| Volume 15 No. 7 | Friday 10 January 2025 |
The Friday ThoughtIt is sometimes the unusual, rather than the catastrophic, that sticks in the memory. At the first baptism I took, there were fourteen children of different ages. Being new, I started with the tiniest, but before long, the older ones had seen what was happening and did not fancy water being poured on them at all, so took off down the church, being pursued by shouting parents. Mayhem! Later, on a quieter occasion but in a wooden shed church on a housing estate, there was no water. A pause ensued while the fully robed priest went across to the shops opposite and asked for some. Memorable, if not a catastrophe. So I sometimes wonder what John thought as he was baptising yet another lot of people, and came across someone he thought should not be baptised at all. Unusual, if not a catastrophe, even though the people around must have wondered what was going on. For one reason or another baptism itself has become unusual. What was once a rite of commitment to a way of life which was part of society itself changed to be more a personal family celebration of the birth of a child. More recently the emphasis has been to reverse that process. To help, the church tried to offer a simple thanksgiving service, but that never took off. The fall in the number of baptisms is seen as a sign of the decline of religion in society as a whole. You might expect me to regret this, and you would be right. Baptism is mighty important. The symbol of water is re-birth, being born again. This time not into a person’s own family with its history and tradition, but into the community which is dedicated to God. Baptism gets us into the history and tradition of the church, a place where we all can belong. More than that, it affirms an individual person is accepted unconditionally by God and has God’s blessing. Whatever happens, in every circumstance, we take our baptism with us. If we were accepted and welcomed unconditionally at the font as a child or, indeed, as an adult, then that acceptance and welcome remains. To many it might seem unimportant, but to be able to remember the fact of baptism can bring a feeling of being wanted, being loved, when things are going wrong. For some people remembering their baptism gives a strong sense of protection especially when evil plagues them. I was baptised as a baby. I had done nothing to earn it; I don’t think my parents had either. But God was there from the beginning even if for most of my growing up I did not acknowledge that. Baptism was something that happened and nothing could change that. I am glad the gift was given. It was always there ready and waiting simply to be taken up. What have I got in common with Jesus Christ? Baptism! |
Church news & notices Sunday 26 January
St Peter’s Pie Party 2025Come and share lunch with the St Peter's family at our Pie Party on Sunday 26 January in the Court House, 12:30 for 1pm. Everyone is welcome. Sign up to bring a shepherd's pie (meat or vegetarian) or fruit pie/crumble to feed about 4 people and if you are coming on your own feel free to pair up with a friend and bring something between you. Please note that everything needs to be pre-cooked so we just have to reheat things. We will provide salad to go with the savoury pies, and cream to go with the fruit pies and crumbles. If there is anything you can't eat please let us know so we can make sure there is something for you. Bring what you would like to drink and we will provide glasses. If you'd like to come just sign up at the back of St Peter's on a Sunday morning or email Rachel. Deadline for signing up is Wednesday 22 January 2025. Contact:  Send an email to: Rachel Below
| Herts for Refugees donations boxPlease note that the donations box for collecting items for refugees is no longer available in St Peter's. Thank to you everyone who has donated clothing, blankets, footwear etc over the past few years. If you would like to offer support for people who have fled war and oppression, please contact Herts for Refugees, a local charity who provide clothing and medical aid to vulnerable displaced people in the UK, France, Greece and the Middle East, regardless of race, creed or religion: Contact: Send an email to: Herts for Refugees  hertsforrefugees.org/
| 2025 dates for your diary| Wednesday 5 March | 8pm | Ash Wednesday service - Lent begins | | Sunday 16 March | 9:30am | Safeguarding Sunday | | Sunday 30 March | 9:30am | Mothering Sunday
British Summer Time begins - clocks go forward! | | Sunday 13 April | 9:30am | Palm Sunday Eucharist - Holy Week begins | | Sunday 20 April | 9:30am | Easter Day |
| The Moon and Venus over St Peter’s
[click for a closer look]
Just days before the Feast of the Epiphany, we were treated to a spectacular display in the heavens as the planet Venus crossed the sky close (from our point of view) to the new moon, amid the Quadrantid meteor shower. Venus, the second planet in the Solar System, has an average distance from Earth of 25 million miles (41 million km). Depending on its orbital position, it may appear as an extremely bright object before sunrise or after sunset. Venus has the ancient poetic name of the "Morning Star", and features in Philipp Nicolai's 1597 Lutheran hymn, "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" (NEH 27): How brightly shines the Morning Star!
The nations see and hail afar
The Light in Judah shining.
Thou David's son of Jacob's race,
The Bridegroom, and the King of grace,
For thee our hearts are pining! | Rector’s Chorister awardCongratulations to Joe in the choir, who has been made Rector's Chorister. This award is occasionally given to choristers who have shown commitment to attending rehearsals and services, and who have made exceptional progress in musical skills. The award comes with its own shiny medal, presented by Fr David and our Director of Music Adrian last Sunday, to the complete surprise of its recipient! Well done Joe for being such a good all-round member of the choir! | Fr Stuart’s Sabbatical – Extended Study LeaveEvery ten years, clergy are offered the opportunity to take a three month period of Extended Study Leave (ESL). In 2010 I took an ESL, at the heart of which was a 350-mile pilgrimage from Iona to Lindisfarne. I was supposed to take a second ESL in 2020, between leaving Edmonton and coming to Berkhamsted, but the COVID lockdown meant that that had to be cancelled. I'll be on ESL until Monday 24th March. In the event of a pastoral emergency you can contact the Team Rector, Fr John Russell, or our Associate Priest, Fr Ben Brady. All other enquiries can, in the first instance, be directed to Robin in the church office. Services will be led by my clergy colleagues, Anthony, Margaret, David, Chris and Ben. I'm grateful to all the aforementioned for their help. At the heart of the ESL I'll be making a pilgrimage in the footsteps of St Columba, from Gartan Lough in Ireland up to Iona off the coast of Mull. If you're interested in my perambulations and reflections you can follow them via the websites below. Please do keep me in your prayers as I will be keeping you in mine. Fr Stuart Contact: Send an email to: Fr John Russell pilgrimscairn.blogspot.com/ | Treasurer vacancyWe now have a vacancy for a treasurer to look after the finances of St Peter's Great Berkhamsted. If anyone would like to put themselves forward for this voluntary role, or to find more about the responsibilities, please contact the churchwardens. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mike Below, who has worked so hard to keep the parish's financial affairs in good order over the past couple of years. Contact: Send an email to: Carolynne Charman |
Schools news  Victoria School 2025 tour dates
At Victoria School we have just put together our tour dates for families with children who are going to be starting Nursery in September 2025. We would love to have you visit and these are the dates below: - Wednesday 8 January at 9.15am-Nursery and Reception
- Thursday 30 January at 9.15am
- Tuesday 11 February at 9.15am
- Wednesday 26 February at 9.15am
- Tuesday 11 March at 11.00am
If you would like to book a tour please visit our website or call the office: Contact: Send an email to: Victoria School office www.victoria.herts.sch.uk/ | A new year at Victoria SchoolHappy New Year to everyone and welcome back! The children were keen to return to school and have settled in very quickly after the Christmas break. We started our week with a visit from St Francis Hospice to talk about the work they do. We had invited them to Victoria as the children had chosen St Francis as our school charity and they wanted to let St Francis know that we had raised over £360 from our Santa Dash. We have a few events planned this half term with a visit from the circus workshop, Feeling Good Week and Safer Internet Day. The children always enjoy this visits and extra activities which enhances the learning they do in their day to day lessons. If you are looking for a Reception place for September 2025, the deadline to apply is Wednesday 15 January. If you are still deciding and would like a tour, please email admin@victoria.herts.sch.uk or call 01442 865781 to book a time. | 
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
Friday 3 January - Saturday 15 February
The Moon at St Albans CathedralThe Museum of the Moon is a giant inflatable model of the Moon by installation artist Luke Jerram. The 7-metre (23-ft) sphere will be on display in St Albans Cathedral for 6 weeks, forming the centre of a range of activities and events, including yoga sessions, educational talks, kids' science events, a planetarium, a jazz night, a silent disco, a performance of Godspell, and (perhaps inevitably) a Pink Floyd tribute act. You can also visit the Cathedral during normal opening hours and marvel at the beauty of the Moon inside the ancient walls of St Albans Abbey and Cathedral. www.stalbanscathedral.org/Pages | APCM trainingLooking ahead to our APCM (Annual Parochial Church Meeting), if any PCC members feel they would benefit from training on APCM processes, the Diocese are providing online training sessions on Wednesday 15 January (evening) and Thursday 23 January (afternoon). The sessions will be recorded, so if you're unable to take part, the videos will be available to watch on the Diocesan website afterwards. To take part, you will need to use Microsoft Teams, and the passcode, available on request from St Peter's Parish Office: Contact: Send an email to: Parish Office | Retirement of the Bishop of St Albans On Tuesday, Bishop Alan announced that he will retire as Bishop of St Albans in May.
"The past sixteen years have been full of challenges, opportunities and surprises. With God's help, I have encouraged us to ?Live God's Love' among the people of Herts, Beds and Luton and parts of Barnet, and to do so with generosity and joy, with imagination and courage. In that endeavour, I have been grateful for my colleagues on the senior staff and for the support of so many clergy and lay people across the Diocese. I never cease to give thanks to God for the warmth of your friendship. You have enriched my life and ministry in countless ways."
Let us hold Alan and the Diocese in our prayers with thanksgiving at this time of change. Bishop Alan's letter to the Diocese is published in full on the Diocesan website: www.stalbansdiocese.org/news |  | 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
|
Berkhamsted community news & events Saturday 18 January at 8:00 am
Prayer BreakfastThere will be a prayer breakfast at the Parish Rooms of St Mary's Church, Northchurch. All welcome. | Thursday 23 January at 6:30 pm
Cemetery volunteers’ social evening The Friends of St Peter's volunteers who look after our historic cemetery on Rectory Lane invite you to a social evening at the Mad Squirrel Brewery shop on Berkhamsted High Street. Come along to say hello and enjoy a drink with the team! If you're thinking of something new for 2025, consider joining the Rectory Lane Cemetery team - there are lots of opportunities for gardening, adopting a grave, helping with biodiversity, genealogical research or even tour guiding. Whether you want to volunteer or just want to pop in to say hi, everyone is welcome.
| Saturday 8 February
Puttenham Quiet DayYou are invited to another Quiet Day at Puttenham. "Preparing for the Journey" will be led by Venerable Jo Kelly-Moore (Dean of St Albans), who will give two talks on the subject and lead a discussion. There will be space for reflection in the morning and afternoon. Holy Communion will be at 12noon followed by a soup lunch. Please book your space online: www.tringteamparish.org.uk/news | High Street traffic scheme
Various new property developments planned in the town are to be accompanied by changes to the road layouts and traffic flow, including Chesham Road and Swing Gate Lane. Dacorum Council have helpfully provided 191 documents on their planning website for public consultation. Of particular interest may be Appendix 11.13 a4251: High St - Lower Kings Rd - A416 Kings Rd mitigation, which proposes banning right turns from the High Street onto Kings Road/Lower Kings Road. You can view the full set of proposals and offer your constructive comments online at the link below (login required to submit comments). The closing date is Tuesday 21 January 2025. tinyurl.com/yhmfbun2 | Hawridge & Cholesbury School governors wantedAre you interested in serving as a foundation governor for Hawridge and Cholesbury CE School? This is a small school just 3 miles away from Berkhamsted, over the border in Bucks, but they would welcome applicants from Herts (some of their pupils live in Herts). Foundation governors form part of the link between a church school, the local church community, and the wider church. They have a special responsibility to ensure that the distinctive character of the school as a Church of England school is ?preserved and developed' ? i.e. that the school is recognisably Christian. There is an expectation that foundation governors are committed Christians, but members of any Christian denomination are welcome. If anyone is interested or would like to find out more please contact: Contact: Send an email to: Sue Walton www.hawridge-cholesbury.bucks.sch.uk/ |
  | Worship with usThis Sunday: 12 January 2025
The Baptism of Christ |
9:30am Sung Eucharist
You are invited to join us at our main Sunday service
Next Sunday: 19 January 2025
2nd Sunday of EpiphanyMusic this weekHymns: | Anthem: | Tomorrow shall be my Dancing Day - arr. ASD | | Voluntary: | In dir est Freude BWV 615 - J. S. Bach | | At Evensong: | | Responses: | Ayleward | | Psalms: | 65 | | Hymns: | 486, 52 | | Anthem: | Lord. We beseech Thee - Adrian Batten |
ReadingsIsaiah 43.1-7But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.Because you are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you,I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life.Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you;I will say to the north, ‘Give them up’, and to the south, ‘Do not withhold;bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.’ Psalm 104 (vv 26-37)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.28 There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan which you have made to play in the deep.29 All of these look to you to give them their food in due season.30 When you give it them, they gather it; you open your hand and they are filled with good.31 When you hide your face they are troubled; when you take away their breath, they die and return again to the dust.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. Alleluia. Gospel: Luke 3.15-17, 21, 22As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
 In our prayers this weekAnglican Cycle of Prayer:The Church of the Province of West AfricaIntercessions | Diocese | ââJustin, Archbishop of Canterbury, âAlan, Bishop of St Albans, â Jane, Bishop of Hertford, and Charles, Archdeacon of St Albans | In our
continuing prayers | Christina Billington, Judith Hill, Douglas Hill, John Malcolm, Denis Beard, Mary Beard, Patricia Cody, Ghullam Mutaheri, Nola Frost, Betty Beggs, Audrey Higginbotham, Teddy Higginbotham, Barbara Conway, Yvonne Hart, Clare Wallington, Barbara Fisher, John King | In our
immediate prayers | Frozan Mutaheri, Peter Kirk, Rosie Gagnon, Charlotte Szypryt, Charlotte de Raucour, Hilary McVitty, Lynne Niven, Michael Mumford with thanksgiving | Weddings
(next four weeks) | | Wedding banns
called this Sunday | | Baptisms
(next four weeks) | | | RIP | Beryl Malem, Harold Hall | | Memorial (year's mind) | Frank Norman, Nigel Franklin, James Anderson, Eve Bates, Paul Beard, Stephen Wells | â© Funeral noticesThursday 16 January 2025 12:00pm: Funeral of Beryl Malem
 Rotas You can also check future rota dates on the parish website at www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/rotas | This Sunday | | 12/01/2025 | Baptism of Christ | | | 8.00am Eucharist | | Clergy | President | Fr David | | Preacher | Richard | | Reader | Sarah Hyde | | 9.30am Sung Eucharist | | Clergy | President | Margaret | | Preacher | Richard | | Sidespeople | Cathy Imber | Carole Dell | | MC | Mark Grego | | | Acolytes | Chris Clegg | Emma Gosling | | Thurifer | 0 | | | Cruficer | Stephen Lally | | | Reader | Chris Beauchamp | | | Intercessions | James Owen | | | Eucharistic Ministers | Carole Dell | Hilary Elliot | | Sunday School | 0 | | | Sound | Julian | | | | | | Next Sunday | | 19/01/2025 | Epiphany 2 | | | 8.00am Eucharist | | Clergy | President | Fr Ben | | Preacher | Fr Ben | | Reader | Ruth Worboys | | 9.30am Sung Eucharist | | Clergy | President | Fr Anthony | | Preacher | Margaret | | Sidespeople | Uli Grego | Helen Pope | | MC | Mark Grego | | | Acolytes | Chris Clegg | Emma Gosling | | Thurifer | 0 | | | Cruficer | Richard Currie | | | Reader | Sarah Dawson | | | Intercessions | Bev Jullien | | | Eucharistic Ministers | Paul Jullien | Bev Jullien | | Sunday School | 0 | | | Sound | Michael | | | |
