Hello EveryoneThis week's newsletter is like no other that we have written. On the doorstep at home we step out and see the emerging beautiful Spring flowers and breathe in the fresh air and appreciate the calm after last weekend's storms, but this contrasts severely to the shock and horror of the news of war which has burst across the airwaves these past three days. Russia's invasion of Ukraine suddenly became a reality. People - who are just like you and me - disturbed, fearful, homeless, sheltering the attacks in cellars or subways, or in long traffic queues or on trains; refugees seeking escape and, in many cases, this is not for the first time. History repeating itself: families torn apart: women and children seeking shelter across the border, whilst husbands, sons, daughters, fathers and grandfathers remain to fight for their country and for Europe. How can this be happening in our modern day world which has been so proud and protective of peace. How soon the world's perspective changes in these days of modern warfare. The news pictures have seemed strangely surreal and my mind has struggled to comprehend what is happening, needing time to catch up and adjust to a new world perspective of uncertainty and threat. One moment living in peace and the next.... We have watched people bravely demonstrate, singing patriotic songs, wearing their countries flag with pride, gathering to pray. There are casualties and deaths.. such needless deaths. One struggles to understand what has brought us to this point in time, and what can we do to help.. we feel so helpless. But one important thing we can do is to pray. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and also in Russia.. for the many innocent people who will suffer from this evil act of war. Sanctions and fighting will bring distress. Each death is a mother and father's son or daughter. We need to pray and pray without ceasing. The Archbishops and the Pope are calling us to dedicate our Sunday services to a time of prayer focus for Ukraine and for peace. Peter Greig of 24/7 prayer is calling us to create prayer rooms- and these can be remote or physical, where someone covers an hour or 20 minutes to pray and then hands on to the next person, so every minute of each day is covered. We are called to solidarity to pray against evil and for the love and protection of those in need. We will send some prayers which you may wish to use. Let us unite and pray for our world to be at peace.This week begins the season of Lent, with Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of this penitential season. It is naturally a penitential season, when we take time before God to seek His guidance, and his forgiveness. For it to be a time of deeper prayer to seek His will and purpose for our lives, and for our world, is appropriate. May you be touched deeply in your relationship with God this Lent, as you walk alongside Jesus, our Lord and Saviour on his Easter journey.Sunday's services - 27th FebruaryChalgrave 9.30 am Holy CommunionHarlington 9.30 am Holy CommunionTingrith 3.00 pm Community Communion ServiceToddington 11.00 am Holy CommunionWestoning 11.00 am Healing Service with Holy Communion. Speaker Vicky YorkeThe Upper Room, 6pm Zoom service, with a theme of A Project for Lent Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88503867001?pwd=WE8ybUc0Qm1jazFCRFRQWFNIYkoxUT09For details of how to join please contact Revd LindaThis week's services and events:Monday 28th February: Morning Prayer 9.30 am ToddingtonThe Bible Course Session 5 - 10.45 am The RectoryThe Bible Course Session 5 - 7.45 pm online by zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83757446362?pwd=SUxpOURxVUJwQUJtaUI2dUdNOEtBQT09For details of how to join please contact Revd LindaHarlington PCC meeting 7.30 pm in churchTuesday 1stMarch (Shrove Tuesday)Knitting Group, Toddington 10.30 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson HallWestcaf, 10.00 am – 12.00 noon Westoning Village HallSewing Bee 1.00 pm Westoning Village HallYouth Group 5.30 – 7.00 pm Wilkinson Hall, Toddington (yrs 7,8 and 9)Ampthill and Shefford Deanery Synod 7.15 pm Clifton ChurchWednesday 2ndMarch (Ash Wednesday)Ash Wednesday Holy Communion service 6.00 pm ToddingtonAsh Wednesday Holy Communion Service Westoning 7.30 pmAsh Wednesday Services, Harlington 10.00 am and 7.30 pmThursday 3thMarchPloughman's Lunch (with hot meal choices) 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonWestoning Church - meeting with Bishop Richard and Archdeacon DaveFriday 4thMarchPainting for Pleasure group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonWorld day of Prayer Harlington Methodist Church 2.00 pmFriday Fellowship Westoning Village Hall 2.00 pmLittle Stars 1.15 pm Westoning Church Private Prayer: St George's Church, Toddington is open each day from 9.30 am to mid afternoon for quiet prayer.Future dates:Lent Course'Unanswered Prayer' begins by zoom on Tuesday 8th March at 7.45 pm (Westoning Benefice led)Messy church at Toddington will next meet on Friday March 11thFoodbank donations are invited at:Chalgrave Church (Sunday Mornings) Harlington Church - donation box in church or contact TriciaToddington Church - donations can be left in church or by the back door at 22 Leighton RoadWestoning Church- donation box in the porch.As times become more difficult financially for many families, the foodbank welcomes regular donations, thank you.Thank you all for your contributions to the respective churches in time and effort, prayer and service and in love and care for each other. This week we give thanks for:1 The third Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room at Tebworth Memorial Hall which was such a lovely occasion of fellowship and hospitality. Next tea room on Wednesday 23rdMarch 2 The first (post lockdown) whole school assembly at St George's lower school. It was a joy for everyone to be together again. 3 A wonderful Thinking Day afternoon at Toddington last Sunday with the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides and their leaders, which finished with a short Thinking Day service 4 A good introductory meeting between representatives of Westoning, Harlington and Tingrith to begin to consider the replacement process for when Nigel retires. 5 The different gatherings and fundraising events which reflect people's joy at being able to meet again. 6 The Quintet and Tingrith choirs which are gathering again now (or soon will be).May the Lord's Peace be with you and your families this week and in the days to come. Linda and Nigel
Dear Friends,Is your roof still on? Is the garden shed still there? We hope you are all safe and well.What a storm raged on Friday with such high winds and chilling weather - drawing so many of us across the country to batten down the hatches and hunker up in safety at home. It is the first time that London has had a Red weather warning, and this warning was one of two, reaching across from the South-West to our more easterly region. Today, there are many signs along the roadside of battered and broken trees and hedgerows, and local reports of uprooted fences, broken green houses and more.How high the waves flew on the coast too.. and sadly, some people across the country, lost their lives in the storms. Our thoughts go out the victims and to their families.In Job we read: “Out of the south comes the storm, and out of the north the cold.” (Job 37:9) and our reading from the Gospel of Luke, this Sunday, is about Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. How terrified the disciples were in the midst of that storm until Jesus came and stilled the waves. Seeing reports of the raging seas on Friday, we can empathise with them. May Jesus come to still the storm in your own lives.As I watched the trees bending and waving in the strong winds... praying that our roof would stay on the house, I found myself contemplating how one particular tree took the enormous force of the wind and in so doing, protected the trees behind; bending, buckling under the wind, but then springing back resiliently to stand tall again. It seemed a metaphor for our own lives - to be flexible, rooted, resilient and standing tall in the knowledge and faith of Jesus' love and protection.What is true physically is certainly true spiritually. Where are we safe? Our walk in faith and trust is essential to us and that entails two things, a secure foundation in God and in what we know and believe in Jesus, and a reaching out and a stepping out in love, helping and encouraging others.It is good to see people returning to worship in church and it is good to see people meeting together socially and planning events for the rest of the year. Thank you for joining in and playing your part.We are fast approaching the season of Lent which is a wonderful time to get back on track and be more disciplined in our lives. Ash Wednesday is on 2nd March and that day services will be offered in many of our churches. There will also be some Lent courses for the lentern seasonThe World Day of Prayer service this year will be held at Harlington Methodist Church on Friday 4th March at 2pm and there will also be an online zoom link.Paul Scrivener’s Memorial Servicewill be held at Westoning Parish Church on 7thMarch at 2.30pm.Services for Sunday 20th FebruaryChalgrave Church: 9.30 am Morning Praise service - led by SteveHarlington 9.30 am Holy Communion LindaTingrith 9.30 am Holy Communion Jon/NigelToddington 11.00 am Holy Communion Service - Linda and SteveWestoning 11.00 am Holy Communion Jon/NigelToddington Church: Thinking Day service 4.00 pm - LindaThe Upper Room online service on Sunday at 6.00 pm Theme: ‘Heaven on Earth’https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86014421776?pwd=bDVUT2pQM3B4Z2l3YXlXZGtFbVRVdz09For details of how to join please contact Revd LindaThe Church of England online Sunday service for the Second Sunday before Lent is led by:Rev Richard Allen, from The Benefice of Trelawny, Cornwall, who will be preaching about Jesus calming the storm. https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-church-online/weekly-online-services/jesus-calms-storm?j=153113&sfmc_sub=24618178&l=444_HTML&u=3885200&mid=510001965&jb=9003You can watch it live on Sunday 20 February from 9am on our website, Facebook or YouTube . It will be available for playback immediately after as well.Other services and events this week:Monday 21st February9.30 am Morning Prayer - Toddington Church10.45 am The Bible Course session 4 - the Rectory.7.45 pm The Bible Course session 4 online: Zoom link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89059785598?pwd=K3ppU2QzRlNsYjZYWmJpT0liTkNjUT09For details of how to join please contact Revd LindaTuesday 22nd February10.30 am – 12.00 noon Knitting group - Wilkinson Hall, Toddington10.00 am – 12.00 noon Westcaf at Westoning Village Hall1.00 – 3.00 pm Sewing Bee at Westoning Village HallWednesday 23rd February11.00 am – 1.00 pm Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial HallThursday 24th FebruaryToddington PCC Meeting 7.30 pm (by Zoom - link to be issued)Friday 25th FebruaryPainting for Pleasure group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonLittle Stars 1.15 pm – 2.45 pm Westoning ChurchFriday Fellowship 2.00 – 4.00 pm Westoning Village HallYouth Club 5.45 pm - 7.15 pm Westoning Village HallSaturday 26th FebruaryCoffee Morning and Book Sale 10.00 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonWe will send you further details about Lent courses and Lent lunches in due course.Have a good week.Linda and Nigel
Hello EveryoneI hope you have had a good week, enjoying the approach of Spring. The days are lengthening, the birds are beginning to chirp in the trees, the bulbs are pushing through the soil and there are bunches of daffodils for sale in the shops. How bright and cheerful they look as they emerge.However, as the bulbs begin to emerge, so the shoots on the shrubs also bursting forth, and I have spent time, with friends, this week, cutting back overgrown shrubs at the Rectory which were in much need of attention... but it is going to seem rather bare until all burst back into new growth. How tall buddleia gets! The cutting back was fun.. but there are now large piles of foliage stacked up on the back lawn to be disposed of - so I think I will become quite a regular visitor to the tip! What has the approaching springtime inspired you to do this week? We look forward to gathering with you at the various churches and events this week. Here are the details of the week's arrangements:Sunday services for Sunday 13 February:Harlington 9.30 am Holy Communion - Nigel and RobertChalgave 9.30 am Holy Communion - LindaToddington 11.00 am Holy Communion - LindaWestoning Family Service 9.30 am - with a theme of 'Love' led by Rebecca.11.00 am Holy Communion, Nigel with RobertBaptism 12.45 pm - NigelTingrith Church - no service this weekThe Upper Room online zoom service is at 6.00 pm and this week's topic is:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81595530300?pwd=cUVvZjA3aFZreXV0NUVxcmt0dE8wQT09For details of how to join please contact Revd LindaThis week's services and events: Monday: 14 February (Half-term week)Morning Prayer 9.30 am, Toddington ChurchSeated Pilates 2.00 pm Wilkinson HallThe Bible Course: Session 3, The Rectory 4.00 pm (Change of time this week)(No Bible course evening session this week. We gather again next week for session 4).Tuesday 15 FebruaryWestcaf 10.00 am and Sewing Bee 1.30 pm at Westoning Village Hall, Knitting Group 10.30 am – 12.00 noon, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonWednesday 16 FebruaryMorning Service at Harlington 10.00 amTWIG SPECIAL at Westoning Village Hall at 9.00 am to 10.30 am for children 0-9yrs and their families. The theme is LOVE and breakfast will be served. More information from Rebecca and Nigel. Thursday 17 FebruaryHarlington Church: Funeral 10.30 amSt George's Fellowship - a floral afternoon with June, 2.00 pm Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonFriday 18 February'Painting for Pleasure' group 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonNo Little Stars group at Westoning this week.Friday Fellowship 2.00 pm The Village Hall, Westoning - topic 'Whom shall we invite for dinner?'Harlington Church Online Quiz by Zoom 7.15 pm. More information from Neil and TriciaSaturday 19 FebruaryNew and Nearly New Sale, Wilkinson Hall 10.00 – 1.00 pmA guided look around St George's church 10.30 am – 12.00 noonMany of you will have known Paul Scrivener who still holds a special place in many of our hearts. There will be a memorial service to celebrate and pay tribute to Paul's life on Monday March 7th at 2.00 pm at Westoning Church. More information from Nigel. (poster attached). Sending this email to you in sunshine. I hope you have a sunny day!Wishing our schools, children and families a wonderful half term holiday.Have a good weekGod blessLinda and Nigel
Hello Everyone, We hope you are fit and well and can sense the draw of Spring even though some days are cold, some are mild and others are wet. The snowdrops are delightful as they emerge in churchyards, beside trees and spotting them unexpectedly stirs the heart. The birds are active and singing optimistically; we hope it is not premature. This week we have had PCC, social and buildings meetings and Linda has been involved with a memorial service and a wedding. Youth Club met in Toddington and Westcaf had a record number for one session. Over 50, young and old, dropped in for tea, coffee and sausage rolls or cake. The air was thick with conversation. People are relishing the opportunity to meet. Church is a great place to meet and this week we will mark the platinum anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne. Our services for the week are listed below, along with other events Sunday Services for Sunday 6th February Chalgrave 9.30 am Holy Communion Service - LindaHarlington 8.00 am BCP Communion Nigel Harlington 9.00 am Families Breakfast Club at the Parish Rooms. RebeccaHarlington 9.30 am Holy Communion service - NigelTingrith 9.30 am Morning Worship Jon Westoning 11.00 am Holy Communion - Nigel Toddington 11.00 am Holy Communion - Linda Online evening service: Upper Room 6.00 pm by Zoom with theme: ‘Telling people about Jesus’ For details of how to join please contact Revd LindaOther events and services this week:Monday 7th FebruaryMorning Prayer 9.30 am Toddington Church The Bible Course (session 2) 10.4 5am - Toddington Rectory - led by Linda The Bible Course (session 3) online by zoom 7.45 pm - led by Linda Tuesday 8th FebruaryKnitting Group - 10.30 am - 12.30 pm Wilkinson Hall Westcaf 10.00 am - 12 noon Westoning Village Hall Sewing Bee 1.00 – 3.00 pm Westoning Village Hall Youth Group (school years 4, 5, and 6) 5.30-7pm Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Wednesday 9th February10.00 am Morning Service Harlington Church Thursday 10th FebruaryFuneral, Toddington Church 12.30 pmAfternoon with Friends 2.00 – 4.00 pm Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonFriday 11th FebruaryPainting for Pleasure Group 10.30 am Wilkinson HallLittle Stars at Westoning Church 1.15 - 2.4 5pm Friday Fellowship at Westoning Village Hall 2.00 – 4.00 pmSaturday 12th February Baptism at Westoning Church at 1.00 pm We send you our very best wishes for a wonderful week. Linda and Nigel
