| Volume 14 No. 42 | Friday 13 September 2024 |
The Friday Thought | Fr Stuart Owen
Rector & Rural Dean |
I’ve got quite a bit of walking coming up. On Saturday 21st I’ll be walking to all fourteen churches in the Berkhamsted Deanery to raise money for St Peter’s and for The Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust. It’s a twenty-eight-mile walk, although owing to some navigational incompetence around Wigginton last year it ended up being closer to thirty! I’ll be walking on my own, which as a natural introvert is no great hardship. Those ten or so hours will give me space to enjoy the beauty of our countryside, to think and to pray, and to try not to aggravate the terrifying cattle in Puttenham. In October I’ll be making a sponsored Harvest pilgrimage with my friend Rabbi Neil from South Bucks Jewish Community. Over the course of four days (October 16th-19th) we’ll be walking from Wallingford to Berkhamsted and as part of our journey we’ll be visiting places which ‘feed people’s souls’ in different ways: sports grounds, centres of learning, arts venues. The plan is that we’ll be joined by other faith and community leaders along the way, and if you’d like to join us for any of the pilgrimage just let me know! Walking alongside people for long periods often creates space for quite deep and sometimes challenging conversations to be had and an opportunity for strangers to grow in friendship. I’m very lucky that the Diocese of St Albans have offered me the opportunity to take a Sabbatical next year. I’d been due to take one in 2020 before moving to Berkhamsted, but the Covid pandemic put paid to that. In 2010 I’d taken a Sabbatical which was centred around a walk from Iona to Lindisfarne, just over 350 miles. Next year I’m hoping to make a walk celebrating the life of St Columba, starting in Ireland and finishing in Iona. An extraordinary amount has changed in my life since 2010. The people who walked alongside me fourteen years ago will not be walking with me again, and no doubt at times I’ll feel their absence. In those intervening years though I’ve also had the great gift of parenthood: my youngest son is going to join me for the February half-term of the walk, and my thoughts will turn from the past to walks that the two of us might share in the future. 
Each of those three walks will be very different, but they will have their similarities too. To walk is to live life at a very different tempo. To walk is to notice things which are all too easily overlooked and lost in the busy-ness of the everyday. To walk is to be more deeply rooted in the natural world, the sun’s rhythm of rise and fall, the predictable unpredictability of the weather. I love that Jesus nurtured His disciples by walking with them across so many miles and years; through cities and deserts, to mountaintops and shadowed valleys. I pray that Jesus nurtures each one of us on the pilgrimages that we are making, through cities, deserts and shadowed valleys, to the mountaintops where we can see much further and far more clearly.
Church news & notices Friday 13 September at 11:15 am
Friday MassNow that the summer holidays are over, the monthly Friday Mass resumes. This service is held on the second Friday of every month in the Lady Chapel, and everyone is welcome. | Sunday 15 September at 3:00 pm
Churches Together in Berkhamsted Litter Pic(nic)Members of churches from across Berkhamsted will be meeting for a family picnic near the Canal Fields playground at 3pm. Each church group will be making its way to the picnic from their own church, picking litter on the way. If you'd like to join, our group will be leaving St Peter's at 2.30pm.
For more details please speak to Fr Stuart. Contact:  Send an email to: Fr Stuart
| Sunday 15 September at 6:00 pm
Choral EvensongOur choir has returned to the choir stalls, and we look forward to the first service of Choral Evensong this autumn next Sunday. The evening canticles will be the Evening Service in F by the English composer Peter Aston. Today marks the 11th anniversary of Aston's death, on 13 September 2013. Everyone is welcome at this service, when we glorify God through the beauty of music. Responses: Ayleward
Psalm 65
Hymns: 306, 250
Canticles: Aston in F
Anthem: Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake - Hilton The next service of Choral Evensong will be Sunday 13 October.  www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/music
| Saturday 12 October at 7:00 pm
Harvest Festival Night DinnerThere will be another fundraising meal in the Court House to for raise money for the Roof Funds. We would welcome any meal donations for that night . Please contact Carolynne if you can help to support this event: Contact: Send an email to: Carolynne Charman | Saturday 19 October
Harvest Promises Auction We'll be sharing in a Harvest Promises Auction with our friends from South Bucks Jewish Community on Saturday 19th October, 12.30pm, in the Court House.
Last year our two communities raised around £1000 for Christian Aid, and this year we'll be raising money for The Trussell Trust and World Central Kitchen, two charities which work to feed hungry people in the UK and overseas.
As part of our Harvest Festival on Sunday 6th October we're inviting people to offer the promises they'd be willing to auction. www.trusselltrust.org/ | Saturday 16 November at 10:00 am
Quiet Day at Little Gaddesden ChurchThe Quiet Day at Douai Abbey scheduled for yesterday had to be cancelled owing to staffing issues at the Abbey. Another Quiet Day has been arranged at Little Gaddesden Church on Saturday 16 November 10.00am - 4.00pm. Coffee/tea available throughout the day and lunch will be soup and sandwiches. By kind permission of the Rector of Little Gaddesden, the hall and the church will be available for only our group. The cost will be approximately £30 per person. To book a place, please email: Contact: Send an email to: Fr David | Responding to homelessness and need
Sometimes people come into St Peter's with problems such as homelessness. While we are advised not to give out money, as Christians we instinctively want to help people in need. New posters and leaflets are now available in church with information about: - Emergency food: how to get access to local food banks
- Homeless: how to get to the DENS drop-in day centre for a hot meal, clean clothes and advice
Please offer a leaflet to anyone in need - it will point people in the right direction to get the best support from trained volunteers. - Rough sleepers: if you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, you can call the DENS outreach team on 01442 800131, and they will send someone to check up on the person and get them to a shelter. You can also send a report online at thestreetlink.org.uk.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Parish Office. Contact: Send an email to: Parish Office www.dens.org.uk/need-help | Food for the Soul: Interfaith Sponsored PilgrimageBetween Wednesday 16th and Saturday 19th October, Fr Stuart will be walking with Rabbi Neil Janes of South Bucks Jewish Community and other faith and community leaders, from Wallingford to Berkhamsted. In our shared season of Harvest we'll be giving thanks for all those things which feed our souls by visiting centres of artistic creativity, sports, education and more. This sponsored walk of around 50 miles will be raising money for The Trussell Trust (Home - The Trussell Trust) and (World Central Kitchen (wck.org)).
Anybody wishing to join for part of the journey would be very welcome: - Wednesday 16th: Wallingford to High Wycombe (18 miles)
- Thursday 17th: High Wycombe to Aylesbury (17 miles)
- Friday 18th: Aylesbury to Tring (8 miles)
- Saturday 19th: Tring to Berkhamsted (6 miles)
Please contact Fr Stuart if you'd like to know more: Contact: Send an email to: Fr Stuart www.trusselltrust.org/ | Parking!A reminder for everyone about our parking arrangements at St Peter's: the church does not own the car park, as it belongs to our neighbours in the Carmenta Life building. If you are at St Peter's for church duties, rehearsals etc during the week, please respect these arrangements - and do please pass this on to your co-workers. - Monday-Friday before 6:30pm: the main car park is reserved for Carmenta Life staff ONLY. St Peter's has two allocated spaces on the end of the Court House, for use by the church and Court House hirers. If you are visiting St Peter's during the week, please use these end spaces only, and if they are full, use the space in front of the west door.
- Monday-Friday after 6:30pm, and all day Saturday & Sunday: the church has full use of the car park.
- During weddings and funerals, the parking space in front of the west door is not available.
We maintain good relations with our neighbours, but they are struggling to keep the car park free from difficult (and sometimes aggressive) "interlopers" using it for work, shopping trips etc. If you are just in town for a spot of shopping or a manicure, please help everyone by using the public car parks provided. Thank you for your cooperation. The nearest public car park to St Peter's is Water Lane, behind Tesco. Most public car parks only charge 70p an hour, and Canal Fields is free for 4 hours. Follow the link below for a map of Dacorum car parks: webapps.dacorum.gov.uk/carparks | Blessing of the Backpacks
Last Sunday, it was a joy to see all the Sunday School children making paper backpacks and thinking about September's new beginnings. At the end of the service, Fr Stuart led the Blessing of the Backpacks, when we prayed together for our young people, asking God to inspire them to start the new school year in hope and confidence. Please remember our young people in your prayers as they learn and grow together. "God of Wisdom, we give you thanks for schools and classrooms and for the teachers and students who fill them each day. We thank you for this new beginning, for new books and new ideas. We thank you for sharpened pencils, pointy crayons, and crisp blank pages waiting to be filled. We thank you for the gift of making mistakes and trying again. Help us to remember that asking the right questions is often as important as giving the right answers. Today we give you thanks for these your children, and we ask you to bless them with curiosity, understanding and respect. May their backpacks be a sign to them that they have everything they need to learn and grow this year in school and in Sunday School. May they be guided by your love. All this we ask in the name of Jesus, who as a child in the temple showed his longing to learn about you, and as an adult taught by story and example your great love for us.
Amen."
| Little Fishes – help wanted!Little Fishes is a weekly play activity group for toddlers in the Court House, with toys, crafts and Bible stories. It's a lovely way for St Peter's to reach out to young families in the community. The volunteers who run Little Fishes do wonderful work, and this friendly group also provide teas and coffees to the mums, dads and carers. They're really short of helpers and could really use some extra help in the kitchen - can you volunteer some time on Friday mornings? Each session lasts about 1½ hours, and there is a rota, so you wouldn't have to do every week. The more volunteers the fewer sessions each volunteer would need to do. Please get in touch if you can help: Contact: Send an email to: Diana Nicholas www.facebook.com/littlefishesberkhamsted |
Schools news  Victoria School news
It has been our first full week back and we have been very busy. It was lovely to meet the parents at our Meet the Teacher evening as it gives teachers and parents time to see the classroom and find out about what is happening in their child's year group. I have also been getting lots of applications from our Year 2 children to be Spiritual Ambassadors. Their role is to support during collective worship which includes leading prayers, greeting everyone as they enter the hall and getting involved in collective worship. They also meet with our Executive Head with to discuss ideas and thoughts in how to develop worship, our vision and values and RE at the school. The Nursery class have settled very quickly after starting their first week in school, with many of the children staying all day. If you are interested in your child coming to our Nursery, we currently have spaces available immediately (including after-school places). If you would like a tour or to make further enquiries, please email or call: Contact: Send an email to: | 
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
Tuesday 5 November - Tuesday 19 November
Evening Pilgrimage at St Albans CathedralCome on a free guided walk through the Cathedral, with historical insights, prayers, and silence, concluding with Compline by candlelight at the Shrine of St Alban. Light refreshments provided. If you are interested in going, please let Fr Stuart know and indicate whether you could take part on November 5th, 19th or both. Contact: Send an email to: Fr Stuart ow.ly/TLN850T8QmX | Education Team job vacanciesThe Diocese is advertising for two part-time administrators to work with the Education Team at Holywell Lodge in St Albans. Visit to the Diocesan website for job descriptions and application forms. The closing date is 24 September 2024. www.stalbansdiocese.org/vacancies-role |
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Berkhamsted community news & events Saturday 7 September - Sunday 29 September
Herts Open StudiosExplore an art trail across Hertfordshire as local artists open their studios to visitors over 3 weeks in September. View their paintings, drawings, crafts and sculptures, and maybe even treat yourself to a piece of art! Pick up a brochure at the back of church to find artists' studios, or visit the Herts Visual Arts website: www.hvaf.org.uk/our-events | Saturday 14 September
DENS Castle WalkDacorum’s homelessness charity DENS are holding a fundraising walk starting at Berkhamsted Castle. Choose a gentle 2-mile canal walk or a 10-mile country walk. Event includes a children’s nature quiz, fun activities, raffle and refreshments within the Castle grounds, plus free guided tours of the Castle. All funds raised go towards DENS’ services, helping to rebuild the lives of local people in Dacorum. Book your place online: www.dens.org.uk/event | Saturday 14 September at 6:30 pm
Chiltern Chamber Choir concertEnjoy a short concert in in Sacred Heart RC Church, with many of the joyful sacred anthems sung at our roof fundraiser at St Peter's back in June. If you didn't make it then, or loved the programme so much that you'd like to hear it again, do please go along and support our wonderful local choir. Admission free, retiring collection in aid of Sacred Heart. www.chilternchamberchoir.com/ | Saturday 21 September at 8:00 am
Prayer Breakfast at Sunnyside ChurchBerkhamsted churches are ready for their autumn prayer sessions to gather together for prayer in our community. This month will be at Sunnyside Church on Ivy House Lane, with a breakfast of coffee and croissants. Join them if you can, and do bring along any friends who might like to join them in prayer for our churches, town, schools, and surrounding villages. If you have any issues that you would like to be included in the monthly prayer leaflet, please contact: Contact: Send an email to: Peggy Sear | Saturday 21 September at 4:00 pm
All Saints’ Afternoon ConcertAt All Saints’ Church, the roof repairs are now complete and the scaffolding is being removed. Our friends at All Saints’ invite you to an Afternoon Concert celebrating the repairs to their roof. Entertainment will be provided by the Hemel Hempstead Band and the acappella vocal group Hexachord. Tickets £10, accompanied children FREE. Buy tickets online or pay on the day: tinyurl.com/4k4r8fu3 | Thursday 26 September at 6:00 pm
High Street redevelopment public exhibition
The row of Brutalist buildings we see today on the north side of Berkhamsted High Street was built in the 1970s, after a row of unfashionable Victorian shops was demolished. Former mayor John Cook famously saved the ornate 1860s Town Hall from destruction, and its heritage is now celebrated with a blue plaque. Plans have now been unveiled to replace these 1970s buildings with a new development between Boots chemists and Waterstones bookshop. The scheme promises "contemporary residential apartments" and refurbished shopfronts, a landscaped square to the rear (by the Royal British Legion), and new retail on the Wilderness car park. The developers are holding a public exhibition in the old Town Hall (appropriately enough) on Thursday 26 September 6pm - 9pm, where there will be an opportunity to ask question and give feedback on the proposals. 168-192highstreet.co.uk/ | Sunday 29 September
Dacorum at 50 FestDacorum Borough was formed in 1974 from the old Rural and Urban Districts, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of Dacorum. To celebrate, Dacorum Borough Council are hosting a free festival in Hemel Hempstead town centre from 11am to 5pm. The event will include a parade with giant puppets, entertainments, acrobats, fairground stalls, a market and food and drink stalls. www.dacorum.gov.uk/50-Fest | Thursday 3 October - Sunday 6 October
Graham Greene FestivalThis year, to celebrate the novelist’s 120th birthday, there will be talks, discussions and social events in Berkhamsted, along with screenings of two film adaptations of Greene's work, The Man Within (1947) and The Fallen Idol (1948). For full listings and ticket booking visit the Graham Greene Birthplace Trust website. Contact: Send an email to: www.grahamgreenebt.org/festival | Saturday 5 October at 7:30 pm
Bridgewater Sinfonia concertProms fans may have heard a wonderful performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D at the Royal Albert Hall last Thursday - described as "the ultimate Romantic violin concerto". There's another chance to hear this concerto played live right here in Berkhamsted next month, when the Bridgewater Sinfonia return to St Peter's and welcome virtuoso violinist Amy Huang to the concert platform. Advance tickets are now on sale for £20 - book online or purchase at Ashtons Estate Agents (next to Tesco). www.bridgewater-sinfonia.org.uk/ | Saturday 12 October
Singing workshop: The Armed ManBerkhamsted Choral Society are running a singing workshop in St Peter's Church, led by their musical director Graham Wili. They will be singing the popular, uplifting mass setting by Karl Jenkins, The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. This friendly, social event will include tea, coffee and cake (bring your own lunch!), concluding with a free afternoon concert for family and friends. Non-members are welcome to come and participate - registration from 9:30am for a 10am start, and the free concert will begin at around 3:30 pm. It's £20 to take part, and you can book online or on the day: tktp.as/EXGQIA | Volunteers wanted: Riding for the DisabledBank Farm Riding for the Disabled is a wonderful charity which provides therapeutic horseback riding opportunities for individuals with disabilities, fostering their physical, emotional, and social well-being. They are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help at their centre at Ashley Green (just off the Chesham Road). They are looking for people to help in a variety of roles, including fundraising, organising events, sidewalkers (assisting riders with balance and safety), yard helpers/pony grooms, riding coaches, horse leaders and general centre maintenance. No prior experience is necessary, as Bank Farm RDA provide training and support. If you're aged 12 to 75 years old and would like to make a positive impact in your community, connect with nature and support individuals with disabilities, then visit the Bank Farm website and download an application form: Contact: Send an email to: Bank Farm www.bankfarmrda.com/volunteering | Berkhamsted Town Council Magazine The summer edition (!) of BTC News (the quarterly magazine of Berkhamsted Town Council) has arrived, and copies are available at the back of church. It has features about planned new proposals for managing visitors to Ashridge, the recent Great Big Green week, a new town crier, a grant by HM the King of the Berkhamsted town crest, and an introduction of Fr Stuart as the new Rural Dean of Berkhamsted Deanery. You can also read the magazine online:
www.berkhamsted-tc.gov.uk/wp-content | Cemetery heritage tours
St Peter's Victorian cemetery behind the Rex Cinema is full of historical interest. It opened in 1842 and has been out of use since the 1950s, but has been lovingly restored by volunteers from the Friends of St Peter's. Last week, as part of Heritage Open Days, visitors enjoyed guided tours of the memorials, looking at the stories behind the graves. Metcalfe's funeral parlour put a vintage funeral bier on display. The Friends are always happy to help with guided tours and historical information throughout the year, keeping our parish heritage alive for all to discover. |
Cartoon Church This week's cartoon courtesy of CartoonChurch
Copyright © 2024 Dave Walker
 Worship with us | This Sunday: 15 September 2024
16th Sunday after Trinity9:30am Sung Eucharist
You are invited to join us at our main Sunday service
Next Sunday: 22 September 2024
17th Sunday after Trinity |
Music this week | Hymns: | | | Anthem | A Prayer of St Richard of Chichester – L.J. White | | Voluntary | 'Spitfire' Prelude - William Walton | | At Evensong: | | Responses: | Ayleward | | Psalms: | 65 | | Canticles: | Aston in F | | Hymns: | 306,250 | | Anthem: | Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake - Farrant/Hilton |
ReadingsIsaiah 50.4-9aThe Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher,that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards.I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced;therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near.Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together.Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. Psalm 19 (vv1-6)1 The heavens are telling the glory of God and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.2 One day pours out its song to another and one night unfolds knowledge to another.3 They have neither speech nor language and their voices are not heard,4 Yet their sound has gone out into all lands and their words to the ends of the world.5 In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun, that comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber and rejoices as a champion to run his course.6 It goes forth from the end of the heavens and runs to the very end again, and there is nothing hidden from its heat Gospel: Mark 8.27-38Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’
 In our prayers this weekAnglican Cycle of Prayer:The Church of NigeriaIntercessions | 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, Margaret Douglas, Judith Hill, Douglas Hill, John Malcolm, Denis Beard, Mary Beard, Patricia Cody, Ghullam Mutaheri, Nola Frost, Betty Beggs, Audrey Higginbotham, Teddy Higginbotham, Jo Neale, Barbara Conway, Yvonne Hart, Clare Wallington, Barbara Fisher | In our
immediate prayers | Frozan Mutaheri, Len Bennett, Peter Kirk, John Palmer, Michael Mumford, Rosie Gagnon | Weddings
(next four weeks) | Rebekah Ingram & Ian Peters
| Wedding banns
called this Sunday | Nathan Coleshill & Margaux Lawley
| Baptisms
(next four weeks) | | | RIP | Mike Armstrong | | Memorial (year's mind) | Kay Anderson, Mary Smith, Shirley Cooper, |
 Rotas You can also check future rota dates on the parish website at www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/rotas | This Sunday | | 15/09/2024 | Trinity 16 | | | 8.00am Eucharist | | Clergy | President | Stuart | | | Stuart | | Reader | Mike Hart | | 9.30am Sung Eucharist | | Clergy | President | Chris (Stuart) ((Beth)) | | Preacher | Stuart | | Sidespeople | Judy Clegg | Susan Holmes | | MC | Will Gore | | | Acolytes | Kiril Sotnykov | Hayley Khazaneh | | Thurifer | 0 | | | Cruficer | Peter Matthews | | | Reader | Richard Newell | | | Intercessions | Joseph Chatterton | | | Eucharistic Ministers | Paul Jullien | Uli Grego | | Sunday School | 0 | | | Sound | Christopher | | | | | | Next Sunday | | 22/09/2024 | Trinity 17 | | | 8.00am Eucharist | | Clergy | President | David | | Preacher | David | | Reader | Tracy Robinson | | 9.30am Sung Eucharist | | Clergy | President | Stuart (Margaret) ((David)) | | Preacher | David | | Sidespeople | Kate Hennessey | Kathie Lally | | MC | Mark Grego | | | Acolytes | Chris Clegg | Emma Gosling | | Thurifer | 0 | | | Cruficer | Richard Currie | | | Reader | Christopher Green | | | Intercessions | Robin McMorran | | | Eucharistic Ministers | Helen Nicholls | Hilary Elliot | | Sunday School | 0 | | | Sound | Jeremy Gosling | | | |
