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