Hello Everyone This past week has been a wonderful build up to Christmas in our churches with the various carol services and school visits. It was so special to welcome the entire lower school (and their accompanying adults) to church on Wednesday - a first since I have been minister at Toddington - and we managed to squeeze in over 370 people! What a joy it was to listen to the children's excited questions about the church, and to hear the readers and choir performing so capably. Mr Darlington and his staff will have been so proud of the children, and so were we. And just a few minutes after their return... I was asked if they can come back at Easter! Yes, they most definitely can! On Tuesday, we hosted two special Key Stage Parkfields Carol Services...each with over 200 Parkfields students. This was also a joy but unfortunately, the weather wasn't kind, so many of the children arrived very wet and cold but they didn't complain and inside church we were warm and snug as we sang carols, heard readings and listened to the choir sing beautifully (one choir sang a piece written by Mr Winn their music teacher). How talented our young folk are. It is such a privilege to be able to host them. The night before was our service of Lessons and Carols accompanied by the Quintet choir, led by Nicholas Hopton and brother Matthew. The church was full.. but not quite as full as Wednesday with the lower school. Thank you so much to everyone who read a reading or reflection. Thank you so much to the Quintet Choir for making that service extra special.. and also for singing at Chalgrave last Saturday for Carols By Candlelight. What a wonderful week it has been. Last Sunday, someone at the lovely Christmas Toddington Band concert asked how many people the church can hold and I replied it depends how big or little they are... knowing that we were going to have some big congregations this week - of varying sizes. As Mr Hughes reflected in his talk to Parkfields students.. it is incredible to think that people have been attending this church for so many years to sing, worship and to pray. What history! What a legacy! I want to offer a huge thank you to anyone who has contributed money or food towards the Christmas food hampers for families who need a little support this year. Ten sets of hamper bags were delivered into the two schools last week and three more bags distributed this week. They have been very gratefully received. Another food collection delivery was taken to the Dunstable foodbank this week. Thank you for your generosity of donation and care. If you know of any family who would appreciate some support, please let me know as I still have some provisions available to deliver. Thank you also to the teams of folk who have carried chairs into church, and carried them out again as we juggled furniture to accommodate the larger services. Thank you to all who dusted, polished and cleaned, to prepare the church for our visitors. Thank you to the teams who have sorted and carried food parcels, or arranged beautiful flower displays in church in readiness for our Christmas services this week-end. We have some special services to which you are warmly invited. Come and sing carols and enjoy being together as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. (See attached poster for more information) St George of England Church, Toddington Christmas Eve 11am Benefice Holy Communion Service Crib Service – Sunday 24 December 4pm (Children are welcome to come dressed as nativity characters, if they wish) ‘Midnight Mass’ - 10pm Christmas Day Benefice Holy Communion Service 10am (31 December 11am Benefice Service) All Saints Church, Chalgrave Christmas Eve 11am Benefice Holy Communion Service at Toddington Church Crib Service - Sunday 24th December 2.30pm Midnight Mass 11.15pm (Benefice Service at Toddington on Sunday 31st at 11am) Wishing you all a peaceful, special Christmas time. May you have happy time with friends and family and, may you all (whether with others, or alone) feel the comfort, peace and love of Jesus surrounding you and blessing you. With love Linda Rev LInda Washington Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone Christmas approaches quickly. The Christmas Services are in full swing! The children in school have been very busy this week (and so have their teachers and parents!). Yesterday the young nursery children charmed us with their classroom nativity performance and afterwards parents were able to mingle and make Christmas Crafts with their children. On Monday I attended the early years wonderful 'Wriggly Nativity' performance and found myself with a big smile on my face for the full performance, charmed by the children's skills. On Tuesday, I was privileged to accompany the school choir to Luton and Dunstable hospital and enjoyed hearing them sing to visitors and staff. They did so well and are apparently the only school (so far) to be asked for an encore! On Wednesday morning I was wonderfully enraptured by the year 1 nativity concert which was performed so well. On Tuesday evening the youth group had their Christmas party making Christingles which were lit and looked beautiful burning brightly in a darkened room for a time of reflection, before folks dived into burgers and goodies to eat. On Wednesday Chalgrave church folk provided a wonderful array of cakes and goodies to enjoy at the Pop Up Tea room which had such a contented happy buzz of conversation. On Thursday afternoon Christmas Messy Church children made Christmas Crafts and helped us set up the table for their tea. Last night we hosted the delightful scout, cub and beaver Christmas carol Service with readings read skillfully by the youngsters, and with lots of fun as Malcolm led us in a brilliant talk. And now, the weekend approaches. Tonight at 6.00 pm I am very much looking forward to the annual Carols by Candlelight service at Chalgrave Church which has been decorated so beautifully and which will look so beautiful tonight. Thank you to everyone who has helped to decorate the church, and to all who will read lessons this evening. Thank goodness the rain has finally stopped so we can park on the grassed area! Tomorrow at Toddington we look forward to Toddington Bank Christmas Concert at church at 3.00 pm (but send our condolences to Derek Jones' family on the very sad news of his death). On Monday Toddington Church hosts their Christmas Lessons and Carols at 7.30 pm (Thank-you to all who will read). On Tuesday we host Parkfields School at two separate Key Stage carol concerts with their accompanying Key Stage choirs. On Wednesday we look forward to hosting the whole lower school in church for the first Church Christmas Concert since I have been in Toddington. Yippee! Exciting! And then.. a short service breather until Christmas Eve, when we will host an 11.00 am morning benefice service at Toddington, a 4.00 pm Crib service and a 10.00pm Midnight Mass service, and Chalgrave church will host a 2.30 pm Crib Service and an 11.15 pm Midnight Mass. That 'gently' leads us into a 10.00 am Benefice Christmas Morning service at Toddington.... then.. I am going to sleeeeeppppp for a few hours! This week we will also be preparing Christmas hamper bags for families who could value some support this Christmas. If you have anything to spare to contribute to a hamper bag, or could spare some cash towards shopping for the items, it would be lovely. Could you please drop off any donations to church either tomorrow or on Monday, or pass payments to Dee or to me? The churches also have a 'love fund' if you would like to make a donation online. The Toddington QR code above will take you to the donation page. Thank you so much, as always for your wonderful support and help, and for your donations of time, effort, love and care. With every good wish Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone All of a sudden we are into full Christmas season flow! This weekend we are enjoying the beautiful Christmas Tree Festival at Toddington Church, which has many wonderful trees imaginatively decorated and presented by different community and church groups. Thank you to everyone who has helped in any way to make the Friends of Toddington Church Christmas Tree Festival such a success. The trees look wonderful, the church looks beautiful, the tombola is full-some and tempting.. and so are all the beautiful cakes and refreshments. So much time and effort has gone into the planning, organisation and preparation with community groups arriving during the week to set up their tree displays. Which one will catch your eye? On Sunday morning both our services will be Christingle services and as we light them we will reflect on Jesus, the Light of the World. And how our world needs light this year to shine through the darkness! The week ahead promises to be busy! On Monday church folks will be clearing up after the Christmas Tree Festival and I am going to school to see the nursery class nativity in the afternoon. On Tuesday I have been invited to go with the lower school choir to L and D hospital where they have been invited to sing.. and the children in school sing (and sign) so well! In the evening, Youth Group will be having fun at their Christmas Party. On Wednesday I'll be back in school in the morning to attend Year one's nativity. This is quickly followed by Tebworth Christmas Pop Up Tea room where there promises to be another wonderful array of tasty Christmas provisions. On Thursday, I'll be leading a collective worship at the lower school, telling the next instalment of the Christmas story. In the afternoon Nigel and I will visit Harlington Upper school for an hour or so to remember with staff and students loved ones who have died. Christmas time is a time, for many of us, of mixed emotions as we remember loved ones who will not be sitting around the table with us this year. It is good to spend time to value those we have loved and to remember and it can be particularly helpful to meet with others who are experiencing similar loss or sadness. It is reassuring and comforting to share. If any of you reading this email would find it helpful to meet with others to remember, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me. I am keen to support if I can. Some churches hold a 'blue Christmas' service and if this is something that you would find helpful, I can organise a special service before Christmas. On Thursday afternoon Toddington Messy Church team look forward to hosting Christmas Messy Church in the Hall, at 3.30pm (Thursday this month instead of on Friday) and we will be doing Christmas crafts and have a Christmas story and Christmas Tea. On Friday, the church will be filled with lots of young people at the Scout service. It certainly will be an exciting week. No days off this week! On Saturday, folks will be busy lighting candles at Chalgrave church for the 'Carols by Candlelight' service at 6pm, when Nicholas will be playing and the Quintet Choir will be singing.... and if you have time to spare to help clean or to decorate the church this week, please let Sandy know. She will be very glad of an extra pair of hands! On Sunday 17th we have our usual 9.30am and 11am morning services with an Advent theme and in the afternoon at 3pm Toddington Band will fill Toddington Church with Christmas music and songs. Do come along if you can. It is always a toe tapping enjoyable time. The following week continues with carols and Christmas music. On Monday 18th Toddington Church hosts a Nine lessons and Carols service at 7.30pm with the Quintet Choir singing; do come along and join in with the singing and hear the Christmas story told by readers from church and the community. On Tuesday 19th we look forward to hosting Parkfields KS2 and KS3 carol services at Toddington church with the church filled with wonderful music by Mr Wynn and the two different Key Stage choirs. I'm excited to welcome the children and staff to church again this year. It was such a joy last year. Then on Wednesday morning 20th December.. Toddington St George School will be coming to church for their morning Christmas Carol service. What special times we have ahead. I love the families and children coming to church. The excitement at Christmas, as we remember the baby Jesus, is so tangible and joyful. Do look out for the church Christmas Card which should be delivered to your home very soon. If you haven't received one yet, do pop into church to pick one up and I have attached a copy with this email. Thank you all for your wonderful support, fellowship and care for each other. God bless Linda Rev Linda Washington Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello everyoneThe temperatures have dipped suddenly and winter is very much upon us. Christmas activities and services are also approaching quickly.Nigel and I enjoyed a dark, cold walk at Wrest Park last evening, strolling along a wonderful evening light walk through the grounds, admiring the display of coloured lights which highlighted the trees and buildings. It was very cold and wonderfully atmospheric... and very enjoyable.. but there was no obvious sign of reference to Jesus. Next weekend will be the Toddington Church wonderful Christmas Tree festival which is such a highlight of our year with community groups getting together to contribute their creative ideas and decorations. There will be restricted access to the church from Wednesday whilst the trees are installed but the church will be open for prayer. I wonder where we will find Jesus among the trees? There will be so much to see and to admire (with refreshments available in the Hall). We finish on Sunday, carol singing amidst the trees. This morning I attended a Christian Breakfast at Frost's garden centre with Fiona Castle speaking about Christmas... and she reflected on how beautiful the centre looks with its twinkling lights and beautiful displays... but then reflected on how so many people celebrate Christmas, and yet have no idea about the person whose birthday we are celebrating. An interesting perspective! This week, I had the privilege to spend special time in the lower school with colleagues from church, telling the children about Mary (the mother of Jesus) and Elizabeth (the mother of John the Baptist) as part of our Christmas Assemblies and on Friday, a team of us from church headed back into school for an afternoon of making Christingles with the children... such a wonderful time! We gathered later with the children for a time of worship.. with them all proudly holding their Christingles as I explained the symbolism of the Christingle..remembering Jesus, the light of the world (the white candle), at the centre. It was a very special afternoon, enjoyed by us all, and I was very grateful to Mr Darlington, and the staff, for making us so welcome.This afternoon, the Linsdale singers gave a wonderful concert of Christmas songs at church.. definitely with Jesus at the heart. And then I popped along to the Christmas Rotary Afternoon Tea.. which had a lovely happy atmosphere, with people contentedly tapping along to the music, enjoying lovely food and time together. I always love this gathering. Was Jesus visible? He was certainly present in the generosity of the provision and care given by the Rotarians and volunteers who were keen to serve and provide a special time. He was there drawing people together and in the various conversations. He is so often in our interactions and meetings. I wonder where you will find Jesus this week?Fiona Castle suggested an interesting type of Advent calendar action... to try to do a good deed each day...something that will make someone's day a little brighter. It doesn't need to be much.. and yet it may make all the difference to the person you reach out to. 'What would Jesus do' is an interesting thought each day. Asking God each day to guide us, can bring about some very special moments. May you be blessed, as you reach out and may we have wonderful opportunities to introduce Jesus into people's Christmas this year.This week's services and events:Sunday services 3rd December. Advent Sunday9.30am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church11am Holy Communion, Toddington ChurchMonday 4th9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington churchTuesday 5th10.30am Knitting Group Wilkinson HallWednesday 6- Friday 8thsetting up for the Christmas Tree FestivalFriday 8thChristmas Tree Preview evening with wine and canapes. Tickets need to be pre-booked and cost £10. Contact Fran Brown 01525 872501Saturday 9thChristmas Tree Festival 11-5pm entrance £2.50, children free.Sunday 10th9.30am service at Chalgrave Church11am Holy Communion Service Toddington ChurchChristmas Tree Festival 1-5pm finishing with carols by the trees. Entrance £2.50, children free.Upcoming Christmas events:Tuesday 12th December 5.45pm Youth Group Christmas Party, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 14 December 3.30pm Christmas Messy Church, Wilkinson HallFriday 15 December 7pm Scout Carol ServiceSaturday 16 December 6pm Carols by Candlelight Chalgrave ChurchSunday 17 December 3pm Toddington Band Christmas Concert, Toddington ChurchMonday 18 December 7.30pm Nine Lessons and Carols, Toddington Church.Tuesday 19 December Parkfields Carol services, in churchWednesday 20 December Toddington St George L S carol service, in churchThe church Christmas cards have now arrived and we will be delivering these to homes in Toddington, Tebworth, Wingfield and Chalton. If you have time and energy to deliver some cards, I will be very happy to receive your help! Please send me an email or a text.(If you, like me, enjoy Christmas Tree Festivals, you may wish to visit Harlington Church festival this Sunday afternoon).Wishing you a bright and blessed week.LindaRev Linda WashingtonRector Toddington and Chalgrave.07715 603557
