Hello Everyone
Tomorrow is the first day of September. Is anyone else feeling where did the Summer go? Where did the last year go? How quickly the seasons fly by? I seem to have been in a whirl of organising First Aid training courses and Food Hygiene Courses today to make sure those of us who need to be trained are, and on Monday I attend a school staff and governor safeguarding course to prepare for the demands of the new school Academic year. How much valuable time is applied by volunteers, and others, to training, to make sure we are all safe! Thank you everyone for your commitment and time.
Last weekend, volunteers created scarecrows, and baked cakes, for this year’s scarecrow festival and although the village seemed generally very quiet with folks grabbing a last chance to get away during the bank holiday, we were very pleased to raise £300 from the weekend’s efforts. Bart and Marg Simpson were very eye-catching and another lady scarecrow glistened as she swung on a swing under a tree. You may have noticed a scarecrow man sitting in his chair in the church grounds looking at a wonderful array of craft minibeast bugs created by the children at the Art and Craft Wednesdays during the holidays. Such talent. Thank you all who contributed in any way.
Toddington Community Fridge continues to provide a happy service with people queuing early for the 9.30am start. Both last week and this, Flitwick Community Fridge have delivered crates if fresh food and bread, making a wonderful display of sustainable foods for people to gather up. There is no charge for the food which is amazing as the range is extensive and truly appreciated by so many. We have just begun to accept a voluntary donation of 50p or a £1 each week, from anyone who would like to contribute (no obligation), to help fund the transport costs from Flitwick and the cost of the Food and Hygiene courses which we need to undertake. I’ve attached a few photos of this week’s wonderful array of foods. Thank you to all those who provide and support this wonderful initiative.
The Historic Churches Bike, Hike or Drive day to visit as many churches as possible during a day, and to be sponsored for your effort, will take place on Saturday 14th September. Please let Dee or Sandy know if you are happy to take part to raise funds for this important church charity, which returns 50% of the money raised to the churches and retains 50% to fund grant applications by churches, in times of need. Please also let Sandy or Dee know if you are willing to sponsor anyone taking part, Thank you!
Services this Sunday 1st September
9.30am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church
11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church
Services next Sunday 8 September
11am Benefice Morning Praise service led by Malcolm Curtis (kindly covering for me)
Services and events from Monday 2nd September
Monday 2nd
9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church
Tuesday 3rd
10.30am Knitting group Wilkinson Hall
Thursday 5th
12 noon Ploughman’s Lunch, Wilkinson Hall
Friday 6th
10.30am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall
Saturday 7th
9.30am Toddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson Hall
Sunday 8th
11am Benefice Morning Praise Service, Toddington Church
A few upcoming dates for your diary:
At Wilkinson Hall, Toddington:
Youth group will meet on Tuesdays 17th September, 1st, 15th and 29th October, 12th and 26th November at Wilkinson Hall, 5.45pm
Messy Church will meet on Fridays 27th September, 25th October, and 22nd November
Ploughmans lunches will meet on Thursdays 5th September, 3rd October, 7th November
Coffee mornings will meet at 10am on Saturdays 14th September, 12 October, 9 November
Evensong: 6pm Sundays 15th September, 20 October, 17 November
The Bible Course: 7pm Thursdays 12th and 26th September, The Rectory, Toddington
Chalgrave Church events at Tebworth Memorial Hall
Pop Up Tea Rooms: 25th September, 23rd October, 27th November
Christmas Craft Fayre: 9th November
The Friends of St George’s Church Toddington will be hosting a Beetle Drive on Friday 18th October at 7.30pm. Poster attached.
Wishing you all a very good week and a wonderful September!
With love and prayers
Linda
Rev Linda Washington
07715 603557