EVENTS IN OUR PARISH IN OCTOBER Monday 5th Open The Book with the school 9:00am at St Peter’s Tuesday 6th Crafty Cuppa Café 2:00pm in St Peter’s North Aisle Wednesday 7th Life Worth Living 10:00am in St Peter’s North Aisle Saturday 10th Harvest Supper 7:00pm Alton Village Hall Wednesday 14th Life Worth Living 10:00am in St Peter’s North Aisle Tuesday 20th Crafty Cuppa Café 2:00pm in St Peter’s North Aisle Tuesday 20th Joint Warden’s meeting 4:00pm in St Peter’s North Aisle Wednesday 21st Life Worth Living 10:00am in St Peter’s North Aisle Wednesday 28th Life Worth Living 10:00am in St Peter’s North Aisle Sunday 1st November Pet Service Morning Prayer 10:45am in St Peter’s Every Monday Bellringing Practice 7:30pm at St Peter’s St Peter’s, Alton and St Leonard’s, Bradley le Moors NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2026 Working Together with God in Church and Community SERVICES IN THE WEAVER GROUP OF CHURCHES ALTON BRADLEY ELLASTONE STANTON MAYFIELD SUNDAY 4th October Trinity 18 or Harvest 10.45am Morning Prayer 2:15pm Harvest Evening Prayer 9.15am Holy Communion 9.15am Morning Prayer 10.45am Holy Communion SUNDAY 11th October Trinity 19 or Harvest 10.45am Harvest Holy Communion 9.30am Holy Communion 9.15am Morning Prayer 6.30pm Harvest Evensong 10.45am Morning Prayer SUNDAY 18th October Trinity 20 10.45am Morning Prayer - 9.15am Holy Communion 9.15am Holy Communion 10.45am Holy Communion SUNDAY 25th October Bible Sunday 10.45am Holy Communion 2:15pm Songs of Praise 9.15am Morning Prayer 9.15am Morning Prayer 10.45am Morning Prayer SUNDAY 1st November All Saints 10.45am Morning Prayer Pets Service 2:15pm Evening Prayer 9.15am Holy Communion 9.15am Morning Prayer 10.45am Holy Communion EVERY THURSDAY 10:30am Holy Communion Your Newsletter If you would like a copy of the newsletter by email, or you know someone else who would like it, please drop an email to stpetersalton@btinternet.com . The Newsletter, and past editions of the Parish News, will also be on the church website at: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/4132/news/122149/parish-news-online/ If you still wish to receive a printed copy of the Newsletter, please let Chris Mellor know on 01538 702640.

Where are you? “He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake.” (Mark 6:48) Have you ever felt like prayer was a struggle, like you were pushing against wind and waves? Sometimes it seems God is distant, and our prayers get heavy. At other times, prayer feels like steady work, row after row, day after day. The Christian life includes both experiences. In fact, Scripture shows us that faith can look like sailing and like rowing. Our story begins in Mark 6:48, where Jesus comes to the disciples while they are in a boat on the sea. The Bible says, “He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.” In that moment, the disciples are not enjoying a peaceful cruise. They are working hard, exhausted, and unsure whether help will come. Yet Jesus is watching, and He is coming, though not always in the timeline or method they expected. This is how prayer often feels when we are rowing. We do not always sense God’s presence immediately. We keep praying anyway. We “strain at the oars,” bringing our concerns, our fears, and our needs to the Lord. We pray even when the waves are loud. Rowing prayer teaches endurance: it forms spiritual muscles. It reminds us that salvation is not earned by clever words, but received by faith. But Scripture also reveals another side of prayer, sailing. In Psalm 107, we read about those who go down to the sea and experience the wonder and danger of the ocean. The psalm describes ships tossed and threatened by storms, yet also speaks of sailors who cry out to the Lord in their trouble. Then, just as God’s mercy reaches them, the sea calms, and the storm gives way to safety. The psalm says the people “went up to the heavens” and “down to the depths,” but God ultimately brought them through. The message is clear: prayer is not only for moments of fear, it is also for moments when God lifts us from danger to deliverance. So where are you in your prayer life right now? Maybe you are rowing. If so, don’t confuse struggle with failure. Jesus saw the disciples straining. Your prayer life may be quiet, repetitive, and hard—but God is present. Keep bringing your prayer to Him with honesty. If your words are few, let your faith be strong. Maybe you are sailing. If your prayers have been answered, give thanks. Sail on in gratitude, not pride. Remember the God who calmed the storm. Praise is a continuation of faith, not a replacement for it. Prayer life is often both: moments of calm and moments of storm, seasons of strength and seasons of waiting. The sea and the boat are not outside God’s care. They are places where He teaches trust. Today, take your next step, whether that step is one more row or one more prayer of surrender. Jesus is watching. God hears. And just as Psalm 107:23–31 shows deliverance from the depths, the Lord can bring you through whatever waves you are facing. Mark 6:48 begins with Jesus coming near. Psalm 107:23–31 ends with the storm stilled and God praised. Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. (Psalm 107:23-31) Brian Leathers

GOOD NEWS I have good news to report. Jesus is Risen – I hope you expect the Vicar to tell you that. On top of that I want to let you know that because of the generosity of people of our Village we have been able to secure a new boiler which has now been installed. The new venting arrangement means that we can remove the unsightly grill in the west door and put back the ornate old door which has graced our church for over a century. I do want to thank those who gave so generously and to those who thought to put a letter out to those in the village we may not have seen for some time. We have also had money to spend on the churchyard extension which we have wanted to do but have been unable to because of the need to pay other bills first. Hopefully you have noticed the difference. We have now opened a fund so if you want to give towards maintaining this Churchyard, the money will be ringfenced and restricted only for this purpose. Brian Leathers St Leonard's, Bradley Sunday 4th October, 2:15pm St Peter’s, Alton Sunday 11th October, 10:45am Sunday 1stNovember at 10:45am Bring your furry, feathered, or scaly friends to a special Blessing of the Animals service for prayer, community, and thanksgiving.

Crafty Cuppa Café Alternate Tuesdays in St Peters 2 - 4pm 6th and 20th October Come and join us for craft or companionship, we are a friendly lot. Bring something you are making, learn a new skill or show others. While the Alton 'Bayeux' tapestry is being made, (see separate notice) feel free to bring anything you are contributing and get crafty with us! No cost, but donations welcome. Just turn up or ring Deborah for more details 07779254996. Join us for our next Coffee Morning on Saturday 24th October at 10 am in St Peter’s Church. We look forward to seeing you there. We are also planning to sell home-made jam and chutney so if you can help with making jam or chutney then please get in touch with Nicky or Sara. Also if donations of clean, empty jar would be very welcome. Please leave them in the church.

Who’s Who? St. Peter’s, Alton with St. Leonard’s, Bradley Weaver Group Clergy Vicar Rev Preb Brian Leathers 01538 702469 email: briantopsey@googlemail.com Minister based at Mayfield Rev Chamil Fernando 07511 117822 email: chamil.fernando77@gmail.com At St Peter’s & St Leonard’s Churchwardens ALTON Mrs Linda Goodwin 01538 703104 BRADLEY Mr Don Burton 01538 753864 Mr Robert Burton 01889 507071 Organist Mr Mark Goodhew (Alton) 01538 722741 Mr Fred Ayre (Bradley) 01538 702399 Ringing Master Mr Alan Walters 01538 702888 Treasurer Mr Chris Mellor 01538 702640 St. Peter’s C of E School Mrs Rebecca Walker - Executive Head 01538 702321 Website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/4132/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/stpeterschurchalton Raise Free Donations For St Peter’s Church With Easy Fundraising St Peter's Church Alton PCC are registered with easyfundraising, which means you can raise FREE donations for us every time you shop online. Over 7,000 shops and sites will donate to us when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself! These donations really mount up and make a BIG difference, so we’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to sign up and support us. It’s completely FREE and only takes a moment. You can find our easyfundraising page at: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/stpetersalton