Hello EveryoneThe sun has been shining this week which is always a bonus. It has been a busy week between us with a wedding, a confirmation service at Westoning, five baptisms, two funerals and a burial of ashes, two school assemblies, a hospital visit, planning meetings for future weddings, funerals and baptisms, a PCC meeting and School Governor's meeting, a Friends Meeting, pastoral care and support to the bereaved and those in need, besides the usual services and events. There have been many special moments of joy and blessing and moments of deep sadness. A day as a minister is always varied but a huge privilege.This Sunday's Services are:9.15 am-10.30 am Messy Church Breakfast and Crafts, Wilkinson Hall - Rebecca9.30 am Chalgrave Church -Holy Communion Service - Linda9.30 am Harlington Church- Holy Communion Service - Nigel and Robert11.00 am Toddington Church - Holy Communion Service - Linda11.00 am Westoning Church - Holy Communion - Nigel1.00 pm Baptism service, Toddington Church - Linda3.00 pm Tingrith Church Community service with Holy Communion - Nigel and LindaThis month's Upper Room Service, 6.00 pm - theme 'Fathers'.https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81199862803?pwd=o6Olx5c6g4lpkcgjeZudygxsiKpTQa.1For details of how to join please contact Revd LindaOther Services and Events next weekMonday 27th June9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church3.30 pm Funeral of Derek Shields, Bedford Crematorium - LindaTuesday 28th June10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington10.00 am Westcaf, Westoning Village Hall1.00 pm Sewing Bee, Westoning Village HallWednesday 29th June10.00am Morning Service, Harlington ChurchThursday 30th June8.00 pm Harlington Churches Together meetingFriday 1st JulyPainting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 10.30 amLittle Stars Westoning Church, 1.15 pmFriday Fellowship 2.00 pm Westoning Village HallMessy Church, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington from 3.15 pmSaturday 2nd JulyOpen Gardens and Plant Stall, Toddington (Saturday and Sunday) - tickets and refreshments Wilkinson Hall- organised by the Friends of Toddington Parish Church (see poster) Church Fete in Church Grounds, Westoning Church, 12.30 pm until 4.00 pm, with stalls, refreshments and games, and Woburn Sands BandWishing you a good weekLinda and Nigel
Hello EveryoneWe hope you have had a good week and made the best of the few days of sunshine and good weather - without wilting too much. It was certainly hot!Services tomorrowChalgrave Church 9.30 am Holy Communion Service - Rev Roger WoodTingrith Church 9.3 0am Morning Prayer Service MalcolmHarlington Church 9.30 am All Age Service for Fathers Day (No Communion) - Nigel and LindaToddington Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service- Rev Roger. WoodWestoning Church 11.00 am All Age Service for Fathers Day - Nigel (and Linda?)Other Services and events this weekMonday 20th JuneMorning Prayer 9.30 am Toddington ChurchTuesday 21st June Westcaf at 10.00 am and Sewing Bee at 1.00pm both at Westoning Village HallKnitting group 10.30 am Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonMarriage of Lee and Marina at Harlington Church at 3.00 pmWestoning PCC at church, 7.30 pmWednesday 22nd June Midweek Service Harlington Church at 10.00 amConfirmation Service at Westoning Church at 7.30 pm (please support our candidates and pray for them)Thursday 23rd June Burial of Ashes at Westoning Churchyard at 10.00 amPrayer Group 10.00 am, Toddington ChurchFriday 24th JuneFuneral of Ray Board at Westoning Church at 10.00 amPainting for Pleasure Group at Wilkinson Hall, 10.30 amLittle Stars at 1.15 pm at Westoning ChurchFriday Fellowship at Westoning Village Hall at 2.00 pmHarlington Church Friends steering group meeting 7.30 pm at churchSaturdayCoffee Time, Wilkinson Hall from 10.00 amBaptisms (5) at Westoning Church at 2.30 pmWe wish you a happy, healthy week.God blessNigel and Linda
Hello EveryoneAs the beautiful sunshine draws to a close on this 11th June day, it leads one to reflect on all that has taken place this week, starting with last Sunday's celebrations across the United Kingdom for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with huge crowds filling the Mall with excited cheering and joy (managing to avoid the rain). Local plans for Street parties were less fortunate, with folks hiding under awnings for protection, or events being rearranged or cancelled. At Toddington we had the bonus of Toddington Band filling the church with wonderful music as they retreated indoors to avoid the rain and a packed church listened to a special repertoire.. with amazing percussion.June is a season of anticipation for Summer and many families headed off on holiday for a long awaited break during half term but here we are this week, with a slightly calmer week but still lots of planning and activity afoot.This morning Westoning Church raised over £500 with a plant stall - amazing!Toddington Friends group have been putting up signs today to advertise the Open Gardens in July and the church is busy preparing for the big Petal and Purl festival on 16-18 September weekend.Harlington Church has hosted their Poetry Day today for children and adults and tomorrow host a Family Afternoon Tea on the Bury. Tingrith Choir Whats App has been buzzing this week with celebrations of the success of their special evening last Thursday, and with plans for the next event.Chalgrave Church folk were so very busy last Friday with the Platinum Jubilee pop up Tea Room, hosting many happy customers.This week Nigel and I have been busy leading weddings, funerals and baptisms and we think especially of those who have died and those who grieve; of the young families and adults coming forward for baptism and of the couples getting married.As part of church, there are so many varied things that you all do too as you live out your faith in the community. The Quintet of Churches are very much alive. Thank you!This Sunday's services:9.30am Chalgrave Church, Holy Communion - Linda9.30am Harlington Church, Holy Communion - Nigel and Robert9.30am Westoning Church, Families Service (with song, story, craft and refreshments) - Rebecca11am Toddington Church, Holy Communion - Linda11am Westoning Church, Holy Communion - Nigel3.30pm Harlington Church, Families Afternoon Tea on the Bury - RebeccaNo Upper Room this week. This will now take place once a month with the next online service being held on 26 June.This week's services and events:Monday 13th June9.30am Morning Prayer - Toddington Church2pm Seated Pilates with Jo - Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonTuesday 14th June9.30am Burial of Phyllis' Ashes, Toddington Cemetery10am Westcaf, Westoning Village Hall10.30am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington10.45am Royal British Legion Service on the Green to commemorate 40 years anniversary of the Falklands War1pm Sewing Bees, Westoning Village Hall 5.45pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington (years 4.5 and 6)7.30pm Toddington PCC meeting with Bishop Richard, Wilkinson HallWednesday 15 June9.30-11.30am Church Grounds Working Party, Toddington10am Midweek Morning Service, Harlington ChurchThursday 16 June2pm Georgian's Group? Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonFriday 17 June10.30am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington1.15pm Little Stars, Westoning Church2pm Friday Fellowship, Westoning Village HallSaturday 18 June9.30am Cake stall on Toddington Green.Sunday 19 June Harlington and Westoning Churches will host All age services for Father's Day.Can we please encourage you not to forget Foodbank donations. They are very much in need of our support for those in need. Just one tin each will make a difference.Please pray for the Ukrainian families as they settle into the local communities, and for the host families. Harlington Village are hosting quite a few families and Toddington and Chalgrave are now also receiving families. Community support will be so important. Central Beds Ukraine facebook group are currently appealing for clothing donations for families at their new Wilstead store, and for dried or tinned food provisions, and/or financial donations to support their transport runs to Ukraine to give practical aid. Please hold the people of Ukraine very much in your prayers... they definitely need our prayers.Thank you so much for all you do to support so many.God bless youLinda and Nigel
Hello EveryoneI'm tuning in late tonight to prepare this email following a busy weekend of Platinum Jubilee celebrations as the different village communities have celebrated Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II seventy year reign.On Thursday evening Tingrith village produced the wonderful 'The Beacon' evening of music and entertainment. Nigel had 8 different costume changes. He says when he joined the village choir didn't realise how versatile a vicar he would need to be - see attached photo🤣. It was a wonderful celebratory evening, inspired by Charlotte and Chris.In the meantime, on Thursday, Toddington Community were busy with fun activities on the village Green leading up to the lighting of the Beacon on the Green at 9pm.On Friday we held a Civic Service of Thanksgiving at Toddington church in the morning, with refreshments in the hall afterwards. We were very grateful to Deborah Inskip OBE DL and her husband Dr Tom who represented the Lord Lieutenant, and to Sylvia Collins CC and to the Parish Councillors and the British Legion and all guests who attended. In the afternoon, Chalgrave Church provided the 'Pop Up Tea Room' for the Tebworth Village Platinum games afternoon. Another wonderful time of fellowship and fun. The afternoon finished with an impromptu performance by two very special young Ukrainian ladies who sang so movingly of their country's wartime experiences. We hope to arrange some concerts at the local churches where they can sing and share with us all.On Saturday we visited Harlington's music and fun afternoon before heading across to Toddington's family fun at the Recreation Ground, then joined a local street party before collapsing in front of the TV to watch the Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace.This Sunday our church services, on Pentecost Sunday, will include prayers for Her Majesty the Queen and Westoning and Harlington churches will offer a service of thanksgiving at 11am and 9.30am respectively.This Sunday's Services:8am BCP Holy Communion, Harlington Church - Linda9.30am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church - Linda9.30am Platinum Jubilee service of Thanksgiving, with Holy Communion at Harlington - Nigel11am - Holy Communion Service, Toddington - Linda11am Platinum Jubilee service of Thanksgiving, with Holy Communion, Westoning - NigelNo Upper room online service this weekOther Services and Events this week:Monday9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington.10.30am Petal and Purl meeting, Toddington church (or hall)TuesdayKnitting Group - 10.30am Wilkinson HallWestcaf - 10am Westoning Village HallSewing Bee 1.30pm Westoning Village HallFuneral of Margaret D - Bedford Crematorium 4pmYouth Group 5.30pm Wilkinson HallWednesday10am Morning Service - Harlington Church11am Funeral of Jean Ludgate - Chalgrave Church12.30pm Funeral of Eileen Shenton - Harlington ChurchThursday1.30pm Burial of Rev John Wren's ashes - Toddington CemeteryFriday10.30am Painting for Pleasure Group - Wilkinson HallSaturdayWestoning Plant Stall 10am onwards - see posterHarlington Poetry Day - see posterWedding of Lucy and Liam, Toddington Church 1.30pm(The Queen's Birthday)We wish you an enjoyable and blessed week.Linda and Nigel
