Hello EveryoneIt has been a very busy week with lots of planned special events...and several unplanned events, like gas leaks in the churchyard and leaky boilers in church, which changed the whole nature of my week.The Pop Up Tea Room was a highlight in the week of Chalgrave church, with a wonderful gathering at Tebworth Memorial Hall. It is such a special community event, with plants, books and other stalls selling goods, plus the wonderfully tasty and high quality cakes and savouries provided by church members. Lots of smiling faces this week!Last weekend at Toddington Church we celebrated St George's Day with a special Gift Week End. The church was decorated with St George and the dragon and the window sills were enlivened with representations of the life of the church, with additional history, flower and art displays so kindly presented (see photos). On Tuesday, the Friends of St George's put on a wonderful Afternoon Tea with beautiful cakes, scones and tasty sandwiches, tea and company. So special and very much enjoyed by all who attended. The Friends afternoon Tea raised an amazing £500 and the church Gift Weekend for Church raised just over £2,000. Both such amazing achievements! I send a most sincere and grateful thank you to all involved and to all who supported in any way. Your financial donations are precious to maintain the church in good order for many generations to come. They also provide wonderful times of hospitality and fellowship, food parcels, Alpha, Messy Church, Youth Group and so much more for families and people in the village. We cannot do this without you. Volunteers at church give so much time and effort each week in so many ways. It is immeasurable.. so much goes unseen, but it really is appreciated. Time, effort, cleaning, decorating, cooking, generosity, kindness, care and creative ideas, all enable us to reach out to be a living church within the community, and a living developing parish church. Thank you!On Friday Messy Church focused on St George - making decorated biscuits, St George and the dragon models in clay and paper, and then we sat down to a tea of sausages, fish fingers, peas, chips, ice cream and cake. Very yummy. Youth group's recent session focused on the local church environment and made a bug house.. do look out for it when you walk by. Thank you Bridget for bug houses, dragons, crafts and so many wonderful ideas. Thank you also to Tom and Bridget for hours spent decorating Wilkinson Hall improving decor and conditions for which we are very grateful. It looks so much better.Our Alpha course entered its seventh week this Thursday and is moving on so quickly. Friendships and bonds have been formed and this week we discussed how does God guide us. Have you ever noticed one of those strange 'coincidences' and wondered how something happened and then looked back and thought... how did that happen? Maybe God was alongside you.. guiding you. God is with us and yet we don't always recognise him. Food for thought!Tomorrow we welcome Bishop Richard to both Chalgrave and Toddington Churches to lead the morning services and we very much look forward to his visit. At Chalgrave he will preach and celebrate Communion and catch up with the people, and the church restoration work. The last time he visited was for our 800 years celebrations during Covid restrictions when we all gathered, carefully spaced apart, sitting in the fresh air in the beautiful church grounds reflecting on 800 years of the life of the church. This time we will be indoors in the Lady Chapel, glad to be back indoors, but very conscious of all that lays ahead with the continued restoration work. This week, we received permission to proceed with the next stage of work and the new oak has been ordered by the builder ready to restore the rotted support beams. When this is all completed, we look forward to a celebration service.Tomorrow at Toddington Church, we have a special service of Confirmation, with three confirmation candidates stepping forward to confirm their faith in Jesus. The bishop will lay his hands on them and bless them as he says a prayer of Confirmation. Do come and support if you are able. It promises to be a very special service, and a memorable time not only for the candidates as they step forward in faith, but also because it is rare to be able to have a confirmation service in our home church. All rather special! Do come if you can.This week's services:Sunday 28th April - Fifth Sunday of Easter9.30am Holy Communion service, Chalgrave Church - lead by Bishop Richard, Bishop of Bedford11am Confirmation Service with Holy Communion, Toddington Church led by Bishop Richard, Bishop of BedfordMonday 29 April9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church2pm Chalgrave PCC meeting at the CaldersTuesday 30 April10.30am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington5.45pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall, ToddingtonThursday 2nd May 12 noon, Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington6.30pm Alpha Course, The Rectory, Topic: 'How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life'Friday 3rd May10.30am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson HallHopefully, next week will be a little calmer. I spent three full days at church this week, liaising and monitoring Cadent as they worked in the churchyard and the vestry. It is a relief that the source of the external gas leak has been sorted. So much work behind the scenes, linking with the diocese for permission for work to take place in the churchyard and the church building.. but we feel rather safer this week, knowing that the leak has been sorted. I wonder what next week has in stall?!!I wish you all a calm, peaceful week.God blessLindaRector, Toddington and Chalgraverevdtoddington@gmail.comrevdchalgrave@gmail.com07715 603557
Hello EveryoneI do hope the sunshine lasts into this weekend.. and the promise of higher temperatures is right. It has been pretty chilly this week in the evenings.. and so very wet at times. But today the sun is shining again!Just a short email to let you know about this weekend's special St George of England events at Toddington Church - see attached poster. We have wonderful window ledge displays of the life of the church, a dragon and St George, beautiful flowers, and art and history displays, children's fun activities, refreshments and a 3.00 pm concert in church on Saturday afternoon organised by Toddington Music Society. Just what is needed to blow away the winter cobwebs as we gather together and have fun. On Tuesday afternoon there is a special St George of England afternoon tea in Wilkinson Hall. Tickets are available from Dee or Fran.This Sunday, Chalgrave church will be open and up and running again for our 9.30 am morning service. Praise the Lord! We will meet in the Lady Chapel as the Chancel is still full of scaffolding but it will be so lovely to be back.Key upcoming events this week and next:6.30 pm Alpha week 6 - 'How and Why Should I read the Bible', at the RectoryFriday 19th April10.00 am, Confirmation course, the RectorySaturday 20th April10.00 am – 5.00 pm Gift weekend events, Toddington Church and Wilkinson Hall3.00 pm Music Society concert in Church (Please note 3pm, not 2pm as given in some earlier publicity)Sunday 21st April9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church11.00 am St George's Patronal Festival Holy Communion Service, St George's Church.2.00 - 5.00 pm Gift Weekend event6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington ChurchTuesday 23rd April2.00pm St George's special afternoon Tea, Wilkinson HallWednesday 24th April11.00 am Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Hall Thursday 25th AprilAlpha week 7 - 'How Does God Guide Us' - The Rectory 6.30pmFriday 26th April10.00 am Confirmation Course - The Rectory3.30 pm Messy ChurchSunday 28th April9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church led by Bishop Richard, Bishop of Bedford (and currently the acting Bishop of St Albans)11.00 am Confirmation and Communion Service, Toddington Church - led by Bishop Richard, Bishop of BedfordHave a good week. I look forward to seeing you at some of the upcoming events.Wishing you every blessingLinda Rector of Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone How lovely it is to feel and see the warm sunshine today. Spring is upon us with lambs in the fields, blossom on the trees, new buds bursting forth and for those of us who experience hay fever.. the pollen is rising too! I hope you have managed some rest and recuperation during the Easter holidays and feel refreshed. Schools return this week for the Summer Terms and we wish the staff, pupils and families a blessed term. (Can we already be two thirds through this Academic year?!). Nigel and I have been glad of two weeks rest following the Easter services, and now look ahead to all the fun things planned at church. There is a lot ahead: Chalgrave restoration work continues and the Chancel remains full of scaffolding (and lots of dust! – see photograph) but the restoration work completed is so very skilled. Toddington church prepares to mark St George's Day with a Gift week-end of activities for children and families next weekend. Will you be able to find St George's dragon? There will also be a music society concert on Saturday (see poster attached). On Tuesday 23rd, there will be a special St George's Day Afternoon Tea at Wilkinson Hall.... and just in case you haven't had your fill of cake and lovely refreshments, Chalgrave folk host the next Pop Tea Room at Tebworth Memorial Hall on Wednesday 24th. Bishop Richard, the Bishop of Bedford, is coming to visit both Chalgrave Church and Toddington Church on Sunday 28th April and will be leading a Confirmation Service at Toddington in the 11.00 am Toddington morning service. Do come and support the candidates and join the congregation as we celebrate and worship. All are welcome. This Week's Services and other upcoming events: Sunday 14th April 11.00 am Joint Chalgrave and Toddington Benefice Holy Communion Service at Toddington Church Monday 15th April 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2.00 pm Seated Pilates with Alison (in Jo's absence) Wilkinson Hall Tuesday 16th April 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 18th April 2.00 pm Afternoon with Friends in the Wilkinson Hall 6.30 pm Alpha course session 6, Why and How Should I Read the Bible, The Rectory Friday 19th April 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 20th April 'Gift Weekend' - Toddington Church and Wilkinson Hall (see poster) 10.00 am – 5.00 pm with a concert in church at 3.00 pm (see poster). Sunday 21st April 11.00 am Holy Communion service at Toddington Church (probably a Benefice service with Chalgrave church.. tbc) 6.00 pm Evensong Service, Toddington Church 'Gift Weekend' 1.00 – 5.00 pm with activities and refreshments, church and Wilkinson Hall. Alpha Course: Thursdays 25th April, 2nd May, 9th May 16th May Alpha course, and Saturday 11th May Alpha Holy Spirit Day - all at The Rectory. Messy Church: Friday 26th April, 24th May, 28th June, 26 July, 3.30 pm Wilkinson Hall Confirmation Service: 28th April, 11.00 am Toddington Church with Bishop Richard and 9.30 am service at Chalgrave Church Youth Group: Tuesday 30th April, 7th or 14th May (tbc), 21 May, 11 and 25 June, 2 and 16 July, Wilkinson Hall 5.45pm Have a good week and thank you so much for all your help and support at all the different events. Thank you also for your prayers and support for Harrison and his family these past weeks. They are so very grateful for our prayers and thank you so much. Please keep praying that young Harrison will make a good recovery and that the family can be all together again soon. God bless you all Linda Rector of Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone What a brilliant Spring sunny day we have had today. Just right for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Last week, Holy Week, was a busy week! Monday began with Morning Prayer and was quickly followed by a Governor's visit to the Lower School. On Tuesday morning I led Collective Worship at the Lower School about Good Friday, and Nigel and I led assemblies at Parkfields School on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons talking about the significance of the Cross. Youth Group met in the evening with fun and Bible reflection with an Easter focus. Wednesday seemed to be soup day...Chalgrave Pop Up Tea room was buzzing with conversation, beautiful cakes and refreshments (broccoli and stilton soup), The Lent Lunch at Toddington followed providing more tasty soups and then at Alpha in the evening - more soup plus a very. tasty meal provided by Rachel and Doug. On Thursday morning we hosted a joyful.. wonderful Easter Celebration school service at Toddington church with the whole school attending and where the children sang with such joyful enthusiasm - almost lifting the roof off the church! Their Christmas visit made my Christmas and their Easter visit did too. It is such a special time to gather all together in church. Then, after the service, Nigel, Malcolm and I made a quick journey to St Albans Abbey for the annual diocesan Maundy Thursday service when Bishops, clergy, readers and lay members renew their vows of service and faith. In the evening, we shared a lovely Benefice Maundy Thursday meal in Wilkinson Hall of delicious soups, followed by fruit before heading into church for a Holy Communion Service to remember Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples. On Good Friday children and families gathered for an Easter Messy Church morning of crafts and a story at Wilkinson Hall, decorating eggs, making and decorating crosses, helping to create a Palm Sunday Easter Collage, and enjoying hot Cross Buns. Later, at the more sombre afternoon Hour at the Cross service the story of Jesus' trial and crucifixion was told through Bible readings and reflections by the characters who were involved on the day - all read by volunteers who read so brilliantly. It was very moving. Tomorrow we celebrate that 'Jesus is Risen' in our Benefice Service at 11.00 am at Toddington Church. You all are very welcome. Do come and join us if you can. Chalgrave Church continues to be closed for restoration work. This week the scaffolding in the Nave has been removed and the Chancel is now filled with scaffolding and has been sealed off by a large blue sheet. Sadly there will still be rather a lot of dust as the next stage of investigative work takes place so we cannot yet meet there. I've attached 2 photos which show the care of work which Mick and team have offered to the repair of two decayed beams. One beam has been repaired on both ends.. that is the beam I used to stand beneath when leading the services. I rather thank God that it stayed up there safely for as long as it did! Besides the Easter events, I have been supporting a young family whose 3 year old son unexpectedly suffered a cardiac arrest and has since been in Paediatric Intensive Care at Royal Brompton Hospital. He is very poorly and his parents have not left his bedside for almost 4 weeks. On Tuesday evening I travelled up to London to baptise this special and beautiful little boy. It was a very special and moving occasion. Something I will never forget. We as a church have been praying for young Harrison for a miracle of healing and for his parents Alex and Kyle who wait alongside him. They face a very long journey. It is likely that he will need a heart transplant. Harrison's aunt Cherie has posted an explanation of his situation on 'GoFundMe'. As you can imagine Harrison's parents are exhausted and in an effort to lift the financial anxiety from them an appeal has been launched. Cherie says: 'As a family, we have come to the decision to ask for help to support my sister and her family at this extremely difficult time. We know of all the love and support for Alex, Kyle and their 3 children, and I know how grateful they are to everyone wishing them well and supporting anyway that they can, but they now need financial help so they can continue to be by Harrison’s side whilst he fights for his life. If you could donate, no matter how big or small, or even share so this reaches as many people as possible, we would be eternally grateful. Any funds left over will be donated to The Royal Brompton Hospital, who continue to provide Harrison, Alex and Kyle the best care'. If you would like to donate or read more please click this link: https://gofund.me/f5ac8f81 (I need to press command and click at the same time). Or Search GoFundMe Harrison Blanchflower. The appeal has already almost reached its initial target.. but I think that was a modest target - not knowing what lays ahead. The family have asked me to 'thank everyone at church for their prayers/support/donations if they are able, it means the world to us'. Thank you if you are able to hold this young boy and his family in your prayers. We continue to pray for a miracle of healing.. and many people across the country and across the world are also praying for him. As we approach Easter Day, and think of Jesus' resurrection, we pray that Harrison will also be blessed by healing in body, mind and spirit. Here is information about this week's events: Easter Day service: 11.00 am Easter Benefice Holy Communion Service Toddington Church. Monday 1st April - No Morning Prayer.. Bank Holiday Tuesday 2nd April - Knitting Group, 10.30 am Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 3rd April - Churchyard Gardening, Toddington Church, 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Thursday 4th April - Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall, 12.00 noon to 1.30 pm Friday 5th April - Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall, 10.30 am- 12.30pm Wishing you and your families a very Happy Easter, with love and prayers and with thanks for all you do in so many ways. Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
