Hello EveryoneWhat glorious weather we have had this week (if you like it hot!), but next week promises to be even hotter - 😓. Do please take care of yourselves. With a red alert weather warning on the horizon for Monday and Tuesday, and now possibly extending into Wednesday, it's not a week to be running marathons! The Toddington schools, and Toddington Childcare, have issued letters to parents offering to release students at 1pm on the red alert days, if parents wish to take them home before the heat peaks. There is also advice to open the windows of your home in the early hours of the morning to let cool air in but then close windows and curtains later before the heat really starts, to keep your homes as cool as possible. Please look after yourselves and keep safe.This Sunday we are excited to be hosting a charity concert for Ukraine at St George's Church, Toddington at 7pm with the very talented Mariia and Izabella entertaining us with live music and songs.. some of which they have composed. They will also be sharing about their beautiful country and the problems which they, and many others are now facing. Please do come and support them. There is no charge for entry but donations will be invited to raise funds for Ukraine.This Sunday's services:9.30am Chalgrave Church, Holy Communion - Rev Roger Wood9.30am Harlington Church, All age worship, with Communion - Nigel and Linda9.30am Tingrith Church, Morning Prayer - Jon11am Toddington Church, Holy Communion - Rev Roger Wood11am Westoning Church, Holy Communion - Nigel and Linda7pm Ukraine Charity Concert, St George of England Church, Toddington (see attached poster and information below)This is a special concert by Ukrainian Mariia and Izabella, two highly talented young ladies who will be sharing their own stories from Ukraine and also a larger picture about the historical background, set alongside quality songs and music.A Message from Mariia & Izabella:I want to thank you for all your help and support! It is very much appreciated! I am very happy to meet such wonderful people in a new country! Thank you very much! Here is a little more information about our next event. Now, so many people can not only point out where our country is on the map, but also list all the districts of Kiev. They talk about Ukraine everywhere. But what is Ukraine?The Ukrainian language is considered one of the best sounding in the world, but how does our music sound? We sing both in joy and in sorrow. So which songs were key for us during different historical events? What kind of places did we see from the window when we rushed to work or our first date? If someone asked us to describe our region in a few words, what would we say? Or what kind of music would we create, trying to describe Ukraine with melodies and sounds?Mariia Yaremak (composer, singer) and Izabella Ivashchenko (vocalist), have prepared a special concert-performance about Ukraine, where we would like to share with the world the soulfulness of our people, show the infinite beauty of our lands, as well as to attract the attention of people from other countries to the current events. For this we have combined live performance, video and the stories of eyewitnesses into a single production to immerse people into an atmosphere of art and emotions - those languages that we can understand without words. The performance will be in English, but the songs will be performed in Ukrainian. So if you are someone who would like to know a little more about Ukraine, or if you would like to hear more Ukrainian music in the author's interpretation - we will be very happy to see you! Our event can tell the British more about what people in Ukraine are going through now, understand their feelings and way of life. And for Ukrainians it will be an opportunity to meet and get acquainted with their citizens and also to feel the atmosphere of something close here, in the new country.Other Events and services this week:Usual weekly events plus these new notices:Youth Group Toddington, on Tuesday at 5.45pm will be postponed to a later, cooler date! We will keep the families informed of any new date.Wednesday 10am Westoning School Assembly in church5pm Westoning PCC 7pm Petal and Purl Meeting, Toddington7.30pm Harlington PCCFridayAn Evening with the Vicar Harlington Village Hall 7.30pmWedding rehearsal Toddington 5pmSchools close for the Summer holiday. Saturday12 noon Wedding at Toddington Church12.15pm Baptism at Westoning ChurchSunday 24th July11am Toddington Church - Holy Communion Service with baptismCovidCovid cases are rising. Apparently, 1 in 18 people nationally may now be infected so you may wish to consider taking precautions to protect yourselves in an enclosed public area.We send you our love and prayersLinda and Nigel
Hello Everyone What glorious weather we are having! Next week's forecast is promising too - promising a heat wave, so blue skies, sunshine and summer days are upon us.Last weekend was such a lovely time with the open gardens in Toddington, and the fete at Westoning. People came out in strength to support the churches, which is such a blessing. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to making the events so special. Last weekend was also special because the Reverend Jenna Dearden, who used to be at Westoning Church, was ordained as priest at The Priory Church in Dunstable, alongside 3 other curates from different churches. The service was led by the Bishop of Bedford and was well attended. We send our heartfelt congratulations to Jenna who will continue to serve in Dunstable. For those wishing to see the service of ordination last Friday and the following Sunday service where Jenna led and celebrated Communion, please go to the links below.https://youtu.be/19roYLcgMUIhttps://youtu.be/3qNQPab2njc Next Saturday Harlington Church will host the Nature Day (postponed from this Sunday). We are also excited to announce the charity concerts at both Harlington Church tomorrow evening 7.00 pm and at Toddington Parish Church next Sunday 17th at 7.00 pm. Do please come along if you can and invite your friends and neighbours. Donations in aid of Ukraine. Our services this Sunday 10 July 20229.30 am Chalgrave Church Holy Communion Service - Linda and Malcolm9.30 am Harlington Church, Holy Communion Service - Nigel and Robert11.00 am Toddington Church, Holy Communion Service - Linda and Malcolm11.00 am Westoning Church, Holy Communion Service - Nigel and SteveNo service at Tingrith this SundayNo Upper Room online Service this week. Now on 4th Sunday each month. Next service - 24 July 6.00 pm 7.00 pm Ukraine Charity Concert with music and songs, setting the scene about Ukraine.. with Izabella and Mariia, Harlington Church 10 July, 7.00 pm - see attached poster This week's services and events:Activities at Westoning are as normal this week.Monday 11 July9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 12 July10.00 am Westcaf - Westoning Village hall10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall1.00 pm Sewing Bee, Westoning Village Hall(No Toddington Youth group this week)Wednesday 13 July10.00 am Morning Service, Harlington ChurchDunstable Deanery Synod 7pm7.30 pm An Evening with the Vicar, Flitwick Cricket Club (ticket only - event sold out)Thursday 14 JulyFuneral of Mark Bonner, Westoning Church, 2.00 pmToddington PCC at the Rectory 7.30 pmFriday 15 July10.30 am Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington1.15 pm Little Stars, Westoning Church2.00 pm Friday Fellowship, Westoning Village HallSaturday 16 JulyHarlington Church hosts the Nature Watch Day (See Poster attached and More information from Tricia)Toddington Cake stall on the Green from 9.30 amSunday 17 July9.30 am Tingrith Church, Morning Prayer Service - Jon9.30 am All age family Service at Harlington Church - Nigel and Linda (with Nicholas)9.30 am Chalgrave Church, Holy Communion Service - Rev Roger Wood11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington 11.00 am Outdoor Open Air Service at Westoning - Nigel 7.00 pm Ukraine Charity Concert with music and songs, setting the scene about Ukraine.. with Izabella and Mariia, Toddington Church 17 July Tickets are available for an Evening with the Vicar (Nigel) at Harlington Village Hall on 22 July 2022. More information from Tricia... see attached poster. We wish you a blessed week. Linda and Nigel
Hello Everyone The sun is shining, and it will hopefully be a lovely weekend, thinking particularly of Westoning Fete tomorrow and the Toddington Open Gardens which people will be kindly opening in Toddington this weekend. Thank you so much to all involved. This afternoon at Toddington, we look forward to hosting our Messy Church children and families at Wilkinson Hall from 3.15 to 5.30 pm. Today's craft theme is 'Perseverance'. This evening at 7.00 pm at Priory Church, Dunstable, Jenna Dearden (previously from Westoning Church) alongside some other local curate colleagues will be ordained as 'Priest' at a special service, and we send our love and prayers to Jenna on this very significant day. She will be celebrating her first Communion Service at Priory Church on Sunday morning at 10.30 am and has asked Nigel to preach. Tomorrow, Westoning Church holds its Summer Fete in the church grounds from 12.30 pm until 4.00 pm. It promises to be a special time with local community enjoying fun activities and stalls, refreshments, tombolas and Woburn Sands Band. Poster attached Tomorrow and Sunday there is the wonderful opportunity to wander around gardens at Toddington Open Gardens, organised by the Friends of St George's Church. Gardens are open between 11.00 am and 5.00 pm on Saturday and 1.00 – 6.00 pm on Sunday. Tickets are available from Wilkinson Hall, where refreshments will also be served, accompanied by a plant and book stall. Sunday Services this week 3rd July 8.00 am BCP Holy Communion, Harlington Church - Nigel 9.15 am Family Breakfast at Harlington Parish Rooms. Theme 'BBq on the Beach' plus breakfast, craft, story and song - Rebecca and team 9.30 am Morning Prayer Service, Harlington - Robert 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave (inside.. rain forecast at 10) - Linda 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington, Linda and Malcolm 11.00 am Morning Prayer, Westoning - Jon 12.45 pm Baptism Service, Westoning - Nigel No Upper Room this week. Next Upper room service will be Sunday 24th July. Other services and events this week Friday 1st July 3.15 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 2nd July 9.00 am Men's Breakfast, Westoning. Speaker from the Foodbank. Tickets from Phil Steer. Toddington Open Gardens: Saturday 11.00 am – 5.00 pm, Sunday 1.00 – 6.00 pm Westoning Church Fete, 12.30 – 4.00 pm Monday 4th July 9.30 am Morning Prayer at Toddington Church Tuesday 5th July 10.00 am – 12.00 noon Westcaf, Westoning Village Hall 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 1.00 pm Sewing Bees, Westoning Village Hall 5.45 pm -7.15 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington for yrs 4, 5, 6 Wednesday 6th July 10.00 am Morning Service, Harlington Church 3.30 pm TWIG, picnic in Westoning Church grounds. Thursday 7th July 12.00 noon Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 12.00 noon Wedding Blessing, Harlington Church - Nigel Friday 8th July, 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.00 - 6.30 pm Westoning Youth Group Picnic in Church grounds Saturday 9th July Nature Day at Harlington Church with activities for all, especially children and families. More information to follow. 12.30 pm Baptism Service Westoning Church - Nigel Future events: 22 July. An Evening with the Vicar (Nigel), Harlington Church, which includes a 2 course meal, Tickets available from Tricia A similar evening is planned for Westoning on 13th July but is already sold out. If you would like to attend please contact Linda Little to ask to be added to their waiting list or book alternatively for Harlington. (Poster attached). Finally, a sensitive reminder please that the local Food Banks are in need of our support.. even if you can just bring one item a week to church, it will help them to provide for families in need. Also, if you know of any family in need, please be aware that we, as ministers, are able to make referrals to the foodbank. Tomorrow the Foodbank is the subject of Men's Breakfast. Tickets from Phil Steer, or contact Nigel or Linda 01525 714442 Enjoy the weekend and the week's services and events. We look forward to seeing you and thank you in advance for your support of the local churches. God bless Linda and Nigel
Hello Everyone The sun has been shining this week which is always a bonus. It has been a busy week between us with a wedding, a confirmation service at Westoning, five baptisms, two funerals and a burial of ashes, two school assemblies, a hospital visit, planning meetings for future weddings, funerals and baptisms, a PCC meeting and School Governor's meeting, a Friends Meeting, pastoral care and support to the bereaved and those in need, besides the usual services and events. There have been many special moments of joy and blessing and moments of deep sadness. A day as a minister is always varied but a huge privilege. This Sunday's Services are: 9.15 am-10.30 am Messy Church Breakfast and Crafts, Wilkinson Hall - Rebecca 9.30 am Chalgrave Church -Holy Communion Service - Linda 9.30 am Harlington Church- Holy Communion Service - Nigel and Robert 11.00 am Toddington Church - Holy Communion Service - Linda 11.00 am Westoning Church - Holy Communion - Nigel 1.00 pm Baptism service, Toddington Church - Linda 3.00 pm Tingrith Church Community service with Holy Communion - Nigel and Linda This month's Upper Room Service, 6.00 pm - theme 'Fathers'. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81199862803?pwd=o6Olx5c6g4lpkcgjeZudygxsiKpTQa.1 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Other Services and Events next week Monday 27th June 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 3.30 pm Funeral of Derek Shields, Bedford Crematorium - Linda Tuesday 28th June 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 10.00 am Westcaf, Westoning Village Hall 1.00 pm Sewing Bee, Westoning Village Hall Wednesday 29th June 10.00am Morning Service, Harlington Church Thursday 30th June 8.00 pm Harlington Churches Together meeting Friday 1st July Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 10.30 am Little Stars Westoning Church, 1.15 pm Friday Fellowship 2.00 pm Westoning Village Hall Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington from 3.15 pm Saturday 2nd July Open Gardens and Plant Stall, Toddington (Saturday and Sunday) - tickets and refreshments Wilkinson Hall- organised by the Friends of Toddington Parish Church (see poster) Church Fete in Church Grounds, Westoning Church, 12.30 pm until 4.00 pm, with stalls, refreshments and games, and Woburn Sands Band Wishing you a good week Linda and Nigel