Hello EveryoneThe Easter school holidays are now underway. Families, children and teachers will be glad of time to rest and to have a well-deserved break with good weather. (We have had a request to pray for sunshine.. so please do pray for this). The weather this week has been so strange with glorious sunshine, cold winds, snow flurries and a return to winter temperatures. Hopefully, we will soon emerge again into warmer sunnier days, which will match the emerging Springtime flowers. As the daffodils begin to fade, the hyacinths are bursting forth along with tree buds, forsythia and blossoms. New life is emerging with the lengthening of days and the approach of Easter. It is the season to take stock and to reflect as we journey towards Jerusalem with Jesus at the beginning of Passiontide. Our Lent course this week reminded us to slow down and appreciate each day and to connect with Jesus in his trial and challenges. Nigel and I both led Collective Worship in local schools, and enjoyed the wonderful opportunity to engage with the children in the Easter story. It was Nigel's first time into Westoning Lower School for 2 years, since the start of Covid, so it was a very special time, talking to the children about Jesus' journey from the desert into Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday, and beyond to the events of Holy Week. He talked about Jesus' act of breaking of bread and sharing with his friends and the reason why Good Friday is called 'Good', when Jesus surrendered to the cross. One 8 year old answered: It's GOOD Friday because God revived Jesus.Linda loved watching the year 3 Easter performance on Tuesday about how the wood, from three different trees, served such special roles for Jesus. Year 2 children also came into church for an Easter Experience stopping at different interactive zones to explore more about Jesus' journey. Do please pop into Toddington church in the days leading up to Easter to spend a quiet time reflecting and praying and connecting with the Easter story.It is so easy to rush to Easter without experiencing the truths of the approaching days which can mature us and deepen our understanding of what it means for us. So let us all take time to slow down to engage more fully with this very special season and to walk with Jesus.Services for Sunday 3rd AprilBook of Common Prayer Holy Communion Service, Harlington 8am - NigelHoly Communion Service Harlington, at 9.30am - Nigel and JonFamily Breakfast at the Parish rooms and Animal Farm on the Bury, Harlington 10am - with stories and crafts, and animals to view - presented by St Mary's and Life Church together this month - RebeccaChalgrave : Holy Communion Service 9.30am - LindaToddington: Holy Communion Service 11am - LindaWestoning: Holy Communion Service at 11am - Nigel and JonUpper Room 6pm 'Passiontide' Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87913734258?pwd=ZXByOGRVZFhScnhrakZDM2FGZDhSQT09Meeting ID: 879 1373 4258. Passcode: 798443Other Events and Services this week 3rd AprilSunday 3rdWestoning: 3pm Amalfi String Quartet Afternoon Tea at Flitwick Cricket Club (Contact Joyce for info)Monday 4thMorning Prayer: 9.30am Toddington ChurchHarlington Lent Course at Mary's at 3pmHarlington PCC, in church, at 7.30pmTuesday 5thWestcaf 10-12noon at Westoning Village HallKnitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington, 10.30-12 noonSewing Bee 1-3pm at Westoning Village HallJoy's funeral (of Harlington) at Luton Crematorium at 2pm - NigelYouth group (years 4, 5, and 6) Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 5.30-7pmWednesdayTwig Easter Breakfast at Westoning Village Hall, 9am -10.15amMidweek Service, 10am Harlington ChurchLent lunch, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington, 12 noon to 1.15pm, raising funds for Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (see poster)Toddington PCC on zoom 7.30pm tbc8pm '60 Minutes with God Prayer Time'. Zoom link available from NigelThursdayPloughman's lunches Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 12-2pm (see attached poster)Final session of online Lent Course, 'Unanswered Prayer' via zoom at 7.45pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87550086028?pwd=RlIvKzhydnJUOWdhSXhNZ29YaUh2QT09Meeting ID: 875 5008 6028. Passcode: 380530FridayPainting for Pleasure group Wilkinson Hall, 10.30am to 12 noon ToddingtonFriday Fellowship at Westoning Village Hall 2-4pmSaturdayMen's Breakfast at The Chequers in Westoning with speaker Archdeacon Dave Middlebrook. Contact Phil Steer to reserve a place (01525) 862357.Advance Notice: Palm Sunday Services:Messy Church Palm Sunday Breakfast 9.15-10.30am(ish), Wilkinson Hall, Toddington. The new monthly Messy Church Breakfast where breakfast will be provided and there will be Craft and Story too. The Bishop of Bedford will be leading the services at Tingrith and Westoning on Palm Sunday, 10th April. There will be a pony in the churchyard at Westoning between 10.30 and 11.15am. At Harlington 9.30am service, Samson the Donkey will be making an appearance.We hope you all have a good week and look forward to linking with you at some of the above events.God blessLinda and Nigel
Hello EveryoneWhat glorious days we have experienced this week with strong expressions of Spring: offering colour and optimism. These though are tempered by our thoughts for the Ukrainians and the madness of war. We continue to pray and press in to seek practical expressions of ways to help. If anyone is interested to host a Ukrainian family, do please get in touch with us to let us know so we, as church, can begin to put a support structure in place. Linda attended a meeting at Barton Church on Friday to learn more about what to expect and what the community and host family will need to do if receiving a refugee family. It will be so important to build community links to support the family, and to connect them with other local Ukrainian families. The initial visa application process seems quite complicated but it is important that the procedure is followed correctly before the family travel to England, to make sure support and safeguarding checks are engaged by the local Council. Harlington Community are seeking to offer refuge to a few families and it would be good to connect any potential Toddington, Westoning, Chalgrave or Tingrith hosts too.The Church of England has an online support link for any families seeking to host a refugee family. One thing to stress is to think carefully before committing. The families will be in need of tlc, safety and security. They have been through so much already. It is for a minimum commitment of 6 months.Please remember to put your clocks forward one hour tonight.Services for Mothering Sunday - Sunday March 27th9.30am Chalgrave, Holy Communion Service Linda9.30am Harlington,Mothering Sunday Service Nigel/Robert11am Toddington, Holy Communion Service Linda11am Westoning, All Age Service for Mothering Sunday Nigel3pm Tingrith Mothering Sunday Service Nigel/Jon/LindaUpper Room online service: Theme: Our Mothers Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88516973654?pwd=OVF4RlJLeHJkMWdZMXM5Mjc4a3BPUT09Meeting ID: 885 1697 3654. Passcode: 471104Other services and events during the week:Monday 28th March9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church10.30am Set up Easter Prayer Stations - Toddington Church2-4pm Crafty Ladies group - Wilkinson Hall Toddington8pm Toddington Churches Together AGM Wilkinson HallTingrith PCC Meeting 1.45pmHarlington Lent Course at Mary's at 3pmTuesday 29th March10-12 noon Westcaf, Westoning Village Hall10.30am to noon - Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington1-3pm Sewing Bees Celebration Westoning Village HallWednesday 30th March9.30- 11.45am Lower School visit Toddington Church10am Harlington Church, Midweek Service11.30am Daisy Drake's Funeral at Harlington Church12-1.15pm Lent 'Poverty' Soup lunch, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington - raising funds for Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal7.30pm Westoning PCC via zoom (link to be issued)Thursday 31st March10.30am Meeting at Wilkinson Hall about 'Petal and Purl' exhibition for 'Celebrate 800'Online Lent Course 7.45pm - Unanswered Prayer by Peter Greig. Please let Linda or Nigel know if interested. Zoom link to be issued.Friday 1st April10.30-12 noon Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonLittle Stars: 1.15pm-2.45pm Westoning ChurchFriday Fellowship 2-4pm Westoning Village Hall3.30pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonSaturday 2nd April... have a rest!Wishing you all a good week and a special Mothering Sunday tomorrow.With love and prayersLinda and Nigel
Hello Everyone How wonderful to have some sunny days at the end of the week to encourage us forth. Nigel and I have enjoyed some special walks by the sea this week, catching up on some days off, enjoying the chance to be outside, breathing in fresh air and admiring the scenery as Spring bursts forth in all its beauty. Each day brings with it a time of reflection and gratitude. This Sunday's services Chalgrave 9.30 am Holy Communion Linda Harlington 9.30 am HC Nigel. Lent Brunch at 11.00 am Tingrith 9.30 am Morning Prayer Jon Toddington 11.00 am Holy Communion - Linda Westoning 11.00 am Holy Communion Nigel/Jon The Upper Room online service 6.00 pm. Speaker Kate Smith. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81426806876?pwd=SXlKV0xYM3h2anplSzNnNWNMRFEzQT09 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Other services and events during the week: Monday 21st March Morning Prayer Toddington Church 9.30 am Harlington Lent Course at Mary's Home at 3.00 pm The Bible Course online 7.45 pm by zoom: session 8 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89238451139?pwd=czROYitiS1l5VU43N2ZLaEgwYkRwZz09 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Tuesday 22nd March Westcaf, Westoning Village Hall 10.00 am – 12.00 noon Knitting group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Sewing Bees, Westoning Village Hall 1.00 – 3.00 pm Wednesday 23rd March Bishop Richard morning visit to St George of England Lower School Harlington Morning Service 10.00 am at Church Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall, Chalgrave 11.00 am – 1.00 pm Lent soup lunch in aid of Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 12 noon. Toddington PCC 7.30 pm Thursday 24th March 9.30 am – 11. 30 am Church cleaning, Toddington Church Lent Course by zoom at 7.45pm Topic 'unanswered prayer' https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89751534527?pwd=aUtDa0swayt4Z1NLS0hCc3NQeGJiUT09 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Friday 25th March Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 10.30 am Tingrith Church - funeral of Don Thompson 1.30 pm Little Stars meet at Westoning Church 1.15 pm - 2.45 pm Friday Fellowship at Westoning Village Hall 2.00 – 4.00 pm Friends of Harlington Church Introductory Evening 7.00 – 8.00 pm. All welcome Saturday 26th March Art Attack for children at Harlington Church 10.00 am – 1.00 pm Coffee Morning and Friends Book Stall, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington,10.00 am -12.00 noon 10.30 am guided look around the church with Malcolm 4.00 pm Chalgrave APCM meeting at church Put the clocks forward! Sunday 27th March Mothering Sunday services We send you our love and prayers Linda and Nigel
Dear Friends, The week passes and the depth of sadness over Ukraine deepens. The human tragedies and violence tempt us to despair. How can peaceable people be treated so? Many people have been seeking ways to offer support and aid either financially or practically and hopefully, soon, refugees will be able to make their way to this country to find peace and support. To be able to offer practical aid will be better than the current distanced incomprehension. We pray and must keep on praying but may we also look to ways of our heartfelt prayers being realised in tangible and effective action. Is there room in our hearts: is there room in our homes? The diocese are currently investigating the best way we can offer help and will release more information next week. There are still joys, people meeting and sharing, giving and receiving, in love and in peace. And this week has been a special week. Nigel and I led a school assembly at Parkfields school where we spoke about prayer, and Dee and I shared an assembly at St George's school about Jesus' miracle of feeding the 5,000, which seems rather appropriate in the context of Ukraine with so many refugees needing food and care. On Friday, it was a delight to welcome lots of children to Messy Church - our first Messy Church since December.. and to share fun, songs, crafts and tea. We also had fun at Youth Group on Tuesday.. so it has been a busy week at Toddington. A special memorial service to Paul Scrivener on Monday united congregations from each of our villages as we paid tribute to him and shared some of his poems. What a beautiful touch of humour and memory he shared with us. Westoning Westcaf was abuzz on Tuesday, Little Stars and Fellowship time were busy.. and there are so many groups meeting happily within the two benefices.. people glad to meet up again. The days are getting longer and warmer and the gardens are springing into life.. and people have been smiling in the sunshine! SERVICES THIS SUNDAY 13th March 2022 Chalgrave 9.30 am Holy Communion Linda Harlington 9.30 am Holy Communion Nigel/Robert Westoning 9.30 am Families Service Rebecca, 11.00 am Holy Communion Nigel Toddington Holy Communion 11.00 am Linda Upper Room by Zoom at 6pm lead by Lay Leader of Worship Philip Steer. Access link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83516032191?pwd=T2xFWGVkcXhPakU0aWdPOTNJeXZIUT09 This Week's Services and events: Monday 14th March Morning Prayer at Toddington Church 9.30 am Seated Pilates with Jo 2.00 pm Wilkinson Hall The Bible Course online session 7, 7.45 pm considering the Acts and the Church. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83255519436?pwd=eWEwdFF5S1gwQjJWbU8va1dPZFFYdz09 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Tuesday 15th March Westoning: Westcaf 10.00 am – 12.00 noon. Sewing Bee 1.00 – 3.00 pm. At Westoning Village Hall. All welcome Toddington: Knitting Group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 16th March Harlington Church: Morning Service at 10.00 am Thursday 17th March Toddington: St George's Fellowship 2.00 – 4.00 pm - bring a large pebble to decorate. Lent Course by Zoom 7.45 – 9.00 pm: ‘Unanswered Prayers.’ Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82932850300?pwd=dGxaMTZOTWZxMzhQUlMrUHRtalgrUT09 Friday 18th March Toddington: Painting for Pleasure 10.30 am – 12.00 noon. Westoning: Little Stars at Westoning Church 1.15 - 2.45 pm. Friday Fellowship Westoning Village Hall 2.00 – 4.00 pm ADVANCE NOTICE: There will be a Lent Course (Walking with Jesus) held at Mary Rutherford’s House starting on 21st March at 3.00 pm. Please let her or a minister know if you’d like to attend. FRIENDS EVENING: On the 25th March between 7.00 and 8.00 pm there will be a meeting in Harlington Church explaining the restoration work planned and the plans the church has for the future. In time we would like to form an association of friends of the church from people in the village and beyond who value the building. We would also like members of the church to attend as well. Refreshments will be served. We wish you every blessing and a happy, healthy week Linda
