There’s not a lot of farming going on in North London, and our annual celebration of Harvest always felt a bit ‘arms-length’ to me; just another stop on our way through the liturgical calendar. It was out of this sense of disconnect that I introduced the idea of having a Harvest Promises Auction back at the wonderful St John’s, Dysons Road. When in Biblical times someone offered a sheaf of wheat or a lamb to God, they were offering up the produce of their time, of their talents, of their toil. Popping into Asda to pick up a four-pack of baked beans and a jumbo bag of pasta doesn’t have quite the same level of personal commitment or cost.

Rural Berkhamsted is obviously a very different kind of a community to the ones I served in London, and there’s plenty of farming going on all around us. Nevertheless, I suspect that our town probably has more people working in filming than farming, more people working in architecture than agriculture, so perhaps not so completely different after all. I’m grateful therefore to all the people who are getting involved in this year’s Harvest Promises Auction in support of the Bishop of St Alban’s Harvest Appeal, which you can read about here:

Bishops’ Harvest Appeal – The Diocese of St Albans

Ultimately, our willingness to give to others is rooted in our own sense of giftedness. As I know some people have found when thinking about how they could get involved in the auction, it usually prompts the questions, ‘What have I got?’, ‘What can I do?’ And so the very first step in a true Harvest celebration is a kind of stock-take. For all sorts of different reasons, we’re not always brilliant at recognising all the different ways in which we are a gifted people with so much to give. So amidst all the giving that is quite properly a part of our Harvest Festival celebrations, let’s take time first to stop, to look at all that we have, all that we are so fortunate to have, and to give thanks for all that we have been given.

Sunday 12 October at 11:00 am
Sunday School Harvest Cake Sale

The Sunday school children will be selling homemade cakes in the courthouse after the 9.30am service on 12th October. The money raised will be for our Harvest collection. Please come along to enjoy a delicious treat with your coffee!

Sunday 12 October at 11:15 am
Harvest Promises Auction

We'll mark Harvest Festival with a Promises Auction at 11.15am on Sunday 12th October. The origins of Harvest Festival lie in people giving directly of their gifts in the form of crops they'd grown or livestock they'd nurtured, and so in marking Harvest Festival with a Promises Auction, we're encouraging people to give of their gifts in that same direct way. This year we are supporting the Bishops' Harvest Appeal, "Rewrite Their Future", which is raising money for children's education for in Uganda and Zambia. 

So far the Promises being auctioned include a cream tea, organ lessons, various offers of home-made food including a Sunday lunch and a Christmas pudding, help with tracing your family tree, gardening, an anthem of your choice after the Parish Mass, foraging for sloes (to make gin) and clay pigeon shooting! 

What can you offer? It's not too late to add a Promise of your own - even if you can't attend on Sunday, you can put in a "virtual bid". Please email Fr Stuart by midday tomorrow (Saturday).

harvest promises

The Bishop’s Harvest Appeal

Contact:

 Send an email to: Stuart Owen

 01442 8797 39

 www.stalbansdiocese.org/parishsupport/growing-comm

Sunday 12 October at 6:30 pm
Choral Evensong

Everyone is welcome to Choral Evensong, when we glorify God through the beauty of choral singing, the poetry of Christian liturgy, and the stillness of prayers. It's a service where people often find great comfort and tranquillity simply through contemplation, as they immerse themselves in the beauty of music and prayer.

Responses: Ayleward
Psalms: 47
Canticles: Noble in B minor
Anthem: Blessed be the God and Father - SS Wesley

Please note that a small film crew will be present at this service. They are from Crossway, a US Christian publisher, and they are visiting Berkhamsted to shoot some footage of a typical English parish Evensong to be used in a video about the history of English Bible translations. It has been agreed that they will film the choir singing, and the backs of people in the pews. If you do not wish to be included in shot, please speak to the crew before the start of the start of Evensong.

Sunday 19 October
Mission Action Planning

At the start of the new Church year, on Advent Sunday, the PCC will be setting out our new Mission Action Plan. To help shape that plan, we're inviting feedback from members of the congregation on what you think our priorities should be over the next three years. This will take place after the Parish Mass on Sunday 19th October (you can also contact Fr Stuart directly if you won't be there that Sunday). We're encouraging people to think about priorities linked to the Diocesan vision:-

• Going deeper into God
• Making new disciples
• Transforming communities

Find out more about what Mission Action Planning will mean for us in this short video (6 minutes):

Video:

Contact:

 Send an email to: Fr Stuart

 01442 879 739

 www.stalbansdiocese.org/parishsupport/growing-your

Artists & makers wanted!

Back in May we had a super successful Arts & Crafts Fair in the Court House. Local creatives sold works of art and raised £1000s for the St Peter's Renovation Appeal. We're planning to run another fair on Saturday 22 November and we're putting the call out for artists and makers to take part. You sell works and we just ask for a % donation towards church funds. It's a fun community day, you'll meet lots of people, and you'll also help St Peter's to fix its leaking roof! Want to book a stall? Or do you have creative friends or neighbours who might like this opportunity to sell their crafts? Please get in touch with:

Contact:

 Send an email to: Carolynne Charman

 07503 156 751

All Souls list

On sunday 2 November we will hold our All Souls service. This is when we gather to remember with thanksgiving loved ones who have passed from this life. The Church Choir will sing Duruflé's Requiem.

It is our tradition at St Peter's to read out the names of the departed during the evening service. There is a list at the back of church, so if you would like to include the name of someone you have lost, whether recently or many years ago, please write their name on the list.

(Please note that when the sheet is full, it gets replaced, so there is no need to add names twice.) You can also email the names to:

Contact:

 Send an email to: St Peter's Parish Office

Archbishop of Canterbury

An hour after last week's Parish News email went out, it was announced that the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE (currently Bishop of London) has been nominated as our new Archbishop of Canterbury. She will be the 106th Archbishop and the first woman to hold the office in the history of England. Bishop Sarah will be installed at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026.

Gracious God,
We give thanks for the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Recognising the weight of the ministry she will undertake, we ask that you strengthen and guide her in all things. We pray also for the Diocese of London, as they prepare for the change and transition that her departure will bring. May she be upheld by your grace and surrounded by the prayers of your people, as she leads with wisdom, courage and compassion.
Amen.

 www.archbishopofcanterbury.org

Baptism and confirmations

On Sunday at St Peter's, four candidates came forward for Christian initiation - one baptism and four confirmations. As a worshipping community, we celebrated the confirmation of Lizzie, Joseph, Muriel and Adam. Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, Bishop of Bedford and our acting Bishop of St Albans presided. Our congratulations and prayers go with our new members. We welcome you!

Almighty and ever-living God,
you have given these your servants new birth
in baptism by water and the Spirit,
and have forgiven them all their sins.
Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them:
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding;
the Spirit of counsel and inward strength;
the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness;
and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord.
Amen.

During the service, our Sunday School children had fun doing a special Confirmation I-Spy game, spotting different elements of the service and learning about the importance of confirmation. 

Last Sunday’s quarter peal

You may have heard the bells start ringing slightly earlier than normal on Sunday, this was to allow time for a quarter peal to mark the confirmation of four members of our congregation including two bellringers. A quarter peal is about 40 minutes of change ringing, with as few repetitions of any bell sequence as possible. Quarter peals are often rung to mark significant events in the life of the Parish. If you are interested in learning to ring, then new members are always welcome - please get in touch:

Contact:

 Send an email to: Mike Below

Christmas Hamper donations please!

Carolynne's incredible, tireless fundraising effort continues, and she is going to raffle another Christmas hamper this year in aid of the St Peter's Renovation Appeal. She would like donations of Christmas food - luxury seasonal treats such as chocolate, jams, tins/jars of pâté, puddings, crisps, nuts, cake - like so many things in life, the posher the better! No perishable foods please. All proceeds from the raffle will go to the St Peter's Renovation Appeal.

Contact:

 Send an email to: Carolynne Charman

 07503 156 751

Learn to ring bells and find a new interest!

Berkhamsted's Bellringers are looking for new ringers to join them. As well as learning to ring bells, it's a great way to socialise, meet new friends and enjoy a Christmas meal!

You don't need to be

• Strong,
• Religious, or
• Musical

You just need to be ready to try something different!

The bellringers meet every Thursday 7.45pm-9.15pm at the South door to St Peter's Church. Learn to ring bells and find a new interest! Get in touch:

Contact:

 Send an email to: Mike Below

 07711 261 092

Victoria School open mornings

Are you looking for a school in the local area? Looking for a Reception place to start September 2026? Victoria School are holding open mornings for prospective Reception families to have a tour of the school. 

• Tuesday 21 October 2025 9.15am
• Monday 3 November 2025 11am
• Thursday 13 November 2025 9.15am
• Wednesday 19 November 2025 9.15am
• Tuesday 2 December 2025 9.15am
• Thursday 8 January 2026  9.15am (Reception and Nursery Tour)

View Victoria's online presentation for prospective parents

To book your space, please complete the online booking form. The staff look forward to sharing their wonderful school and welcoming you to the Victoria family.

"Thank you for all the care, joy and encouragement you've given to the children. X has been so happy here."
"We love Victoria! Thank you for all the positive energy and fostering such curiosity in our kids."

- Quotes from the Year 2 Parents of the Class of 2025 Leavers

victoria school prospectus

 forms.office.com/e/yuB10v7yas

Harvest at Victoria School

This week we had our Harvest service at St Peter's where it was lovely to see all our families celebrating with us. We reflected on those that may not have as much access to food as we do and looked at a story of Frank and the Pea Stalk. Frank lived in Malawi and was unable to grow crops because of the extreme weather conditions. One day he is given some pigeon pea seeds which can grow in the Malawi climate. This story linked to the work Christian Aid does with the community and how this has helped the community to grow foods for themselves.

We were very grateful for all of the generous donations of food and items for the Hope Food Bank. This will help many of the families in Berkhamsted and we have also arranged a visit there with our Kindness Ambassadors to find out more about how the food bank helps our community.

Mrs Lisa Freeman
Head of School, Victoria CE Infant and Nursery School

Tuesday 28 October - Saturday 8 November
Poppy Fields at the Cathedral

This October half term, experience Poppy Fields by Luxmuralis, an immersive journey of light and sound inside St Albans Cathedral reflecting on the World Wars and hopes for peace. Stunning projections and evocative music will transform the Cathedral into a moving work of art, as our thoughts turn to Remembrance. Entry is by ticketed time slot, so you must book ahead, selecting a date and time slot. Adults £12, children £8, family tickets and disabled concessions available.

 www.stalbanscathedral.org/Event/poppy-fields

Vacancy for PA to the Archdeacon of St Albans

The Diocese is currently advertising for a new PA for the Archdeacon of St Albans (on the retirement of his current PA). This senior secretarial/administrative role is offered on a part time basis of 20 hours per week. The PA will support the Archdeacon in all aspects of their work, including diary and meeting organisation, supporting parish officers and the management of the appointments process for parish clergy. The role is based in the Archdeacon's office in St Albans. The closing date for applications is this Monday 13 October 2025. For full details and an application form, see:

 www.stalbansdiocese.org/vacancies/pa-to-the-archde

Saturday 11 October
Tring Apple Fayre

Tring's annual Apple Fayre is back, with an Apple Cart parade through the town at 10.30am, and a farmers' market in Brook Street.9am - 2pm, plus a scarecrow competition, Morris dancing, a Maypole and family fun. In the run-up to the parade day there are fruity events all over Tring, including open gardens, an open day at Ford End Watermill, apple pressing and a Harvest Festival service in Tring Parish Church. Download the Apple Faure programme:

 www.tringtogether.org.uk/apple-fayre

Sunday 12 October
Berkhamsted Artisan & Makers Market

This Sunday, Berkhamsted is getting a fabulous new market - Berkhamsted Artisan Market! The Market will be a regular showcase for local creative artists & makers, and promises to bring a new creative vibe to the town. Come and browse the market stalls, for glass, wood, and ceramic crafts, textiles, artworks, dried flowers, children's clothes, and jewellery, and maybe find an early Christmas gift! 

Berkhamsted Artisan Market is being organised by The Friends of St Peter's (FoSP), the charity that fundraises to support Berkhamsted's cherished heritage assets, St Peter's Parish Church (1222), Berkhamsted Town Hall (1859) and Rectory Lane Cemetery (1842). All the pitch fees from The Market will go towards maintaining these historic sites. Do please support this fabulous community initiative!

Berkhamsted Artisan Market will have two launch markets on Sunday 12 October and Sunday 30 November, and then from March next year it is planned to hold the market on the second Sunday of the month.

Berkhamsted Artisan Market

 www.berkhamstedartisanmarket.co.uk

Tuesday 14 October - Saturday 18 October at 7:00 pm
The Pepper Show

at the Dembe Theatre (formerly the Court theatre) in Tring, promising a fabulous night of live rock, pop, country, dance and indie music, performed by local bands and singers. Each year, the show raises vital funds for the Pepper Foundation, a charity which provides children's hospice-at-home care in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. Tickets £15-22.50, discounts for children aged 12 and under, available from the Pepper Box Office:

Contact:

 01442 507324

 www.pepper.org.uk/event/the-pepper-show-2025

Tuesday 21 October - Saturday 25 October
Jesus Christ Superstar

There's another chance to see Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's hit rock opera at Berkhamsted School's Centenary Theatre, performed by Berkhamsted Theatre Company. The musical presents the passion and death of Christ through dama and song.  Tickets £20:

Sunday 2 November at 2:00 pm
The Big Fat Interfaith Quiz

Interfaith organisation Beyond Difference is holding a quiz night at Chiltern Hills Academy in Chesham. Test your faith-flavoured general knowledge, laugh learn and compete with friends! There will be snacks and prizes! Register online or just turn up.

 beyonddifference.org

The Swan Youth Project: Berkhamsted Together

The Swan Youth Project starts a new chapter next week to further support people in our community. With the unfortunate closure of Open Door, the Swan have decided to open their centre so that groups have a place where they can continue to meet and get the help they need. Whilst this is on a temporary basis, a new charity is being set up by volunteers under the banner "Berkhamsted Together".

swan berkhamsted together

 www.theswanyouthproject.co.uk

Vote for our Cemetery!

The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world. The Friends of St Peter's have already received glowing assessments for their work in restoring and maintaining St Peter's historic cemetery, Rectory Lane Cemetery, and have been voted one of the Top Ten of the UK's favourite green spaces. They hope to maintain this position, so if you have enjoyed our restored cemetery, please follow the link below to vote for Rectory Lane Cemetery and to keep Berkhamsted on the map!

 www.greenflagaward.org/park-summary

 www.rectorylanecemetery.org.uk/about/project

A dazzling piano recital

Video: