It’s the season of Petertide, and I am covering the Team Service in Collingbourne Kingston for those who aren’t off to attend ordinations.

This week will marked the 21st anniversary since I was ordained deacon. In the Anglican church we are ordained deacon first, so whether we are a curate just starting out, or a seasoned bishop, we are all first and foremost deacons. A rough understanding of the word deacon is ‘servant’, one, who like Jesus, serves. It is our role to visit the sick, to set out the tables, to be the last one to leave as we lock up the church! It doesn’t sound very glamourous does it? Anyone can wash up after the harvest meal, why does it need a deacon? It doesn’t, but we do, alongside others, because we are called first and foremost to follow our Servant King, to serve.

Some people are called specifically to this ministry, others are called on to become priests. Generally this happens a year after, when, at a second ordination service we are ‘priested’. No we get to do all the fun stuff, the specially holy stuff. We can conduct weddings, baptisms, and funerals. We can pronounce blessing on people, and absolution of sins. However we are still deacons.

A very few will go on to be Bishops, or other ‘senior’ roles. Most will become parish priests: vicars.

Today’s gospel passage explains why ordinations are often held at this time of year. Jesus asks his disciples what people are saying about him, who do they think he is. They come up with a variety of suggestions: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah… But when Jesus asks them who they think he is, only Peter has an answer

You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:16

Peter is the only one who is brave enough to speak these words of truth. Words which in previous generations had caused people to be executed, sometimes on mass. Theses are dangerous words. These are words that change lives. When we declare that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus is God, we are called to respond to that truth with the whole of our lives. Peter’s life changed dramatically when he made that declaration, although not immediately, and not all in one go.

Following this declaration Peter is given his nickname. His original name was Simon, and Peter which means ‘the rock’ was perhaps the first ever ‘Christian name’ given to him by Jesus himself. Jesus doesn’t just give him a cool new name, but also a new purpose. He has already been called away from his life as a fisherman into one as the disciple of a rabbi (and not just any old rabbi but The Rabbi), now he is being called to build Jesus’ church.

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church

Matthew 16:18

And so, each year, the end of June and beginning of July is known as Petertide, the actual feast of St Peter being the 29th June when Peter was executed, or martyred, in AD267. And each year new deacons and priests are ordained as we continue to build the church of Christ. It is also a reminder that we are all held within the chain of apostolic succession. When recruiting a new disciple to replace Judas, the apostles laid hands upon Matthias, blessing him and anointing him for the role. It is traditionally believed that each successive deacon and priest and even bishop, is brought into that tradition when the bishop who had hands laid upon them when they were ordained now lays their hands upon the newly ordained, and that this can be traced all the way back to the beginning. This laying on of hands belongs to priesthood of all believers too, to all Christians, and when (in some denominations) we confirm our baptism promises, the bishop lays their hands upon those being confirmed, just as hands were laid on them by their bishop when they were confirmed. And so the church continues to grow, on the foundations laid by Peter.

Peter went through much in his life as a disciple and apostle, and leader of the church. He was imprisoned, tortured and eventually crucified upside down as the legend goes, as he didn’t feel himself worthy enough to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus had. These are the feats of superheroes, but he also endured, doubt, denial, regret, and many a foolish mistake, the same things that we do.

Being ordained at Petertide reminds us that we belong to this history too. We don’t just belong to a long line of holy people who wear strange outfits and people look up to for spiritual guidance, but a long line of fools who get things wrong.

The passage from Acts reminds us how important we all are in building God’s church. Peter has been imprisoned, this is shortly after his cousin James has been killed by the sword at Herod’s decree. These are dangerous times for Christians, especially those building Christ’s church. Whilst Peter is in prison, he is prayed for.

While Peter was in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.

Acts 12:5

Peter is in prison, securely bound with not one but two chains, and surrounded by soldiers and guards, due to be brought out the following day for his own execution. As Peter sleeps, the church prays, and an angel releases him. It isn’t the apostles who are praying, but the priesthood of all believers, the church, whose prayers are answered.

Each of us have been called. A few of us to wear funny things around our necks and to be referred to as Rev, as Vicar, as Priest, but all of us are a part of the priesthood of all believers, and we all have a role to play in building the church. Some may be called to be churchwardens, or teamakers, or to faithfully lock and unlock the church each day. Others will be called to be evangelists in their neighbourhood and work communities, being a gentle but steady Christian presence, the one at prayer for the local and international, and let’s face it, there is much to be prayerful about right now. Isn’t there always?

Today we remember St Peter, we celebrate Petertide, we welcome our new deacon, but we also remember and celebrate that we are all members of the priesthood of Christ, as we renew our response to God’s call.