Hello EveryoneWhat glorious days we have experienced this week with strong expressions of Spring: offering colour and optimism. These though are tempered by our thoughts for the Ukrainians and the madness of war. We continue to pray and press in to seek practical expressions of ways to help. If anyone is interested to host a Ukrainian family, do please get in touch with us to let us know so we, as church, can begin to put a support structure in place. Linda attended a meeting at Barton Church on Friday to learn more about what to expect and what the community and host family will need to do if receiving a refugee family. It will be so important to build community links to support the family, and to connect them with other local Ukrainian families. The initial visa application process seems quite complicated but it is important that the procedure is followed correctly before the family travel to England, to make sure support and safeguarding checks are engaged by the local Council. Harlington Community are seeking to offer refuge to a few families and it would be good to connect any potential Toddington, Westoning, Chalgrave or Tingrith hosts too.The Church of England has an online support link for any families seeking to host a refugee family. One thing to stress is to think carefully before committing. The families will be in need of tlc, safety and security. They have been through so much already. It is for a minimum commitment of 6 months.Please remember to put your clocks forward one hour tonight.Services for Mothering Sunday - Sunday March 27th9.30am Chalgrave, Holy Communion Service Linda9.30am Harlington,Mothering Sunday Service Nigel/Robert11am Toddington, Holy Communion Service Linda11am Westoning, All Age Service for Mothering Sunday Nigel3pm Tingrith Mothering Sunday Service Nigel/Jon/LindaUpper Room online service: Theme: Our Mothers Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88516973654?pwd=OVF4RlJLeHJkMWdZMXM5Mjc4a3BPUT09Meeting ID: 885 1697 3654. Passcode: 471104Other services and events during the week:Monday 28th March9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church10.30am Set up Easter Prayer Stations - Toddington Church2-4pm Crafty Ladies group - Wilkinson Hall Toddington8pm Toddington Churches Together AGM Wilkinson HallTingrith PCC Meeting 1.45pmHarlington Lent Course at Mary's at 3pmTuesday 29th March10-12 noon Westcaf, Westoning Village Hall10.30am to noon - Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington1-3pm Sewing Bees Celebration Westoning Village HallWednesday 30th March9.30- 11.45am Lower School visit Toddington Church10am Harlington Church, Midweek Service11.30am Daisy Drake's Funeral at Harlington Church12-1.15pm Lent 'Poverty' Soup lunch, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington - raising funds for Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal7.30pm Westoning PCC via zoom (link to be issued)Thursday 31st March10.30am Meeting at Wilkinson Hall about 'Petal and Purl' exhibition for 'Celebrate 800'Online Lent Course 7.45pm - Unanswered Prayer by Peter Greig. Please let Linda or Nigel know if interested. Zoom link to be issued.Friday 1st April10.30-12 noon Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonLittle Stars: 1.15pm-2.45pm Westoning ChurchFriday Fellowship 2-4pm Westoning Village Hall3.30pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonSaturday 2nd April... have a rest!Wishing you all a good week and a special Mothering Sunday tomorrow.With love and prayersLinda and Nigel
Hello Everyone How wonderful to have some sunny days at the end of the week to encourage us forth. Nigel and I have enjoyed some special walks by the sea this week, catching up on some days off, enjoying the chance to be outside, breathing in fresh air and admiring the scenery as Spring bursts forth in all its beauty. Each day brings with it a time of reflection and gratitude. This Sunday's services Chalgrave 9.30 am Holy Communion Linda Harlington 9.30 am HC Nigel. Lent Brunch at 11.00 am Tingrith 9.30 am Morning Prayer Jon Toddington 11.00 am Holy Communion - Linda Westoning 11.00 am Holy Communion Nigel/Jon The Upper Room online service 6.00 pm. Speaker Kate Smith. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81426806876?pwd=SXlKV0xYM3h2anplSzNnNWNMRFEzQT09 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Other services and events during the week: Monday 21st March Morning Prayer Toddington Church 9.30 am Harlington Lent Course at Mary's Home at 3.00 pm The Bible Course online 7.45 pm by zoom: session 8 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89238451139?pwd=czROYitiS1l5VU43N2ZLaEgwYkRwZz09 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Tuesday 22nd March Westcaf, Westoning Village Hall 10.00 am – 12.00 noon Knitting group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Sewing Bees, Westoning Village Hall 1.00 – 3.00 pm Wednesday 23rd March Bishop Richard morning visit to St George of England Lower School Harlington Morning Service 10.00 am at Church Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall, Chalgrave 11.00 am – 1.00 pm Lent soup lunch in aid of Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 12 noon. Toddington PCC 7.30 pm Thursday 24th March 9.30 am – 11. 30 am Church cleaning, Toddington Church Lent Course by zoom at 7.45pm Topic 'unanswered prayer' https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89751534527?pwd=aUtDa0swayt4Z1NLS0hCc3NQeGJiUT09 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Friday 25th March Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 10.30 am Tingrith Church - funeral of Don Thompson 1.30 pm Little Stars meet at Westoning Church 1.15 pm - 2.45 pm Friday Fellowship at Westoning Village Hall 2.00 – 4.00 pm Friends of Harlington Church Introductory Evening 7.00 – 8.00 pm. All welcome Saturday 26th March Art Attack for children at Harlington Church 10.00 am – 1.00 pm Coffee Morning and Friends Book Stall, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington,10.00 am -12.00 noon 10.30 am guided look around the church with Malcolm 4.00 pm Chalgrave APCM meeting at church Put the clocks forward! Sunday 27th March Mothering Sunday services We send you our love and prayers Linda and Nigel
Dear Friends, The week passes and the depth of sadness over Ukraine deepens. The human tragedies and violence tempt us to despair. How can peaceable people be treated so? Many people have been seeking ways to offer support and aid either financially or practically and hopefully, soon, refugees will be able to make their way to this country to find peace and support. To be able to offer practical aid will be better than the current distanced incomprehension. We pray and must keep on praying but may we also look to ways of our heartfelt prayers being realised in tangible and effective action. Is there room in our hearts: is there room in our homes? The diocese are currently investigating the best way we can offer help and will release more information next week. There are still joys, people meeting and sharing, giving and receiving, in love and in peace. And this week has been a special week. Nigel and I led a school assembly at Parkfields school where we spoke about prayer, and Dee and I shared an assembly at St George's school about Jesus' miracle of feeding the 5,000, which seems rather appropriate in the context of Ukraine with so many refugees needing food and care. On Friday, it was a delight to welcome lots of children to Messy Church - our first Messy Church since December.. and to share fun, songs, crafts and tea. We also had fun at Youth Group on Tuesday.. so it has been a busy week at Toddington. A special memorial service to Paul Scrivener on Monday united congregations from each of our villages as we paid tribute to him and shared some of his poems. What a beautiful touch of humour and memory he shared with us. Westoning Westcaf was abuzz on Tuesday, Little Stars and Fellowship time were busy.. and there are so many groups meeting happily within the two benefices.. people glad to meet up again. The days are getting longer and warmer and the gardens are springing into life.. and people have been smiling in the sunshine! SERVICES THIS SUNDAY 13th March 2022 Chalgrave 9.30 am Holy Communion Linda Harlington 9.30 am Holy Communion Nigel/Robert Westoning 9.30 am Families Service Rebecca, 11.00 am Holy Communion Nigel Toddington Holy Communion 11.00 am Linda Upper Room by Zoom at 6pm lead by Lay Leader of Worship Philip Steer. Access link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83516032191?pwd=T2xFWGVkcXhPakU0aWdPOTNJeXZIUT09 This Week's Services and events: Monday 14th March Morning Prayer at Toddington Church 9.30 am Seated Pilates with Jo 2.00 pm Wilkinson Hall The Bible Course online session 7, 7.45 pm considering the Acts and the Church. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83255519436?pwd=eWEwdFF5S1gwQjJWbU8va1dPZFFYdz09 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Tuesday 15th March Westoning: Westcaf 10.00 am – 12.00 noon. Sewing Bee 1.00 – 3.00 pm. At Westoning Village Hall. All welcome Toddington: Knitting Group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 16th March Harlington Church: Morning Service at 10.00 am Thursday 17th March Toddington: St George's Fellowship 2.00 – 4.00 pm - bring a large pebble to decorate. Lent Course by Zoom 7.45 – 9.00 pm: ‘Unanswered Prayers.’ Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82932850300?pwd=dGxaMTZOTWZxMzhQUlMrUHRtalgrUT09 Friday 18th March Toddington: Painting for Pleasure 10.30 am – 12.00 noon. Westoning: Little Stars at Westoning Church 1.15 - 2.45 pm. Friday Fellowship Westoning Village Hall 2.00 – 4.00 pm ADVANCE NOTICE: There will be a Lent Course (Walking with Jesus) held at Mary Rutherford’s House starting on 21st March at 3.00 pm. Please let her or a minister know if you’d like to attend. FRIENDS EVENING: On the 25th March between 7.00 and 8.00 pm there will be a meeting in Harlington Church explaining the restoration work planned and the plans the church has for the future. In time we would like to form an association of friends of the church from people in the village and beyond who value the building. We would also like members of the church to attend as well. Refreshments will be served. We wish you every blessing and a happy, healthy week Linda
Hello everyone, What a week this has been. Last week's email was difficult to write, and this week's is similar. Ukraine has been constantly in the news, and we have watched and listened with shock as events have emerged. Why is this happening! Our hearts ache for the people of Ukraine, Afghanistan and other areas of terrorism and war (on Friday a suicide bomb also exploded in a mosque in Pakistan causing death and injury to many people - described by the Archbishop of Canterbury as a godless and heinous crime). How can such atrocities happen in a modern world? Our screens are full of images which show evil at work and there is a sense of helplessness. The countless stories of families divided, needless pain and the destruction of a peaceable people takes the flavour from our living. We pray, we lament, we look to ways to reach out and give. The Upper Room online service this week will be dedicated to prayer for Ukraine and our world and we will include prayers in our morning services. People are keen to help others and aid is being shipped out to support folks, but guidance messages are appearing (on BBC news and other sites) that money donations are the most useful way to support as this can be directed more purposefully to people's needs. Should you wish to donate money to the Disaster Emergency Fund, which includes the Red Cross and other large charities, the Big Give are currently doubling donations under a match funding scheme.. We need to remember in this challenging time, that there are also things to raise our spirits, and this week it has been a joy for Nigel and I between us to host Youth Group, lead another assembly at school, mark the start of Lent with the Ash Wednesday services, take a wedding, share food and fellowship at the Ploughman's lunch and Westcaf, unite with the other local churches in the World Day of Prayer service on Friday, breathe the fresh air and admire the emerging beautiful snow drops, crocus, hyacinths, daffodils and spring flowers and even notice a hint of blossom forming on the trees too. The beauty of God's creation as it is meant to be. This week has been a week of adjustment, dealing with the shock reality on our screens of families torn apart, possessions left behind, and destruction. It leads us into a time of reflection about what really matters. Let us unite in our prayers for Ukraine, the world, and its people and pray for their protection and come together this Lent to value the special treasures that we have in family and friends, and in our relationship with Christ. Services this Sunday 6 March Harlington 8.00 am BCP Holy Communion - Linda 9.00 am Families Breakfast Club - Rebecca 9.30 am Holy Communion - Nigel 12.30 pm Baptism - Nigel Chalgrave 9.30 am Holy Communion - Linda Tingrith 9.30 am Morning Praise - Jon Toddington 11.00 am Holy Communion - Linda Westoning 11.00 am Holy Communion - Nigel The Upper Room online service at 6.00 pm. Theme: Praying for Ukraine, Afghanistan and our world zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86765254593?pwd=VmVuZDladi9BYTd3bHlWUlRtbjZKQT09 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Services and events this week: Monday 7th March Morning Prayer Toddington Church 9.30 am Memorial Service to Paul Scrivener at Westoning Church at 2.30 pm The Online Bible Course 7.45 pm session 6 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82179935493?pwd=bkh1WndMYnJKWGVyeldPWmdlVUw3Zz09 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Tuesday 8th March Westoning Westcaf 10.00 am – 12.00 noon Westoning Village Hall Sewing Bee 1.00 – 3.00 pm at Westoning Village Hall The Knitting Group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Youth Group (9-11 age) 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Wednesday 9th March Morning Service at Harlington Church 10.00 amLent Lunch 12.00 noon to 1.15 pm, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Thursday 10th March Lent Course begins via zoom at 7.45pm Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88985497408?pwd=OFA5UHFYMW82Ty9vOWY4VUdRa2ExUT09 For details of how to join please contact Revd Linda Friday 11th March The Painting for Pleasure group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Little Stars 1.15 - 2.4 5pm Westoning Church Friday Fellowship 2.00 – 4.00 pm Westoning Village Hall Messy Church 3.15 - 5.30 pm Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Saturday 12th March Diocesan Synod Meeting 9.30 am - 1.30 pm We wish you a fruitful and blessed week. Do get in touch if you would like a chat, or a time of prayer. Toddington Church will be open from 9.30 am to about 3.00 pm each day this week, if you would like a quiet place to say prayers. God bless. We wish you love and peace. Linda and Nigel
