Hello EveryoneI hope you have had a good week. Today is the 1st of July .. how can this be already?! As I write I hear a click of a ball against willow on the TV in the distance with two Ashes Cricket matches underway today, and next week Wimbledon will be in full force.. so Summer is officially here! Schools are busy preparing end of year performances with the staff and children looking forward to the Summer holidays after another very busy year. Nigel and I enjoyed a visit to Hidcote Gardens in the week marvelling at the array of flowers and fragrances, and next week we head off to a day at Hampton Court Flower show, so we too are enjoying the beauty of summer.This weekend the Friends of St George's Church have organised a busy Open Gardens experience, to raise funds for the church building, with about 17 gardens open for viewing around Toddington (tickets/programmes available at Wilkinson Hall). It is wonderful that so many people are willing to share their gardens, Thank-you! I am excited to walk around the different gardens, to have a chat on the way, to gather up inspiration and ideas, to meet people, to buy a few plants from the plant stall and have a piece of cake over a cuppa at Wilkinson Hall. I am so grateful for everyone's generosity of time and commitment, and to the willingness to share a joy of gardening and the blessings that fresh air brings. The Open Gardens are a joy each year. Opening Times: Saturday 11.00 am – 5.00 pm, Sunday 1.00 6.00 pmThis week the monthly Pop-Up Tea Room at Tebworth Memorial Hall provided a lovely gathering for folks from the villages, again enjoying a cuppa and cake (or a sausage roll, scone or quiche) and a natter and catch up. A special time for Chalgrave Church and the villages. Again, thank you to all involved.Looking ahead to this week, on Thursday, Toddington will host their monthly ploughman's lunch which will be swiftly followed on Saturday, by a coffee morning. More lovely opportunities to gather over food. I send a huge thank you to everyone who keeps these functions alive and resourced. The Chalgrave and Toddington teams are such expert cakemakers and providers.. and are keen to extend a warm welcome at events and in church.Youth group also enjoyed meeting up last Tuesday for a fun visit to the park and they meet again this Tuesday at Wilkinson Hall. This Sunday's Services - 2 July 20239.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church - Linda and Nigel11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church - Linda (and possibly Nigel)This week's events:Monday 3rd9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington ChurchTuesday 4th10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall11.00 am Funeral, Toddington Church5.45 pm Youth GroupWednesday 5th7.00 pm Dunstable Deanery Synod, St Mary's Eaton BrayThursday 6th12.00 noon Ploughman's lunch, Wilkinson HallFriday 7th10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson HallSaturday 8th10.00 am Coffee Morning, Wilkinson HallSunday 9th July9.30 am Morning service, (second Sunday of the month - outdoors service, in the church grounds - if the weather is dry), Chalgrave Church11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington ChurchSending you every good wishLindaRector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone What glorious weather it has been this week. The sunshine set the scene beautifully today for the Toddington village fete. There was much laughter and happy chatter as folks supped beer and ice-cream whilst exploring the stalls. I loved the children's street dancing - so much focused energy by the children, inspired by their energetic, smiling teacher. It was a wonderfully happy afternoon. Well done and thank you to everyone involved in organising the event - and to those who provided refreshments in Wilkinson Hall. It was a great success, and it's wonderful to hear that plans are already afoot for next year's fete. Looking ahead this week we will have Pop Up Tea Room at Tebworth Memorial Hall on Wednesday, swiftly followed by the Friends organised Toddington Open Gardens next weekend.. besides the usual regular weekly events. I pray the sun continues to shine this week for you and your families. This Sunday's Services 9.30am Holy Communion Service, in Chalgrave Church 11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church This week's events: Monday 26th June 9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington church 2pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall Tuesday 27th June 10.30am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 28th June 10-12 noon Toddington Church, gardening working party. 11-1pm Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall Thursday 29th June PCC meeting - postponed Friday 30th June 10.30am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 1st July/Sunday 2nd July Toddington Open Gardens, with plant stall and refreshments at Wilkinson Hall. Saturday 11-5pm, Sunday 1-6pm Tickets available from Wilkinson Hall or at participating gardens. £5 each adult, accompanying children free. 'Spot the clue' game for children too. (poster attached) Have a lovely week. Best wishes Linda
Hello Everyone What a wonderful evening, with a welcome breeze in the air after such a hot day. I hope you have coped well with the high temperatures. It was a joy to lead a wedding today, with sunshine beaming down on the guests as they gathered, although I suspect I wasn't the only one glad of the cool of the church for a while. The church looked so special with its neatly cut grass, set against the backdrop of bright blue sky and smartly trimmed village green in the foreground. I smiled to see the wedding party gathered by Toddington pond for a set of special family photos after the church wedding. Toddington village is such a special place. Chalgrave Church is also very special and tomorrow morning (weather permitting) we are planning to meet outdoors for our morning service, in the beautiful grounds where we enjoyed so many services during lockdown. The chirp of the birds and the rustle of the leaves on the trees is such a wonderful setting and one can't help but ponder of the wonder of creation, in the midst of the peace and calm of the setting. Do join us, if you can. You will be most welcome (but please bring a garden chair to sit on - and if thunder storms begin earlier than expected.. we'll retreat into the church). This Sunday, 11th June, services: 9.30 am Morning Praise service, Chalgrave church - Linda 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Linda Next Sunday, 18th June, services: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Linda 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Linda 6.00 pm Evensong Service, Toddington Church - Malcolm Upcoming events: Monday 12th June 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 13th June 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45 pm Youth Group, starting at Wilkinson Hall, but then heading out for a walk. Wednesday 14th June 10.00 am to 12.00 noon- Church Grounds Working party, Toddington Thursday 15th June 2.00 – 4.00 pm St George's Fellowship, Wilkinson Hall. Friday 16th June Painting for Pleasure 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 17th June 10.00 am Cake stall on Toddington Green Chalgrave Games - with tea and cake refreshments served by Chalgrave Church Friday 23rd June - Messy Church, 3.30 pm. My thoughts are with you all and even though my 'out of office' will be on from Sunday afternoon until next Saturday evening as we step back for almost a week, you will remain very much in my thoughts and prayers. God bless Linda
Hello Everyone So here I am sitting here in a fleece in June waiting for Summer! Is anyone else finding it chilly? The flowers and the shrubs seem to be thriving with roses and other flowers starting to emerge.. unfortunately, the stickyback and other weeds seem to be growing faster! I have been shocked at how dry the soil is despite the heavy rains leading into May. But all is good, and it is so lovely to spend time outdoors, with longer brighter days. Last week Luton gained a landmark football win, and today the FA cup final will be played at Wembley with many people struggling on the roads due to the rail strike. I pray you will be safe and have a lovely weekend. This Sunday is Trinity Sunday when we consider that difficult concept of the Trinitarian God - God, three in one.. God the Father - the creator of heaven and earth, our heavenly father; Jesus - God's son sent to earth to teach us and demonstrate to us, the love of God; and then the Holy Spirit which we remembered last week at Pentecost - sent to us all to be our counsellor, our helper and our guide - sent after the Ascension of Jesus Christ, to support us. It is a difficult concept to grasp. This Sunday our readings are also about the 'Great Commission' when we are called, like Jesus' disciples, to follow him. This Sunday's services: 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave church, Linda and Nigel 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington church, Linda and Nigel This week's services and events Monday 5th June 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 11.00 am Funeral of Kenneth Baker Dieckhoff, Toddington Church Tuesday 6th June 10.30 am Knitting Group Wednesday 7th June 9.30 am - 11.30 am Church Cleaning party, Toddington Church Thursday 8th June 2.00 – 4.00 pm Afternoon with Friends, Wilkinson Hall Friday 9th June 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure 11.00 am funeral of Ted Itzinger - Luton Crematorium Saturday 10th June 10.00 am Coffee Morning 12.00 noon wedding, Toddington Church Future events: Evensong Sunday 18th June, 6.00 pm, Toddington Church Messy Church 3.30 `pm Friday 23rd June Open Gardens 1st and 2nd of July, entrance tickets from Wilkinson Hall on the day. Offers of support for the plant stall and for serving refreshments will be welcomed. Please link with Dee for further information Thank you to everyone who has helped in any way at church, or at events, this week. You do so much, and we would not manage without you. God bless Linda
