Under the bed there was a tatty cardboard box.  If you looked into it, wrapped in bits of old newspaper you would find a random collection of rocks.

I was 11 years old and added to the collection over the years.   I suppose it eventually led to learning some elementary geology at university.

Even later coming to study the New Testament you can imagine that when Jesus nicknamed Simon “Peter” ( which means rock) interest was particularly sparked.

Peter, or at least Peter’s faith, is the rock on which the church is founded.  It is the traditional view that the foundation of the church is rocklike – something solid, fixed, unchangeable, reliable, capable of bearing weight, etc..  Of course we are thinking something like granite, not chalk!

Maybe the nickname was some kind of joke.  What we learn about Peter is that he was anything but consistent and reliable.

Whatever the geological knowledge of the time, suppose it is true that Peter, or Peter’s faith, is truly rocklike.  Not solid, unchangeable, but like real rock – variable, changed by its environment, moulded by the forces working on it.

That is more like it and I believe history shows its truth.  When the church responds to the society around it, not standing aside like a stone monument,  then the good news of love and compassion can become clear.  I note how Jesus responded to the people about him. He didn’t preach at them but observed, listened and responded. One size does not fit all so the gospel is not some fixed single feature, but finds itself expressed and practised in different ways in different societies.

I also note how the New Testament is about the interaction of the old religion with the new.  How can they mix, what should be kept, and what should be ditched?  Fluidity, adaptability, is the name of the game!

Peter, our patron saint whom we celebrate this weekend in worship and fair, was adaptable.  It did not begin like that.  At first he was adamant that the old way was the only way. Then he had a dream which revealed that he was wrong.  After that he and Paul between them showed that the love of God was for everyone.  In the church people from different backgrounds found a home.  The practice of faith was expressed in many different ways.

The church does seems a bit like that tatty cardboard box under the bed. Within it, perhaps hidden by scruffy bits of newspaper, there are different rocks to be found each with its own special quality. However, it is one collection belonging to God whom also we can experience differently as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and respond to in a multitude of ways.

Sunday 28 June
The Petertide Fair

Everyone is invited to this summer fête on Sunday afternoon, with fun in the sun for all the family!

• Pimms and beer in the sun
• Entertainments
• Plant stall
• Bric-à-brac stall
• Train rides
• BBQ
• Bottle tombola
• Teddy Zip Wire from the bell tower! (bring a cuddly toy)

Entry is free, and all proceeds will go to the St Peter's Renovation Appeal, helping us to fix our leaking church roof!

STOP PRESS - RAFFLE PRIZES!

We've got some phenomenal raffle prizes for this Sunday's Petertide Fair, so roll up and buy your tickets!

• Kings Road Dental Practice - teeth whitening package
• Wild - Lunch/supper at Wild Berkhamsted
• Ashtons Estate Agents - Luxury M &S hamper
• Kings Arms - £120 voucher for lunch/supper
• Champenys Tring - spa day for 2
• The Old Mill - 2-course meal for 2 with a bottle of wine

...plus lots of vouchers and prizes from The Lace Collection, The Forge, Berkhamsted Sports, Bel Cafe, The Dower House, Fred and Ginger, Vinegar Hill, Waterstones, Groom Berkhamsted, Berkhamsted Book Shop, Acorn Pharmacy, Bobby's, Barber Lads, &Quirky!

Contact:

Hayley Khazaneh    07734 601 136

 Email Hayley Khazaneh

Hilary Armstrong   

 Email Hilary Armstrong

 www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk

Petertide Fair – donations and help

We are gearing up for our fundraising fair on Sunday. You can still offer last-minute donations of:

• Good quality bric-à-brac (homewares, kitchenware, toys, ornaments, books etc - but no clothes please)
• Plants for the plant stall
• Cakes
  Whole cakes and other baked goods for the cake stall, and also to sell with coffee and refreshments - please see the donations leaflet below for full instructions!
• Bottles for the bottle tombola

We can turn your donations into funds to fix the church roof, so please support Petertide in any way you can! And thank you to all who have donated so far!

petertide donations

Contact:

Hayley Khazaneh     07734 601 136

 Email Hayley Khazaneh

Hilary Armstrong    07969 654 160

 Email Hilary Armstrong

Carolynne Charman (cakes)    07506 156 751

 Email Carolynne Charman (cakes)

Sarah Dawson (plants)    07788 843 186

 Email Sarah Dawson (plants)

 www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk

Sunday 28 June at 9:30 am
Patronal Festival

This Sunday we observe the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and this is our Patronal Festival, when we celebrate our patron Saint - Peter the Apostle - at St Peter's Tide (or Petertide). The choir will sing the anthem Tu es Petrus by the Italian Renaissance composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525 - 1594). All are welcome to our main Sunday worship at 9:30am.

A collect for Petertide:

Almighty God,
who inspired your apostle Saint Peter
to confess Jesus as Christ and Son of the living God:
build up your Church upon this rock,
that in unity and peace it may proclaim one truth
and follow one Lord, your Son our Saviour Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

Video:

Friday 3 July at 5:00 pm
St Thomas Mass

There will be a Mass to celebrate the Feast of St Thomas at 5pm on Friday 3rd July, followed by drinks at The Rectory. Please do let Fr Stuart know if you're able to come for a drink so that he can cater accordingly.

Sunday 12 July at 6:00 pm
Choral Evensong

Our choir promises a truly glorious 12th at St Peter's with a sung evensong. Music will include the Responses by William Smith of Durham, the evening canticles by Thomas Attwood Walmisley in D minor, and Henry Purcell's famous anthem, O God, thou art my God, ending with its wonderful Hallelujah chorus. All is to the glory of God, and everyone is welcome.

Rev Olivia Davies

Ordination to the priesthood: please pray for Olivia Davies, our former Graduate Pastoral Assistant, who is being ordained to the priesthood on Saturday 4th July at St Albans Cathedral. We pray too for the people of Flitton, Silso and Pulloxhill, where Olivia is serving as curate.

Market stall – thanks

Thank you to everyone who helped at the St Peter's market stall on Saturday. We were a bit short of volunteers, but thanks to some additional helpers and some people who extended their hour(s) on the rota, we were fully manned all the time. We "reached out to the town" and it went well. Quite a few children took part in the colouring in activities, and posted pictures of candles inside the church as a symbol of saying a little prayer for someone they love. We were seen as a welcoming church, which was our objective.

John Malcolm

We are sorry to announce that John Malcolm, Reader Emeritus in Berkhamsted, died in Stoke Mandeville hospital on Saturday morning, 20 June. John had been house-bound with live-in carers for some time and had spent a number of spells in hospital this year. John was especially associated with St Lawrence Nettleden, where he ministered for several years. Details of funeral arrangements will be shared at a later date.

May John rest in peace and rise in glory.

Bev Jullien retires from MU

Bev Jullien has retired from her role as Chief Executive of The Mothers' Union, after serving for over ten years with dedication and faith. She has led the MU through a period of significant challenge and transition, strengthening the movement's global impact in support of women, families and communities. This year, the MU is celebrating its 150th anniversary, and we continue to hold Bev and the MU in our prayers. Read more:

 www.mothersunion.org

Parish Office closed in July

Please note that the Parish Office is closed for the first two weeks of July. Please try not to email the office as there will inevitably be an email backlog which will take time to deal with. Parish notices and pew sheets have been prepared in advance and any notices will be dealt with after 15 July.

For all pastoral matters and bereavements, please contact the Rector, Fr Stuart. For church and Court House matters, please contact the churchwardens. Contact details can be found on the church website.

Contact:

Fr Stuart Owen    01442 879 739

 Email Fr Stuart Owen

 www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk

Bishop of St Albans Open Garden

Visit the lovely gardens at Abbey Gate House, the episcopal residence in St Albans, over four Sunday afternoons 2pm-4pm. It's only £5 entry, and all proceeds go to the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust. So far, these events have raised nearly £25,000 for the trust! Abbey Gate House is on Abbey Mill Lane, just opposite the Cathedral west end.

• Sunday 28 June
• Sunday 5 July
• Sunday 12 July
• Sunday 19 July

 maps.app.goo.gl

Cathedral falcons fly the nest

The Peregrine falcons nesting on top of St Albans Cathedral have quite a fan club, with more than half a million webcam views this year. The three surviving chicks have all grown up and flown the nest. The Cathedral webcam has been switched off, but you'll still be able to spot the young Peregrines flying around the Cathedral for some time yet as they continue to grow in confidence and independence. The adult Peregrines first bred at the Cathedral in 2022, and since then they have raised 13 chicks. The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust have posted some wonderful photos of these majestic birds on their Facebook page:

 www.facebook.com

Saturday 27 June
Armed Forces Day

Dacorum Borough Council will be holding its annual Armed Forces Day celebration from midday to 4pm in Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead. This free event will feature arena displays and performances, including a Home Guard foot drill display, birds of prey demonstrations and swing dancing lessons for all ages, as well as craft stalls, food and drink.

 www.dacorum.gov.uk

Saturday 27 June
Outdoor Theatre at the Castle

There's another fabulous summer of outdoor theatre in the ruins of Berkhamsted Castle:

• Saturday 27 June at 2pm & 7pm: Northanger Abbey
  an adaptation of Jane Austen's 1799 novel - a thrilling Gothic tale of dark deeds? or a playful, heartwarming Regency romance?
• Saturday 11 July at 2pm & 7pm: Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
  a medieval romp promising a touch of Men in Tights and Monty Python and the Holy Grail
  
  

Bring a picnic, a picnic blanket or camping chair, and come prepared for the Great British summer: sun screen, warm clothes and waterproofs! Booking info on the Castle website:

 www.berkhamstedcastle.org.uk

Saturday 27 June at 6:30 pm
Ashlyns Summer Concert

Ashlyns School are holding their Summer Concert tomorrow - everyone is welcome to enjoy an evening of musical entertainment by the talented pupils of Ashlyns. Refreshments are 
provided by the ASA. Tickets are £13.

Saturday 4 July at 11:00 am
Community Coffee & Well-Being Morning

This free event is for anyone who is thinking about the challenges of maintaining their independence and well-being at home in later years, and the possibilities of living in a care home. It's organised by home care provider Caremark Dacorum and speakers will include a doctor, a former care home manager, and local funeral director Charlie Jarrett. Come and discover local care, support and well-being options for living and ageing well. Coffee and cake will be served and it's free to anyone - St Mary's Northchurch Parish Rooms 11am - 12noon.

Sunday 5 July at 2:30 pm
Organ recital at All Saints

The last of the 2026 Sarah Garrett Recital Series will be given by acclaimed organist Iestyn Evans, Director of Music at St James Spanish Place London, one of London's foremost Catholic churches, and of St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate in the City. Interval refreshments will be available. Entry is free, no booking required, retiring collection to support All Saints Church funds.  All Saints Church, Shrublands Road, HP4 3HY.

Friday 10 July - Saturday 11 July
Berko Beer Festival

at Kitcheners Field, behind Berkhamsted Castle over the weekend of 11 & 12 July, featuring stand-up comedy, live music, food stalls, and 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!

 www.buytickets.at

Saturday 11 July
Northchurch Summer Fête

Our friends at St Mary's Northchurch are holding their annual Summer Fête 12 noon - 3:30pm. BBQ, a fully licensed bar, stalls, entertainment, fun and games. New this year is a dog show, all entries welcome!

Saturday 11 July at 7:30 pm
Chiltern Chamber Choir 50th anniversary concert

It's a very special concert for a very special occasion - the Chiltern Chamber Choir marks its 50th anniversary with a concert in St Peter's. The CCC was founded in 1976 by Adrian Davis, and is still thriving! Join Calum Zuckert and the CCC in a celebration, with music by Vaughan Williams, Schumann and Bob Chilcott. Then enjoy a glass of celebratory fizz and a slice of cake after the concert! Tickets: £20 in advance, £22 on the door, under 18s and full-time students free - gettickets from choir members, Brown & Merry Estate Agents (next to church) or online:

 www.eventbookings.com

Saturday 18 July at 2:30 pm
Historic Churches meeting

The Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust (BHHCT) are holding their annual meeting at St. Mary's Church in the village of Pirton, North Hertfordshire, near Hitchin (SG5 3QE). There will be an opportunity to look around the church, with tea served at 3:30pm. This will be followed by a service of sung evensong at 4:30pm, with Archdeacon Charles Hudson preaching. If you would like to attend, please email the BHHCT secretary so they can cater for tea.

Contact:

Revd Canon Lynda Klimas    01234 745 407

 Email Revd Canon Lynda Klimas

 bedshertshct.org.uk