Hello Everyone Easter Week can be calmer, after the intensity of Easter Day and the events of Holy Week. There is a chance to consider the enormity of what has just happened, the hope that has entered the world and what shape it takes. How we need that hope at the moment. Our prayers continue for world peace and practically we reach out offering love, the very nature of God. We hope the past week has been good for you. We are now challenged to personally consider the implications of the resurrection as the story of Jesus continues. This Sunday's gospel focuses on Thomas and his desire for the physical evidence of the resurrection. His questioning can help our thought processes as we move forward with faith. Following the calm of Easter Week, this week at Toddington Church steps up the pace as we begin a full week of activity with various events to commemorate St George, and the special 800 years anniversary year of St George's Church. We end the week with a special celebration service on Saturday 30th April with Bishop Richard and an evening concert at 7.30 pm. Different events during the week include an 'Art Attack' for children on Friday, a talk on the life and times of St George on Wednesday and a country walk on Thursday. The week commences this Saturday with a coffee morning, and a Ceildih supper and dance at 7.30 pm. Services on Sunday 24th April Chalgrave Church 9.30 am Holy Communion Linda Harlington Church 9.30 am Holy Communion - Nigel and Robert Toddington Church 11.00 am Holy Communion - Linda Westoning Church 11.00 am All Age Service (on screen) 'Removing Thomas' Doubt.' Story, songs, activity and refreshment. The Upper Room via zoom at 6.00 pm 'Easter and Beyond.' Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84669731354?pwd=cmdiOVFpNkpPdFI3bk02OHNlRXYzdz09 For details of joining please contact Revd Linda Events from Saturday 23rd April 2022 (the start of St George of England activity week) Saturday 23rd April (St George's Day) 10.00 am - 12.00 noon Coffee Morning - Wilkinson Hall 7.30 -10.30 pm Ceildih supper and dance, Wilkinson Hall (tickets from Dee or Punch Opticians) Monday 25th April Morning Prayer, Toddington Church, 9.30 am Funeral of Jill Martin at N Herts crematorium at 10.00 am - Nigel CTTC Meeting 10.30 am Wilkinson Hall Funeral of Geoffrey Bassett at Westoning Church at 1.00 pm – Nigel Tuesday 26th April Westcaf (free coffee, cake and good company)10.00 am – 12.00 noon at Westoning VH Sewing Bee 1.00 – 3.00 pm at Westoning VH Knitting Group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon Wilkinson Hall Toddington/Chalgrave PCC Safeguarding training session 6.00 pm The Rectory Westoning Church AGM postponed until 22nd May at 12.30 pm Wednesday 27th April Harlington Morning Service 10.00 am Pop Up Tea Room Tebworth Memorial Hall 11.00 am – 1.00 pm Talk about the life and times of St George by Janet, Wilkinson Hall 3.00 pm Tingrith Church AGM in church at 4.00 pm Harlington Church AGM in church at 7.30 pm Thursday 28th April Lodge Farm 4 mile Morning Walk. Start 10.00 am Wilkinson Hall, and finish back at the Hall for coffee. Friday 29th April Painting for Pleasure Group, 10-12 noon, Wilkinson Hall Funeral of Linda Tweedie at Westoning Church at 12 noon - Nigel 'Art Attack' for children of all ages, Toddington Church 3.15 – 5.30 pm. Come and celebrate St George's 800 year history - and paint some dragons too! Saturday 30th April 800 Years Celebration Service for St George's Church, 3.00 pm with Bishop Richard. Musical Concert at Toddington Church at 7.30 pm with music from 'Quintet of Six'. Sending you our very best wishes Linda and Nigel
16th April 2022Hello Everyone, What a glorious Easter weekend this has been, where the sunshine has filled us with a sense of momentum and some optimism as Spring shows itself in full glory. Holy Week has been marked by a faithful following of the journey of Christ into Jerusalem and Linda and I attended a packed St Albans Abbey for the Maundy Thursday Chrism Service when the oils for anointing are blessed and ministers renewed their vows. The singing was tremendous and the whole occasion very uplifting. We held our own services for Maundy Thursday in our churches to mark Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples. These were more intimate and still so special. Then Good Friday plunged us into the reality of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. With the altars stripped, the starkness and enormity of what Jesus did for each one of us hit home. Now we are on the cusp of Easter Day and the celebration of the Resurrection, a reason for real hope, a reason for true momentum. Services will reflect the joy of this Easter season Easter Day Services7.00 am Westoning Church, Dawn Service followed by Breakfast. All welcome- Nigel 9.30 am Chalgrave Church, Holy Communion - Linda 9.30 am Harlington Church, Holy Communion - Nigel and Robert9.30 am Tingrith Church, Morning Praise - Jon. 11.00 am Toddington Church, Holy Communion - Linda 11.00 am Westoning Church, Holy Communion - Nigel Other services and events this weekMonday 18th April - Bank HolidayTuesday 19th AprilWestcaf 10.00 am – 12.00 noon Westoning Village Hall Knitting Group, 10.30 am – 12.00 noon Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Sewing Bees 1.00 pm Westoning Village Hall Wednesday 20th April Harlington Morning Service at 10.00 am? (might not meet this week) Thursday 21st AprilFellowship with Friends 2.00 pm Wilkinson Hall Friday 22nd AprilPainting for Pleasure Group Wilkinson Hall, 10.30 am – 12.00 noon Saturday 23rd April Coffee Morning 10.00 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson HallCelebrate St George's Day - 7.30 pm Ceilidh Dance and Supper (but bring own drinks), Wilkinson Hall. Tickets £12 (or £30 for families) from Punch Opticians or Dee on 01525 872649A couple of dates for your diaries: Children's Art Attack, Toddington Church, 3.30 - 5.30pm Friday 29th April with Stanley Greening.800 yrs Celebration Service with Bishop Richard, Toddington Church 30th April, 3pm. Wishing you all a very Happy Easter, and sending our love and prayers Linda and Nigel PS: We'll send a follow-on email later this week with information about other upcoming events.
Hello Everyone Holy Week begins on Sunday with Palm Sunday as we remember Jesus's entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey to cheering joyful crowds. During the morning services, Palm Crosses will be blessed and distributed to the congregations. Samson the Donkey will make a special appearance at Harlington Church and a pony will be visiting Westoning Church. Bishop Richard is visiting as a special guest this week at Tingrith and Westoning churches and at Toddington we offer our first monthly Messy Church Sunday morning with crafts and breakfast, at Wilkinson Hall. As we move further into Holy Week, on Maundy Thursday Clergy and Readers (and members of our congregations) are invited to attend the annual Chrism service at St Albans where we will renew our ministry vows and observe the blessing of the Holy Oils to be used in our parishes during the year. If you would like to attend this service with us, please liaise with Linda and Nigel so we can sort lifts. You will be very welcome. The Maundy Thursday evening services in our local churches remember Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples, before Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he had gone to pray. Holy Week then moves swiftly forward into Good Friday, with services and events to mark Jesus' journey to the cross. These services vary from a Walk of Witness in Harlington (with Churches together) to re-enact the Easter Story, a morning family service at Westoning with children and families sharing craft and stories to remember the special day, and an Easter reflective service at Chalgrave church. During the week, Toddington church will be open to enable visitors to follow the Easter Encounter stations to interact with Jesus' journey. Good Friday afternoon 'Last Hour at the Cross' services will be held at Westoning, Harlington and Toddington at 2.00 pm, to offer quiet reflective services watching and waiting with Jesus during His final hour on the Cross. Easter Saturday (or Holy Saturday) is also remembered but there are no services in church, and we meet again in church on Easter Day to celebrate the day of Jesus' resurrection, when visitors to the tomb discovered that Jesus' body was no longer there, because 'Jesus is Alive' - 'He is Risen'. We invite you to walk the way of the cross with us this Easter time. Jesus is the reason for the season! Palm Sunday services on 10th April 2022 9.15 am - 10.30 ish Palm Sunday, Messy Church with Breakfast, Wilkinson Hall - Rebecca 9.30 am Chalgrave Church, Holy Communion - Linda 9.30 am Tingrith Church, Holy Communion with Bishop Richard and Jon 9.30 am Harlington Church, Holy Communion - Nigel and Robert 11.00 am Toddington Church, Holy Communion - Linda 11.00 am Westoning Church, Holy Communion - Bishop Richard and Nigel 6.00 pm Palm Sunday Upper Room https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83832337842?pwd=V0RCUERQRVFqR0VQR0ZkY2hXbEZPQT09 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Other services and events from Sunday 10th April Monday 11th April Morning Prayer, Toddington 9.3 0am Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall with Jo at 2.00 pm Tuesday 12th April Westcaf 10.00 am - 12.00 noon Westoning Village Hall Knitting Group, 10.30 am – 12.00 noon Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Sewing Bees 1.15 pm Westoning Village Hall Youth Group 5.30 pm - 7.00 pm (years 4,5, and 6) Wednesday 13th April Harlington Morning Service at 10.00 am Lent Lunch, Wilkinson Hall, 12.00 noon - 1.15 pm - proceeds to Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Thursday (Maundy Thursday) 14th April St Albans Abbey Maundy Thursday Chrism service 11.00 am Fellowship afternoon with friends 2.00 pm Wilkinson Hall Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Service 6.00 pm, Toddington - Linda Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Service 7.30 pm Westoning - Nigel Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Service 7.45 pm Harlington - Linda and Robert Friday (Good Friday) 15th April Good Friday reflective service 9.30 am, Chalgrave Church Walk of Witness, 10.00 am Harlington finishing at Harlington Church (more information from Robert) Good Friday Family Service, Westoning Church 10.00 am (No Churches Together Walk of Witness in Toddington this year) 'The Last Hour at the Cross' 2.00 pm services at Harlington, Toddington and Westoning Churches Easter Sunday 17th April 7.00 am Dawn Service followed by breakfast, Westoning Church 9.30 am service Chalgrave 9.30 am service at Harlington 11.00 am Service at Toddington 11.00 am Service at Westoning Looking ahead to 23rd April, Toddington Church is planning some special events to celebrate St George's Day: 'Art Attack' in church in the morning Coffee Morning in Wilkinson Hall 7.30 pm Ceildiih with Ploughman's supper, Wilkinson Hall. For information about tickets, please contact Dee Thinking of you all and sending our love and prayers Linda and Nigel
Hello EveryoneThe Easter school holidays are now underway. Families, children and teachers will be glad of time to rest and to have a well-deserved break with good weather. (We have had a request to pray for sunshine.. so please do pray for this). The weather this week has been so strange with glorious sunshine, cold winds, snow flurries and a return to winter temperatures. Hopefully, we will soon emerge again into warmer sunnier days, which will match the emerging Springtime flowers. As the daffodils begin to fade, the hyacinths are bursting forth along with tree buds, forsythia and blossoms. New life is emerging with the lengthening of days and the approach of Easter. It is the season to take stock and to reflect as we journey towards Jerusalem with Jesus at the beginning of Passiontide. Our Lent course this week reminded us to slow down and appreciate each day and to connect with Jesus in his trial and challenges. Nigel and I both led Collective Worship in local schools, and enjoyed the wonderful opportunity to engage with the children in the Easter story. It was Nigel's first time into Westoning Lower School for 2 years, since the start of Covid, so it was a very special time, talking to the children about Jesus' journey from the desert into Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday, and beyond to the events of Holy Week. He talked about Jesus' act of breaking of bread and sharing with his friends and the reason why Good Friday is called 'Good', when Jesus surrendered to the cross. One 8 year old answered: It's GOOD Friday because God revived Jesus.Linda loved watching the year 3 Easter performance on Tuesday about how the wood, from three different trees, served such special roles for Jesus. Year 2 children also came into church for an Easter Experience stopping at different interactive zones to explore more about Jesus' journey. Do please pop into Toddington church in the days leading up to Easter to spend a quiet time reflecting and praying and connecting with the Easter story.It is so easy to rush to Easter without experiencing the truths of the approaching days which can mature us and deepen our understanding of what it means for us. So let us all take time to slow down to engage more fully with this very special season and to walk with Jesus.Services for Sunday 3rd AprilBook of Common Prayer Holy Communion Service, Harlington 8am - NigelHoly Communion Service Harlington, at 9.30am - Nigel and JonFamily Breakfast at the Parish rooms and Animal Farm on the Bury, Harlington 10am - with stories and crafts, and animals to view - presented by St Mary's and Life Church together this month - RebeccaChalgrave : Holy Communion Service 9.30am - LindaToddington: Holy Communion Service 11am - LindaWestoning: Holy Communion Service at 11am - Nigel and JonUpper Room 6pm 'Passiontide' Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87913734258?pwd=ZXByOGRVZFhScnhrakZDM2FGZDhSQT09Meeting ID: 879 1373 4258. Passcode: 798443Other Events and Services this week 3rd AprilSunday 3rdWestoning: 3pm Amalfi String Quartet Afternoon Tea at Flitwick Cricket Club (Contact Joyce for info)Monday 4thMorning Prayer: 9.30am Toddington ChurchHarlington Lent Course at Mary's at 3pmHarlington PCC, in church, at 7.30pmTuesday 5thWestcaf 10-12noon at Westoning Village HallKnitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington, 10.30-12 noonSewing Bee 1-3pm at Westoning Village HallJoy's funeral (of Harlington) at Luton Crematorium at 2pm - NigelYouth group (years 4, 5, and 6) Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 5.30-7pmWednesdayTwig Easter Breakfast at Westoning Village Hall, 9am -10.15amMidweek Service, 10am Harlington ChurchLent lunch, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington, 12 noon to 1.15pm, raising funds for Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (see poster)Toddington PCC on zoom 7.30pm tbc8pm '60 Minutes with God Prayer Time'. Zoom link available from NigelThursdayPloughman's lunches Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 12-2pm (see attached poster)Final session of online Lent Course, 'Unanswered Prayer' via zoom at 7.45pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87550086028?pwd=RlIvKzhydnJUOWdhSXhNZ29YaUh2QT09Meeting ID: 875 5008 6028. Passcode: 380530FridayPainting for Pleasure group Wilkinson Hall, 10.30am to 12 noon ToddingtonFriday Fellowship at Westoning Village Hall 2-4pmSaturdayMen's Breakfast at The Chequers in Westoning with speaker Archdeacon Dave Middlebrook. Contact Phil Steer to reserve a place (01525) 862357.Advance Notice: Palm Sunday Services:Messy Church Palm Sunday Breakfast 9.15-10.30am(ish), Wilkinson Hall, Toddington. The new monthly Messy Church Breakfast where breakfast will be provided and there will be Craft and Story too. The Bishop of Bedford will be leading the services at Tingrith and Westoning on Palm Sunday, 10th April. There will be a pony in the churchyard at Westoning between 10.30 and 11.15am. At Harlington 9.30am service, Samson the Donkey will be making an appearance.We hope you all have a good week and look forward to linking with you at some of the above events.God blessLinda and Nigel
