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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Living in the Light
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Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas – as well as the return of Jesus at the second coming. The term is a version of the Latin word meaning "coming".
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The Revd Peter Walker will be running a series of Advent studies this year. Each meeting will be at 10am in the Church Hall on the following dates:
Tuesday 27November:
St Luke’s reporting of the coming of Jesus
Tuesday 4 December:
St John’s reflections on the coming of Jesus
Tuesday 11 December:
Mary’s response to the news
Tuesday 18 December :
St Paul rejoices at Christ’s coming
The booklet for the course costs £3.50.
To order your copy and to book in for the course, please contact Peter Walker:
Tel: 01424 892941. p.walker977@btinternet.com
St Peter's Ashburnham Churchwardens
Peter's message for November
Dear Friends,
‘So, what’s that on the back of your car?’ This is a question asked from time to time by the inquisitive. What is sometimes on the back of a car is the sign of the fish. It is the sign of the Christian and was an early symbol that has its origins in the second century.
During the fourth and fifth centuries the sign was often found in the catacombs, combined with symbols of bread and wine to signify the Last Supper as instituted by Jesus on the night prior to his death. The fish symbol was used because it was a way of making fellow believers known to one another at a time when to be open about one’s faith would have brought swift retribution by the Romans.
In the Greek of the day the word ‘fish’ was ‘Ichthus’, which as an acronym read: ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour’. Today, when we see the sign of the fish – often on the rear window of cars, or sometimes as a lapel pin – we know that that person is a Christian. An excellent reason for the driver to drive well!
Many people today wear signs of their faith, be it a cross or the fish. Such signs are adverts of the Christian believer, but of course the very best advert is the life one leads. There have been many eloquent sermons preached down the years, but the best sermon of all is the life a person lives.
Jesus once said: “By their fruits you shall know them.” It’s an important lesson for us all.
With my prayers,
Peter
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