Welcome to the website for the united benefice of Ashburnham with Penhurst. Here you will find information about our churches, and the events and activities which are part of our church and village life. Our desire is to know, love and to follow Jesus Christ in our homes, our church family and in the communities where we live and work.
St Peter's Church, Ashburnham
Our aim is to be a church that is accessible to everyone, wherever they are coming from, and to be a place where people can experience healing and restoration. We want to provide the opportunity for all to grow in faith and commitment to Jesus Christ whatever their age.
We have one service each Sunday at 10.30 am.
Our services are informal yet orderly, often following the liturgy of Common Worship. We seek to be led by the Holy Spirit. All members are given the opportunity to share what God is doing in their lives if they wish.
Families with children are very welcome, and we have activities for younger people each Sunday, except when there is an All Age service on the first Sunday of the month. there are two house groups which meet on the 1st, 3rd and 4th Thursday of the month at 8.00pm.
Revd Peter Walker
Preist-in-Charge for the benefice of Ashburnham with Penhurst
Contact details
Our Parish Profile tab gives more information about life at St. Peter's
Ashburnham Chapel
At St. Peter's we often join with friends at Ashburnham Chapel for shared services and events. To contact them and find out lots more about The Chapel see their website here
Village Website
Find out more about activities, groups and events in Ashburnham and Penhurst on the village website here
St. Peter's PCC secretary
Rachel Bickersteth
What's on, what's new?
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Plough Sunday
Sunday 3rd February
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Details to be confirmed soon
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St Peter's Ashburnham Churchwardens
Peter's message
Dear Friends,
I was only six or seven years of age and my sister a year younger, yet I still recall the occasion when Mum took a photo -as it was then, an old black and white one of my sister and I sitting on the floor gazing up at the Christmas tree that Mum and Dad had just assembled and all the pretty lights adorning that small tree. Looking at the photo later, I could see the smile and joy on our faces, the lights reflecting in our eyes and the wonderment and excitement of such a creation.
I think that the word ‘Wonderment’ might easily apply to several people who occupy the biblical story. Consider the principal figures of Mary and Joseph. She, a young girl of no more than sixteen years of age, and Joseph who must have been at first bewildered by what was happening. We are told that in response to a census they went to Bethlehem, and there the birth of Jesus is recounted to us by St. Luke. Consider the shepherds who respond in joy, surprise and wonder. These emotions flow from their unique experience of seeing the baby Jesus. The major offices of Jesus are confessed in one sentence: he is Saviour, Lord and Christ. That is, deliverer, master and anointed king. It is all an exceptional account, and that is even before we mention the three kings and their gifts which the church recalls at the Epiphany (January 6th).
My sister and I were members of the church Sunday school, and being a church school we had occasions in the run-up to Christmas to have many Christmas carols, assemblies and parties, not least going in to the church next door for the carols and the account of the birth of Jesus which Scripture recounts. Those early days were such a foundation to the Christian life I subsequently dedicated my life to in full time ordained ministry. I look back in gratitude for the solid foundation laid and the happy memories of those early days which, thinking back, was seen in that old black and white photo.
So, my prayer is for a happy and holy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year for all of us. May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the shepherds, the determination of the three wise men, and the peace of the Christ Child.
We both send our love and prayers,
Peter and Diana
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