At the end of this month, on 28th June, we commemorate St Peter. I definitely love St Peter’s, Yaxley and our amazing church family, but I also love Peter the disciple. Originally known as Simon Peter, he was a fisherman who was called by Jesus in just a few simple words: “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

I write this in the season between Ascension and Pentecost, and at Pentecost we see Peter bravely, in the power of the Holy Spirit, standing with the eleven disciples and addressing, as Luke tells us in Acts 2, “devout men from every nation under heaven” in a powerful speech. However, he wasn’t always the one seen as the leader; in a single moment during a conversation with Jesus, he went from being the one who seemed to understand who his friend Jesus was—as Jesus calls him blessed—to being told by Jesus, “Get behind me, Satan” (Matthew 16).

Peter’s story is a reminder that even those closest to Jesus had moments of doubt
and misunderstanding, yet he was transformed through his faith and the Holy Spirit. His life inspires us to embrace our imperfections, trust in God’s guidance, and be courageous in sharing the Good News. As we especially remember St Peter at St Peter’s, let us remember Peter’s example and strengthen our own walk of faith together.

The Church of England are looking at Pilgrimage - This summer, the Church of England is launching a new reflection campaign centred around pilgrimage, and the places and stories that help us feel part of something bigger on our journey towards God. Pilgrim Places, Holy Lives runs from the day after Pentecost, 25 May to 21 June, with readings and reflections exploring eight places which were important in the spread of Christianity in England, and the stories of the saints who lived there. Each day will include a Bible reading, a prayer, a short reflection and a suggested action or reflective question.