Hello Everyone I hope you have had a good week. It's been a very busy week for me, but it has also been a joy to meet up with so many people either in school, at the Lent courses, or at the different church activities. Thank you to all who have helped or supported the various church events. Chalgrave monthly 'Pop Up Tea Room' had an array of tempting cakes, which happy people consumed while supping teas, tasting soup or quiche, or buying home-made cards and raffle tickets. As usual there was a lovely friendly atmosphere. Today at Toddington there was an enticing smell of cooked bacon and sausages to greet visitors to the tabletop sale; on Wednesday I popped by to Toddington Lent lunch which had a wonderful selection of hot soups and a room full of contented chatting people. Then I had a treat to climb to the top of the church tower with John to learn about the bells, clock and standard (and catch up on some bellringers markings).. and I was able to view the parish, which felt rather special as the Rector (a few photos attached). You may have heard us toll a bell a few times. On Tuesday evening I met up with the Royal British Legion at their monthly meeting where they discussed their arrangements for the King's Coronation (poster attached). On Thursday, and Tuesday, I attended the lower school and enjoyed leading a weekly worship in the good company of Roger Stares who kindly shared telling the story of the Last Supper, and played piano as the children sang. And finally, on Friday, Nigel and I headed off to a special ceremony in Bedford for the installation of the new High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Russell Beard, who has invited Nigel to be his chaplain, which is a huge privilege. Each event this week has been special.. and I thank you for your part in the busyness of the week. Here's to next week! We look forward to hosting year two children in church on Thursday morning to view the Easter Encounter' prayer stations. Some of us will be starting to install some stations in church tomorrow after the morning service, and further stations on Tuesday between 11.15 and 1.45pm. It would be wonderful to have some helpers and volunteers please to install a station, or to assist in church next Thursday to help to make the children feel welcome and/or to 'cover' a prayer station by explaining to the children the focus and theme. If you have any plants in pots or foliage that can be used to decorate the garden of Gethsemane or the tomb garden, or large pebbles or larger stones, it would be appreciated please. This Friday we will be holding Messy Church at 3.15 pm and we also hope to hold another Messy Church session on Good Friday at 10.30 am, both sessions will be in Wilkinson Hall. On Wednesday evening, of Holy Week we are pleased to host a reflective Holy Week service with the Quintet Choir singing some lovely pieces. Then we will move fully into our Easter Services. This Sunday's services: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave - Linda and Nigel 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington - Linda (NB no baptism this week - please pray for Ariana who is sick) Services and Events this week: Monday 27th March 9.00 am Morning Prayer, Toddington (Earlier time just for this week). 2.00 pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall 7.00 pm Toddington Lent Course at the Rectory (different time this week) Tuesday 28th March 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 29th March 12.00 noon, Lent Lunch, Wilkinson Hall 7.30 pm Chalgrave Lent Course Thursday 30th March 10.30 am and 11.30 am Year 2 visit to Easter Encounter Prayer stations, Toddington church Friday 31st March 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson Hall 3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 2nd April - Palm Sunday 9.30 am Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Toddington Church Holy Week services 7.30 pm, Wednesday, An Easter Reflective Service with the Quintet Choir 6.00 pm Maundy Thursday Benefice meal in Wilkinson Hall, followed by a service in church Good Friday 9.30 am Stations at the Cross, Service with reflective readings, Chalgrave Church 10.30 am – 12.00 noon Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall 2.00 pm The final hour at the cross, reflective service, Toddington Church Easter Saturday 8.00 pm Confirmation Service at St Albans Abbey - please pray for our candidates: Diane, Len and Lianne. Easter Sunday 9.30 am Chalgrave Church, Easter Day Holy Communion Service 11.00 am Toddington Church, Easter Day, Holy Communion Service It's a full letter this week. I am sure to have forgotten something. Can I please ask you to hold Dee, Pat and Peggy in your prayers for healing and good recovery. With much love to you all God bless Linda
Hello Everyone I hope you are enjoying the Spring Sunshine with the beautiful spring blossom and flowers bursting to life..just in time for Mothering Sunday. I delighted to see a carpet of Primroses too this week. It has been an eventful and busy week this week but there have been many blessings and special moments - one of which was the very special Evensong Service last Sunday evening. It was a joy to hear voices ring out from the choir stalls with singing. Thank you Malcom and Roger for putting the service together so well. It was enjoyed so much that we will be making it a regular monthly evening service on the third Sunday of each month at 6.00 pm. The Lent courses have also offered special times together in groups as we study a Bible passage and share reflections. Sadly, one not so good moment was learning about the damage to a Chancel support beam at Chalgrave Church which needs urgent repair so the Chancel has been closed for safety reasons until the repair is completed. Visitors to church in the near future for services will be met with a view of scaffolding and metal supports in the Chancel and we cannot use the main altar... but this will not limit our desire to worship and our regular services will continue...with a little adaptation. It's always good to ring a few changes! This week's services: Sunday 19 March, Mothering Sunday 9.30 am Morning Praise, Chalgrave Church - Malcolm 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Linda This week's services and events: Monday 20th March 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 11.00 am Toddington Lent Course, the Rectory Tuesday 21st March 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 2.00 – 7.00 pm Alma Farm Consultation Event... anyone interested to obtain more information is very welcome to pop in. Wednesday 22nd March 11.00 am Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall 12.00 noon, Lent lunch, Wilkinson Hall 5.00 pm Toddington PCC, The Rectory 7.30 pm Chalgrave Lent Course, The Calders'. Thursday 23rd March Rest Day Friday 24th March 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson Hall No Messy Church this week// postponed to Friday 31st March Saturday 25th March 10.00 am Friends, Table Top Sale, Wilkinson Hall - speak to Fran or Dee to request a table top. Sunday 26th March 9.30 am Holy Communion Service - Chalgrave 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, with baptism, Toddington Week commencing 27 March, we will be setting up Easter Encounter, prayer stations in church, in preparation for year 2 school visit on 30th. If you are able to assist with setting these up and/or would like to be responsible for creating a station, please speak or link with Linda. Have a good week. God bless Linda
Hello Everyone I hope you are all well and have coped with the changeable, cold, snowy, wet and occasionally sunny weather this week. It was so lovely to see so many folk gathered at Toddington Coffee Morning earlier. Thank you for coming and thank you to all who were there to provide and serve. We look forward to the various activities and events this coming week, and to the continuing Lent courses. There will be a special Easter Saturday Service of Confirmation at St Albans Abbey with candidates from across the diocese coming together to be confirmed by Bishop Richard who will be leading this year's service. The Easter service is especially atmospheric as candlelight is taken into the dark Abbey at the start of the service. If you have wondered about Confirmation, and would like to know more, please have a word with me, or send me an email. I will be very happy to chat with you and you will be most welcome to join us in a local confirmation course as we investigate together Christian Faith. Here are details of this week's services and events: Sunday 12th March 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave - Linda and Nigel 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington, with baptism of baby Eric - Linda 6.00 pm Evensong Service, Toddington - Malcolm This week's services and events: Monday 13th March 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington 11.00 am Toddington Lent Course, The Rectory 2.00 pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Tuesday 14th March 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall (make sure you have a warm coat as we will be going out for a walk) Wednesday 15th March Lent Lunch 12.00 noon (provided this week by the Methodist church team) 7.30 pm Chalgrave Lent Course, at the Calder's Thursday 16th March 2.00 pm St George's Fellowship, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Friday 17th March 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Saturday 18th March A Rest Day! Sunday 19th March - Mothering Sunday 9.30 am Morning Praise service, Chalgrave - Malcolm 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington- Linda 11.00 am Wednesday 22nd March Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall 10am Saturday 25th March Friends of Toddington Parish Church Tabletop Sale, with hot refreshments (bacon and sausage bread rolls). Cost £5 per table. Contact Fran or Dee to book a table. with best wishes Linda Rector, Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone This week seems to have gone past so very quickly and suddenly we find ourselves in March! How quickly the days are moving forward. Bulbs are appearing, buds and blossom are forming on the trees and the days are lengthening. All points to springtime.. but we have a colder week ahead of us so do please wrap up and stay warm. It has been a busy week, but there have been some very special times: Toddington and Chalgrave Lent courses had their first sessions and we shared happy times of fellowship plus good conversation as we all considered a Bible passage. The groups continue this week and you are very warmly invited to join us ( see details below). Seated Pilates on Monday afternoon was well received too. On Tuesday evening youth group went well with another very interesting conversation about Lent with cupcakes to tempt us all - plus some games to keep us on our toes. The morning knitting group enjoy meeting too with happy conversation interspersed with knitting. Wednesday Lent lunch (with soup provided during Lent by the different churches) was well received with a lovely variety of soups on offer. This week Toddington provided and next week Chalgrave will be serving. Thursday morning school assembly at St George's school left Nigel and I smiling broadly as we looked across at a sea of beautiful, coloured costumes worn by children and staff for World Book day. Everyone looked wonderful (although Nigel and I felt a little underdressed in ordinary clothes). Then there was a quick dive across to Wilkinson Hall for the first Ploughman's lunch of the year with hot meals and tasty puddings. There was such a wonderful buzz of contented conversation with the tables filled by happy customers. Friday morning art group met again in the hall and then later in the afternoon about 40 people from local churches celebrated World day of Prayer in a joint service at Toddington Baptist church. I had the privilege of leading a funeral for a dear lady from Chalton and of meeting her friends afterwards, and we hope to arrange to meet again. The week finished with a wonderful celebration with Cynthia of her special birthday. Such a delight to mark the occasion. Thank you to you all for all your hard work helping to support these events.. but most of all for your love, care and kindness, and for your warmth and generosity of welcome to all who attend. Can I please ask you to pray for Eddie, for a good and full recovery. Sunday services for Sunday 5th March 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church Other events this week: Monday 6th March 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington 11.00 am Toddington Church Lent Course, The Rectory, 41 Leighton Road, Toddington LU5 6AL Tuesday 7th March 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 8th March 12.00 noon – 2.00 pm Lent Lunch, Wilkinson Hall 7.30 pm Chalgrave Church, Lent Course, the Calders house. Thursday 9th March 2.00 pm Fellowship with Friends,Wilkinson Hall Friday 10th March 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group Saturday 11th March 10.00 am Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 12th March 9.3 0am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion, with the baptism of baby Eric 6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington Church (a new service) I wish you a blessed week and look forward to seeing you. with love and prayers Linda
