Hello Everyone
Tomorrow we will celebrate the Presentation of Christ in the Temple in our morning Holy Communion services and reflect on the faith of Simeon and Anna and the obedience of Mary and Joseph in bringing their son, baby Jesus, before God in thanksgiving. I shared the story this week in Collective Worship at the Lower school and we also mentioned it at Messy Church, which was such a lovely gathering with 20 children with their parents and carers. Thank you to Bridget, Helen, Rachel, Dee and Malcolm - the team, who prepared crafts and enjoyed time with the children. (see photos). Thank you also to Rebecca, Bridget and Doug for leading Youth Group this Tuesday.
This morning the bargain sale run by the Friends of St George's raised an amazing £166 and provided another opportunity for cake over a cuppa with a chat. It has been a busy week for the church teams this week with Pop Up Tea Room on Wednesday at Chalgrave and Winter Warmer Wednesday at Wilkinson Hall, to mention just a couple of church led hospitality events with folks working so hard baking and providing. Thank you all so much! These occasions are truly valued by all who come.
This week, Chalgrave church Nave interior has been transformed into what seems more like a building site with scaffolding poles and platforms in place in preparation for the investigations to the roof beams to assess if there is any decay. We would appreciate your prayers please for a reassuring outcome. This stage of the work, which includes work in the Chancel roof, and investigation to two particular beams in the Nave, has already been costed at £27k and that is mainly to pay for the scaffolding! Any further discoveries will cost more. We are praying that no major issues will be discovered. The church is so beautiful and we are so fortunate to be able to worship there in the peaceful surroundings and are keen to preserve the church for future generations to come. We welcome your prayers.. and also any thoughts on how to raise funds to cover the work. (I have attached some pictures). Tomorrow we will gather in the Chancel for our service which will be wonderfully special and in the attached photo, above the standard, you can see the repair which was has already completed to the original decayed beam.
Services for Sunday 28th January
9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church
11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church
Events this week:
Monday 29th January
9.30 am Morning Prayer Wilkinson Hall, Toddington
Tuesday 30th January
10.30 am Knitting Group Wilkinson Hall, Toddington
Wednesday 31st January
11.00 am Wednesday Winter Warmer gathering, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington
Friday 2nd February
10.30 am Painting For Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington
I am wondering who might be interested in attending an Alpha course to explore more about Jesus and the Christian faith. This could be a daytime course or an evening course so please do have a word with me, or send me an email, if you would be interested to come along. I know that one or two people are keen to be confirmed, and the first few sessions of Alpha would be helpful preparation for confirmation. And, as we approach Lent.. you may also be interested in a Lent course. Again, please have a word with me, if this is of interest to you.
Have a good week everyone.
God bless
Linda