Hello Everyone

As I write, the winter sun is shining, a plane leaves a white trail high up in the blue sky, the bush opposite me is in full blossom and all seems still. People were out and about at Wrest Park earlier today, glad of the fresh air. The ducks were on the water in distinct pairs of male and female.. so I suspect there will be some little chicks on the river soon. Nigel tested out a new bird song app to identify which birds were singing in the trees and located robins, blue tits and great tits heralding in the springtime. We enjoyed seeing the snowdrop, daisy, crocus, hyacinth and iris flowers peeping through the cold ground with daffodils fully out blowing in the breeze. It is so good to enjoy the approaching season of new life.

This week at church we moved into the Lenten season of forty days and forty nights, with Ash Wednesday services, and school assemblies, when Christians are called to reflect as we remember Jesus' time of testing and temptation in the wilderness.

Youth group this week enjoyed pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and talked about temptation. Messy Church did crafts about 'be thankful', 'be creative' and 'be caring' and heard a story about the prodigal son who had a change of heart and returned home to his loving father. That is in effect what we are all called to do this Lent.. to reflect on our lives, to confess and repent (refocus and turn away from what is wrong) and turn back to Christ.

During the Lenten period, Churches together, will offer Lent lunches (of soup, bread roll and fruit) on Wednesdays at Wilkinson Hall from 12.00 noon – 2.00 pm to raise funds for people in need.

We begin out Lent courses this Monday and Wednesday. Monday's (Toddington's) will be held at 11.00 am at the Rectory (all welcome), and Wednesdays (Chalgrave) will be held at 7.30 pm at the Calder's. Each session will include a time of Bible study, conversation, prayer and reflection.

I have also attached a link below to the Church of England's Lenten daily reflections which you can either sign up for or seek out on their main website. 'Lectio 365' app also offers some special Lenten reflections.

Please do get in touch if you need any help, or prayer, or wish to discuss weddings, baptisms, confirmation, home communion or other opportunities or services.

This Sunday's services:

9.30 am Chalgrave Church, Holy Communion

11.00 am Toddington Church, Holy Communion

Services and events this week and beyond

Monday 27 February

9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church

11.00 am Lent course, The Rectory, Toddington

2.00 pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington

7.00 pm Chalgrave PCC

Tuesday 28 February

Knitting group 10.30 am - 12.30 pm, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington

3.00 pm Toddington PCC

5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington

Wednesday 1 March

12.00 noon Lent Lunch, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington

7.3 0pm Chalgrave Lent Course

Thursday 2 March

12.00 noon Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington

Friday 3 March

10.30 am Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington

2.00 pm World Day of Prayer service, Toddington Baptist Church

Saturday 4 March

a rest day!

Future Services:

Sunday 5 March

9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave

11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington

Sunday 12 March

9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church

11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church

6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington Church - a new service

Sunday 19 March - Mothering Sunday

9.30 am Morning Worship, Chalgrave Church

11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church

Sunday 26 March

9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church

11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church

Looking at the list of activities above which is so extensive and busy, can I say a very big thank you to all who help, cook, or resource our different events. This week we also had the Pop-Up Tea Room at Chalgrave, and the Winter Warmer Wednesday at Toddington. All are wonderful times for folks to gather together, and are so appreciated by the people who come, but these events would not be possible without the wonderful support and resourcing of so many hardworking volunteers who give unstintingly of their time.

Thank you so much to all who help in any way to make these events possible and thank you to all who come to support them.

Have a good week everyone.

God bless

Linda