So where did this week go?! Can it really be a week since our last email to you.
Sitting here tapping away on a damp mid- afternoon it seems so cold, dark and uninviting outside.. but across the way, lights are twinkling on a neighbour's house which to coin a well-known Christian phrase 'shines in the darkness' and brings hope. I am reminded that this is the season of looking to the light.. to the Light of Jesus, a time during the Advent season to reflect, repent and prepare for the coming of Jesus, who is the light of the world.. and the reason for the Season!
Last weekend there was a lot of light at Harlington and Toddington churches. Both churches offered the joy of two Christmas Tree festivals, with twinkling lights and creatively decorated trees (contributed by local organisations), filling the churches with a sense of joy and anticipation. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to the wonderful displays, and to all who came, or helped. Each church raised over £500 which was a brilliant result considering the current Covid climate.
On Friday Tingrith Church rang out with Christmas music and song at their 'fish n hits' evening, with the community choir singing a wonderful selection of songs. Today Harlington folks gathered outside the shop to sing carols and to raise funds for Keech Hospice, led by Barbara and with special guests Samson the donkey and his friend.
The Christmas carol services begin this Sunday at Chalgrave 9.30am Carol Service, followed by Westoning's on Thursday 16th at 7.30pm, Chalgrave's Carols By Candlelight on Saturday 18th at 7pm, Harlington's on Monday 20th at 8pm, and Toddington's on Wednesday 22nd at 7.30pm. Other things to look forward to are Toddington Band playing their Christmas Concert at St George's Church at 2pm this Sunday and next week Nigel and I have been invited to Parkfields and St George's schools to support their Christmas services and assembly, which we are looking forward to. We are also looking forward to Harlington pre-school visiting their Church to hear the Christmas story.
With Covid regulations tightening this week, please note that it is now compulsory to wear a mask in church (unless exempt on health grounds), and there will be a booking system in place for some church services (eg Westoning and Harlington Crib services.). At present, Toddington and Chalgrave churches are not proposing to introduce a booking system, but this will be reviewed as more information is received.
Please find attached posters with details of the Christmas services at Chalgrave, Toddington, Harlington and Westoning Churches.
Please also keep an eye on the church websites, facebook pages, and especially the church 'A Church Near You' pages for any updates.
At the moment it is carry on as normal within our churches. We are not proposing to cancel any Christmas Services and sincerely hope we can all gather together safely this Christmas season - albeit with social distancing and masks in place.
Do please follow guidelines at each church where we will be requesting the wearing of masks and the use of hand sanitiser before entering the church. Let us look out for each other to keep each other safe.
Sunday's services 12th December 2021
Chalgrave Carol Service 9.30am
Harlington Morning Prayer 9.30am
Toddington Holy Communion 11am
Westoning Holy Communion 11am and 3pm Family service
Tingrith Church - no service this week.
The Upper Room 6pm by zoom: Meeting ID: 865 5025 0989 Passcode from Linda or Nigel.
Other services and events this week:Sunday 12th
Toddington Band Christmas concert 2pm in church
Monday 13th
Morning Prayer Toddington 9.30am
No mums and tots group this week.. we will restart in the new year.
Advent course at the Rectory 11am, Toddington
Seated Pilates 2pm is not on this week and moves to Monday 20th instead. Toddington
7.45pm Alpha Advent online gathering
Tuesday 14th
Funeral of Dale 10am Westoning Church
Westcaf 10am Village Hall, Westoning
Sewing Bee Christmas gathering 1pm Village Hall Westoning
Toddington Youth Group 5.30pm Wilkinson Hall
Wednesday 15th
10am Morning Service at Harlington Church
Thursday 16th
Afternoon with Friends 2pm Wilkinson Hall, Toddington
7.30pm service of readings and carols at Westoning Church
Friday 17th
Little Stars 1.15pm Westoning Church
Friday Fellowship 2pm village Hall, Westoning
Saturday 18th
Chalgrave Carols by Candlelight service 7pm
I have spent hours this week setting up Chalgrave church with a card reader and an online donation button on the A Church Near You page. I encourage you all please to consider checking each church's resepective 'A Church Near You' page which has lots of information about the services and a calendar of events. There is also a donation button on each church page (Tingrith's still to be set up) should you find yourself in a position to be able to make a donation online to support your respective church. It is also possible to make regular monthly giving online if you like me, are short of cash nowadays.
I am excited to have also set up Chalgrave Church to join with Harlington and Toddington Churches on the "Easyfundraiser' site, so if you haven't quite finished your Christmas Shopping an easy way to help your church to fundraise is to click on 'Easyfundraiser' first before you shop, and then at no extra expense to yourself you can click to raise funds for the church, and continue on to shop with your chosen retailer, who offer the church charity a donation. It is very easy to do.. but makes such a difference to our churches. Toddington has now raised over £550 and Harlington over £1,000. Here is the link to click: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk
We sincerely thank you for all your support and help in so many different ways.</span
with every good wish
Linda and Nigel
PS: if you need any lateral flow tests, there will be boxes available at each church for you to pick up.