Hello Everyone What a lovely day it has been today. This morning I smiled to see several church folks happily relaxing on the Green, in the sunshine, as they 'manned' the church cake stall and chatted. Thank you to everyone who provided cakes for sale, or who bought goodies to help us raise funds for the church. It was a pleasant morning and it seemed fitting that the church clock struck in the background to complete the country scene. It has been lovely to have the clock up and running again this week, (even if it is nearly 10 minutes slow at the moment). A group of us went up the church tower, with John Pask, last Sunday, to learn how to set the church clock. We are hoping to build a small team of people to call to action when there is a power cut. If you are willing to learn how to set the clock, and to be part of the team, please let me or Dee know. We will have another training session soon. The church has been busy this week with the usual weekly activities in the Hall, including the fun art activity morning on Wednesday when adults and children alike enjoyed being creative. This was the last session for this Summer holiday, but I am sure we will be offering something similar again. The sessions have been relaxed and enjoyed by all. Last Sunday, I had the privilege to baptise a young mother and her son at Westoning Church, and similarly at Toddington Church. Both services were very important and heart-warming. It is such a privilege to share someone's journey to faith, and to be able to support them through to baptism. This Sunday, I look forward to baptising another young child, and to welcoming him into the church family. On Friday, I led a special Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Alan Ede, who will be sadly missed. It was a pleasure to meet with his family and friends and to hear of his love of racing, and of his meticulous care in repairing and restoring racing cars, including cars for Stirling Moss and many other drivers. Today, thankfully, as I led a wedding at Westoning Church the sun shone, and the temperature was just right, and there was such a sense of joy and support for the wedding couple. As I look back on the week, I see church community hard at work, sharing together, supportive of each other, keen to welcome and to engage with the village community, sharing time and energy and gifts and talents, so generously. What a blessing it is to serve with such wonderful teams. I count my blessings for the privilege of being a minister. God is good! Tomorrow morning at 11.00 am, the ladies England football team embark on their landmark moment in time, at the World Cup final, in Sydney. It has been an exciting championship, with our team demonstrating such a sense of unity and cohesion. I am sure our thoughts and prayers will be with them. May they be blessed and successful. This week's services: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, with a baptism, Toddington Church. 6.00 pm Evensong Service, Toddington Church Services and events this coming week: Monday 21st August 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 22nd August 10.30 am Knitting Group Wednesday 23rd August Morning working party in the Churchyard (please come along to assist if you have some time to spare) Thursday 24th August Wedding rehearsal, Toddington Church, 7.00 pm Friday 25th August 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 26th August Wedding, 2.30 pm Toddington Church Wishing you every blessing, Linda Rector, Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone As I type, the sky is building cloud... but no rain, so far, which is a joy. So many Saturdays lately have provided rain! The M1 was jammed and closed again today.. with traffic streaming through Toddington village, but sadly, closure usually means there has been an accident somewhere, so my thoughts go out to all involved. I watched the fire engine dash out of the village with blue warning lights flashing, which always has an ominous feel. This week has been a week of road works in Toddington with gritter teams and lorries quickly closing roads, dispensing loads, and quickly reopening again. It seems the next stint of gritting/road signage will be with road closures for 3 days from 16 August. This is separate to the teams digging channels in the roads in Toddington and in neighbouring areas, to lay pipework. Does anyone know what this is for? It is happening in Harlington, Chalton and Toddington. Sadly there was a theft from a car in Chalgrave Church car park during the week. As someone was tending a family grave, her handbag was lifted from her car. It seemed to have been an opportunist case and it all happened very quickly. Thankfully the handbag has been recovered but not the phone or purse. We definitely don't want this to happen again so encourage you to please be careful, It is best to remove valuables from your car and to lock other items in the boot out of sight.. and please don't forget to lock your car. In these strange times, we all need to be vigilant. It was good to see Wilkinson Hall buzzing at Coffee morning this morning with a happy sense of conversation as people caught up with each other. Thank you to all who served and provided cakes. An equally happy time was held last Wednesday at Wilkinson Hall with creative fun time for children and adults. It's on again this Wednesday from 10-30am to 12.30pm. See attached posters about fun art time and about the next Messy Church. At Chalgrave church we had good news on one front.. that the repair to the Chancel Beam is almost complete and the scaffolding will be coming down soon (see photo with the new oak repair in place.... but sadly, another beam in the nave (just above where I usually sit!) has also rotted through and needs repair. (See photo with the bracket in place to support the beam). The church architect will now be applying for a faculty to seek permission to move ahead with further repairs. On Monday I led a funeral; yesterday, I led a wedding at Harlington Church and Nigel led a wedding at Flitwick Church with the groom and best man arriving driving tractors! Tomorrow I lead a service of baptism at Westoning Church, followed later by another baptism service at Toddington Church. All such special occasions. The life of a minister holds so many privileges, and a week in the life of a vicar can be quite varied! This Sunday's Services: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service in the Lady Chapel, Chalgrave Church - Linda and Nigel 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Nigel 2.00 pm Service of Baptism - Linda This week's services and events: Monday 14th August 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington 2.00 pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Tuesday 15th August 10.30 am Knitting Group Wednesday 16th August 10.30am Creative art time, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Thursday 17th August 2.00 pm St George's Fellowship time, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Friday 18th August 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Saturday 19th August 10.00 am Cake stall on Toddington Green Sunday 20th August 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service with a baptism and thanksgiving, Toddington Church 6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington Church Wishing you a restful time this August. I hope you have a good week. Best wishes Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone I hope you are enjoying some holiday rest, with some time to unwind. without suffering too much hindrance from the rain. It's certainly been wet at times this week.. but it is a relief to think that the weather may improve next week. Each sunny interval lifts the spirits and the energy levels! Nigel and I grabbed a day out at Hyde Hall RHS flower show on Thursday. It was a lovely interlude in the week, although the journey took much longer than expected with so many cars queuing to get in. Everyone had decided to go on Thursday as it was so wet on Wednesday and Friday! But we enjoyed exploring the grounds and the stalls, being inspired by the colourful flower beds and vegetable gardens, resting over a pot of tea, and needless to mention, I also succumbed to buying a few more plants! It was good to be away for a few hours together. There have been other special moments this week including the Creative Art session at Wilkinson Hall on Wednesday morning Thank you to all who helped, It was such a pleasure to see the children so involved in their art work and exploring the world of paint! I hear the Ploughman's meal went very well this month too.. so thank you all for your involvement and support for this valued event. This Sunday's services: 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church - Linda 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church - Linda Services and Events this week: Monday 7th August 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 11.00 am Toddington PCC meeting (on zoom link) Tuesday 8th August 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Wednesday 9th August 10.30 am - 1.30 pm Creative Fun, art and craft session for children and adults. (finishing with a picnic if the weather is good) Thursday 10th August 2 .00 pm Meet with Friends, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Friday 11th August 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Saturday 12th August 10.00 am Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Sunday 13th August 9.30 am Chalgrave Holy Communion Service - Linda and Nigel 11.00 am Toddington Holy Communion Service - Nigel Friday 18th August Funeral Service for Alan Ede, 12 noon, Toddington Church Wishing you a good week. Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello EveryoneI hope you have had a good week.. the first week of the school holidays. The weather has been mixed this week, but my thoughts go out to everyone abroad who has been suffering such intense temperatures and to countries battling the dreadful fires.Looking ahead to the holiday period, I wish all those who have holidays booked with friends and family a wonderful time, but we also recognise that not everyone will be able to get away, and with this in mind, our usual weekly activities will continue at Toddington through August but, in addition, we warmly invite you to some 'Creative Fun' art sessions at Wilkinson Hall on Wednesdays 2nd, 9th and 16th August (for children and adults - children accompanied by their parents/carers). Do pop by any time to have some fun. The sessions will run from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm at Wilkinson Hall. You may wish to bring an overall or old shirt to cover up in case you get messy, and you may also like to join us for a picnic after those Wednesday sessions, at 12.30 pm each week - (please bring your own picnic). (poster attached)Services this Sunday:9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church - Linda and Nigel11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church - Linda and NigelOther events and services this week:Monday 31st July9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington ChurchTuesday 1st August10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson HallWednesday 2nd August10.30 am 'Creative Fun' Art sessions, Wilkinson Hall. followed by a picnic at 12.30pmThursday 3rd August12.00 noon Ploughman's Meal, Wilkinson HallFriday 4th August10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson HallSaturday 5th AugustRest Day!Sunday 6th August9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Linda11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - LindaHarlington Church have extended an invitation for people to join them at: HARLINGTON MANOR guided tour: on Wednesday 9th August (now fully booked). Now booking for Wednesday 16 August. from 1.00 – 3.00 pm you can join us on a tour of the fascinating Manor House in the village. Tickets are £12 and include home made cake and drinks in the church afterwards. To register, as places are limited, please contact Sue on 07501 646250 or Tricia on 07711 511729. Or email your details to tricia.murphy5@ntlworld.com. In aid of St Mary's Church restoration Fund. (poster attached)Thank you to all who helped Dee this week with the church cleaning on Wednesday and to everyone who prepared cakes and refreshments for the Chalgrave 'Pop Up Tea Room' which was as popular as ever and very busy. Thank you to the volunteers who prepared food and activities for Messy Church last week and to all who have offered to help at Creative Fun on Wednesday and at Ploughman's lunch on Thursday. We are so grateful for your help and support.There will be no Messy Church, or Pop Tea Room, during August, but we look forward to seeing you all again in September.Have a good week.With love and prayersLindaRector Toddington and Chalgrave Churches.
