Hello everyone I hope you are well and have had a good week. The autumn colours are building and beautiful to see, but how quickly the dark evenings have set in. I'm already looking forward to the longer days and brighter evenings but in between we can enjoy the time of Christmas lights leading us forth through Advent towards Christmas. Last weekend, it was a privilege to take part in the various Remembrance services at Toddington, Chalgrave Church and Tebworth, to remember those who had died, were injured, or affected by the different conflicts and wars past (and present). The rain held off for the services, apart from a few minutes at each service and it was good to see so many people gather to represent the villages, the schools, the uniformed groups and the different community groups. Well done to the British Legion team for setting up the gazebos and sound system at Toddington, for their careful organisation of the event, and for attending each service. Thanks also to Toddington Band for their music and to Tebworth Parish Council for their organisation. We look forward to the next Toddington village community event this Saturday to light up Toddington for the Christmas season, which will take place on the Green between 4-7pm, and is organised by Toddington Parish Council. There will be music from Toddington Band and 'Simply Sax', fun stalls refreshments and entertainment on the Green plus craft stalls and refreshments in Wilkinson Hall. Do come along if you can. It is always good to see the light shining in the darkness! Sunday Services 19 November 2023 9.30am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11am, a Baptism and Holy Communion service, Toddington Church 6pm Evensong, Toddington Church Other services and events this coming week: Sunday 2.30pm Young musician of the Year Competition (with young musicians from Beds, Herts and Bucks), Toddington Village Hall, admission on the door £8 adult, £1 children Monday 9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday Knitting Group, 10.30am Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 10am Church brass cleaning working party, Toddington Church 11-1pm Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall Thursday rest day! Friday 10.30am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday Light up Toddington, 4-7pm Toddington Green and Wilkinson Hall Sunday 26th November 9.30am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11am Holy Communion, Toddington Church Have a good week everyone. God bless Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone With Remembrance Sunday tomorrow, how wonderful it would be to have a bright, sunny day like today but sadly the weather suggests a high likelihood of rain. The gritter lorries will be out this evening, so tomorrow will also have a November chill in the air. I hope the rain will hold off between 10.00 - 11.30 am at Toddington and 3.00 – 4.00 pm at Tebworth! On Friday morning, both Toddington St George school and Parkfields school held a short service of Remembrance and it was a privilege to attend both services. The year 4 children offered a full explanation about the origins of Remembrance Sunday, and Parkfields staff and pupils gave similar introduction before the Last Post and a time of silence. This morning, on the Green, there was a short Remembrance service for Armistice Day, then John P and I headed up the church tower to raise the Union Flag for this Remembrance Weekend. (Sadly, the church clock has stopped again and the church bells will not toll the time tomorrow- the clock needs to be serviced and possibly repaired as it keeps stopping). Tomorrow's Remembrance Services bring the villages together as we gather to remember all who fought for their countries in the World Wars and in later conflicts, and we also pray for all affected by conflict and war. The uniformed groups will gather at the Village Hall in Toddington, and begin to process to the Green at 10.40 am to be ready for the main Remembrance Service. Chalgrave Church will hold a short outdoor service at the church memorial at 2.00 pm before the 3.00 pm Remembrance Service at Tebworth Memorial Hall. Do please come along to any of the services. There will also be a 9.30 am Benefice Holy Communion Service at Toddington Church before the main Remembrance service. This week, a Remembrance display has been installed at Toddington church, with poppies created by many organisations and contributors from the village. If you would like to add a poppy, or poppies, in memory of someone who served their country, you will be most welcome. There is also a memory tree of light and life, on which you can place a leaf (with a name or a message) in memory of a loved one. Please feel free to come into church (which is open in daylight hours) to remember. During last Sunday's 'In Loving Memory' Services, at both churches, we remembered loved ones who have died and offered sensitive space for folks to come forward to light a candle for those remembered. Thank you to everyone who has contributed this week to decorating the churches for Remembrance, or provided cakes, or attended the Coffee Morning today, or helped to create Samaritan's Purse Shoeboxes ready for transport abroad to children who will not otherwise receive Christmas gifts, or given foods for the Foodbank or for the fresh provisions table inside Toddington south church porch. This Sunday's Services 9.30 am Holy Communion Benefice Service, Toddington Church 10.30 am Gather on Toddington Green for the village Remembrance Service 2.00 pm Chalgrave Church - a short service of Remembrance 3.00 pm Tebworth Memorial Hall, Remembrance Service This week's Services and Events Monday 13th 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2.00 pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall Tuesday 14th 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 15th 10.00 am Working Party for church grounds 2.00 pm The Friends of St George Trustees meeting Thursday 16th 2.00 pm Fellowship group, Wilkinson Hall, preparing for Christmas Tree Festival Friday 17th 10.3 0am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 18th A day of rest! Sunday 19th 9.30 am Holy Communion service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service - with a baptism, Toddington Church 2.30 pm Young Musician of the Year Competition 2023, Toddington Village Hall, 6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington Church Friday 24th November Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall, 3.30 pm Have a good week everyone. Best wishes Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone I hope you've had a good week and perhaps, like us, you have managed to share some special time with family and friends - especially as it was half term holidays. Nigel and I enjoyed celebrating our 30th Wedding anniversary last week, and we thank Malcolm who led services in our absence, and all who covered in any way. We remember our wedding day so vividly.. it was on a lovely crisp and bright October Autumnal day, bathed in sunlight, with a distinct chill in the air. The church was full of friends and family.. special loved ones who had shared our journey and our joy to that moment in time.. and I distinctly remember how Nigel had to encourage me out of the church because I wanted to stop and chat to everyone ( he says, little has changed!) It was such a joyful occasion. Looking back, we will never forget how we knelt at the altar before we left the church to give thanks to God for bringing us both to that day, and how we both surrendered our lives to God. And look what happened next! We both became ordained ministers in the Church of England. That was a little unexpected! Our journey has been blessed and our marriage has been so very happy. How can 30 years have rushed by so quickly? Continuing on the theme of time... in just under two months we will be celebrating Christmas in our churches which will be a special time of joy as schools, families and friends gather to celebrate and give thanks for the birth of Jesus, over 2000 years ago. In between, we hold our In Loving Memory Services next Sunday on All Saints Day (please email me names of loved ones to be remembered, or sign the list in church). On Sunday 12th November we join with other regions across the country in our Remembrance services. And I am sure you will join me this week in holding close in your prayers, all who are caught up in current wars and conflicts, and pray for peace. Here are some of the upcoming events: Sunday 29th October 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Linda and Nigel 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Linda and Nigel 3.00 pm Toddington Band Autumn Concert, Toddington Church Monday 30th October 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 31st October 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45 pm Youth Group, Light Party, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 1st November 10.30 am Church working party Thursday 2nd November 12.00 Noon Hot Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall Friday 3rd November 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 4th November 10.00 am – 4.00 pm Chalgrave Christmas Craft Fayre, Tebworth Memorial Hall, a lovely festive event; with a good range of crafts stalls, plus homemade cakes and refreshments. (poster attached) £1 entry, under 10s free. Sunday 5th November 9.30 am In Loving Memory Service at Chalgrave Church (poster attached) 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church 3.00 pm In Loving Memory Service at Toddington Church. - (poster attached). Please email me the names of your loved ones you wish to remember. We will remember each loved one by name and you will be invited to light a candle in their memory during this gentle reflective service. Friday 10th November - Linda to attend Remembrance 'Services' at Toddington St George lower school and Parkfields Middle school Saturday 11th November.. An Armistice Day Service of Remembrance on the Green with the Royal British Legion - gathering for 10.40 pm Sunday 12th November Remembrance Sunday 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church 10.30 am gather on The Green for Toddington Village Remembrance Service with the Royal British Legion and the uniformed services. 2.00 pm A time of Remembrance at Chalgrave Church memorial and a laying of a wreath 3.00 pm A Remembrance Service at Tebworth Memorial Hall Thinking of you God bless Linda Rector, Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello everyone How wonderful for this day to be easing into evening under a clear blue sky with sunshine offering a beautiful backdrop. How different to this time yesterday when the skies opened, rain flooded down, and PCC members made a very quick dash home. Each day is so different. Thank God for the peace and beauty of our land. This morning saw a homely gathering for coffee morning at Wilkinson Hall with the usual lovely array of freshly baked cakes and raffle prizes; folks contentedly chatting together and teams busy in the kitchen washing up. How well everyone in our two special churches work together - thank you! Nigel and I have been privileged to go into both Toddington lower and middle schools this week to lead assemblies. Parkfields School invited us to their Harvest assembly and we were treated to wonderful singing by years 5 and 6. The 'harvest' gathered was blessed before heading off to the foodbank to bless those who are in need. The children and staff at both schools welcomed us so warmly. It is a joy to be able to be part of school life. Nigel and I headed off for our covid jabs this afternoon before a quick walk in the grounds of beautiful Wrest Park where we watched the ducks and swans enjoying freedom on the glistening water. The leaves on the trees are still very green and, all around, the grass is looking lush, refreshed by yesterday's rains. In a week of turmoil with daily presentations of such awful news across the world it is so hard to know what to do and how to help. My mind has struggled to make sense of the horrors before me, and increasingly I have noticed how the small things in life have become so very important, deeply appreciative of treasured moments of joy and the peace around me but my heart breaks for those who suffer. May God bring peace! Sunday's services - 15 October 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion and the blessing of the new British Legion Standard, Toddington Church 6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington Church Other events this week: Monday 16th October 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 17th October 10.30 am Knitting Group,Wilkinson Hall No Youth Group this week (Next meet: 24th and 31st at 5.45pm) Wednesday 18th October 10.00 am – 12.00 noon Church Cleaning, Toddington Church No Pop-Up Tea Room this week (Tebworth Hall closed). 'Pop Up' delayed a week to 25th October. Thursday 19th October (By-Election day) 2.00 – 4.00 pm Fellowship Time, Wilkinson Hall 6.30 pm Chalgrave PCC Friday 20th October 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 21st October 10.00 am Table-Top Sale, Wilkinson Hall. More information from Dee (poster attached) Sunday 22nd October 9.30 am Morning Praise Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Morning Praise Service, Toddington Church Upcoming events: 11.00 am Wednesday October 25th, Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room, ( cancelled because Tebworth Memorial Hall is closed for electrical repairs) 3.30 pm Friday October 27th, Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall (Poster attached) 9.30 am Saturday 28th, Royal British Legion Coffee Morning, (Methodist Church) 3.00 pm 29 October, Sunday, Toddington Town Band Concert, Toddington Church 4th November - Chalgrave Christmas Craft Fayre - Tebworth Memorial Hall (poster attached) 5th November: In Loving Memory Services: 9.30am Chalgrave Church, 3.00 pm Toddington Church. All are welcome. Please let me know the names of any loved ones you wish to remember, or sign the list in church from Sunday 29th October. 21st November 7.00 pm, A Path of Powerful Love, concert of choral music by Nicholas Hopton, Bedford School in aid of Movember. (see attached poster) Thinking of you all Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
