddings and funerals in partnership with the rural church.

We host theological students on placement and we love telling groups about what we do, so if you would like to book a Chaplain to come and speak about our work, please get in touch.

DRC Cards to Order

Local artist, Lesley Griggs, has produced some beautiful paintings from Derbyshire landscapes which have been made into cards and are available to order in support of the Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy.

Events

The Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy are hosting new monthly services. Check back here for our regular updates.

Click on event to open details

What People Say

Despite taking every precaution to reduce the risk of TB on our farm we lost 18 in calf cows to TB. I felt helpless and I struggled to come to terms with the sudden loss of life. The Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy came alongside offering a confidential listening ear and now I am in a much better place.

We just wanted to say a massive thank you for doing such a lovely service on our wedding day. It was just perfect! Thank you for all your help before the wedding and for stepping in at short notice. We had so many compliments about the service which was lovely.

Whilst striving to maintain my motivation after my cattle were diagnosed with TB, which compounded already existing problems within my business, the DRC was able to visit and was always prepared to listen.

I have just been watching the Harvest Festival Service that you arranged, planned etc. It was absolutely wonderful and quite brilliant. Great contributions from so many people.

After a bracing walk up the hill to check boundaries and sheep, I have sat down with a coffee and mince pie and read the DRC news cover to cover. Sunday mornings don’t get much better!

I wish to thank you for the opportunity to join your Chaplaincy team as part of my student placement. This has been a great way to meet the requirement of Year 2 of the Congregational Federation Ministry training programme. The inclusion in such a variety of information and training sessions was much appreciated.