on the button Issue 34 | Page 4

from the Vicar . . . In June we celebrate the feast of St Peter. The date, 29th June, is a special one for me as that was the day I was ordained in Southwell Minster – in 1980. We shall be celebrating the feast on Sunday 28th this year. Early in the history of our Church we see the origin of the St Peter’s Fair; “In 1270 the lord of the manor, Stephen de Edworth, obtained a grant confirming a weekly market on Wednesday, and a yearly fair on the vigil of the feast and morrow of Sts. Peter and Paul” (A History of the County of Bedford: Volume 2) It’s amazing to think we have a history going back over 800 years! But our church’s dedication to St Peter takes us right back to the time of Jesus, when he calls Peter ‘the rock on which I will build my Church.’ The stained glass picture of St Peter in our Church shows him with two large keys hanging from his girdle. These represent the promise of Jesus to Peter – those whom you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; those whom you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matt 18:18). So one key is the key to heaven, the other the key to hell! The traditional symbol for St Peter is a pair of keys and an upside down cross – upside down at his own request, according to tradition, because he did not feel worthy to be crucified the same way as Jesus. It’s worth reflecting on the fact that Jesus chose someone like Peter – quite impetuous, passionate, not always reliable and very human! – to be the foundation of the Church. We should all be encouraged! A free mars bar to the first person to identify another organisation in Arlesey that uses the twin keys logo! St Peter’s online information… From April two sources of information are available on line, a searchable index of burials in the churchyard and the Church’s calendar. The burial index of nearly 1,600 graves currently runs up to 2005 and work is in progress to bring burials since then into the database. You can access it at gb1.me/ceuhvy The Church Calendar can be accessed at gb1.me/ciirsm They can also be found on vicar.arlesey.org.uk Geoffrey Boult t: 01462 731227 e: [email protected] Walk4Health–June/July J  une 4th ~ Etonbury Wood (meet at entrance to wood by Etonbury School) J  une 11th, 18th 25th ~ Corner of Hospital Rd/High St, Arlesey J  uly 2nd, 9th, ~ Scout Hut, Baldock Rd, Stotfold 4 | June 2015 | Church Services St. Peter’s church Some dates for your diary in June Sundays 7  th 9.30am Parish Communion 11.15am Parish Communion, St Guthlac’s, Astwick 1  4th 10.00am Morning Praise 2  1st 9.30am Parish Communion  OPEN CHURCH SUNDAY – along with many other churches in St Albans Diocese, St Peter’s will be open all day. Please come and see us! 2  8th 9.30am Parish Communion; celebrating the Feast of St Peter Other Dates W  eds 3rd S  at 20th 12.30pm  Parish Lunch (Please let Helen Bardell know if you would like a lunch; 07967144571) 3.30pm for 4  rlesey Churches Games Evening and A bring-n-share supper, at the Methodist Church Regular Events T  uesdays 10.00am  Coffee Morning for all, Coffee, tea, home-made cake 5.00pm “Pebbles” for children 5 yrs upwards W  ednesdays 7.30pm Prayer Group at 4 Church End T  hursdays 1.30pm “Little Fishes” for birth to 5yrs, with carers Arlesey Methodist Church Services for June are as follows:  unday June 7th Preacher at 10.30 a.m. – Mrs Catherine Edmonds S of Hitchin  unday June 14th Preacher at 11.00 a.m. – Rev Bob Forrest S  ednesday 17th June at 12.30 there is a light lunch followed by a W Bible Study led by Rev Bob Forrest  unday June 21st Preacher at 10.30 a.m. – Mrs Sandra Hare S of Shillington  aturday 27th June the monthly Coffee Morning will be held from S 10.00 a.m. until 12 noon. Between 3.00 and 4.00 p.m, there will be a Family Fun Service  unday June 28th Preacher at 11.00 a.m. – Rev Bob Forrest. S This will be a service of Holy Communion  t 2.00 p.m.on June 28th the Duck Race organised by the Arlesey A Residents’ Association will take place at Henlow Bridge Lakes with the kind permission of Mr David Curson  n Saturday 20th June there will be a Games Evening for all at the O Methodist Church, combined with St Peter’s. There will be a Bring and Share meal. The timing is 3.30 for 4.00 p.m. Everyone is welcome at all these events, of course Minister at the church is Rev Bob Forrest. Tel: 01582 727880 Local contacts: • Mrs Doreen Archer 731392  • Mrs Betty Joyce 731647 • Mr Jim Webb (bookings) 731309 Arlesey Pre-School We are pleased to announce that we are holding a Quiz Night on Saturday 20th June in the Village Hall. It will be 7:30pm for an 8pm start with very cheap bar! Tickets will be available shortly via our staff & committee members or you can contact us through our Facebook page (on which further details will be posted as necessary). We look forward to seeing some friendly faces who want to have a fun & inexpensive night out in the village! on the button, 32 Stotfold Road, Arlesey. Bedfordshire. SG15 6XT www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk