Hello Everyone
With Remembrance Sunday tomorrow, how wonderful it would be to have a bright, sunny day like today but sadly the weather suggests a high likelihood of rain. The gritter lorries will be out this evening, so tomorrow will also have a November chill in the air. I hope the rain will hold off between 10.00 - 11.30 am at Toddington and 3.00 – 4.00 pm at Tebworth!
On Friday morning, both Toddington St George school and Parkfields school held a short service of Remembrance and it was a privilege to attend both services. The year 4 children offered a full explanation about the origins of Remembrance Sunday, and Parkfields staff and pupils gave similar introduction before the Last Post and a time of silence. This morning, on the Green, there was a short Remembrance service for Armistice Day, then John P and I headed up the church tower to raise the Union Flag for this Remembrance Weekend. (Sadly, the church clock has stopped again and the church bells will not toll the time tomorrow- the clock needs to be serviced and possibly repaired as it keeps stopping).
Tomorrow's Remembrance Services bring the villages together as we gather to remember all who fought for their countries in the World Wars and in later conflicts, and we also pray for all affected by conflict and war. The uniformed groups will gather at the Village Hall in Toddington, and begin to process to the Green at 10.40 am to be ready for the main Remembrance Service. Chalgrave Church will hold a short outdoor service at the church memorial at 2.00 pm before the 3.00 pm Remembrance Service at Tebworth Memorial Hall. Do please come along to any of the services. There will also be a 9.30 am Benefice Holy Communion Service at Toddington Church before the main Remembrance service.
This week, a Remembrance display has been installed at Toddington church, with poppies created by many organisations and contributors from the village. If you would like to add a poppy, or poppies, in memory of someone who served their country, you will be most welcome. There is also a memory tree of light and life, on which you can place a leaf (with a name or a message) in memory of a loved one. Please feel free to come into church (which is open in daylight hours) to remember.
During last Sunday's 'In Loving Memory' Services, at both churches, we remembered loved ones who have died and offered sensitive space for folks to come forward to light a candle for those remembered.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed this week to decorating the churches for Remembrance, or provided cakes, or attended the Coffee Morning today, or helped to create Samaritan's Purse Shoeboxes ready for transport abroad to children who will not otherwise receive Christmas gifts, or given foods for the Foodbank or for the fresh provisions table inside Toddington south church porch.
This Sunday's Services
9.30 am Holy Communion Benefice Service, Toddington Church
10.30 am Gather on Toddington Green for the village Remembrance Service
2.00 pm Chalgrave Church - a short service of Remembrance
3.00 pm Tebworth Memorial Hall, Remembrance Service
This week's Services and Events
Monday 13th
9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church
2.00 pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall
Tuesday 14th
10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall
5.45pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall
Wednesday 15th
10.00 am Working Party for church grounds
2.00 pm The Friends of St George Trustees meeting
Thursday 16th
2.00 pm Fellowship group, Wilkinson Hall, preparing for Christmas Tree Festival
Friday 17th
10.3 0am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall
Saturday 18th
A day of rest!
Sunday 19th
9.30 am Holy Communion service, Chalgrave Church
11.00 am Holy Communion Service - with a baptism, Toddington Church
2.30 pm Young Musician of the Year Competition 2023, Toddington Village Hall,
6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington Church
Friday 24th November
Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall, 3.30 pm
Have a good week everyone.
Best wishes
Linda
Rector
Toddington and Chalgrave