Message from Rev'd Linda Washington, Priest in Charge28th August 2021Hello Everyone, The sun is shining and the bank holiday week-end is before us. We wish you all a special time with family and friends and at the different events where you will meet. Harlington Village show takes place today (until 4.00 pm) in the Village Hall and Toddington Scarecrow Festival takes place tomorrow afternoon (1.00 to 5.00 pm) and Monday (10.00 am to 4.00 pm). It is a lovely opportunity for the community to share time and to celebrate creative gifts and achievements. Next Saturday afternoon, Westoning Church and Sports club host a picnic for the village and Tingrith host their Auction of Promises. We hope that Toddington/Chalgrave youth group will be able to meet up this Tuesday and wish Westoning TWIG and Little Stars joy as they gather again. The churches are planning different events but all combine on 11th September to welcome the Historic Churches bike, walk, or drive event which invites sponsored people to visit as many churches as possible to raise funds for the Trust and for our churches. It is a lovely opportunity for a day out, and you no longer need to cycle. If any of would be willing to take part to support your local church to raise funds to support the work of the Trust and help raise crucial funds to support the maintainance of your local church building, we would be very grateful to you. More information and sponsorship forms from the respective Church Wardens or Linda and Nigel. And so life buzzes forward. Schools return w/c 6th September and we wish families every blessing in their last family days of relaxation this week. Our prayers go out to all who are organising the above events, to families, and to the school staff and pupils in their preparations for the new academic year. This week's events: Saturday 4th September - Westoning Fun Village Picnic 3.30-5.30 pm Saturday 4th September - 5.00pm Tingrith Church Auction of Promises Services and events week commencing 5th September: Sunday Services 5th September Harlington: 8.00 am BCP Holy Communion, 9.30 am Holy Communion (Common Worship) Chalgrave 9.30 am Holy Communion Tingrith Church 9.30 am Morning Prayer Toddington 11.00 1am Holy Communion Westoning 11.00 am Holy Communion Events w/c 6th September Monday 6th September - Morning Prayer, 9.30 am at Toddington Church. Tuesday 7th September - 10.00 am -12.00 noon Westcaf resumes, Westoning Village Hall Wednesday 8th September - 10.00 am Harlington Morning Service Wednesday 8th September - Westoning PCC 7.30 pm in churchThursday 9th September - Harlington PCC Thursday 9th September - Quintet Choir meets again 7.30pm in Harlington Church Friday 10th September - Harlington Church, wedding 1.00 pm Friday 10th September - Westoning Youth Group Saturday 11th September - Harlington Church Gift Day Saturday 11th September - Historic Churches bike, drive or walk fundraising day with:refreshments, activities and Art Exhibition by Stanley Greening at Harlington Church on Saturday 10.00 am - 4.00 pm with the Art Exhibition continuing through the week 2.00 - 4.00 pm daily.Coffee Morning at Chalgrave Church 10.00 am -12.00 noon Alpha: An new online Alpha course starts on 20th September and runs each Monday until 29 November. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Jesus and the Christian faith. More information from Linda and Nigel and please register with Eileen or Jon. Please click link above to see a flyer about the course: As we conclude this letter we send our heartfelt prayers across the world to Afghanistan to the refugees, to those left behind, to those remaining in the country and to those seeking to escape. We give thanks to the different government armed forces who have worked so hard in such challenging circumstances to rescue and reassure and pray for their continued protection and strength. We also pray for Haiti, Madgascar, Ethopia and for so many other areas of the world who are struggling. We pray for those known to us who are sick or bereaved remembering particularly Rachel and her family who care for her, and also for Jess. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Stay safe, enjoy the weekend and the days ahead.. but be careful of that virus which is increasing quickly in our area. God bless Linda and Nigel