| Volume 16 No. 20 | Friday 10 April 2026 |
The Friday ThoughtJottings for Easter I will be away later this week, so I am writing these jottings on Tuesday, before I go away, with all the threats of war in my ears and I have just come back from a walk in the most beautiful Spring sunshine today. So I am thinking: where do we find Easter hope as we live in the tension between the best and the worst that this Easter has brought? The words of WH Vanstone’s hymn which begins with in praise of Creation came to my mind –, as I walked in the sunshine today, and enjoyed, the primroses and cowslips and listened to the birds. He wrote: ‘Open Lord are these thy gifts
Gifts of love to mind and sense.’
The verse continues Hidden is loves agony,
Love’s endeavour, love’s expense.
At Easter we celebrate new life in all its joy, but we also celebrate the love that speaks to us out of our present darkness, as the war in the Middle East has gone on and on. We see the best in people who continue to work for peace, to relieve suffering and sustain communities. A Christian living in Lebanon wrote this to the Christian Charity Embrace just before Easter: ‘We cannot preserve what has been lost. But we can help preserve dignity, care and community, because even in war, compassion must remain stronger.’
Surely words which show Love’s endeavour, love’s expense. On another note: There have been some very good offerings on radio and TV this Easter. Do watch the installation of Sarah Mullaly as Archbishop of Canterbury if you haven’t seen it already. It’s full of surprises and joy. I am yet to watch Pilgrimage on BBC 1, but I look forward to following the pilgrims on the last lap of their journey to Lindisfarne – I made the same walk about fifteen years ago and especially enjoyed the paddle across the sands to the island. On Archive on 4, Mark Oakley, the Dean of Southwark is introducing some recordings of Kenneth Williams reading some of the Gospel stories. He is an amazing storyteller, and you can hear in his voice what the stories meant to him. Mark Oakley fills in some of the background of his faith and his uncertainty too. Harry Clarke Goes to Rome was on BBC on April 2nd. It’s a very moving account of his journey made by Harry Clarke (from The Traitors) to meet Pope Leo and reconnect with his faith. |
Church news & notices Easter 2026 – thank youWe have just celebrated our 804th Easter at St Peter's, and what a week it has been, when we all travelled further on our faith journey, through the drama of Holy Week and the joy of Easter. Profound thanks are due to everyone who has worked behind the scenes to organise everything this year. We give thanks for the guidance of Fr Stuart and the clergy team, for our bellringers, servers, readers, sacristy and chalice assistants and all who have helped in any way at services to provide a warm welcome to worshippers and to make everything run smoothly. Our choir were on top form as they sang five services (including bright-tailed and bushey-eyed at the 6am Easter Vigil) and an exquisite concert performance of Stainer's Crucifixion. Our 9:30am Easter Parish Mass concluded with our choir (plus guests) singing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. We thank all who have worked so hard to elevate our worship and draw us deeper into faith. On Holy Saturday we had an army of volunteers who turned up armed with mops and brooms to give the church a good pre-Easter clean. One great big thank you is due to all of those that turned up to make the church sparkle for Easter. It is wonderful when the worshipping community come together to make it all happen - so, if you did something, however small, thank you. If anyone now feels inspired to join one of the 5 Cleaning Teams, please have a word with Lea Willis or Judy Clegg! Easter does not end on Easter Day - there are of course 40 days of Eastertide, when the Resurrection is uppermost in our minds at worship. This coming Sunday - the Second Sunday of Easter - is "Low Sunday", and our exhausted choir traditionally take a Sunday off to recover after all the musical exertions over Holy Week and Easter. Our Paschal joy is undimmed, so please sing loudly and lustily in the hymns this Sunday! "Bless, O Lord, all thy servants who minister in thy temple..." Video: | Thursday 16 April at 10:00 am
Tour of St Peter’s Berkhamsted and more!
Dr Christopher Green, heritage expert and author of a fascinating history of St Peter's church, will be leading a tour of St Peter's Church for Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust. The day will start with coffee followed by the church tour, highlighting its hidden stories and many treasures. There will be a pub lunch, and we plan to add a town tour in the afternoon. The lunch is optional and paid individually. The Church Tour is limited to 25 people so book now! More information will be sent after you have booked. Tickets £10, Friends of the Trust £8. Book by post - pick up a booking form at the back of church or download it here: | Sunday 19 April at 11:00 am
APCMThe Meeting of Parishioners and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) will be held after our morning worship on Sunday 19 April (2 weeks after Easter). Do please make every effort to be present at these meetings - they are a significant occasion in our communal parish life. The 2025 Annual Report and Parish Accounts will be made available after Easter. | Saturday 2 May
St Peter’s goes to market!One of the outcomes of our recent Mission Action Plan consultation was that many felt we should be more active in our outreach to the community. We have a glorious building with so many wonderful events throughout the year, but perhaps waiting for the public to come to us, we need to think about going out to meet people and extend our welcome. With this in mind, we are going to hold a St Peter's market stall on the High Street market on Saturday 2 May 8am-1pm. We plan to meet people out in the town, hand out leaflets and promote our year-round activities and welcome for families. We'll also be advertising June's Petertide Fair. It will be an opportunity to chat to shoppers - we won't be forcing beliefs on people, but assuring them that our doors are open to all, whatever their faith. Carolynne will be drawing up a rota, so volunteers will only do a 1-hour stint. Can you help us to raise the profile of St Peter's on the market? Get in touch! | Saturday 9 May at 7:00 pm
Lasagne EveningThere will be another fundraising lasagne evening in the Court House, raising money for the St Peter's Renovation Appeal. The last event was such an enjoyable evening with good food and good company, so do please support this evening. We have a lot of hidden talent for la Cucina Italiana in the parish, so if you can contribute a lasagne or a desert, please contact: | Easter greetings from ChislehurstFr Stephen Jullien (who grew up in this parish) has just celebrated his first Easter at his new parish, the Church of the Annunciation Chislehurst in south London. This was an opportunity for the Julliens and Tiberghiens to get together to celebrate - along with Maple the dog! |
 Church of England news
Easter Day sermon by Archbishop SarahDuring the Easter Day worship at Canterbury Cathedral, Archbishop Sarah preached a sermon exploring themes of light and darkness. While her call an end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East hit the headlines, the sermon, Sarah's focus is on the teachings of St Gregory of Nyssa and the paradox of finding God in "dazzling darkness". You can read the sermon online, and the entire service is available to watch on YouTube. Video: |
 Diocesan news
Peregrine Cam updateMore egg-citing news from the St Albans Cathedral Peregrines: a fourth egg has been laid! The adults will continue taking turns incubating around the clock, keeping the clutch warm and protected high above the city. Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust have set up a live Peregrine Webcam, and you can watch it all unfold live on the Cathedral website: |  | 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 Saturday 11 April
Berko Repair CaféThere will be a Repair Café on Saturday 9:30-12:30 (note: a week later than usual due to Easter) at Northchurch Social Centre, HP4 3RD. Come and get household items repaired instead of throwing them out! No need to book, just drop in. Find out how it works at: | Saturday 11 April - Sunday 12 April at 7:30 pm
Seussical the MusicalThis weekend, the Smash Arts Theatre Company brings the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss to life, featuring Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat and a cast of beloved characters. Berkhamsted School Centenary Theatre, Kings Road. Tickets £17.50, concessions £16.50, book online: | Sunday 12 April
Berkhamsted Artisan Market AprilThe next Artisan Market is on the High Street, offering handmade jewellery, gifts, crafts, wooden homewares, ceramics, sculpture and more. Cand have a browse - all stall fees go towards the Friends of St Peter's. | Saturday 25 April at 7:30 pm
Ein Deutsches RequiemBerkhamsted Choral Society with English Philharmonia will perform Johannes Brahms' German Requiem in St Peter's Church, one of the most beautiful and spiritual works of the 19th century. Drawing on a range of texts from the German Lutheran bible that focus on spiritual healing, it was written to give comfort to the living rather than serve as a prayer for the dead. The programme will also include Mozart's Serenade no. 6 in D major Serenata notturna. | Sunday 10 May
The Berkhamsted Walk 2026Registration is now open for the Berkhamsted Walk. This is Berkhamsted's annual fundraiser for the Children's Society, helping disadvantaged young people and vulnerable children which has been going since 1968! You can choose from three different walks: 6, 12 or 18 miles (the routes vary each year), and there are checkpoints and refreshments along the way. To take part, you need to register on their website, and you can make a personal donation (online or by bank card on the day), or collect sponsorship (download the sponsor form from the website). | Friday 15 May - Saturday 23 May
Chiltern Arts Festival 2026Booking is now open for this year's Chiltern Arts Festival - eight days of concerts, walks and events that are inspired by nature, at beautiful locations across the Chiltern Hills. Music will include orchestral, jazz, Renaissance and contemporary choral music at venues including Great Missenden, College Lake, Ashridge, Aldbury, Henley-on-Thames, Marlow, Thame and Princes Risborough. On Saturday 16 May, the Blaze Ensemble will be here at St Peter's Berkhamsted, playing Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony and favourites by Mendelssohn, Delius and Mozart. Pick up a festival brochure at the back of the church. Full listings and ticket sales are all on the Chiltern Arts website: | Sunday 14 June
DENS Castle WalkAnother community fundraising walk coming up in summer: registration is now open for the DENS Castle Walk, raising money for our local homelessness charity. Beginning at Berkhamsted Castle, participants can select either a 5 or 10 mile route through beautiful Hertfordshire countryside. Adults £15, U18s £10, family ticket £40. Participants are invited to get friends and family to sponsor them through JustGiving. Register online: | Castle Fields AppealGreat news from Berkhamsted Castle Trust (BCT) - their Castle Fields appeal has now safely passed the £100K mark. They are on their way to raising £500,000 to save the open fields next to the Castle from development, and with this latest milestone, BCT have been able to purchase the first field at the bottom near White Hill! On a 1612 map, this area was called Strawberry Close, so this is a Strawberry Fields moment! There are various public events coming up at the Castle and around the town raising money for the appeal, including guided walks and a musical afternoon at Berkhamsted Town Hall. You can find out more at: | Easter Eggs in the Cemetery The Rectory Lane Cemetery volunteers ran a successful Easter Discovery Trail on Good Friday, welcoming lots of families to (re)discover the lovely green space. Children enjoyed following the clues, chatting to the guides, learning about historic memorials and then being rewarded with a chocolate egg. It was a lovely morning encouraging families to appreciate our local heritage and our parish history. Thanks are due to all the volunteer guides and helpers from Friends of St Peter's who worked so hard to make this happen.
| Bluebell seasonThe bluebells are just starting to come out, when our local woodlands are carpeted in deep blue and filled with fragrance for just a couple of weeks. Dockey Woods near Ringshall is a popular spot, but the ecosystem is suffering from overtourism. The National Trust have introduced admission charges at certain times to manage numbers, so you may want to visit other more secluded spots to experience this spring wonder. Many woodlands near Berkhamsted have hidden bluebell spots, so take a wander to see what you can find. We're not going to recommend any specific woodlands, as this risks encouraging hordes of visitors, but why not pick up a Berkhamsted Citizens Association footpath map in Waterstones and start exploring! Read more about bluebells at the Ashridge Estate on the NT website: |
Cartoon Church This week's cartoon courtesy of CartoonChurch
Copyright © 2026 Dave Walker
  | Worship with usThis Sunday: 12 April 2026
Easter 2 |
9:30am Sung Eucharist
You are invited to join us at our main Sunday service
Next Sunday: 19 April 2026
Music this weekHymns: ReadingsActs 2.14a, 22-32But 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. ‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him, “I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover, my flesh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.” ‘Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, “He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.” This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Gospel: John 20.19-endWhen 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.’ But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
 In our prayers this weekAnglican Cycle of Prayer:Igreja Anglicana de Mocambique e Angola/the Anglican Church of Mozambique & AngolaIntercessions | 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 | Denis Beard, Mary Beard, Christina Billington, Patricia Cody, Barbara Conway, Nola Frost, Yvonne Hart, Judith Hill, John Malcolm, Ghullam Mutaheri, Frozan Mutaheri, Clare Wallington, Stacy Giles | In our
immediate prayers | Graeme Davis, Mark Few, Barbara Fisher, Peter Kirk, Gwen Roberts, Fr Chris Rogers, Peter Rolfe, David Steadmann, Charlotte Szypryt, Neata Thomson, Sienna Vallance, Liz, Ken Organ | Weddings
(next four weeks) | | Wedding banns
called this Sunday | | Baptisms
(next four weeks) | Delilah Carr
| | RIP | Owen Ford, Ann Braddick, Cheryl Beauchamp | | Memorial (year's mind) | Jean Bray, Betty Halls, Alan Naisbett, Harriet Hawkins | ☩ Funeral noticesTuesday 14th April at 12pm: Funeral of Cheryl Beauchamp at St Paul’s Church Langleybury, followed by a short crematorium service (family only). Reception after in Hunton Park Hotel, Kings Langley, WD4 8PN.
 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 12 April 2026 - Easter 2| 8am Eucharist |
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| President | Fr David | | Preacher | Fr David | | Reader | Ruth W. | | 9:30am Eucharist |
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| President | Fr David (Fr Stuart) ((Margaret)) | | Preacher | Fr David | | Sidesperson | Cathy I. | | Sidesperson | Carole D. | | MC | Will G. | | Acolyte | . | | Acolyte | Nick A. | | Thurifer | Emma G. | | Cruficer | . | | Reader | Barbara J. | | Intercessions | Helen R. | | Eucharistic Minister (Chalice) | Helen N. | | Eucharistic Minister (Chalice) | Bev J. | | Sunday School | . | | Sound | Michael A. | | Friday Thought | Fr Chris |
Sunday 19 April 2026 - Easter 3| 8am Eucharist |
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| President | Fr Stuart | | Preacher | Rob Jenkins | | Reader | Sarah H. | | 9:30am Eucharist |
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| President | Margaret (Fr Stuart) ((Rob Jenkins)) | | Preacher | Rob Jenkins | | Sidesperson | Uli G. | | Sidesperson | Helen P. | | MC | Libby G. | | Acolyte | . | | Acolyte | Emma G. | | Thurifer | Richard C. | | Cruficer | . | | Reader | Hilary A. | | Intercessions | Joseph C. | | Eucharistic Minister (Chalice) | Kate H. | | Eucharistic Minister (Chalice) | Pru M. | | Sunday School | . | | Sound | Jeremy G. | | Friday Thought | Fr Anthony |
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Contact Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust
07503 156 751
