| Volume 16 No. 26 | Friday 22 May 2026 |
The Friday Thought | Fr Anthony Lathe
Retired priest |
Some stories are made up to explain everyday realities. So why do people speak different languages? Well, The Tower of Babel! You remember, people wanted to demonstrate how powerful they were with a massive building project including an enormous tower. God considered that they were getting beyond themselves so jiggered the whole enterprise by making the builders speak different languages. They could no longer understand one another; cooperation collapsed and the Tower was never completed. At Pentecost we recall how people who spoke different languages actually understood the one Christian message. It is not exactly a reversal of Babel, but it shows how, with God’s help, people from different backgrounds can come together in common enterprise. For me it is more than that. It is that by bringing together different understandings, which is what language is about, something wonderful can happen. In psychology this is called gestalt – the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. People who listen and attempt to understand those who are different from themselves are caught up in a surprising and enlightening enterprise. Pentecost tells us that this is what the Church is about. Not about making everyone the same, but sharing, valuing, variety and difference. Strangers can become friends. But you don’t actually have to become friends. For example, important leaders in the early Church, St Paul and St Peter, had their differences and were not exactly best mates. At Pentecost the Church simply invites people to listen to and respect one another, to do things together, and share in the worship of God with gratitude. Pentecost is not an easy ride. The history of the Church contains so much misunderstanding, division, even violence, as one lot after another claims to be acting according to the Holy Spirit by opposing others. Some just look at that and give up or decide not to join. Importantly, the history of the Church also shows how what is really good, virtue, is very persistent, and life-enhancing. In all circumstances the Holy Spirit of God can be experienced as leading people on by giving strength and inspiration. When people don’t understand each other, they tend to shout. The thing about the way God’s Spirit works is that it is quiet like breathing, or invisible like the wind, maybe just taken for granted. At Pentecost we pause, reflect, and then celebrate the ways in which the Spirit of God influences lives for good. Then we can make the difficult decision to listen and learn from from people different from ourselves. After Babel we can have our own Pentecost! In a world which seems to be increasingly divided that can only be wonderful. |
Church news & notices Saturday 23 May - Thursday 28 May
Sponsored walk for Hector’s House Over the course of 6 days, Fr Stuart will be making a 180-mile sponsored walk from Berkhamsted to Manchester, for the local suicide prevention charity Hector's House. He is making an appearance on BBC Three Counties Radio at 7.40am and 9.30am on Sunday morning (the first one's a pre-recorded interview and the second one is live from somewhere between Buckingham and Daventry).
 Stuart's itinerary is:
Sat 23rd - Berkhamsted to Buckingham (32 miles)
Sun 24th - Buckingham to Daventry (25 miles)
Mon 25th - Daventry to Nuneaton (24 miles)
Tues 26th - Nuneaton to Lichfield (25 miles)
Wed 27th - Lichfield to Leek (39 miles)
Thu 28th - Leek to The Anglesey pub in Manchester (34 miles)
You can find out more about the work of Hector's House at the link below. If you would like to sponsor Fr Stuart, you can do that on his JustGiving page.
| Sunday 24 May at 12:30 pm
Ecumenical Picnic Members of local Berkhamsted churches are gathering together for a picnic at Berkhamsted Castle on Sunday 24th May from 12.30pm. All are welcome. | Prayer Adventure for KidsThis year, the St Peter's Sunday School team are encouraging children and their families to get involved with the Thy Kingdom Come - 11-day Kids' Prayer Adventure. Thy Kingdom Come is a global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. It takes place during the period from Ascension Day until Pentecost. We invite children and their families to join us in participating in the 2026 Prayer Adventure for Kids. This is an exciting resource to encourage the prayer lives of children for the 11 days from Ascension to Pentecost. For each day there is a video, reflection, prayer and activity. Please follow the link below to access the resource: | ⚠️ Cobbles warningPlease take care when walking to the Court House - a number of cobble stones have come loose in different places on Church Lane just outside the Court House and there are a couple of pot holes. Hertfordshire Highways have declined to fix this, as they have deemed it is not a trip hazard. So all we can do is tell everyone to be careful and don't trip! | Petertide Fair – donations wanted! We are gearing up for our fundraising fair on 28 June and we need donations - good quality bric-à-brac (no clothes), books, plants, toys, and wine/beer/spirits. For storage reasons, please donate bottles on Sunday mornings only, and donate plants from 20/21 June onwards.
It's not too late to volunteer! We need a few extra people to help out on stalls, so don't be shy - fill out a volunteering form now!
Contact:Hayley Khazaneh  07734 601 136 Hilary Armstrong 07969 654 160 Carolynne Charman (cakes) 07506 156 751 Diana Nicholas (cakes) 07753 635 198 Sarah Dawson (plants) 07788 843 186 |
Schools news An Inspector Calls – an update from Victoria School’s Ofsted Visit We were delighted to welcome Ofsted to our school last week and are incredibly proud of everyone during the inspection. The staff got to showcase the high-quality teaching and support they give to the children in class and around the school. While the children were the real highlight of the visit; they spoke confidently and enthusiastically about their learning, demonstrating a strong understanding of the curriculum and the progress they have made. They also clearly articulated our behaviour expectations and could explain how these support a positive and respectful environment for all. At one stage the Nursery children had got an inspector acting out the story of the Three Little Pigs! While the Reception children took them around the provision to share their giant trap and potions from their work on Jack and the Beanstalk. Overall it was a much better experience for everyone, and we were excited to share with the inspectors, all the rapid improvements and their impact, since the last report. Mrs Lisa Freeman, Head of School
Victoria CE Infant and Nursery School
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The Castle Federation is the governing body responsible for our two Church of England schools in Berkhamsted
 www.castlefederation.org
More about our schools:
 www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/about/schools
 Diocesan news
Tuesday 14 July
Reception for young adultsBishop Jane, the Bishop of Hertford, is hosting a reception for young adults (aged 18 to 35) on July 14th, at her home in Knebworth. If you would like to attend this reception please contact Fr Stuart directly and he will pass on your details to the Bishop's office. Contact:Fr Stuart Owen 01442 879 739 | Peregrine updateSadly, the smallest of the four Peregrine falcon chicks on St Albans Cathedral has died, but three healthy chicks remain. The adult falcons, Boudica and Alban, have proven to be very good parents and are one of only five pairs in Hertfordshire. Peregrine Falcons normally mate for life and often remain loyal to their nest site each year. The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust together with the RSPB are running two events within the Cathedral grounds over the next two weekends for visitors to get a close-up view of these magnificent birds through telescopes. Saturdays/Sunday 23/24 and 30/31 May 11:00am - 2:00pm. You can follow their progress on the Cathedral's Peregrine Live Cam. |  | The Parish of Great Berkhamsted is in the Church of England's Diocese of St Albans |
 www.stalbansdiocese.org
St Albans Cathedral:
www.stalbanscathedral.org
 Church noticeboard
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Berkhamsted community news & events Monday 18 May - Wednesday 3 June
High Street roadworks Berkhamsted High Street and London Road are going to be resurfaced! According to Herts Highways, there will be road closures from Monday, lasting a fortnight from the Kings Road junction, past Swing Gate Lane and up to Bourne End.
Fixing potholes is welcome, but there will be disruption, so check Google maps before you try to drive anywhere! Find out more on the Herts Highways map: | Friday 22 May - Saturday 23 May
Have a go at bowlsThis weekend, Berkhamsted Bowls Club are running free taster sessions for new players. Just turn up at the club on Canal Fields (across the canal from Waitrose) on the Friday evening 6pm-9pm or the Saturday afternoon 2pm-6pm and give it a go. It's an inclusive game, open to all ages, and you don't need to bring any equipment - just wear trainers. | Saturday 23 May - Sunday 24 May
Hertfordshire County ShowHertfordshire County Show is being held at the Hertfordshire County Showground on Dunstable Road, Redbourn, AL3 7PT. The weekend will feature livestock displays, quad bike stunt displays, pony racing, sheepdogs, falconry, vintage tractors, wedding shows, children's entertainments, plus live music and food stalls. Advance day tickets £27, concessions & family tickets available. | Saturday 23 May - Monday 25 May
Boxmoor Floating MarketThere's another Floating Market event coming up on the Grand Union Canal on the May bank holiday weekend. The Fishery Wharf Café in Boxmoor will host a weekend of live Blues, Folk and Roots music, food and drink. Come and browse the narrowboat stalls for handmade gifts and crafts. | Saturday 23 May
Tallest sunflower competitionThere's a free kids' competition running for Berkhamsted's under-12s - grow your own sunflower, and if it's the tallest, you win a prize! Come along to the Berkhamsted in Bloom stall on tomorrow's Saturday Market (outside the Civic Centre) and collect your sunflower seedling in a pot with growing instructions. | Sunday 24 May - Monday 25 May
There’s a (Napoleonic) war onLooking for a family bank holiday activity with a difference? The Chiltern Open Air Museum near Chalfont St Giles is running a Napoleonic Wars re-enactment event this Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Come and see British, Prussian and French soldiers in action, and see European history come to life. Book tickets for Cavalry and Cannons: The Napoleonic Experience at: | Friday 5 June - Sunday 14 June
Great Big Green Week 2026Berkhamsted will be holding another Great Big Green Week, with events all over town - walks, talks, family activities, quizzes and gardening events. On Saturday 6 June there will be the popular Berkhamsted Eco Fair in the Civic Centre. | Saturday 6 June at 3:00 pm
Save Your Space launch eventBerkhamsted Castle Trust is launching a new initiative to enable supporters to sponsor a square of this historic Castle Fields next to Berkhamsted Castle. For £39, you will be able to put your name to a 3m x 3m square on an interactive map, and all money raised will help to save Castle Fields from development. You can sponsor as many squares as you like. Come along to Castle Fields (next to Berkhamsted Castle on the other side of New Road) between 3pm and 5pm to find out more at a special launch event, and celebrate with donors and campaigners. Bring your own drinks and picnics, and enjoy a surprise performance! | Saturday 6 June at 7:30 pm
Green Week talk: Disappearing wildlife of the ChilternsIan Gamble gives an illustrated Great Big Green Week talk about The Chilterns' Unique and Disappearing Wildlife. Ian is a wildlife expert who will surprise you with the variety of plant, animal and insect life to be found in our area - while identifying the species on the rise and those declining. Northchurch Baptist Church, High St, Berkhamsted HP4 3QH. | Sunday 7 June at 10:00 am
Great Big Nature HuntThe Friends of St Peter's are participating in Great Big Green Week again with a fabulous Nature Hunt through our historic cemetery on Rectory Lane, 10am-1pm. Come and discover the hidden life of bees, bugs, newts and hedgehogs - it's teeming with life! Children can collect little natural treasures as they go around and visit the nature-themed craft tent. Home-made refreshments on sale. Free event - donations welcome to support the cemetery maintenance. | Saturday 13 June at 7:30 pm
Bridgewater Sinfonia concertBridgewater Sinfonia is back at St Peter's this summer for a performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, and they welcome soloist Michael Foyle to the concert stage. The programme will also feature Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, making this an ideal concert for young people (under-18s' tickets are free!), followed by Shostakovich's famous Symphony N° 5 in D Minor. Advance tickets are available from Ashtons Estate Agents (next to Tesco) and online for £20, or £22 on the door. | Friday 3 July - Saturday 4 July
ChilfestTickets are now on sale for Tring's Chilfest summer festival, with a lineup of tribute bands covering hits from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Come and enjoy outdoor performances in the sun at the festival site in Pedley Meadow on Cow Lane, Tring. Tickets £38.50, with discounts for children and family tickets available. | Friday 10 July - Saturday 11 July
Berko Beer FestivalThe 11th BerkoBeerFest is taking place over the weekend of 11 & 12 July at Kitcheners Field, behind Berkhamsted Castle. The event will feature stand-up comedy, live music, street food stalls, and of course a huge range of cask and craft beers and ciders. This year, BerkoBeerFest is supporting four wonderful charities: Electric Umbrella (as seen on Britain's Got Talent), the Swan youth Project, Toy Hub and Save Castle Fields. Advance tickets are now on sale - they always sell out! | New Dacorum Mayor Councillor Garrick Stevens (who represents Berkhamsted East on Dacorum Borough Council) has been appointed Mayor of Dacorum for 2026-27, after Catherine McArevey completed her term of office. Garrick has a long history of community service both to Dacorum Borough Council and Berkhamsted Town Council. We wish him well in his new role.
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Cartoon Church This week's cartoon courtesy of CartoonChurch
Copyright © 2026 Dave Walker
  | Worship with usThis Sunday: 24 May 2026
Pentecost |
9:30am Sung Eucharist
You are invited to join us at our main Sunday service
Next Sunday: 31 May 2026
Trinity SundayMusic this weekHymns: | Anthem: | Litany to the Holy Spirit - Peter Hurford | | Voluntary: | Finale (from Symphonie 1) - Louis Vierne |
ReadingsActs 2.1-21When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’ But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Psalm 104 (vv. 26-27, 32-37)26 O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.27 There is the sea, spread far and wide, and there move creatures beyond number, both small and great.32 When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.33 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; may the Lord rejoice in his works;34 He looks on the earth and it trembles; he touches the mountains and they smoke.35 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will make music to my God while I have my being.36 So shall my song please him while I rejoice in the Lord.37 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.. Gospel: John 20.19-23When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’
 In our prayers this weekAnglican Cycle of Prayer:The Episcopal Church in the PhilippinesIntercessions | Diocese | ✚✚Sarah, Archbishop of Canterbury, ✚Andrew, Bishop Designate of St Albans, ✚ Jane, Bishop of Hertford, and Charles, Archdeacon of St Albans | In our
continuing prayers | Mary Beard, Christina Billington, Patricia Cody, Nola Frost, Yvonne Hart, Judith Hill, John Malcolm, Ghullam Mutaheri, Frozan Mutaheri, Clare Wallington, Stacy Giles, Liz Wright | In our
immediate prayers | Alan Conway, Graeme Davis, Mark Few, Barbara Fisher, Peter Kirk, David Labbett, Gwen Roberts, Fr Chris Rogers, Peter Rolfe, David Steadmann, Charlotte Szypryt, Neata Thomson, Ken Organ, Barbara McKenna, Sienna Vallance | Weddings
(next four weeks) | | Wedding banns
called this Sunday | | Baptisms
(next four weeks) | | | RIP | Denis Beard | | Memorial (year's mind) | |
 RotasWe are ever thankful for our team of dedicated clergy and volunteers who support our collective worship every week. If you are new to St Peter's, we encourage you to get involved in our parish life. Listed below are rotas for this coming Sunday and the week after. You can check future rota dates on the parish website at www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/rotas Sunday 24 May 2026 - Pentecost| 8am Eucharist |
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| President | Fr David | | Preacher | Fr David | | Reader | Mike H. | | 9:30am Eucharist |
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| President | Margaret (Helen Rowland) ((Fr David)) | | Preacher | Fr David | | Sidesperson | Uli G. | | Sidesperson | Carole D. | | MC | Mark G. | | Acolyte | Hayley K. | | Acolyte | Chris C. | | Thurifer | Will G. | | Cruficer | Richard C. | | Reader | Richard N. | | Intercessions | Bev J. | | Eucharistic Minister (Chalice) | Paul J. | | Eucharistic Minister (Chalice) | Bev J. | | Sunday School | . | | Sound | Michael A. | | Friday Thought | Fr Anthony |
Sunday 31 May 2026 - Trinity| 8am Eucharist |
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| President | Fr Stuart | | Preacher | Fr Stuart | | Reader | Ruth W. | | 9:30am Eucharist |
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| President | Fr David (Margaret) ((Fr Stuart)) | | Preacher | Fr Stuart | | Sidesperson | Judy C. | | Sidesperson | Helen P. | | MC | Richard C. | | Acolyte | Peter M. | | Acolyte | Emma G. | | Thurifer | Mark g. | | Cruficer | . | | Reader | Hilary A. | | Intercessions | Dagna H. | | Eucharistic Minister (Chalice) | Helen N. | | Eucharistic Minister (Chalice) | Bev J. | | Sunday School | . | | Sound | Christopher G. | | Friday Thought | Richard |
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Email Hayley Khazaneh 
