Hello Everyone I hope your week has gone well. For me, it has been a rather strange week.. battling a virus which has laid me low. I’m not sure where it came from, but I will definitely be glad when it disappears! So, I did not head off to Clergy Conference in Derbyshire to spend time with my clergy colleagues with chance to listen to important talks by visiting speakers and gaining inspiration from the interactions. Instead, I have been hugging the covers most of the week, either asleep or coughing! I certainly wouldn’t wish this on any of you so I will not be at church tomorrow. I will do my coughing in isolation! It was good to share in the D Day events on the Green last week to remember those who fought so bravely for our freedom and peace. The Ukelele band were in full swing on Saturday and it was moving to join the countrywide lighting of the beacons. Well done to the Royal British Legion for all their preparations and organisation. This coming weekend we look forward to the Village Fete which is being carefully planned and will offer another special village community opportunity to get together. There are numerous posters and village Facebook notifications being issued about the varied activities which are to include a dog show, Olympic Fancy Dress competition, food stalls, fun, games and so much more. I’m sure there will be a wonderful atmosphere again this year and well done to Melanie and the planning team for all their hard work. Now let’s all pray for sunshine and no rain! The friendly dragon returns to Church next Saturday, joining in the Village Fete, for a picnic quest, and Wilkinson Hall will host refreshments, the children’s ‘Garden on a Plate’ competition, and other activities. All Welcome. Please look out for more information on Facebook or posters in the coming days. Thank you to all who came to Derek Stone’s funeral last Monday to say farewell and to support his dear wife Vicky. She has been so grateful for all your kind words of support and sympathy and on behalf of Chalgrave Church, can I also say thank you for any donations given in Derek’s memory, to help fund the upkeep of the church and the organ for future generations to come. The church has been such a special place for both Vicky and Derek these past years. Sadly, a longstanding faithful member of Toddington Church, Peggy Gladman, died on 10th June, aged 93 years. She lived in Toddington for a lot of her life and died peacefully in her own home in the village, after some years of illness. Her son Keith wishes to pass on the sad news to parishioners and to anyone who knew her. We thank God for Peggy’s life. RIP. Please continue to pray for a miracle of healing for Harrison Blanchflower and please hold his parents and family in your prayers as they wait anxiously alongside him at hospital. This Sunday’s Services: Sunday 16th June 2024 (Father’s Day) 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Rev Nigel Washington 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Rev Nigel Washington 6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington Church, Malcolm Curtis Services and events this week: Monday 17th June 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 18th June 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 20th June 2.00 pm St George’s Fellowship, Wilkinson Hall Friday 21st June 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 22nd June Village Fete on the Green. Friendly dragon in church, refreshments in Wilkinson Hall Sunday 23rd June 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church Friday 28th June 3.30 pm Messy Church Wishing you all good health and a good week. Best wishes Linda Rev Linda Washington Rector Toddington and Chalgrave parishes
Hello all Looking back over last week's events, D Day 80 years anniversary captured our attention and our emotions as we heard the very moving stories, some told for the first time by the veterans, and we began to absorb the enormity of the reality they had faced.. and continue to face, as their memories surface of the horrors of conflict. How brave they were.... and how humble they are now - directing our attention to those who died as they recognise them as the true heroes. It was moving on Thursday evening 6th June, D-Day, to gather at 8pm for a D Day 80 years anniversary service, quickly followed by the D Day event on the Village Green, where we gathered as community together to pay our respects to those who had fought, and to the fallen. The event finished with the lighting of the beacon joining with the country wide lighting at 9.15pm, to remember. Earlier the church bells rang out resoundingly calling us to gather to remember. That morning RBL representatives also attended a special D Day Worship time at Toddington St George school. This evening, there will be another gathering on the Green with the Ukelele band entertaining, and finishing with the lighting of the beacon at 9.15pm. Thank you so much Royal British Legion Representatives for your leadership and provision and for the mighty work which RBL does to support the Veterans. This week, Chalgrave teams have been incredibly busy cleaning and preparing the church for a full return tomorrow.. no dust in sight! Everywhere is sparklingly polished and the church looks wonderful. Thank you so much to everyone who gave up time to clean. I've attached a few photos of the restored beams - you can see the light new wood against the original beams. It will be so good to be properly back. Thank you to the Toddington catering teams who provided Ploughman's Lunches and a Coffee Morning this week. On Monday, we say a sad farewell to Derek Stone at his funeral at Chalgrave Church, at 10.30 am. Vicky will be glad of your support and all are welcome. This Sunday's Services: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Monday 10th June 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 10.30 am The funeral of Derek Stone, Chalgrave Church, followed by a Committal at Bierton Crematorium. All are welcome to attend both or either service, and refreshments will be served at Tebworth Memorial Hall. 2.00 pm Seated Exercise class with Alison, Wilkinson Hall Tuesday 11th June 10.30 am Knitting Group 5.45 pm Youth Group Thursday 13th June 2.00 pm Afternoon with friends Friday 14th June Painting for Pleasure Group, 10.30 am Wilkinson Hall 2.30pm Toddington PCC, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 15th June (Father's Day) 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave 11.00 am Family Holy Communion, Toddington 6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington Church Have a good week everyone. I'm away on Clergy conference from Monday pm until Thursday pm, in Derbyshire but can be contacted by phone or email, if needed. Best wishes Linda Rector
Hello Everyone I hope you have had a good week and are enjoying some sunshine and rest after a busy few weeks. This week, there is just one service on Sunday - a Benefice service at Toddington church at 11.00 am. This will be a Morning Praise (non-communion) service, kindly led by Malcolm. On Tuesday the scaffolding was removed from Chalgrave Church following the completion of the restoration work on the interior roof beams. It will be wonderful to return to full worship at church again next Sunday, but in between, next week there will be cleaning teams going in to the church to make sure it is spic and span, and in good order, for our worship times. If by chance you have an hour to spare to help clean, please get in touch with me or Sandy, to offer your help. Times planned are: Tuesday 4th June at 1.00 pm, Wednesday 5th June at 10.00 am and Thursday 6th June at 1.00 pm. I am sad to report that Derek Stone, of Tebworth, died on Monday morning. Although he had been under the weather for a while, his passing was unexpected. Please hold his dear wife Vicky in your prayers as she copes with each new day without Derek. He was much loved. Derek was a faithful member of Chalgrave Church and part of both parishes and will be sadly missed. Arrangements have been made for Derek's funeral to take place at Chalgrave Church on Monday 10th June at 10.3 0am. All are welcome. This coming week, the Royal British Legion will be commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day landings with events on both Thursday 6th June and also Saturday 8th June. On Thursday 6th at 8.00 pm there will be a D-Day 80th anniversary service at Toddington Church to give thanks for loved ones and all who served in the D-Day operations. All are welcome. This will prelude the RBL organised Remembrance events on The Green (posters attached). Other church events this week include Ploughman's Lunch on Thursday 6th and Coffee Morning on Saturday 8th - both at Wilkinson Hall. A summary of all events is below: This week: Monday 3rd June Morning Prayer at 9.30 am, Toddington Church Tuesday 4th June Knitting group at 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall 1.00 pm Church cleaning, Chalgrave Church Wednesday 5th June 10.00 am Church cleaning, Chalgrave Church Thursday 6th Ploughman's Lunch, 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall 1.00 pm Church Cleaning, Chalgrave Church D-Day Remembrance Service, 8.00 pm, Toddington Church 8.4 5pm D-Day RBL Remembrance service and lighting of the Beacon, The Green Friday 7th June Painting for Pleasure, 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 8th June Coffee Morning,10.00 am, Wilkinson Hall RBL D-Day evening events on The Green. Sunday 9th June 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Monday 10th June 10.30 am Funeral of Derek Stone, Chalgrave Church Please remember in your thoughts and prayers the family of Michael Graves whose funeral took place at Toddington Church on Thursday. He was a young man who died suddenly and who leaves a young wife Nicola and 3 sons. We also continue to pray for young Harrison Blanchflower who is still in Intensive Care at Royal Brompton Hospital. We pray for breakthrough in his recovery and for the Lord's protection and provision for his devoted parents as they wait alongside him (but face rising costs and depleted funds). If you feel able to make a 'love' donation to support Harrison's family you can either donate to the go fund me link https://gofund.me/f1ea3dc6 below or via the church 'Love Fund'. Donate to Harrison Blanchflower, organized by Cherie Ramscar Hello, my name is Cherié and I am the auntie of Harrison Blanchflower who is 3 years old. On … Cherie Ramscar needs your support for Harrison Blanchflower We have a 'Love Fund' at Toddington Church to support families in need. Donations can be gift aided and there is no charge for making a donation. Donations can be made via the church website, or 'A Church Near You' site, or by the QR code in church. Please give a reference of Harrison or Nicola if you wish to give to either of the two families mentioned above (or send me an email to let me know a payment has been made so we can identify it). Thank you for your love and care. With best wishes Linda
Hello Everyone What a lovely sunny start to the bank holiday weekend and to the upcoming school half-term holidays. I do hope the weather lasts and families have a good time together. I know several families are really looking forward to a break. It has been quite a week: Chelsea Flower Show has been a bright light this week, giving many folks lots of enjoyment as they browse beautiful garden displays – natural planting is the key this year to enhance nature and the environment. Beauty and enjoyment to inspire us in our gardens in an otherwise heavy week. Torrential rainstorms caused flooding and, in the midst of one of these storms, a General Election was announced. The Sub-postmasters continue their fight for justice and compensation, and families are understandably keen to get away for a break and some sunshine. Let’s hope they get the rest they crave. Food and hospitality have been a church focus again this week. Wednesday’s Pop-Up Tea Room at Chalgrave was very busy (despite the heavy rain and flooding) and there was another impressive offering of cakes and savouries and a fulsome plant stall raising funds for the Village Hall and for the Church. On Tuesday, Youth Group members made their own pizzas... whilst thinking about Jesus being a firm foundation for our lives; On Thursday we shared a lovely bring and share final Alpha meal with everyone contributing in some way. It was a special finale to what has been a meaningful course. Keen not to stop meeting together, we have arranged to meet again on Thursday 13th June. Messy Church was also ‘buzzing’ yesterday, thinking about ‘being kind’ or should I say ‘Bee-ing Kind’ as we had a surprise visit from Buzby the Bee. And now, as the sun continues to shine, we look forward to a special Garden Party organised by the Friends of St Georges, in Rachel’s lovely garden, this evening. Church family is so important. Thank you all for all that you contribute, in so many ways. Do join us if you can – all are very welcome. Looking ahead, there will be a D-Day 80th anniversary commemoration service, with the RBL, at Toddington church on Thursday 6 June at 8pm to remember and to give thanks for the bravery of all who were involved. At 8.45pm we are invited to gather on The Green for the lighting of the Beacon at 9.15pm. D-Day events continue on Saturday 8th June with entertainment organised by the RBL with a further lighting of the Beacon. If you have any special memories of family or people involved in the D-Day events, we are keen to remember them in our 8pm service in church on 6 June. Do please get in touch with me, or John Wood, with your memories. Chalgrave Church scaffolding is due to be struck on Tuesday as the restoration work is almost complete. Thank you so much Mick Bunning for your skill and dedication to complete this so beautifully and to our church architect Michael Dales for your guidance. We look forward to worshipping in the full body of the church, safely able to look up at the restored roofing beams. As Summer approaches there are other events in the offing, including the 'Friends' Open Gardens event on 6 and 7 July. Thank you to all who may be considering opening their garden this year. It is such a pleasure to have opportunity to come and appreciate all your hard work and to be inspired. We also look forward to the Village Fete on 22nd June. This Sunday's Services and upcoming Events: 9.30 am Holy Communion service at Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, with a baptism, at Toddington Church. Monday 27th May: Bank Holiday Tuesday 28th May 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 30th May 11am Funeral of Michael Graves, Toddington Church Friday 31st May 10.30am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall June 6th 12.00 noon Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall 8.00 pm D-Day Service, Toddington Church 8.45 pm, RBL gathering on The Green for commemorative service and lighting of the Beacon at 9.15 pm June 8th 10.00 am Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall Thinking of you all. Look after yourselves. God bless Linda Rector of Toddington and Chalgrave
