Hello everyone

Here we are, at the beginning of the new liturgical year C, with Advent Sunday tomorrow. How quickly this year has passed.

This week I took an Advent Wreath into School for a talk about Advent, explaining how we light a different candle each Sunday to remember the Patriarchs, the Prophets of old who foretold the birth of Jesus, of John the Baptist, of Mary, and of Jesus the Light of the World. On Thursday Nigel and I led an assembly about the visit by Angel Gabriel to Elizabeth and Mary and we look forward to further assemblies and carol services at schools in the lead up to Christmas. It is such a joy to share this special season.

This week, Toddington Youth group met on Tuesday and today Harlington Church hosted the children's wonderful Art Attack day organised and inspired by Stanley - decorating the church with colourful pictures. There was such a good turnout of children and parents. It is so important to encourage children. Other events for our children and families ahead this week are: TWIG meeting at Westoning on Tuesday at 3.30 pm at the Village Hall and Little Stars at 1.15 pm on Friday in Church; Toddington host Christmas Messy Church at 3.30 pm on Thursday (instead of Friday) also in Wilkinson Hall, and all these events lead into two wonderful Christmas Tree festivals which will be held at Toddington Church and Harlington Churches next week-end. The season of Jesus, the Light of the World approaches…with much excitement.

This Wednesday Chalgrave Church co-host a pop-up tea room at Tebworth Memorial Hall from 10.30 am to 1.00 pm to offer folks opportunity to meet for a cuppa and a chat and tomorrow, Tingrith Church hold a special Advent service at 3.00 pm accompanied by Tingrith choir.

This is the season to be still and reflect, and to prepare.- despite the busyness around us.. and with this in mind, Nigel invites Harlington folk to a new Advent course on Wednesday afternoons.

I will be leading an Advent course in Toddington on Mondays. All welcome.

Tomorrow, we look forward to lighting the first Advent Candles in our churches as we focus on this time of preparation for the coming of Jesus.

Here are some of the upcoming services and events in our churches:

This Sunday's services:

Chalgrave Church - no service this week. We will be joining Toddington for a Benefice Service at 11.00 am.

Harlington 9.30 am Holy Communion. Linda leading, Robert preaching

Westoning 11.00 am Holy Communion . Nigel leading, Jon preaching

Toddington 11.00 am Holy Communion Benefice Service. Linda

Tingrith 3.00 pm Advent Service with Choir. Nigel/Linda/Jon

6.00 pm Upper Room Service looks at the implications of Advent. Zoom access link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81115286922?pwd=Y2gvbEZmSkw3YVI3aW5YNWo5U1Bjdz09

For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda

Events this week:

Monday 29th November

Toddington 9.30 am Morning Prayer

(No Mums and Tots this week)

Advent Course 11.00 am the Rectory (for Toddington/Chalgrave churches)

Online Alpha course continues 7.45 pm

Tuesday 30th November

Westcaf at Westoning Village Hall 10.00 am to 12.00 noon.

TWIG Westoning Village Hall 5.30 pm

Wednesday 1st December

Harlington. Morning Service at 10.00 am

Pop up Tea room at Tebworth Hall 11.00 am to 1.30 pm

Harlington Advent Course begins at 2.30pm Book on 01525 714442

Thursday 2nd December

Messy Christmas Church 3.30 pm Wilkinson Hall

Friday 3rd December

Little Stars at Church at 1.15 pm Westoning

Friday Fellowship at the Village Hall at 2.00 pm Westoning

Saturday 4th December

Christmas Tree Festivals

Harlington Church 12.00 noon to 5.00 pm Saturday and Sunday, finishing with a carol service at 5.00 pm

Toddington Church 11.00 am to 5.00 pm Saturday and 1.00 to 5.00 pm on Sunday finishing with carol singing at 5.00 pm (poster attached)

We send our good wishes to you all this week. Keep warm, keep safe and take time to be still to watch, wait, and prepare for the coming of Jesus.

God bless

Linda and Nigel