Hello Everyone What a hive of pre-Christmas activity there is around us. Last weekend we had the wonderful light up Toddington Community event on the Green and St George's church was illuminated beautifully again. Thank you so much to the Parish Council for organising such a lovely village event. There were so many special touches including the reindeer, Santa, entertainments, stalls, and refreshments. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed. It was a wonderful village gathering. The schools have been busy preparing for Christmas with concert rehearsals and colourful creative displays decorating the Hall and classrooms, and on Thursday we had an impromptu singing of Little Donkey, in readiness of the school visit to church on the last day of term. Nigel and I enjoyed a special visit to Parkfields Middle school yesterday to view their wonderful Christmas tree festival and were inspired by the creativity, thought and care which had gone into each tree's presentation. Thank you for inviting us. On Saturday, the school hosts the annual Rotary Club Christmas afternoon event for local folk from neighbouring villages. I look forward to seeing some of you there. This evening I’m off to watch the Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe at Tads Theatre.. a wonderful book and play by C S Lewis. I am excited that this weekend will be St George’s Church’s Christmas Tree Festival, which has had many long hours poured into its organisation and preparation with Dee, and Malcolm, at the helm, it will be a delight to see the trees in all their splendour tomorrow and on Sunday. The festival opens at 11.00 am on Saturday and runs until 5.00 pm, and opens again on Sunday 1.00 – 5.00 pm, finishing with carols amidst the trees at 5.00 pm. Do please pop along to join us. Entrance £2.50 and children are free. There will be refreshments and some stalls in Wilkinson Hall. I’ve attached a list of December events, including all the Christmas Services, for your diaries. It is going to be a busy month.. but a special month! I’ve copied this week’s services and events below. The Toddington Community Fridge will continue to open on Saturday mornings at Wilkinson Hall at 9.30 am. I offer a huge thank you to Cllr Andy Snape for organising these deliveries and to all the volunteers who collect the food from the supermarkets, sort it and transport it up to us at the Hall, and to our volunteers who help each Saturday. I have heard several comments about how valued this food supply is. Thank you so much. This Christmas we plan to offer Christmas Hamper bags again to families who are in need of some support, and we will organise this through Toddington St George School and Parkfields School. If you would like to contribute to the cost of providing these hamper bags, we will be so very grateful of any financial or food donations you can make, please. Please link with me or Dee for more information. The Food bank is anxiously in need of food supplies and help. As the weather gets colder the needs increase. Dee puts a list in church of the current key food supply needs and at this time of year it is good to also include some items for the festive season. Any donations can be left at Dee and Malcolm’s at 22 Leighton Rd, or in church. Malcolm takes deliveries to the food bank each week.. bless him! Thank you so much Malcolm, and thank you so much for any donation you can offer. Perhaps you may like to buy a Christmas pudding from the Foodbank Christmas tree to support their cause. On Saturday 14th we have another busy day ahead, starting with the Fridge at 9.30 am, probably Coffee Morning at 10.00 am, and a Christmas Concert by All Saints Choir, Leighton Buzzard at 2.30 pm, followed by an evening with Gram Seed and Nigel sharing inspirational stories about God on the Move. Gram is coming down from Middlesborough to share his amazing testimony on Saturday evening at 7.30 pm and also on Sunday at 2.30 pm. Anyone who has done the Alpha course will already have heard a little of his story, which includes a miraculous healing which brought him to faith, and he is now so keen to share the love of God with those he meets. He visits numerous prisons and schools to tell his story and is the first person to have been given the key to the prison where he served sentence to now go back and tell of Jesus’s love and healing. Combined with Gram’s visit, comes the release of Nigel’s book ‘Splashes of Colour’ sharing reflections from 24 years in ministry at Westoning Church. Proceeds from the book sales will raise funds for the Foodbank and Westoning Church. Do please put these dates in your diary and join us to be inspired and encouraged. On Monday 9th we look forward to hosting the Brownies Carol Service at 5.30 pm and the Scouts Christmas Carol Service on Friday 13th at 7.00 pm. Messy Church Christmas time is on Wednesday 11th at 3.15 pm (with Christmas crafts, story, songs and fun, all followed by a hot meal).Attached is a list of events for week commencing 7th December 2024. Wishing you joy, peace, good health, and energy! With every good wish Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone I hope life is treating you well. The weather temperature will apparently dip rapidly this weekend, and we are forecast cold temperatures for next week with some possible arctic blasts, so do stay warm and look after yourselves. Last weekend was rather special with the different Remembrance Services on Toddington Green, at Chalgrave Church, and at Tebworth Memorial Hall, followed on Monday by Remembrance services on Toddington Green, at the Lower School and at Parkfields Middle School. It is good and fitting to remember, and to give thanks for all who served in the forces, during the various wars, that we might have peace… and ‘We Will Remember Them!’ On Wednesday evening, Nigel and I saw ‘Operation Mincemeat’ in London, a show telling how one important incident changed the course of war. I was a fitting show to see at this Remembrance time, and the acting, music, scene changes and dancing were incredible. No wonder it has received 5* reviews. On Wednesday, I vacated the Rectory, in Leighton Road. It has been a wonderful base for my ministry within Toddington and Chalgrave these past years, and is such a beautiful house, but it has become too expensive for me to run. So, in future, our home in Flitwick will be regarded by the diocese as a replacement Rectory, and the diocesan parsonages advisor will meet with representatives from the two churches to decide on the best course of action for the Rectory. Can I please suggest that any local mail for me, be posted through Dee’s door at 22 Leighton Road, in the interim. There is so much happening on the world stage at present as Donald Trump prepares to take up Presidential office, and the world, including Ukraine, holds its breath. It was also a sad day to learn of Archbishop Welby’s decision to resign from his position as Archbishop of Canterbury following the findings of the Makin Report. My heart goes out to all who suffered. This week, Dee, with a team of helpers, and youth group, prepared Shoeboxes for the Samaritan’s Purse Charity to transport across the world to children in Malawi who would not otherwise receive a gift of their own this Christmas. Thank you all who contributed in any way. In the church calendar, we now move away from Harvest and Remembrance towards the season of Advent, which heralds in Christmas. There will be a flurry of Christmas Services and activities in December, and on 30th November, we have the lighting up of Toddington for Christmas event with craft and food stalls, music and entertainment. As the evenings get darker, the twinkling Christmas lights bring cheer and encouragement. The lights always remind me of Jesus, the Light of the World, shining forth in the darkness. The post Alpha group have been meeting these past months as a fellowship group, but it is time to move on to another course, and we are keen for others to join if they would like to.. so please come along on Thursday evening to meet up socially as we share food: Thursday 21 November 2024 - 6:00pm. Alpha Plus group - meeting at the home of Doug & Rachel (12 Leighton Rd Toddington) for a bring & share meal and informal fellowship. This is an ideal time for anyone interested in joining the group before we look to start a follow-on course. Please, if you can, let us know if you’d like to come. All welcome. I have attached posters for Messy Church, for this Friday, The Christmas Tree Festival 7th and 8th December (please let Dee know if you would like to enter a tree this year), the Christmas Concert by The Choir of All Saints, Leighton Buzzard on 14th December, and we will also have Toddington Band playing Christmas music on Sunday 22nd December. This Sunday’s Services: 9.30 am Chalgrave Church, Holy Communion Service – Linda 11.00 am Toddington Church, Holy Communion Service – Linda 6.00 pm Evensong Service, Toddington Church – Linda Other services and events this week: Monday 18th November 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 19th 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 21st 2.00 pm St George’s Fellowship, Wilkinson Hall 6.00 pm Bring and Share Fellowship Meal at Rachel and Doug Hook’s, 12 Leighton Road. Friday 22nd 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall 3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall, ‘ Getting Ready for Christmas’ crafts, Bible story, and finishing with a hot tea Saturday 23rd 9.30 am Toddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson Hall Royal British Legion AGM at social club 12.00 noon. Sunday 24th November 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave, Rev Anne Barker 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington, Rev Anne Barker Wishing you all every blessing Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone Tomorrow, on Remembrance Sunday there will be a benefice, Holy Communion Service at Toddington church (without hymns) at 9.30am. Then we head across to the Green to join the main Toddington Remembrance Service. Folks have been asked to gather on the Green from 10.30 am, in preparation for the service which begins about 10.45 am. At Chalgrave Church there is a short remembrance service in the church grounds by the war memorial at 2.00 pm, and the main Tebworth/Wingfield Remembrance Service is at 3.00 pm at Tebworth Memorial Hall. As we take time to Remember, this week-end, you may also like to pop into Toddington Church tomorrow, or during the week, to look at the beautiful Remembrance displays, or to add your own poppy to the display, which have been organised and prepared by Bridget, Dee, Art Group, Church folk, Pippa from the Royal British Legion and by members of the community who have knitted, painted or created poppies. I find it very beautiful and moving when I enter the church. There is also a Tree of light, where you can add a prayer or a memory. The first photo is of the display at Chalgrave Church. Thank you to everyone for your sensitive generosity to create such beautiful memorials to all who fought in the wars that we might have freedom today. The churches have been busy this week with Toddington Fridge buzzing this morning, Toddington Coffee Morning being a centre of conversation, cuppa and cake, and Tebworth Hall looking so beautiful for the Christmas Craft Fair today. Thank you so much to all involved for providing such wonderful opportunities to gather together. Looking ahead at Toddington we will are now collecting items to fill Samaritans Purse Shoeboxes for children who would otherwise not receive a gift (collection box in church) and plans are underway for the Christmas Tree Festival on 7th and 8th December. Please speak to Dee if you would like to enter a decorated tree. Wishing you every blessing this weekend, and beyond. Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone How quickly the weeks roll by. This week is half -term for the schools and I wish everyone a really good rest after such a busy start to this Academic year. Nigel and I ‘eased’ back into ministry on Monday after a lovely break. It was good to breathe some sea air and to have chance to worship in a few different churches... to listen and to receive, rather than to prepare. We visited York, for a few days first and enjoyed attending a couple of Evensong services at the Minster.. resting back to listen to the special choirs, and then we headed home via Lincoln, and went to Evensong at the Cathedral. We enjoyed the ambiance and the music and also the sense of prayer which has been laid down by faithful folk over so many years. We headed south for the rest of the holiday and I enjoyed going to Sunday morning services at a local church, with a choir supporting the singing, and a thought provoking sermon both weeks. It is good to be able to listen and mull over the Bible passages, without having to be the one preparing a sermon! But the holiday is over, and we are now back in full swing. The week has been busy with a school assembly and Pop Up Tea Room at Chalgrave on Wednesday – with lots of folk and wonderful refreshments, then we had a wonderful Messy Church yesterday with about 30 children (and their parents), enjoying making crafts about ‘Light’ after a story introduction by Malcolm, with the children finishing with a hot tea and cake. On Thursday, Toddington Church hosted the funeral of Catherine Stringer. The village turned out in force to pay their respects to a special lady who had served them for 36 years at the Social Club and who was much loved. Our thoughts and prayers reach out to Matey, Rachael, Robert, Matty and Caroline, and the family. Today, Toddington Community Fridge was well attended again, with a wonderful selection of foods provided from Tesco, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer and contributions by others too. Thank you so much for your support. As we look ahead to next week and future events, I suspect the weeks will continue to be busy! Next Sunday, 3rd November, we hold In Loving Memory Services at both Chalgrave Church (2pm) and Toddington Church (4pm) to remember loved ones who have died. If you would like to remember your special loved ones who are not with us any more (regardless of where they lived), do please either add their names to the list in church, or email me their names and so I can read them out in the ILM service. I would encourage you to attend please, so you can light a candle in their memory. It’s not the same if I read out a list of names and there is no-one there to remember them personally. The following Sunday will be Remembrance Sunday (10th November). After a 9.30am Benefice Service at Toddington Church, we will move out to the Green to join the Royal British Legion village act of Remembrance. At Chalgrave Church we will have a 2pm short Service of Remembrance in the church grounds, at the memorial cross, followed by a 3pm Remembrance Service at Chalgrave Memorial Hall. On Tuesday, Youth Group will be meeting at 5.45pm at Wilkinson Hall. The group is for children 9+ and is open to all children, and it would be great to see some of our previous Messy Church older children coming along, if they can. All Welcome. Do please tell your friends that it is on. Sunday Services 27 October (Bible Sunday) 9.30am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11am Holy Communion, Toddington Church Monday 28th 9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2pm Pilates, Wilkinson Hall Tuesday 29th 10.30am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45pm Youth Group (please come dressed for a walk) Wednesday 30th Church working party, Toddington Church TBC by Dee Thursday 31st Bible Study Group (Post Alpha), Rachel and Doug’s house 7pm Friday 1st Nov 10.30am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 2nd Nov 9.30am Toddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 3rd Nov 11am Benefice Holy Communion Service Toddington Church 2pm In Loving Memory Service, Chalgrave Church 4pm In Loving Memory Service, Toddington Church Other events: Tuesday 5th November, 3pm Toddington PCC, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 7th November Ploughman’s Lunch, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 9th November, 11-4pm Chalgrave Christmas Craft Fayre, Chalgrave Memorial Hall – see photo above 9.30am Saturday 9th November, Toddington Community Fridge 10am Saturday 9th November, Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 10th November, 9.30am Benefice Holy Communion, Toddington Church 10.40am Remembrance parade and service on Toddington Green 2pm Remembrance Service, Chalgrave churchyard 3pm Remembrance Service, Chalgrave Memorial Hall. Do get in touch with any concerns or requests for prayer. With love and best wishes Linda Rev Linda Washington Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
