Hello Everyone
How quickly the weeks roll by. This week is half -term for the schools and I wish everyone a really good rest after such a busy start to this Academic year.
Nigel and I ‘eased’ back into ministry on Monday after a lovely break. It was good to breathe some sea air and to have chance to worship in a few different churches... to listen and to receive, rather than to prepare. We visited York, for a few days first and enjoyed attending a couple of Evensong services at the Minster.. resting back to listen to the special choirs, and then we headed home via Lincoln, and went to Evensong at the Cathedral. We enjoyed the ambiance and the music and also the sense of prayer which has been laid down by faithful folk over so many years. We headed south for the rest of the holiday and I enjoyed going to Sunday morning services at a local church, with a choir supporting the singing, and a thought provoking sermon both weeks. It is good to be able to listen and mull over the Bible passages, without having to be the one preparing a sermon! But the holiday is over, and we are now back in full swing.
The week has been busy with a school assembly and Pop Up Tea Room at Chalgrave on Wednesday – with lots of folk and wonderful refreshments, then we had a wonderful Messy Church yesterday with about 30 children (and their parents), enjoying making crafts about ‘Light’ after a story introduction by Malcolm, with the children finishing with a hot tea and cake. On Thursday, Toddington Church hosted the funeral of Catherine Stringer. The village turned out in force to pay their respects to a special lady who had served them for 36 years at the Social Club and who was much loved. Our thoughts and prayers reach out to Matey, Rachael, Robert, Matty and Caroline, and the family.
Today, Toddington Community Fridge was well attended again, with a wonderful selection of foods provided from Tesco, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer and contributions by others too. Thank you so much for your support.
As we look ahead to next week and future events, I suspect the weeks will continue to be busy! Next Sunday, 3rd November, we hold In Loving Memory Services at both Chalgrave Church (2pm) and Toddington Church (4pm) to remember loved ones who have died. If you would like to remember your special loved ones who are not with us any more (regardless of where they lived), do please either add their names to the list in church, or email me their names and so I can read them out in the ILM service. I would encourage you to attend please, so you can light a candle in their memory. It’s not the same if I read out a list of names and there is no-one there to remember them personally.
The following Sunday will be Remembrance Sunday (10th November). After a 9.30am Benefice Service at Toddington Church, we will move out to the Green to join the Royal British Legion village act of Remembrance. At Chalgrave Church we will have a 2pm short Service of Remembrance in the church grounds, at the memorial cross, followed by a 3pm Remembrance Service at Chalgrave Memorial Hall.
On Tuesday, Youth Group will be meeting at 5.45pm at Wilkinson Hall. The group is for children 9+ and is open to all children, and it would be great to see some of our previous Messy Church older children coming along, if they can. All Welcome. Do please tell your friends that it is on.
Sunday Services 27 October (Bible Sunday)
9.30am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church
11am Holy Communion, Toddington Church
Monday 28th
9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church
2pm Pilates, Wilkinson Hall
Tuesday 29th
10.30am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall
5.45pm Youth Group (please come dressed for a walk)
Wednesday 30th
Church working party, Toddington Church TBC by Dee
Thursday 31st
Bible Study Group (Post Alpha), Rachel and Doug’s house 7pm
Friday 1st Nov
10.30am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall
Saturday 2nd Nov
9.30am Toddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson Hall
Sunday 3rd Nov
11am Benefice Holy Communion Service Toddington Church
2pm In Loving Memory Service, Chalgrave Church
4pm In Loving Memory Service, Toddington Church
Other events:
Tuesday 5th November,
3pm Toddington PCC, Wilkinson Hall
Thursday 7th November
Ploughman’s Lunch, Wilkinson Hall
Saturday 9th November,
11-4pm Chalgrave Christmas Craft Fayre, Chalgrave Memorial Hall – see photo above
9.30am Saturday 9th November, Toddington Community Fridge
10am Saturday 9th November, Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall
Sunday 10th November,
9.30am Benefice Holy Communion, Toddington Church
10.40am Remembrance parade and service on Toddington Green
2pm Remembrance Service, Chalgrave churchyard
3pm Remembrance Service, Chalgrave Memorial Hall.
Do get in touch with any concerns or requests for prayer.
With love and best wishes
Linda
Rev Linda Washington
Rector
Toddington and Chalgrave