St Peter's news

Church news & notices

Wednesday 22 November - Wednesday 13 December at 10:30 am
Advent course: Searching for Home

Richard Hackworth will be hosting a four-week Advent course. The topic centres on immigration and the challenges immigration presents us as a country and a church. Everyone and anyone who is interested is welcome to come along. We will meet once a week for four weeks. Each week we will read a short section from the course book (details below). When we meet, we will also listen to a short recorded discussion, before discussing the ideas and thoughts raised by the course.

The book we have chosen is Searching for Home by Cole Moreton. This is not a long book, and the reading won't take long to read a section each week. The book is published by Eden in paperback for £11.84. If you would like someone to get the book for you that would be no trouble – please let Richard know.

I suggest we will meet at 10.30 am until no later than 12.00 on four Wednesday mornings 22nd November until 13th December. We will meet in the Square room of the Court House (with tea / coffee and biscuits of course!) I hope you will be able to come, and I look forward to meeting with you. If you are interested in this course, please contact:
 

 www.eden.co.uk

Sunday 26 November
Festival of Light

During the town’s Festival of Light street party next Sunday, we throw open our church doors to the public. We will again welcome thousands of visitors who come in to experience our beautiful historic church lit by thousands of candles. Many will come into a church for perhaps the first time, many will pause for a moment of reflection in this calm, sacred space, and light a candle prayerfully. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to welcome our community into St Peter's, and offer hospitality with our famous mulled wine stall outside!

If you would like to help on the day with selling drinks, lighting candles, fetching or carrying, please speak to:

Cards of Christmas Hope

Christmas is for most of us a time of cheer, but sadly, many people in our Berkhamsted community do not spend Christmas surrounded by friends or family. There is one small way you can help - by writing Christmas cards to send to people who may be isolated or going through a difficult time at Christmas. Cards of Christmas Hope have put a posting box inside St Peter's at the back of the church. Please support this lovely initiative by writing cards with a little message of seasonal hope, and pop it into the posting box at the back of church any time before Saturday 2 December.  You could use cards you've already bought, buy a pack of St Peter's cards in the the church, or even make your own cards for a personal touch!

 www.facebook.com

COVID tests

Now that winter is upon us, some people may be concerned about a seasonal rise in COVID. We have some COVID tests available to pick up at the back of church, or on request from the Parish Office. This is especially important if you have elderly or clinically vulnerable family members, or if you are visiting care homes etc.

It’s beginning to look a lot like….

Advent and Christmas season is just around the corner, and as usual there will be lots happening at St Peter's. There will be news about all the services and concerts coming up in the parish news soon, but if you'd like some dates for your diaries, our website has them all, along with ticket links where appropriate:

 www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk

Christmas Raffle

Carolynne is organising a Christmas raffle in aid of the Roof Fund! She is collecting luxury gift food items so that she can put together a large Christmas hamper as a prize. Suggestions for items you could donate:

• Biscuits for cheese
• Peanuts
• Christmas pudding
• Chocolate
• Mincemeat in a jar
• Cranberry sauce
• chutney
• cheese biscuits
• peanuts
• olives (in jars)
• olive oil
• After Eight mints

... or anything needed for Christmas would be welcome.

Mothers’ Union Travelling Crib

Once again Mary, Joseph and their donkey will be travelling round the parish during Advent and are looking for families to host them overnight. (They are small knitted figures travelling in a basket). If you would like to host them Kathie Lally will be collecting names after the 9.30am Mass on 12th and 19th November. Alternatively, you can phone/email her:

Remembrance Sunday

On Remembrance Sunday, the Berkhamsted community gathered to stand in silence, and remember those who fell in war, all who serve today, and civilians whose lives are disfigured by war or terror. At 11am there was a ceremonial laying of wreaths and 2-minute silence at the war memorial in Rectory Lane Cemetery, attended by Gagan Mohindra MP. In the afternoon, the Royal British Legion march concluded with the Last Post and silence at the war memorial, and a Remembrance service in St Peter's. Our choir sang Greater Love by John Ireland.

"Calling to mind the anger and hatreds of humanity, we commit ourselves to work in penitence and faith for reconciliation between the nations, that all people may, together, live in freedom, justice and peace."

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
- For the Fallen (Laurence Binyon)

Thanks to Alastair McIver for his photos.

 www.facebook.com

Schools news

Thursday 23 November at 11:00 am
Victoria School Reception Parent Tours

Victoria School are holding tours for the parents of prospective pupils, for entry in September 2024. There is one more tour taking place on Thursday 23 November at 11am. If you would like to take part, please ring the school to book onto a visit:

 victoria.herts.sch.uk

Odd Socks and Wacky Hair!

This is one of my favourite weeks of the year, Kindness Week. The children started the week with Odd Socks Day celebrating how everyone is unique and we should work together to shout out against bullying of any kind. We then had a Positive Noticing Day on Wednesday using the power of positive praise where we all 'noticed' something about someone else, then wrote it on a label for them to take home. The week ended with our Wacky Hair Day for Children in Need with a whole range of wacky hair styles from both the children and staff. The staff have been doing random acts of kindness for their wellbeing buddy which has gone done really well with all the treats 'appearing' to brighten our day.

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

 victoria.herts.sch.uk

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

Sunday 3 December at 3:00 pm
Hospice Christmas Carol Concert at St Albans Cathedral

The Hospice of St Francis invite you to a magical afternoon of popular carols at the Cathedral, with special performances from talented local choirs, festive readings and plenty of opportunity for merry audience participation! The money raised from this concert will help the Hospice to continue to provide free, expert care, ensuring everyone is able to live their precious life well. For tickets contact:

 www.stalbanscathedral.org

Berkhamsted community news & events

Saturday 18 November at 7:30 pm
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason Piano Concert

This Saturday, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason plays Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Bridgewater Sinfonia. A BBC Young Musician finalist and one of Classic FM’s "Rising Stars", Jeneba recently made her Proms debut and has featured on BBC Radio 3. It will be quite an occasion to hear her playing here in Berkhamsted. The exciting programme will also feature Dvořák's Three Slavonic Dances and Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony - an evening of symphonic greats!

Please note: this concert will take place at the Centenary Theatre on Kings Road and not at St Peter's. Tickets are selling fast! Book online for £18, or £20 on the night, under-18s get in FREE!

 eventsatberkhamsted.ticketsolve.com

Monday 20 November at 7:30 pm
Wildlife talk at Northchurch Baptist church

The Creation Care team at Northchurch Baptist Church (NBC) is putting on a series of three talks connected to nature during the winter. In the first talk, "The Changing Nature of Britain's Wildlife", Speaker Ian Gamble explore the flowers, animals and birds in various habitats around Britain with slides. There will be an interval with hot drinks and cake. Free entry.

Thursday 23 November - Saturday 25 November
Berkhamsted Art Society Winter Exhibition

Berkhamsted Art Society invite you to their Winter Exhibition at Berkhamsted Civic Centre. Come and browse the exhibition of paintings, prints, ceramics and cards by local artists, with free demonstrations and children's activities, and maybe purchase a distinctive Christmas gift or two!

 berkhamstedartsociety.co.uk

Saturday 25 November at 3:30 pm
Tring Christmas Festival

Tring is holding its annual (pre-Christmas) Christmas Festival on Saturday 25th November (the day before the Berkhamsted Festival of Light). It's always a lovely event with market stalls, late night shopping, open Churches, live performances, Father Christmas, reindeer and a magical light display in the Memorial Garden. An abundance of merriness is promised! Open from 3:30pm until 8pm.

 www.tringtogether.org.uk

Sunday 26 November
Light Up A Life

The Hospice of St Francis are holding a special event of celebration and remembrance, with music, children’s craft activities, refreshments, readings, a time for reflection and the lighting of the Hospice Christmas lights. Parking available. Pre-booking is essential.

 www.stfrancis.org.uk

Sunday 26 November
Meet Santa’s Elves at the Festival of Light!

The Festival of Light is coming soon! There's an opportunity for your little ones to meet Santa's Elves at the Elves' Posting House at the Civic Centre during the Festival of Light. Get ready to write, colour, or create a super special message for Santa Claus. To make sure everyone has a great time and stays safe, there are a limited number of spots available, so you'll need to pre-book a time slot ticket for £2.50:

 www2.ticketebo.co.uk

Wednesday 6 December at 7:30 pm
Age UK Dacorum Community Christmas Concert

Age UK Dacorum's annual fundraising Community Christmas Concert will be at St Peter's Church, led by Fr Stuart. The festive event will include music sung by the Castle Choir, Christmas chart-toppers performed by local musicians, traditional congregational carols, and of course mulled wine and mince pies! Seasonal readings both sacred and secular will be given by local celebrity guests, including comedian Robin Ince, food writer Nigel Barden, rugby commentator Miles Harrison, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Liz Green, and a number of other local community figures.

Please come along and support the wonderful work of our local Age UK - advance tickets are £8 and include the mulled wine and mince pies!

 tickets.mp

Herts for Refugees – coats appeal

Herts for Refugees support people who have, for whatever reason, fled their home country in search of a better life. As the cold winter months are upon us, they are working to support people living in camps and new arrivals in the UK and prevent deaths from hypothermia. They are appealing for donations of waterproof winter coats - if you have an old coat that you could spare, please drop it into the large collection box inside St Peter's Church (next to the noticeboard). 

 www.hertsforrefugees.org

Sunnyside Rural Trust festive events

Sunnyside Rural Trust are running fun family events in the run-up to Christmas at their Hemel Food Garden site on Two Waters Rd, Hemel Hempstead:

• from Saturday 25 November:  Christmas Trees sale at the Hemel Food Garden site
• Saturday 25 November: Christmas pudding workshop (book online for £25 per person)
• Saturday 9 December: Christmas Wreath-Making Workshop (book online for £40 per person)
• Saturday 16 of December: Santa's Grotto (free - pre-book your time slot online)

Sunnyside Rural Trust is a social enterprise supporting adults with learning disabilities (they also look after our churchyard) - do please support this excellent local charity in your Christmas preparations.

 linktr.ee

Bubbles & Baubles at the Open Door

Open Door, Berkhamsted's community arts space, is running festive pottery painting evenings - come and paint your own bauble at The Studio on Park Street whilst enjoying a glass of fizz! Your bauble will then be glazed and fired and ready for you to collect in time for Christmas. Various dates in November & December - selling out quickly!  Aprons provided, suitable for over-18s only.

 tockify.com

A community garden in Northchurch

St Mary's Northchurch have announced a scheme to convert the disused primary school playground area into a community garden. They are working with Northchurch Parish Council, St Mary's C.E. Primary School, the Diocese of St Albans and Hertfordshire & Middlesex Wildlife Trust to deliver the project, and hope to get members of the community involved. If you can support with fundraising, hosting events or legal work, they'd love to hear from you!

 www.stmarysnorthchurch.org.uk

All Saints Berkhamsted Church Administrator vacancy

All Saints’ Church on Shrublands Road is looking for a Church Administrator.

Fixed term contract for 2 years, with possibility for continuation if finances allow

• Hours - 10 hours per week, to be worked flexibly, occasional evening work
• Location - Office available in the church / potential for some home working
• Pay - £12.50 per hour

All Saints’ is an established Anglican/Methodist partnership (LEP) based in a residential area of Berkhamsted and within 1 mile of the High St/train station. The role offers the chance to be at the centre of our community interacting with our members, volunteers and local community.

The role involves:

• Coordinating lettings of the halls
• Managing Health and Safety, Safeguarding and GDPR policies and compliance
• Supporting the minister and congregation in the administration of church activities
• Ensuring property work and risk assessments are completed

DBS check will be required

Closing date is 23rd November. Interviews will be held on Tues 28th November

Further details and application form from:

Historic Churches Trust newsletter

The autumn newsletter of the Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust is out now, with an article about this summer's sponsored Bike 'n' Hike, and news about historic churches in North Bedfordshire and a forthcoming snowdrop tour of St Albans abbey in spring 2024. Pick up a free copy at the back of church this week.

Worship with us

This Sunday: 19 November 2023 2nd Sunday before Advent 9:30am Sung Eucharist You are invited to join us at our main Sunday service

Music this week

Readings

Zephaniah 1.7,12-18

Psalm 90:1-8

Gospel: Matthew 25.14-30

Missed a service? St Peter's services are videostreamed live on our Facebook page. If you've missed a service, you can watch past services on the parish website: www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/worship/video/

In our prayers this week

Anglican Cycle of Prayer:

Intercessions

Worship during the week

Church is not just for Sundays! You are warmly invited to join us at services throughout the week at St Peter's, including Morning and Evening Prayer and celebation of the Eucharist. The weekly list of services is displayed on the parish website and on the church noticeboard.

Please note that weekday service times may change on the day, but it's easy to get daily updates online:
Website	Facebook page	Twitter

Parish dates for your diary

Visit the St Peter's website to see what's coming up in the parish in the coming week and further ahead.

Festival of Light	Festival of Light
Age UK Christmas Concert	Fanfare for Christmas concert
Advent Course	Concert: Handel’s Messiah
Advent & Christmas	Sing with St Peter’s Church Choir
The church is open for prayer

Coming up in the Courthouse

Rotas

You can also check future rota dates on the parish website at www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/rotas

Support St Peter's

St Peter's Church has been at the heart of Berkhamsted life for 800 years. We rely on donations to keep running as a place for worship and community events.

Join our Planned Giving scheme to make a monthly donation: Find out about Planned Giving

Make a one-off donation online or with your mobile: Donate online

Parish contacts

	Fr Stuart Owen Rector  01442 879739  rector@greatberkhamsted.org.uk
	Fr John Russell Team Vicar (Nettleden, Little Gaddesden, Great Gaddesden)  01442 214898  john_russell@live.co.uk

Who's Who in the Parish

St Peter's Great Berkhamsted Parish Office Church Lane Berkhamsted Hertfordshire United Kingdom HP4 2AX  01442 878227  churchoffice@greatberkhamsted.org.uk  www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk