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!
Rachel Kennedy : Childrens and Youth Leader (CYL)
Paul: Church Warden
Can be found on a Sunday morning usually at the front of the church playing the guitar and singing vocals. He has been involved in the life of St Nick's for several years and as well as offering a musical ministry can also be found doing various jobs around the job including painting and repairs with the volunteer 'Maintenance Team'.
Graham: Assistant Warden
Graham assists Paul in the various warden duties and also helps in the Church Maintenance Team. Graham co-leads the Pray Together group on a Wednesday evening and is our resident IT expert.
Mike :Treasurer
Mike can be banked on to keep a steady hand on the finances. Mike also lends a hand with the Maintenance team.
Miriam: Safeguarding Coordinator
Please contact Miriam if you have any safeguarding concerns on 07448607129.
Emma: Church Administrator
Emma Patterson is our office administrator working at the St Nicks office but also covering duties for St Pauls Quarndon.