Hello EveryoneTomorrow is the first day of September. Is anyone else feeling where did the Summer go? Where did the last year go? How quickly the seasons fly by? I seem to have been in a whirl of organising First Aid training courses and Food Hygiene Courses today to make sure those of us who need to be trained are, and on Monday I attend a school staff and governor safeguarding course to prepare for the demands of the new school Academic year. How much valuable time is applied by volunteers, and others, to training, to make sure we are all safe! Thank you everyone for your commitment and time.Last weekend, volunteers created scarecrows, and baked cakes, for this year’s scarecrow festival and although the village seemed generally very quiet with folks grabbing a last chance to get away during the bank holiday, we were very pleased to raise £300 from the weekend’s efforts. Bart and Marg Simpson were very eye-catching and another lady scarecrow glistened as she swung on a swing under a tree. You may have noticed a scarecrow man sitting in his chair in the church grounds looking at a wonderful array of craft minibeast bugs created by the children at the Art and Craft Wednesdays during the holidays. Such talent. Thank you all who contributed in any way.Toddington Community Fridge continues to provide a happy service with people queuing early for the 9.30am start. Both last week and this, Flitwick Community Fridge have delivered crates if fresh food and bread, making a wonderful display of sustainable foods for people to gather up. There is no charge for the food which is amazing as the range is extensive and truly appreciated by so many. We have just begun to accept a voluntary donation of 50p or a £1 each week, from anyone who would like to contribute (no obligation), to help fund the transport costs from Flitwick and the cost of the Food and Hygiene courses which we need to undertake. I’ve attached a few photos of this week’s wonderful array of foods. Thank you to all those who provide and support this wonderful initiative.The Historic Churches Bike, Hike or Drive day to visit as many churches as possible during a day, and to be sponsored for your effort, will take place on Saturday 14th September. Please let Dee or Sandy know if you are happy to take part to raise funds for this important church charity, which returns 50% of the money raised to the churches and retains 50% to fund grant applications by churches, in times of need. Please also let Sandy or Dee know if you are willing to sponsor anyone taking part, Thank you!Services this Sunday 1st September9.30am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington ChurchServices next Sunday 8 September11am Benefice Morning Praise service led by Malcolm Curtis (kindly covering for me)Services and events from Monday 2nd SeptemberMonday 2nd9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington ChurchTuesday 3rd10.30am Knitting group Wilkinson HallThursday 5th12 noon Ploughman’s Lunch, Wilkinson HallFriday 6th10.30am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson HallSaturday 7th9.30am Toddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson HallSunday 8th11am Benefice Morning Praise Service, Toddington ChurchA few upcoming dates for your diary:At Wilkinson Hall, Toddington:Youth group will meet on Tuesdays 17th September, 1st, 15th and 29th October, 12th and 26th November at Wilkinson Hall, 5.45pm Messy Church will meet on Fridays 27th September, 25th October, and 22nd NovemberPloughmans lunches will meet on Thursdays 5th September, 3rd October, 7th NovemberCoffee mornings will meet at 10am on Saturdays 14th September, 12 October, 9 NovemberEvensong: 6pm Sundays 15th September, 20 October, 17 NovemberThe Bible Course: 7pm Thursdays 12th and 26th September, The Rectory, ToddingtonChalgrave Church events at Tebworth Memorial HallPop Up Tea Rooms: 25th September, 23rd October, 27th November Christmas Craft Fayre: 9th November The Friends of St George’s Church Toddington will be hosting a Beetle Drive on Friday 18th October at 7.30pm. Poster attached.Wishing you all a very good week and a wonderful September!With love and prayersLindaRev Linda Washington07715 603557
Hello Everyone I hope you have all had a good week. The weather has been sunny and that always makes us feel better. It’s been so lovely to have warm weather and sunshine recently, and although today brought heavy rain showers the gardens will have appreciated a good drink. The weather forecast is encouraging for next week - the last week of the school holidays - and we wish all staff and children preparing for the new academic year, a restful and rewarding week. Tomorrow afternoon 1.00 -4.00 pm and Monday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm, we have the Toddington Church Scarecrow festival, so why not enjoy an hour scarecrow spotting in the village, or perhaps you would like to quickly create a scarecrow and let Dee know? Maps and refreshments available at Wilkinson Hall. Do please drop by. Poster attached. This morning, we hosted a busy Toddington Community Fridge event with lots of lovely fruit and vegetables and bakery goods available and a happy team ready to serve you. Thank you so much Lynn from Tescos, Andy and Bryan, Dillon and Dominic for delivering the goods. The 'Fridge' is becoming very popular. It runs from 9.30 – 11.00 am each Saturday morning at Wilkinson Hall. Keep in touch with what is available via the new' Toddington Community Fridge' Facebook page or St George of England Church Facebook page. Our next Arty Crafty session is at Wilkinson Hall on Wednesday 28th August morning at 10am. The first week the children made a pirate ship and sea creatures, last Wednesday they had a lovely time making mini-beasts. This Wednesday promises fun time too. (Children please come dressed prepared to get messy!). This Sunday's services: 9.30am Holy Communion with quiet reflective music, Chalgrave Church 11am Holy Communion, Toddington Church Events: Sunday 25th August 1.00 – 4.00 pm Scarecrow Festival, Maps and refreshments, and book stall, Wilkinson Hall Bank Holiday Monday 26th August No Morning Prayer Scarecrow Festival 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, Maps and refreshments, and book stall, Wilkinson Hall Tuesday 27th August Knitting Group, 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 28th August Arty and Crafty time from 10.00 am, Wilkinson Hall (see poster) Thursday 29th August Chalgrave Church Cleaning? 1.00 pm The Bible Course, 7.00 pm, The Rectory, session 4. Friday 30th August Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall, 10.30 am Saturday 31 August Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall, 10.30 am Saturday 31 August Toddington Community Fridge 9.30 – 11.00 am Have a great bank holiday weekend and a lovely week. Best wishes Linda Rev Linda Washington
Hello Everyone Sending a quick email to wish you well during this holiday season and to let you know the link for David Ward's funeral tomorrow, in case you would like to tune in online and are unable to attend in person. The funeral will be held at North Herts Crematorium at 1pm tomorrow, and you are welcome to attend to pay your respects. The family will be meeting back at the social club afterwards for refreshments and to share happy memories of David. Our thoughts go out to Peter, Jeff and Kerry and all the family this evening. Please find below the webcast link for David Ward's funeral service at North Herts Crematorium at 1pm on Thursday 15th August, which can now be shared to friends & family. Website: https://watch.obitus.com Username: puwi1854 Password: 707565 Please note, the link does not go live until a few minutes before the service. Looking ahead at church, the Toddington Community Fridge will be at Wilkinson Hall again this Saturday from 9.30am until 11am. All are welcome to come. The food available is provided by local supermarkets to avoid it going to waste. Please bring a bag to carry produce home with you. There was quite a queue at opening time last Saturday, which was great to see. This Sunday services: 9.30am Holy Communion Service Chalgrave Church 11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church 6pm Evensong Service, Toddington Church Other usual weekly and monthly events continue during the summer season: Knitting group Tuesday mornings at 10.30am Painting for Pleasure group, Friday mornings 10.30am St George's Fellowship, Wilkinson Hall, 2pm Thursday 15th The Bible Course session 3 - the Rectory, Thursday 15th at 7pm There is no Messy Church during August but there are two more Arty Crafty sessions from 10am on Wednesdays 21st and 28th, at Wilkinson Hall, for children (accompanied by an adult). All Welcome. Last session children (and adults) had great fun making a pirate ship and creating sea creatures. I hear talk of Scarecrows and mini beasts for the next session. Great fun! Enjoy these Summer days. God bless Linda
Hello EveryoneWhat a wonderfully sunny, dry week we have had with temperatures soaring into 30 degrees. Phew! Summer has finally arrived for a run of consecutive days. The Olympics are in full swing and there have been many amazing achievements with athletes, swimmers, runners, cyclists, gymnasts etc producing incredible displays of achievement, determination and skill - a culmination of years of testing and dedicated application. To take part in the Olympics is a massive achievement in itself, and is such an inspiration to us all. There have been so many sights of 'don't give up' - 'you never know what you can achieve unless you try'. And how they have tried! Anything is possible.By contrast, there has been much sad news on our screens this week. We pray for those who live in fear, for those injured and for those who have lost their homes, their lives, loved ones, and their hope. Let us all unite this week to pray for peace and for the Lord to pour his light and comfort into those dark places.This week at church there has been much to be grateful for: The Saturday Toddington Community Fridge is proving popular with more people visiting last Saturday, and this Saturday, we have been promised a bumper delivery of fresh food and store cupboard foods which would otherwise waste. Do come along to Wilkinson Hall between 9.30-11am to choose 3 kg of food to take home. It is all free. I thank Cllr Andy Snape, and the Flitwick Community Fridge volunteers who collect, sort, and deliver, so much for their generosity of time and effort. They really do so much to make this a successful project. It is a great initiative. Do pop along to the Hall to see for yourselves. Mid-week you can visit the Rufus Centre, Flitwick, to gather up new fresh items. The fridge there is restocked daily and their new 'shop' will soon be open.Youth Group gathered on Tuesday evening at the Rectory for some fun and food. Thank you to Kate, Doug and Bridget for guiding us through the activities, quiz and fun. The evening went very quickly and was enjoyed by all. We are hoping to meet again during the holidays – date tbc. The Bible Course group also met Tuesday evening and had a fruitful discussion.Toddington Ploughman's Lunch went well on Thursday with lovely main course food and puddings. Chalgrave Church cleaning volunteers were in full force in the afternoon polishing, sweeping and cleaning. We have such a wonderful team of helpers and volunteers. I know that many church folk also help at Singing Cafe on Thursdays, at Friday Lunches and with Toddington Help. Thank you all so much! You are all very special! If you would like to help at Chalgrave church as part of a working party to tidy up the church grounds, or to join the church cleaning group please let me or Sandy know. Similarly, Dee, would be grateful of offers to help keep Toddington Church grounds and church tidy. Foodbank weekly donations are much needed, please. Dee keeps an up-to-date list in church of key requested food items needed and donations can be left in church or at 22 Leighton Road. Thank you so much for your continued generosity. Events going forward:Saturdays Toddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson Hall, 9.30-11am. 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st AugustCoffee Morning 10am Wilkinson Hall, 10th August Sunday Services 9.30am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th August11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th August6pm Evensong, Toddington Church, 18th August Mondays 9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church, 5th, 12th, 19th August (Not on 26th - Bank Holiday)2pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall, 12th August (not 26th – Bank Holiday) Tuesdays 10.30am Knitting Group Wilkinson Hall WednesdaysArty Crafty fun days for children (accompanied by an adult please) Wilkinson Hall from 10am on 7th, 21st and 28th August. (please provide an apron or a shirt for protection..or come dressed to get messy. You may also like to bring a picnic lunch) ThursdaysTime with Friends, Wilkinson Hall 2pm 8 AugustSt George’s Fellowship, Wilkinson Hall, 2pm 15 AugustChalgrave Church Cleaning 1pm 15 AugustDavid Ward’s funeral North Herts Crematorium, 1pm 15 AugustBible Study Course wk 3, The Rectory, 7pm 15 August FridaysPainting for Pleasure, 10.30am, Wilkinson Hall 9th, 16th 23rd and 30th August Scarecrow Festival: Sunday 25th August and Monday 26th August. More details to follow. NB No Messy Church in August and no Pop Up Tea Room in August. Wishing you all a restful time. I am not planning to send a letter next week but will keep in touch with any important news. With best wishes LindaRectorToddington and Chalgrave07715603557
