Saturday 22nd August 10.45am 

w/c Sunday 23^rd August 2026

Dear Friends,

I have been getting in some training for the Mission Community’s “Pilgrim Walk” on August 30^th.
So far, I have encountered hot sun, a downpour (so welcome!) and strong winds, together with meeting some fascinating folk, a wide selection of dogs of all shapes and sizes, dodged quite a few cars racing around the lanes, and I’ve managed to create a hole in my walking socks!
It’s also given me lots of time to think, reflect and just “be” away from mobile phones and laptops – bliss.

Please do consider whether you can join us for the walk and there is information later in the Newsletter as to how to sign up.
Bishop James will be joining us at Shipley Bridge at about 3pm for the final part of the walk if anyone else wants to join then.
If you can’t join the walk, then please do come for the services or the tea.
If anyone can bring some cakes for the tea, they would be much appreciated– not least by the walkers!

Thought for the week: Matthew 16 v13-20

This week’s gospel takes me back to school assemblies. Our headmaster often quoted the opening section: “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still

others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. 
“Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

I often remember that during my early days of teaching in an undergraduate laboratory, a student asking, “you’re a Christian; what is it that you believe?” and I remembered a colleague’s reply to a similar question from one of his students: “I believe Jesus Christ is who He says He is” and that was my reply (with appropriate reference given of course!)

The basis of our faith, our anchor if you like, is precisely our relationship with Jesus which is the same as our relationship with God.
It is also our state of being: who we are in Christ, who we are in relationship to God is who we really are.
This isn’t simply something we decide to believe but a reality that God reveals to us by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ reaction to Peter’s answer in verse 16 is recorded in the following verse: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” 

Relationships involve both parties! God reveals Godself to us as we believe and trust in God.
So far, so wonderful but it doesn’t end here; far from it. What are we do with this light that has shone into our lives? Certainly, we must expect to be changed by our relationship with God and that change will be visible to everyone who meets us.
What does Jesus go on to say to Simon Peter? We have it in verse 18-19: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven….”

Amazingly, our relationship with God has eternal significance. On these “rocks” (you and I) God is building His church. Amen.
David Harwood

Notices and Diary

• August 30^th – Mission Community Pilgrim walk from St Luke’s to St Petroc’s. Cakes for the tea much appreciated

Further details about the walk and to sign up:- call Val on 07792 802307 or use QR code  :-

• CHANGE OF DATE – Sat 5^th September Yonder Cross, Hillside, South Brent, TQ10 9DR 12-5 pm Open garden, BBQ, children’s games, live music. 
• Mission Community Newsletter Editor/s needed! From the end of September, we need a volunteer/s to edit the weekly Newsletter. This is straightforward and is a matter of populating the Newsletter template with information sent to you. You will need to be comfortable using Word or similar. Lots of help available! Please do consider if this is something you could help with, otherwise we will not have a Newsletter! Please contact Rev Gina to discuss.

Sun 23^rd Aug                        Baptism at Landscove as part of the 9.30 service

                                                      Rattery PCC at 12.15pm

Wed 26^th Aug                      St Petroc’s Morning Prayer at 8.30am

Thought for the week at 10am by zoom and telephone

St Petroc’s Parish Lunch 12.30-1.30pm

Fri 28^th Aug                           Morning Prayer at 9am by zoom and telephone

Sun 30^th Aug                        Joint Mission Community service at St Luke’s at 10am, Pilgrim Walk leaving at 10.45am, tea at St Petroc’s 4pm, Songs of Praise at 4.30pm

 Know you are in my heart and in my prayers.
Rev Gina