Dear Friends, The week passes and the depth of sadness over Ukraine deepens. The human tragedies and violence tempt us to despair. How can peaceable people be treated so? Many people have been seeking ways to offer support and aid either financially or practically and hopefully, soon, refugees will be able to make their way to this country to find peace and support. To be able to offer practical aid will be better than the current distanced incomprehension. We pray and must keep on praying but may we also look to ways of our heartfelt prayers being realised in tangible and effective action. Is there room in our hearts: is there room in our homes? The diocese are currently investigating the best way we can offer help and will release more information next week.There are still joys, people meeting and sharing, giving and receiving, in love and in peace. And this week has been a special week. Nigel and I led a school assembly at Parkfields school where we spoke about prayer, and Dee and I shared an assembly at St George's school about Jesus' miracle of feeding the 5,000, which seems rather appropriate in the context of Ukraine with so many refugees needing food and care. On Friday, it was a delight to welcome lots of children to Messy Church - our first Messy Church since December.. and to share fun, songs, crafts and tea. We also had fun at Youth Group on Tuesday.. so it has been a busy week at Toddington.A special memorial service to Paul Scrivener on Monday united congregations from each of our villages as we paid tribute to him and shared some of his poems. What a beautiful touch of humour and memory he shared with us. Westoning Westcaf was abuzz on Tuesday, Little Stars and Fellowship time were busy.. and there are so many groups meeting happily within the two benefices.. people glad to meet up again.The days are getting longer and warmer and the gardens are springing into life.. and people have been smiling in the sunshine!SERVICES THIS SUNDAY 13th March 2022Chalgrave 9.30 am Holy Communion Linda Harlington 9.30 am Holy Communion Nigel/Robert Westoning 9.30 am Families Service Rebecca, 11.00 am Holy Communion NigelToddington Holy Communion 11.00 am Linda Upper Room by Zoom at 6pm lead by Lay Leader of Worship Philip Steer. Access link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83516032191?pwd=T2xFWGVkcXhPakU0aWdPOTNJeXZIUT09This Week's Services and events:Monday 14th MarchMorning Prayer at Toddington Church 9.30 amSeated Pilates with Jo 2.00 pm Wilkinson HallThe Bible Course online session 7, 7.45 pm considering the Acts and the Church. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83255519436?pwd=eWEwdFF5S1gwQjJWbU8va1dPZFFYdz09For details of how to join please contact Revd LindaTuesday 15th MarchWestoning: Westcaf 10.00 am – 12.00 noon. Sewing Bee 1.00 – 3.00 pm. At Westoning Village Hall. All welcome Toddington: Knitting Group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon Wilkinson HallWednesday 16th MarchHarlington Church: Morning Service at 10.00 am Thursday 17th MarchToddington: St George's Fellowship 2.00 – 4.00 pm - bring a large pebble to decorate.Lent Course by Zoom 7.45 – 9.00 pm: ‘Unanswered Prayers.’ Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82932850300?pwd=dGxaMTZOTWZxMzhQUlMrUHRtalgrUT09Friday 18th MarchToddington: Painting for Pleasure 10.30 am – 12.00 noon.Westoning: Little Stars at Westoning Church 1.15 - 2.45 pm. Friday Fellowship Westoning Village Hall 2.00 – 4.00 pm ADVANCE NOTICE: There will be a Lent Course (Walking with Jesus) held at Mary Rutherford’s House starting on 21st March at 3.00 pm. Please let her or a minister know if you’d like to attend. FRIENDS EVENING: On the 25th March between 7.00 and 8.00 pm there will be a meeting in Harlington Church explaining the restoration work planned and the plans the church has for the future. In time we would like to form an association of friends of the church from people in the village and beyond who value the building. We would also like members of the church to attend as well. Refreshments will be served. We wish you every blessing and a happy, healthy weekLinda
Hello everyone,What a week this has been. Last week's email was difficult to write, and this week's is similar. Ukraine has been constantly in the news, and we have watched and listened with shock as events have emerged. Why is this happening!Our hearts ache for the people of Ukraine, Afghanistan and other areas of terrorism and war (on Friday a suicide bomb also exploded in a mosque in Pakistan causing death and injury to many people - described by the Archbishop of Canterbury as a godless and heinous crime). How can such atrocities happen in a modern world? Our screens are full of images which show evil at work and there is a sense of helplessness. The countless stories of families divided, needless pain and the destruction of a peaceable people takes the flavour from our living. We pray, we lament, we look to ways to reach out and give.The Upper Room online service this week will be dedicated to prayer for Ukraine and our world and we will include prayers in our morning services. People are keen to help others and aid is being shipped out to support folks, but guidance messages are appearing (on BBC news and other sites) that money donations are the most useful way to support as this can be directed more purposefully to people's needs. Should you wish to donate money to the Disaster Emergency Fund, which includes the Red Cross and other large charities, the Big Give are currently doubling donations under a match funding scheme..We need to remember in this challenging time, that there are also things to raise our spirits, and this week it has been a joy for Nigel and I between us to host Youth Group, lead another assembly at school, mark the start of Lent with the Ash Wednesday services, take a wedding, share food and fellowship at the Ploughman's lunch and Westcaf, unite with the other local churches in the World Day of Prayer service on Friday, breathe the fresh air and admire the emerging beautiful snow drops, crocus, hyacinths, daffodils and spring flowers and even notice a hint of blossom forming on the trees too. The beauty of God's creation as it is meant to be.This week has been a week of adjustment, dealing with the shock reality on our screens of families torn apart, possessions left behind, and destruction. It leads us into a time of reflection about what really matters. Let us unite in our prayers for Ukraine, the world, and its people and pray for their protection and come together this Lent to value the special treasures that we have in family and friends, and in our relationship with Christ.Services this Sunday 6 March Harlington8.00 am BCP Holy Communion - Linda9.00 am Families Breakfast Club - Rebecca9.30 am Holy Communion - Nigel12.30 pm Baptism - NigelChalgrave 9.30 am Holy Communion - LindaTingrith 9.30 am Morning Praise - JonToddington 11.00 am Holy Communion - LindaWestoning 11.00 am Holy Communion - NigelThe Upper Room online service at 6.00 pm. Theme: Praying for Ukraine, Afghanistan and our world zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86765254593?pwd=VmVuZDladi9BYTd3bHlWUlRtbjZKQT09For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Services and events this week:Monday 7th MarchMorning Prayer Toddington Church 9.30 amMemorial Service to Paul Scrivener at Westoning Church at 2.30 pmThe Online Bible Course 7.45 pm session 6 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82179935493?pwd=bkh1WndMYnJKWGVyeldPWmdlVUw3Zz09For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Tuesday 8th MarchWestoning Westcaf 10.00 am – 12.00 noon Westoning Village HallSewing Bee 1.00 – 3.00 pm at Westoning Village HallThe Knitting Group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonYouth Group (9-11 age) 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonWednesday 9th MarchMorning Service at Harlington Church 10.00 amThursday 10th March Lent Course begins via zoom at 7.45pm Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88985497408?pwd=OFA5UHFYMW82Ty9vOWY4VUdRa2ExUT09For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Friday 11th MarchThe Painting for Pleasure group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonLittle Stars 1.15 - 2.4 5pm Westoning Church Friday Fellowship 2.00 – 4.00 pm Westoning Village HallMessy Church 3.15 - 5.30 pm Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonSaturday 12th MarchDiocesan Synod Meeting 9.30 am - 1.30 pmWe wish you a fruitful and blessed week. Do get in touch if you would like a chat, or a time of prayer.Toddington Church will be open from 9.30 am to about 3.00 pm each day this week, if you would like a quiet place to say prayers.God bless. We wish you love and peace.Linda and Nigel
Hello EveryoneThis week's newsletter is like no other that we have written. On the doorstep at home we step out and see the emerging beautiful Spring flowers and breathe in the fresh air and appreciate the calm after last weekend's storms, but this contrasts severely to the shock and horror of the news of war which has burst across the airwaves these past three days. Russia's invasion of Ukraine suddenly became a reality. People - who are just like you and me - disturbed, fearful, homeless, sheltering the attacks in cellars or subways, or in long traffic queues or on trains; refugees seeking escape and, in many cases, this is not for the first time. History repeating itself: families torn apart: women and children seeking shelter across the border, whilst husbands, sons, daughters, fathers and grandfathers remain to fight for their country and for Europe. How can this be happening in our modern day world which has been so proud and protective of peace. How soon the world's perspective changes in these days of modern warfare. The news pictures have seemed strangely surreal and my mind has struggled to comprehend what is happening, needing time to catch up and adjust to a new world perspective of uncertainty and threat. One moment living in peace and the next.... We have watched people bravely demonstrate, singing patriotic songs, wearing their countries flag with pride, gathering to pray. There are casualties and deaths.. such needless deaths. One struggles to understand what has brought us to this point in time, and what can we do to help.. we feel so helpless. But one important thing we can do is to pray. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and also in Russia.. for the many innocent people who will suffer from this evil act of war. Sanctions and fighting will bring distress. Each death is a mother and father's son or daughter. We need to pray and pray without ceasing. The Archbishops and the Pope are calling us to dedicate our Sunday services to a time of prayer focus for Ukraine and for peace. Peter Greig of 24/7 prayer is calling us to create prayer rooms- and these can be remote or physical, where someone covers an hour or 20 minutes to pray and then hands on to the next person, so every minute of each day is covered. We are called to solidarity to pray against evil and for the love and protection of those in need. We will send some prayers which you may wish to use. Let us unite and pray for our world to be at peace.This week begins the season of Lent, with Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of this penitential season. It is naturally a penitential season, when we take time before God to seek His guidance, and his forgiveness. For it to be a time of deeper prayer to seek His will and purpose for our lives, and for our world, is appropriate. May you be touched deeply in your relationship with God this Lent, as you walk alongside Jesus, our Lord and Saviour on his Easter journey.Sunday's services - 27th FebruaryChalgrave 9.30 am Holy CommunionHarlington 9.30 am Holy CommunionTingrith 3.00 pm Community Communion ServiceToddington 11.00 am Holy CommunionWestoning 11.00 am Healing Service with Holy Communion. Speaker Vicky YorkeThe Upper Room, 6pm Zoom service, with a theme of A Project for Lent Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88503867001?pwd=WE8ybUc0Qm1jazFCRFRQWFNIYkoxUT09For details of how to join please contact Revd LindaThis week's services and events:Monday 28th February: Morning Prayer 9.30 am ToddingtonThe Bible Course Session 5 - 10.45 am The RectoryThe Bible Course Session 5 - 7.45 pm online by zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83757446362?pwd=SUxpOURxVUJwQUJtaUI2dUdNOEtBQT09For details of how to join please contact Revd LindaHarlington PCC meeting 7.30 pm in churchTuesday 1stMarch (Shrove Tuesday)Knitting Group, Toddington 10.30 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson HallWestcaf, 10.00 am – 12.00 noon Westoning Village HallSewing Bee 1.00 pm Westoning Village HallYouth Group 5.30 – 7.00 pm Wilkinson Hall, Toddington (yrs 7,8 and 9)Ampthill and Shefford Deanery Synod 7.15 pm Clifton ChurchWednesday 2ndMarch (Ash Wednesday)Ash Wednesday Holy Communion service 6.00 pm ToddingtonAsh Wednesday Holy Communion Service Westoning 7.30 pmAsh Wednesday Services, Harlington 10.00 am and 7.30 pmThursday 3thMarchPloughman's Lunch (with hot meal choices) 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonWestoning Church - meeting with Bishop Richard and Archdeacon DaveFriday 4thMarchPainting for Pleasure group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonWorld day of Prayer Harlington Methodist Church 2.00 pmFriday Fellowship Westoning Village Hall 2.00 pmLittle Stars 1.15 pm Westoning Church Private Prayer: St George's Church, Toddington is open each day from 9.30 am to mid afternoon for quiet prayer.Future dates:Lent Course'Unanswered Prayer' begins by zoom on Tuesday 8th March at 7.45 pm (Westoning Benefice led)Messy church at Toddington will next meet on Friday March 11thFoodbank donations are invited at:Chalgrave Church (Sunday Mornings) Harlington Church - donation box in church or contact TriciaToddington Church - donations can be left in church or by the back door at 22 Leighton RoadWestoning Church- donation box in the porch.As times become more difficult financially for many families, the foodbank welcomes regular donations, thank you.Thank you all for your contributions to the respective churches in time and effort, prayer and service and in love and care for each other. This week we give thanks for:1 The third Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room at Tebworth Memorial Hall which was such a lovely occasion of fellowship and hospitality. Next tea room on Wednesday 23rdMarch 2 The first (post lockdown) whole school assembly at St George's lower school. It was a joy for everyone to be together again. 3 A wonderful Thinking Day afternoon at Toddington last Sunday with the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides and their leaders, which finished with a short Thinking Day service 4 A good introductory meeting between representatives of Westoning, Harlington and Tingrith to begin to consider the replacement process for when Nigel retires. 5 The different gatherings and fundraising events which reflect people's joy at being able to meet again. 6 The Quintet and Tingrith choirs which are gathering again now (or soon will be).May the Lord's Peace be with you and your families this week and in the days to come. Linda and Nigel
Dear Friends,Is your roof still on? Is the garden shed still there? We hope you are all safe and well.What a storm raged on Friday with such high winds and chilling weather - drawing so many of us across the country to batten down the hatches and hunker up in safety at home. It is the first time that London has had a Red weather warning, and this warning was one of two, reaching across from the South-West to our more easterly region. Today, there are many signs along the roadside of battered and broken trees and hedgerows, and local reports of uprooted fences, broken green houses and more.How high the waves flew on the coast too.. and sadly, some people across the country, lost their lives in the storms. Our thoughts go out the victims and to their families.In Job we read: “Out of the south comes the storm, and out of the north the cold.” (Job 37:9) and our reading from the Gospel of Luke, this Sunday, is about Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. How terrified the disciples were in the midst of that storm until Jesus came and stilled the waves. Seeing reports of the raging seas on Friday, we can empathise with them. May Jesus come to still the storm in your own lives.As I watched the trees bending and waving in the strong winds... praying that our roof would stay on the house, I found myself contemplating how one particular tree took the enormous force of the wind and in so doing, protected the trees behind; bending, buckling under the wind, but then springing back resiliently to stand tall again. It seemed a metaphor for our own lives - to be flexible, rooted, resilient and standing tall in the knowledge and faith of Jesus' love and protection.What is true physically is certainly true spiritually. Where are we safe? Our walk in faith and trust is essential to us and that entails two things, a secure foundation in God and in what we know and believe in Jesus, and a reaching out and a stepping out in love, helping and encouraging others.It is good to see people returning to worship in church and it is good to see people meeting together socially and planning events for the rest of the year. Thank you for joining in and playing your part.We are fast approaching the season of Lent which is a wonderful time to get back on track and be more disciplined in our lives. Ash Wednesday is on 2nd March and that day services will be offered in many of our churches. There will also be some Lent courses for the lentern seasonThe World Day of Prayer service this year will be held at Harlington Methodist Church on Friday 4th March at 2pm and there will also be an online zoom link.Paul Scrivener’s Memorial Servicewill be held at Westoning Parish Church on 7thMarch at 2.30pm.Services for Sunday 20th FebruaryChalgrave Church: 9.30 am Morning Praise service - led by SteveHarlington 9.30 am Holy Communion LindaTingrith 9.30 am Holy Communion Jon/NigelToddington 11.00 am Holy Communion Service - Linda and SteveWestoning 11.00 am Holy Communion Jon/NigelToddington Church: Thinking Day service 4.00 pm - LindaThe Upper Room online service on Sunday at 6.00 pm Theme: ‘Heaven on Earth’https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86014421776?pwd=bDVUT2pQM3B4Z2l3YXlXZGtFbVRVdz09For details of how to join please contact Revd LindaThe Church of England online Sunday service for the Second Sunday before Lent is led by:Rev Richard Allen, from The Benefice of Trelawny, Cornwall, who will be preaching about Jesus calming the storm. https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-church-online/weekly-online-services/jesus-calms-storm?j=153113&sfmc_sub=24618178&l=444_HTML&u=3885200&mid=510001965&jb=9003You can watch it live on Sunday 20 February from 9am on our website, Facebook or YouTube . It will be available for playback immediately after as well.Other services and events this week:Monday 21st February9.30 am Morning Prayer - Toddington Church10.45 am The Bible Course session 4 - the Rectory.7.45 pm The Bible Course session 4 online: Zoom link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89059785598?pwd=K3ppU2QzRlNsYjZYWmJpT0liTkNjUT09For details of how to join please contact Revd LindaTuesday 22nd February10.30 am – 12.00 noon Knitting group - Wilkinson Hall, Toddington10.00 am – 12.00 noon Westcaf at Westoning Village Hall1.00 – 3.00 pm Sewing Bee at Westoning Village HallWednesday 23rd February11.00 am – 1.00 pm Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial HallThursday 24th FebruaryToddington PCC Meeting 7.30 pm (by Zoom - link to be issued)Friday 25th FebruaryPainting for Pleasure group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonLittle Stars 1.15 pm – 2.45 pm Westoning ChurchFriday Fellowship 2.00 – 4.00 pm Westoning Village HallYouth Club 5.45 pm - 7.15 pm Westoning Village HallSaturday 26th FebruaryCoffee Morning and Book Sale 10.00 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonWe will send you further details about Lent courses and Lent lunches in due course.Have a good week.Linda and Nigel
