Hello Everyone
We are looking ahead to a busy week-end of events both nationally and locally and it is so lovely to see the sun shining to herald in the weekend.
It will be a chilly wait for anyone in the Queue in London waiting to pay their respects to HM the Queen but stories told of friendships formed and of the incredible moment of entering Westminster Hall to share the vigil make one tingle. How resounding was the sound of the drum beat on Wednesday's procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall with the crowd watching on in deep silence. The week has been full of precisely choreographed military spectacles as the people of the United Kingdom, and the world, have come together to pay their respects to a much valued and deeply loved Queen who served and led her people with such commitment and grace. King Charles and the Royal Family could not have done more to honour their mother, grandmother, aunt - our monarch. My prayers for strength, comfort and peace reach out to them.
Locally this week end we warmly invite you to the Petal and Purl 800 years festival event at Toddington church which garners up flower arranging, knitting and historical knowledge by members of the community to provide floral displays depicting the 800 years of the Church, knitting displays to represent key moments of church life and historical exhibitions about significant moments relating to the Church itself.
The event formally starts this evening:
Preview Evening at 7.00 pm, with wine and canapes. Tickets £10 from Fran 872501 or Dee.
Saturday 17th from 10.00 am to 5.00pm Tickets £5 but no charge to children
Sunday 18th from 1.00 – 5.00pm. Tickets £5 but no charge to children.
The Book of Condolence will remain available each day for people to pay their respects to HM Queen Elizabeth in church at Toddington. Chalgrave Church book of Condolence is available on Sunday morning from 9.15 am to 11.00 am, or by appointment by contacting Sandy 874748, or Rev Linda.
Flowers of tribute to the Queen may be laid outside Toddington Church, on the south side, in the U shape between the South Porch and Cheyne Chapel (preferably with the plastic covers removed).
This Sunday's Services
9.30 am Chalgrave Church - A Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving for HM Queen Elizabeth (with HC).
11.00 am Toddington Church - A Service of Holy Communion with prayers for HM Queen Elizabeth and HM King Charles
6.00 pm Toddington Church- The Service of Institution and Induction of Revd Linda as Rector of Toddington and Chalgrave with Archdeacon Dave Middlebrook and The Quintet Choir.
6.45 - 7.15 pm Refreshments in Wilkinson Hall
7.15 pm Toddington Church - A Service of Commemoration on the death of HM Queen Elizabeth - Rev Linda and Archdeacon Dave
7.45 pm leading into 8pm one Minute National Silence - when people from church and the benefice villages will gather on the south side of the church to pay their respects to the Queen and lay flowers.
Monday 19th September - A Bank Holiday to pay our final respects to HM the Queen on the occasion of her 11.00 am State Funeral.
Next Week's events
Tuesday 20th September
9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church
11.00 am Safeguarding Training for PCC members at the Rectory
10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall
Thursday 22nd September
St George's Fellowship 2.00 – 4.00 pm
Chalgrave PCC 6.00 pm
Friday 23rd September
10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall
3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall
Saturday 24th September
Harvest Supper for Chalgrave and Toddington Churches, Wilkinson Hall 6.00 pm
Sunday 25th September
9.30 am Harvest Communion Service, Chalgrave
11.00 am Harvest Communion Service, Toddington
Sending my huge thanks to everyone involved in the Petal and Purl preparations.
Do please come and support the festival, and any of the services.. and I extend an especially warm invitation to you to my licensing service which is a wonderful opportunity to mark and celebrate the development and moving forward of these Benefice churches. I will declare an oath of allegiance to King Charles III.
Please also come to the special Commemorative services of Tribute to the Queen.
With best wishes
Linda
Priest in Charge Toddington and Chalgrave (from Sunday - Rector)