Hello allIt has been such a beautiful sunny day.. but isn't it chilly this evening! The gardens are rapidly springing into life with birds and wildlife busy, shrubs already in need of curbing and lawns a rich lush green. After so much rainfall recently, I suppose it's understandable that some plants are taking off apace even though they hardly made an appearance last year when it was so dry. I didn't know we had so many grape hyacinths.. and bluebells have totally taken over some flowerbeds.. and I thought I'd cleared them! I love Spring time and part of that joy is the sound of the birds getting busy. This afternoon I enjoyed watching four sparrows happily settled having a good peck on a shrub. Sparrows which seemed so abundant a few years back now seem quite a rare sight.This weekend, we begin Holy Week, with Palm Sunday tomorrow - the start of Jesus' journey into Jerusalem, when he rode into Jerusalem on a colt, with the crowds of people cheering him, shouting 'Hosanna, Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!'. How joyfully they laid their cloaks on the road with branches cut from the trees to herald his arrival. What an amazing scene it must have been. We will distribute Palm Crosses tomorrow to identify with Jesus' journey. But, how quickly the mood changed in Jerusalem. Within days, the happy, cheering crowds were shouting for Jesus to be crucified. This week, during Holy Week we have various special services and Youth Group and Messy Church gatherings, which will remember Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Day. Do please come along if you can. Easter is such an important and significant season in the Christian Calendar. It is the foundation of our faith.Sadly, Chalgrave Church is still full of scaffolding. The scaffolding in the Nave is due to be taken down on Monday and Tuesday as that work is coming to an end, but scaffolding will be erected in the Chancel. We think it will be very difficult to clean the church in time to hold services for Easter and expect to be holding joint Benefice services at Toddington Church (but a final decision will be made early next week after discussion with the Archdeacon and the Diocesan Registry). If you would like to register a family loved one's name to be remembered with an Easter lily please contact Sandy for Chalgrave and Dee for Toddington churches. The churches always look so beautiful decorated with the special white lilies. (If Chalgrave church is closed, their lilies will be displayed at Toddington Church)This Sunday's Service:11am Palm Sunday Benefice Holy Communion Service at Toddington Church. (No service at Chalgrave Church again this Sunday)Services and Events this week:Monday 25th March9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington ChurchTuesday 26th March10.30am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall5.45pm Youth Group, Wilkinson HallWednesday 27th March11am-1pm Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room at Tebworth Memorial Hall12 noon Lent Lunch, Wilkinson Hall6.30pm Alpha week 5 'Why and How do I Pray', The Rectory, 41 Leighton Road, ToddingtonThursday 28th March9.30am Toddington St George Lower School visit to Toddington Church for their Easter Service11am Maundy Thursday service at St Albans Abbey (please let Linda know if you would like a lift)6pm Maundy Thursday Supper, Wilkinson Hall7.30pm Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Service, Toddington ChurchGood Friday 29 March10am An Hour at the Cross, Reflective Service at Chalgrave TBC (This may not be possible due to the restoration works - I will confirm later this week)10.30-12noon Easter Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall2pm An Hour at the Cross, Reflective Service, Toddington ChurchEaster Day 31 March9.30am Holy Communion Service at Chalgrave TBC (This may not be possible due to restoration works - I will confirm later this week)11am Easter Day Holy Communion Service, Toddington ChurchThis week we remember in our prayers, the Princess of Wales and King Charles and wish them a speedy recovery. We also pray for all who are anxious, sick or afraid and for the war torn areas of the world.. and we pray for the peace, the love and the light of Christ to overcome the darkness, as we remember Jesus, who died on the cross, in the most generous, selfless gift of love to us all.With love in ChristLindaRectorToddington and Chalgrave Churches
Hello Everyone I hope you have had a good week? The weather is a bit mixed, the garden is bursting into life, restoration work continues at Chalgrave Church, and as we approach the Easter season, the diary gets busier. I've attached a 'What's On' list for March for your information. Services this Sunday: No Service at Chalgrave Church (restoration work continues) 11.00 am a Benefice Morning Praise Service, Toddington Church - Malcolm 6.00 pm Evensong Service, Toddington Church - Malcolm This week's events: Mon 18th March Morning Prayer 9.30 am Toddington Church Tues 19th March Knitting Group 10.30 am – 12.30 pm Wilkinson Hall Wed 20th March Lent Lunch 12.00 noon - 1pm Wilkinson Hall Thursday 21st March St George’s Fellowship 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Alpha Course, 6.30 pm Wilkinson Hall The Rectory Friday 22nd March Painting for Pleasure 10.30 am – 12.30 pm Wilkinson Hall Wishing you every blessing Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone,Spring is definitely in the air, with daffodils, camellia flowers and blossoms emerging, and lawns summoning a new year mow. How much better it feels with the lengthening days and the milder weather approaching. Folks have happily gathered this week at 'church' for Lent Lunch on Wednesday, Hot Ploughman's meal and the Alpha course on Thursday, and this morning for Coffee morning. Thank you all who have worked so hard this week to cook and provide such splendid hospitality. There is something so special about such times when we share a meal or a cuppa. At last, we are all feeling comfortable to mingle again and to relax together. It is such a relief after those horrible times of lockdown and distancing.For the next two Sundays 10th and 17th March (and possibly also on Palm Sunday 24th) there will be no Sunday morning service at Chalgrave Church while the Church is closed for restoration work. (We will be meeting for a Benefice Service at Toddington Church instead). Mick the builder is getting on well with the work and when I popped in yesterday I took a few photos which show the two rotted ends of the Chancel beam - at least what is left of them! Mick has been covered in dry rot dust for a week and as you can see there are buckets of dust and very fragile remains of the beam ends alongside the buckets. The scaffolding has been extended across the centre of the church while this beam is repaired, and Mick has installed a pulley to help lift the heavy oak replacements up high ready for the repair. We are very grateful for this work taking place.. and I will feel a lot safer standing underneath the beam, once it has been repaired!Tomorrow we host a Benefice Sunday Mothering Sunday service at 11am at Toddington Church, and all are welcome. I am very conscious that this day can be a day of poignant sadness for some and a time of celebration for others. We are all on a different journey. I miss my own mother dearly and would love to be able to pop by tomorrow to give her a hug and a thankyou for such special times together, but instead, Nigel and I will be visiting the cemetery to lay flowers for both our mothers, with deep love and gratitude in our hearts. I also feel for those who would dearly love to be a mother but who are not, and for those who had a difficult childhood, or who are alongside a child in hospital waiting anxiously for their recovery. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. Tomorrow, in our service, we will sensitively thank God for the gift of motherhood, aware of the joys it can bring, and also aware of the challenges and sadnesses.This Thursday, offered a wonderful time of joy in school as the children all dressed up as book characters, for World Book Day, celebrating the gift of reading, writing and of special books. It was a wonderfully colourful scene as the children and staff all gathered in the Hall. I saw Superman, The Hulk, Worzel Gummage, Dorothy with her red shoes, characters from Frozen, and so many more. A lovely sea of characters. How special it is to curl up with a book to have a good read. Perhaps we should start a church book club?! It has certainly been a privilege to share in Alpha and we are only two weeks into the course, but how important it is to share our own stories and our faith to build each other up and to encourage each other. This evening there was a special service at St Albans Abbey to celebrate 30 years of Women into Ordained Ministry. Another special time to share. This week's Services and Events:Sunday 10th March11am Mothering Sunday Benefice Service, with Holy Communion, Toddington Church - Linda and MalcolmMonday 11th March9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church1pm Chalgrave MAP meeting - the Calders.No Pilates at Toddington this week (Jo hopes to return in September.. and we will investigating if we can offer a temporary alternative option)Tuesday 12 March10.30am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall2pm Toddington MAP meeting, Wilkinson Hall5.45pm Youth Group, Wilkinson HallWednesday 13th March11am Funeral of Mrs Rosemary Line, Toddington Church12 noon, Lent Lunch, Wilkinson Hall2pm Toddington PCC, Wilkinson Hall7.30pm Deanery Synod, Studham,Thursday 14th March2pm Afternoon with Friends, Wilkinson Hall6.30pm Alpha Course, session 3: 'Why Did Jesus Die?' - The Rectory, 41 Leighton Road, Toddington. (All Welcome - but please let Rev Linda know you would like to come for catering nos)Friday 15th March10.30am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson HallSunday 17th March11am Benefice Morning Praise service, Toddington Church - Malcolm6pm Evensong, Toddington Church - MalcolmFuture Events:Thurs 4th April Ploughman’s Lunch Our ‘Gift Weekend’ April 20th- 21st which we hope will incude an art display, a children’s art and craft display, historical display, refreshments and more.Sunday 21st April - an evening Confirmation Service, led by Bishop Richard, Toddington Church.23rd April (St. George’s Day) Afternoon Tea in Wilkinson Hall (ticket only)Have a good week.God blessLindaRector, Toddington and Chalgrave07715 603557revdtoddington@gmail.comrevdchalgrave@gmail.com
Hello Everyone Hasn't it been a wet week! With flooded fields, paths and roads, and with streams and rivers about to burst their banks.. I wonder if we all need to grow webbed feet! Despite the rain, it has been a very mild February and the Spring flowers and blossoms are quickly appearing, to uplift our spirits. There are lots of good things to give thanks for this week, with the first stage of the internal plaster restoration work at Toddington Church completed, and Chalgrave's restoration work about to start on Monday; The new curtains were hung in Wilkinson Hall early this morning, which I am very much looking forward to seeing tomorrow. The Hall has been undergoing a spring clean with Bridget and Tom hard at work redecorating. The kitchen looks bright and clean, the Hall itself looks so much better after its lick of emulsion, and the entrance hall is about to get some TLC too. Thank you so much to Bridget and Tom for all their hard work. Other special events this week were Youth Group's gathering on Tuesday night, led by Rebecca, Doug and Bridget with an Eco focus this week, after the God and prayer slot. There was a special atmosphere as I left the group on Tuesday as they settled down for their session. Thank you so much Rebecca, Doug and Bridget for your time and care in leading. On Wednesday, there was another very successful Pop-Up Tea Room run by Chalgrave Church at Tebworth Memorial Hall, with a good crowd attending for those cakes and savouries which have become so popular. Many thanks to the faithful team who cook and serve: Alison, Sue, Sandy, Sue and David and Margaret (and usually Jane.. and to those who also provide cakes but can't be there!). Wednesday was a busy day because it was also Lent lunch at Toddington where homemade soup is served with a roll, followed by fruit and a drink. It is each Wednesday during Lent at 12 noon at Wilkinson Hall. Thank you again to the team who provided this week. The Lent lunches are covered by the different churches.. but thank you all who come or serve, and who help raise funds for the Foodbank (or for those in need locally). Thank you also to the happy Messy Church team who led the previous week's Messy Church session. It is so good of everyone to work together so well as a team to provide for the children and families. I understand there were some good crafts and Malcolm inspired the children with stories of the Lost Coin and the Lost Sheep as they considered 'Perseverance' and then the children enjoyed a hot meal. On the theme of Perseverance.. the New Village Magazine is underway with the team persevering; gathering in articles and adverts and information to prepare a magazine for release to cover the months of April and May. Thank you all so much. This will be such an asset for the Village. We have missed the magazine! On Thursday evening fifteen people attended the first session of the new Alpha course, which was warmly hosted by Rachel and Doug in their home this week. They provided a very tasty meal for all of us and put us all at our ease before we settled down to watch the first session entitled 'Is there more to life than this'. Following the talk we enjoyed time in two groups getting to know each other better as we discussed the evening's talk. Thank you Rachel and Doug for your kind and generous hospitality. Next week, we meet at the Rectory at 6.30pm for the second session: 'Who is Jesus?'. You are warmly invited, but please, if possible, could you let me know you are coming (for catering numbers). Each week we will start with a meal, before settling to listen to the main talk. As the weeks progress, a special bond and friendship develops between those attending. Do come and join us.. you will be most welcome. On Friday, folks gathered for the World Day of Prayer service at Harlington, for which the ladies of Palestine had prepared the service liturgy. The service is led by volunteers from various churches in the area. Thank you to all who took part, and who met to worship, pray and support the people of Palestine. Let us continue to hold the conflict in Palestine and Israel, Ukraine and Russia and so many other parts of the world in our prayers, and pray for peace and love and care for all. Looking ahead to this week's upcoming services and events: Sunday Services: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Linda and Nigel 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Linda and Nigel (It is possible that, due to the restoration work at Chalgrave, we may not be able to lead services at Chalgrave Church on Sunday 10th and 17th. If that is the case, we will gather at Toddington for a Benefice service at 11.00 am instead.. but more information next week, when we know better). The builder needs to install further scaffolding support under the Nave beam, which is damaged at both ends, so we will not be able to hold services until all is safe and secure. In the meantime.. he is ordering the Oak needed for the restoration. This week's services and events: Monday 4th March 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 5th March 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 6th March 12.00 noon, Lent Lunch, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 7th March 12.00 noon Ploughman's 'hot' lunch, Wilkinson Hall 6.30 pm Alpha Course, the Rectory, (hot meal served at the beginning, followed by the talk ' Who is Jesus' and discussion time). Finishes about 8.45pm Friday 8th March 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 9th March 10.00 am Coffee Time and Book stall, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 10th March - Mothering Sunday service (expected to be a Benefice, Family Service at Toddington Church, 11.00 am) Sunday 17th March - is likely to be a Benefice morning service 11.00 am, Toddington Church with Evensong, 6.00 pm also at Toddington Church Looking ahead to Easter Services and events: We hope to install interactive prayer stations in church again this year.. do pop by during Easter Week to spend some quiet time in church. The church is open during daylight hours. Palm Sunday 24 March 11.00 am service at Toddington and hopefully 9.30 am at Chalgrave Alpha: Wednesday 27th March, 6.30 pm (please note the change of day - because of Maundy Thursday services) Maundy Thursday 28th March: Visit to church by Toddington St George Lower School for a special school Easter Service (time tbc). 11.00 am Annual Chrism Service at St Albans Abbey for ministers and members of the congregations. Please let me know if you would like to attend. I can give a lift to 3 people. 6.00 pm Maundy Thursday Benefice Supper, Wilkinson Hall 7.30 pm Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Good Friday 29th March 10.00 am 'An Hour at the Cross', reflective service at Chalgrave Church 10.30 am Good Friday, Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall (until about 12 noon) 2.00 pm 'An hour at the Cross' reflective service at Toddington Church. Easter Sunday 31st March 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am, Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Looking ahead to St George's Day on 23 April.. we are hoping to organise a special St George's Time Together for the weekend of 20/21st April leading to a special event in the afternoon of 23rd April. More information to follow. Sorry for the long list of dates but I thought you may like to have them for your diaries. Have a good week. God bless Linda Rev Linda Washington Rector, Toddington and Chalgrave
