Hello Everyone Despite the early rains today, it has been a lovely day. People have been out and about visiting the Open Gardens in Toddington, popping into Wilkinson Hall for a cuppa and a chat whilst checking out the plant stall, the delicious cakes and the tombola. Thank you to everyone who opened their gardens this year. I love the inspiration and couldn't resist a quick half hour in our garden, when I got home, to clear space for some new planting. It has been a busy week nationally with so much going on. After Thursday's General Election, the country moved swiftly forward the next morning into a new phase. As one former Prime Minister left a newly appointed one clicked swiftly into action. What a difference a day makes! On Thursday evening Andy Murray played what has now turned out to be his final match at Wimbledon with his brother Jamie. What an inspiration his drive and determination has been over the years and he has thrilled so many of us on the journey. The BBC offered a very moving wonderful tribute to him on Thursday which was well deserved. Sadly today, he learned that he would not be playing a much anticipated mixed doubles match. What a difference a day makes! This evening, England footballers played their way through to a semi-final match, showing steely determination and skill in a penalty shoot-out. What a difference a match makes! Each of the above experiences example people making best use of their gifts and talents - honed, determined and focused. What an inspiration. Jesus was focused and determined. His was a life of self-less service, of dedication and of care. He taught us to push at the boundaries, to try harder, and to think outside the box for the good of others. What a difference he made to so many lives. I have just been reading an article in Premier Christianity with Sir Keir Starmer who spoke about the invaluable knowledge and experience which church communities have to offer and how important a role we have to work together. May Jesus continue to inspire and lead us each day. May we, as followers of Jesus be honed, determined and focused so that we too can make a difference! Sunday's Services 7th July 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave church 11.00 am Holy Communion with a baptism, Toddington church Events: Sunday afternoon 7th July - Open Gardens 1.00 pm - 6.00 pm Programmes, Refreshments, plant stall and tombola, at Wilkinson Hall (see poster) Mon 8th July - Morning Prayer 9.30am Toddington Church Mon 8th July - Seated Pilates 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm Wilkinson Hall Thurs 11th July - Afternoon with Friends 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm Wilkinson Hall Thurs 11th July - Post-Alpha gathering 7.00 pm The Rectory Fri 12th July - Painting for Pleasure 10.30 am – 12.30 pm Wilkinson Hall Fri 12th July - Funeral of Ryan Cremin 12.30 pm Toddington Church Sat 13th July - Coffee Morning 10.00 am – 12.00 noon Wilkinson Hall See attached poster for What's On events during July at both Chalgrave and Toddington Churches. Have a good week. Best wishes Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave 07715 603557
Hello Everyone What wonderful warm sunny weather! Summer has at last arrived. The lawns are becoming parched, and the flowers and vegetables need watering to thrive, but people are smiling, glad of some sunshine, and how special it was last weekend to have such a great Village Fete event on the Green bathed in sunshine. Thank you to everyone involved. Upcoming events include: · Youth Group Tuesday 2nd July and 16th July 5.45 pm · Ploughman’s lunch Thursday 4th July 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall · Open Gardens next Saturday 6th July 11.00 – 5.00 pm and Sunday 7th July 1.00 – 6.00 pm with refreshments in Wilkinson Hall, plus plant and book sales. (see poster). · The lower school fete next Saturday (see poster). · Coffee Morning 13th July, Wilkinson Hall. 10.00 am · Scones and Songs at Chalgrave Church on Sunday 21st July from 2.00 pm to celebrate the completion of the restoration work inside the church with live music by Richard on his guitar to entertain us. Tickets from Alison (see attached poster) · Scarecrow Festival 25 and 26 August, Sunday 1.00 – 4.00 pm, Bank Holiday Monday 11.00 am – 4.00 pm. Posters with full details will be available in the village and on Facebook. Everyone is welcome to take part. Queries to Dee Curtis 872649 · Art and craft fun days during the holidays on Wednesday 7th 14th and 28th August, for children aged 4+ years (preferably accompanied by an adult). From 10am at Wilkinson Hall. Please bring a named packed lunch. Forms available St Georges Church /Wilkinson Hall or contact Dee Curtis 872649. Please return forms to Dee. · NB – NO Messy Church during July and August Services this Sunday: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Events this week: Monday 1st July 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 2nd July 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 3rd July 10.30 am the funeral of Geoffrey Driver, Toddington Church Thursday 4th July – (Election Day) 12.00 noon, Ploughman’s Lunch, Wilkinson Hall Friday 5th July 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July Open Gardens (See above and the attached poster) 9.30 am Holy Communion service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service with a baptism, Toddington Church We were very sorry to learn of the recent death of John Ware who was a longstanding and much-loved member of our church and community. He will be sadly missed and we hold Margaret and the family in our thoughts and prayers. With love and care to you all Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone How lovely it has been to see the sunshine this week and I hope that it holds for the Village Fete on the Green at Toddington tomorrow. Events start at 11.00 am with the Dog Show, and from 1.00 pm there will be lots of other fun and competitions, with music from Toddington Band too. The Church will be open tomorrow, and refreshments will be served in Wilkinson Hall, plus there will be a tombola and a Children's 'Garden on a Plate' competition.. And don't forget to look out for the Dragon's picnic! I look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow. Thank you to all involved for your hard work to make this such a special event for the village. On Wednesday, Chalgrave Church will offer their monthly Pop Up Tea room at Tebworth Memorial Hall from 11.00 am until 1.00 pm. Do come along and share time over a cuppa and cake or a savoury. The ladies at Chalgrave and Toddington Churches are wonderful bakers! I'm relieved to be back from 'sick leave' and to be feeling much better.. still coughing slightly... but thankfully, not nearly as much! I look forward to leading services this Sunday at both Toddington and Chalgrave churches and thank Nigel and Malcolm for stepping in to help cover the past two Sundays. Sunday 23rd June - Fourth Sunday after Trinity 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Monday 24th June 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2.00 pm Seated exercise class with Alison, Wilkinson Hall Tuesday 25th June 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall (next 2 sessions 2nd and 16th July) Wednesday 26th June 11.00 am Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall Thursday 27th June 4.00 pm Chalgrave PCC Meeting 7.00 pm Post Alpha Group, The Rectory Friday 28th June 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall 3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 30th June 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church 2.00 pm Baptism service, Toddington Church Wednesday 3rd July 10.30 am - The funeral of Mr Geoffrey Driver, Toddington Church 7.30 pm Dunstable Deanery Synod Meeting, Chalgrave Church Dates for your diary: 6th and 7th July - Toddington 'Open Gardens' weekend. The notices are going up in the village. More information to come. Thankyou to everyone who has agreed to open their garden again this year. It is such a lovely event. See poster. 19th July at 12.00 noon - The funeral of Peggy Gladman will be held at Oakland Gardens Crematorium, Steppingley. Have a good week> Best wishes Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone I hope your week has gone well. For me, it has been a rather strange week.. battling a virus which has laid me low. I’m not sure where it came from, but I will definitely be glad when it disappears! So, I did not head off to Clergy Conference in Derbyshire to spend time with my clergy colleagues with chance to listen to important talks by visiting speakers and gaining inspiration from the interactions. Instead, I have been hugging the covers most of the week, either asleep or coughing! I certainly wouldn’t wish this on any of you so I will not be at church tomorrow. I will do my coughing in isolation! It was good to share in the D Day events on the Green last week to remember those who fought so bravely for our freedom and peace. The Ukelele band were in full swing on Saturday and it was moving to join the countrywide lighting of the beacons. Well done to the Royal British Legion for all their preparations and organisation. This coming weekend we look forward to the Village Fete which is being carefully planned and will offer another special village community opportunity to get together. There are numerous posters and village Facebook notifications being issued about the varied activities which are to include a dog show, Olympic Fancy Dress competition, food stalls, fun, games and so much more. I’m sure there will be a wonderful atmosphere again this year and well done to Melanie and the planning team for all their hard work. Now let’s all pray for sunshine and no rain! The friendly dragon returns to Church next Saturday, joining in the Village Fete, for a picnic quest, and Wilkinson Hall will host refreshments, the children’s ‘Garden on a Plate’ competition, and other activities. All Welcome. Please look out for more information on Facebook or posters in the coming days. Thank you to all who came to Derek Stone’s funeral last Monday to say farewell and to support his dear wife Vicky. She has been so grateful for all your kind words of support and sympathy and on behalf of Chalgrave Church, can I also say thank you for any donations given in Derek’s memory, to help fund the upkeep of the church and the organ for future generations to come. The church has been such a special place for both Vicky and Derek these past years. Sadly, a longstanding faithful member of Toddington Church, Peggy Gladman, died on 10th June, aged 93 years. She lived in Toddington for a lot of her life and died peacefully in her own home in the village, after some years of illness. Her son Keith wishes to pass on the sad news to parishioners and to anyone who knew her. We thank God for Peggy’s life. RIP. Please continue to pray for a miracle of healing for Harrison Blanchflower and please hold his parents and family in your prayers as they wait anxiously alongside him at hospital. This Sunday’s Services: Sunday 16th June 2024 (Father’s Day) 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Rev Nigel Washington 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Rev Nigel Washington 6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington Church, Malcolm Curtis Services and events this week: Monday 17th June 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 18th June 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 20th June 2.00 pm St George’s Fellowship, Wilkinson Hall Friday 21st June 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 22nd June Village Fete on the Green. Friendly dragon in church, refreshments in Wilkinson Hall Sunday 23rd June 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church Friday 28th June 3.30 pm Messy Church Wishing you all good health and a good week. Best wishes Linda Rev Linda Washington Rector Toddington and Chalgrave parishes
