Hello Everyone, Autumn's approach is in the air and the temperatures are beginning to dip, but we are still blessed with sunshine and dry days. This Sunday we host Harvest Services at Chalgrave at 9.30 am and Toddington at 11.00 am, to give praise to God for his provision and his good creation. As the church is still so beautifully decorated, we are inviting donations of long-life food items for the food bank which covers our area, and any fresh produce will be sent to the Noah project for the homeless. Thank you to everyone who has helped to decorate the churches and for any foods you may donate. We had a lovely time at Messy Church yesterday celebrating Harvest through crafts and activities. It is so lovely to see the children and their families sharing time together. This evening at 6.00 pm we host the benefice Harvest Supper at Wilkinson Hall. Can it be less than a week since the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth and a week since the beautiful Petal and Purl festival at Toddington? How this week has flown by! I was absorbed most of the day last Monday watching the funeral processions and services and was incredibly impressed by the slick performance of HM forces and the smoothly choreographed event. How moving it was. I have also been very impressed by the beauty of the flower and knitting arrangements in Toddington church which have presented a wonderful celebration of the church's 800 years anniversary and of God given talents and care. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way to the displays, and to the provision of the Preview evening and a weekend of refreshments - plus separate stalls. It was truly a special event. Thank you, and with particular thanks to Rita and June for organising the floral displays, to Angela for organising the knitting displays, and to Dee who lived at church for days! I am very aware that many, many people were involved, so thank you all. Last Sunday at 6.00 pm Toddington and Chalgrave churches came together to mark the occasion of my licensing as Rector of the benefice. Thank you so much to everyone who came to support. It was a moment in time to mark and recognise our progress and also to offer stability and security as we move forward. Archdeacon Dave led the service and shared the joy of the occasion. I had fun learning how to ring bell no 5 (which is one of the heavier bells) and managed to make it ring out to mark the moment. At the end of the service, we were moved to see so many people queueing to come into church for the service of Commemoration to the Queen. About two hundred adults and children came to the service to pay their respects. Afterwards we gathered outside at 8.00 pm to light candles, lay flowers and to share the nation's one minute silence. I've attached a few photos of Petal and Purl festival and also of my licensing. This week end I will be leading my last Sunday services for a month as Nigel and I are taking some time out for a rest (following his retirement from Westoning Benefice) and this may be the last weekly email for a few weeks. The services will be as follows for this Sunday and for October: This week's Sunday Services Sunday September 25th 9.30 am Harvest Festival with Communion - Chalgrave Linda and Malcolm 11.00 am Harvest Festival with Communion - Toddington Linda and Malcolm October Sunday Services Sunday October 2nd 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave - Rev Ian Ogilvie 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington - Rev Roger Wood Sunday October 9th 9.30 am Morning Praise, Chalgrave - Malcolm C 11.00 am Morning Praise, Toddington - Malcolm C Sunday October 16 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave - Rev Roger Wood 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington - Rev Roger Wood Sunday October 23 9.30 am Morning Praise, Chalgrave - Malcolm C 11.00 am, Morning Praise, Toddington - Malcolm C Sunday 31st October 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave - Archdeacon Dave 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington - Archdeacon Dave Regular Events going forward for this week and future weeks: Morning Prayer 9.30 am Monday in church Tuesday Morning 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall Friday Morning 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall Weekly events happening during the month: Monday, Craft Group (4th Monday of the month) 26th September and 24th October at 2.00 pm, Wilkinson Hall Monday, Seated Pilates group (2nd Monday of the month) 10th October 2.00 pm, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday, Pop up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall: 28th September and 19th October, 11.00 am Thursday, Ploughman's Lunch (first Thursday of the month) 12.00 noon, 6th October, Wilkinson Hall Thursday, Afternoon with Friends (2nd Thursday of the month) 2.00 pm, 13th October, Wilkinson Hall Thursday, St George's Fellowship (3rd Thursday of the month) 2.00 pm, 20th October Wilkinson Hall Friday, Messy Church, (4th Friday of the month) 3.30pm 28th October, Wilkinson Hall Saturday Cake Stall on the Green (2nd Saturday of the month) 9.30 am 8th October. Saturday, Coffee Morning (4th Saturday of the month) 10.00 am 22nd October, Wilkinson Hall Sunday Messy Breakfast (2nd Sunday of the month) 9.30 am, Wilkinson Hall Toddington PCC Thursday 6th October Funerals at Toddington Church: 7th October at 2.30 pm - Harry Britain Thinking of you all. May you have a good week. God bless Linda
Hello EveryoneWe are looking ahead to a busy week-end of events both nationally and locally and it is so lovely to see the sun shining to herald in the weekend. It will be a chilly wait for anyone in the Queue in London waiting to pay their respects to HM the Queen but stories told of friendships formed and of the incredible moment of entering Westminster Hall to share the vigil make one tingle. How resounding was the sound of the drum beat on Wednesday's procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall with the crowd watching on in deep silence. The week has been full of precisely choreographed military spectacles as the people of the United Kingdom, and the world, have come together to pay their respects to a much valued and deeply loved Queen who served and led her people with such commitment and grace. King Charles and the Royal Family could not have done more to honour their mother, grandmother, aunt - our monarch. My prayers for strength, comfort and peace reach out to them.Locally this week end we warmly invite you to the Petal and Purl 800 years festival event at Toddington church which garners up flower arranging, knitting and historical knowledge by members of the community to provide floral displays depicting the 800 years of the Church, knitting displays to represent key moments of church life and historical exhibitions about significant moments relating to the Church itself. The event formally starts this evening:Preview Evening at 7.00 pm, with wine and canapes. Tickets £10 from Fran 872501 or Dee. Saturday 17th from 10.00 am to 5.00pm Tickets £5 but no charge to childrenSunday 18th from 1.00 – 5.00pm. Tickets £5 but no charge to children.The Book of Condolence will remain available each day for people to pay their respects to HM Queen Elizabeth in church at Toddington. Chalgrave Church book of Condolence is available on Sunday morning from 9.15 am to 11.00 am, or by appointment by contacting Sandy 874748, or Rev Linda.Flowers of tribute to the Queen may be laid outside Toddington Church, on the south side, in the U shape between the South Porch and Cheyne Chapel (preferably with the plastic covers removed).This Sunday's Services9.30 am Chalgrave Church - A Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving for HM Queen Elizabeth (with HC).11.00 am Toddington Church - A Service of Holy Communion with prayers for HM Queen Elizabeth and HM King Charles6.00 pm Toddington Church- The Service of Institution and Induction of Revd Linda as Rector of Toddington and Chalgrave with Archdeacon Dave Middlebrook and The Quintet Choir.6.45 - 7.15 pm Refreshments in Wilkinson Hall7.15 pm Toddington Church - A Service of Commemoration on the death of HM Queen Elizabeth - Rev Linda and Archdeacon Dave7.45 pm leading into 8pm one Minute National Silence - when people from church and the benefice villages will gather on the south side of the church to pay their respects to the Queen and lay flowers.Monday 19th September - A Bank Holiday to pay our final respects to HM the Queen on the occasion of her 11.00 am State Funeral.Next Week's eventsTuesday 20th September9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church11.00 am Safeguarding Training for PCC members at the Rectory10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson HallThursday 22nd SeptemberSt George's Fellowship 2.00 – 4.00 pmChalgrave PCC 6.00 pmFriday 23rd September10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall 3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson HallSaturday 24th SeptemberHarvest Supper for Chalgrave and Toddington Churches, Wilkinson Hall 6.00 pmSunday 25th September9.30 am Harvest Communion Service, Chalgrave11.00 am Harvest Communion Service, ToddingtonSending my huge thanks to everyone involved in the Petal and Purl preparations. Do please come and support the festival, and any of the services.. and I extend an especially warm invitation to you to my licensing service which is a wonderful opportunity to mark and celebrate the development and moving forward of these Benefice churches. I will declare an oath of allegiance to King Charles III.Please also come to the special Commemorative services of Tribute to the Queen. With best wishesLindaPriest in Charge Toddington and Chalgrave (from Sunday - Rector)
Hello EveryoneWhat an enormously strange week this week has been. Who could have anticipated the last seven days.Last Sunday, Nigel retired from Westoning Benefice after a very special and moving service. On Monday his retirement began unexpectedly with a period of enforced rest after a positive Covid test. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris, stepped down and Liz Truss was appointed as the new Prime Minister by the Queen at Balmoral and asked to form a new Government. The Queen looked frail but smiling and determined to fulfil her duties as Sovereign and reportedly held a good level of interested conversation with both Prime Ministers. On Wednesday, I also tested positive for Covid - it was inevitable really.. but the timing is awful. On Thursday, we heard the sudden news of the Royal Family being summoned to be alongside the Queen whose health was of concern... and then came the very sad, shocking news, that the Queen died later that day and the new King was announced. How our world has turned upside down this week. Most of us have previously known no other sovereign that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and what an amazing Queen she has been. She has been a figure of inspirational leadership, a dedicated servant to her people, a caring, intelligent, inquisitive, knowledgeable role model and a beacon of the Christian Faith. To each one of us, she will be remembered in our own special way.HM King Charles III has already shown that he intends to be a King of the people and despite his deep grief, has extended hands of friendship on two walkabouts already and has offered such profound words of tribute to his mother, his guiding example, and at his Proclamation as King today, offered lifelong commitment to serve the people and the nations, with the help of God.As we all try to come to terms with the rapidly moving times in which we live, our churches offer to be places of solace and peace.The churches of Chalgrave and Toddington will be open over the coming week for people to come and pay their respects to the Queen, to write special tributes in a book of condolence, and to spend some quiet time in church with opportunity to also light a candle. Special prayers will be said at the morning services tomorrow and next Sunday.Sunday 11th 9.30am Chalgrave Church, and 11am Toddington church- Morning Service led by Malcolm Curtis, with representation by the British Legion. Prayers will be said for HM Queen Elizabeth II and HM King Charles III, with opportunity to sign the book of condolence. The services will conclude with the National Anthem.Sunday 18th September a special service of Holy Communion at Chalgrave 9.30am and Toddington 11am with prayers for the HM Queen Elizabeth and HM King Charles led by Rev Linda. Sunday 18th September 6pm a joint benefice service of Commemoration to HM Queen Elizabeth (on the eve of her funeral), at Toddington Church (and the licensing of Rev Linda as Rector by the Archdeacon).Chalgrave Church will be open Wednesday 14th 10am to 12 noon.If you would like access to Chalgrave Church another time please phone Sandy on 07989 645040 or Rev Linda 07715 603557.Toddington church is usually open during daylight hours but times may change this week in the lead up to the Petal and Purl festival. Please phone Dee on 872649 or Rev Linda to check access times.Other services and events this week:Monday 12th September 10.30am. The funeral of John Bryant at Toddington Church. John was such a well-known, much respected member of this village and of many community groups and the church is expected to be busy. The service will be live-streamed so if you would like to view the service from home, or with other people at another location please use this link:https://vimeo.com/event/2407858 Please read the READ ME text after John's photo.Monday 12th No Morning Prayer service at 9.30am at Toddington ChurchTuesday 13th. Knitting group 10.30am Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 14th. Funeral of Ivor Bain 1pm Toddington ChurchPreparation for Petal and Purl Festival - churchThursday 15th Preparation for Petal and Purl - churchFriday 16th 10.30am Painting for Pleasure group Wilkinson HallPreparation for Petal and Purl - churchPreview evening of Petal and Purl (with wine and nibbles) from 7pm - tickets £10 from Dee Curtis - see attached poster.Saturday 17th Petal and Purl Festival 10-5pm Tickets £5, children freeSunday 18th 9.30am and 11am Service of Holy Communion at Chalgrave and Toddington churches respectively (see above)Petal and Purl Festival until 1-5pm Tickets £5, children free6pm Special service of Commemoration to the Queen (and licensing service), Toddington Church (see above)As we enter into a period of national mourning for Queen Elizabeth, I have sought advice from Bishop Richard and Bishop Alan about whether it is appropriate to continue to host the Petal and Purl festival over next weekend, which has become such a wonderful community event. It has been decided that the festival will offer time of reflection for our Queen and opportunity also to sign the book of condolence. We hope that you will enjoy time in church enjoying the beauty of the flowers, and the knitted displays which example scenes of church life, and community working together, in an atmosphere of prayer and thankfulness to God, for our Queen and for all she held dear as Head of the Church of England.Sending you love, peace and prayersLindaPS: If you would like a link to the recording of Nigel's leaving service please send me an email or give me a call.
Hello Everyone I hope you have had a good week. Nigel and I enjoyed a few days in peaceful and beautiful Norfolk, walking at Blakeney and Cley near Sea. - where I got doused by a freak wave! We visited Blickling Hall on our journey and within minutes were met by a call of 'Linda and Nigel Washington!' Rev Nick Bell who retired some years before to Norfolk from St Mary's Luton, had spotted us. It was good to catch up and to hear of his joys in retirement. Last Sunday Nigel and I attended two moving and beautiful retirement services for Nigel at Harlington and Tingrith and this Sunday heralds Nigel's retirement from Westoning Benefice after 22 years service so, at the point of meeting Nick, we were enwrapped in a world of our own. Could it be that it was a God appointment to meet Nick, who looks so well, and is loving his new ministry as Chaplain to the local Rugby club. He was so full of joy and encouragement. It was very special to see someone whom we respect and miss, looking so well and vibrant with his family and grandchildren. We had two very special days away. The below is a quote from Nigel's letter to his benefice: 'Well all too quickly for my liking the 4th September has come around and I am called to retire as Vicar of Westoning, Tingrith and Harlington. It is all quite surreal and sad but I trust in a God who has good plans for us all and no doubt there will be exciting days ahead. Thank you one and all for the support you have given to the Church and to me in my ministry. It has been a privilege to share the good news of Jesus with you. Please click the below link on Sunday 4th September 2022 from about 10.35am https://vimeo.com/event/2377866 When you click the link it is important to read the 'PLEASE READ ME' information before viewing. If you are unable to watch live a further link will be issued later with a recorded version of the service. I look forward to worshiping with you tomorrow. Please join me if you can. Every blessing Nigel Revd Canon Nigel Washington Rector of Westoning, Tingrith and Harlington' Hopefully, it won't be the last time we see Nigel at Toddington and Chalgrave Benefice. He will still be continuing as a minister within the diocese but on a 'permission to officiate' basis. He will need some time to rest and adjust and space to discern where/what God is calling him to pick up next. This week's services and events: Saturday 3 September 2.00 – 4.00 pm Fete in Toddington Church Grounds with stalls, bouncy castle and soft play area. Sunday 4 September 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave - Linda and Malcolm 11.00 am Morning Praise Service, Toddington - Malcolm Monday 5 September 9.30 am Morning Prayer service, Toddington Church Tuesday 6 September Knitting Group 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 8 September 2.00 pm Afternoon With Friends, Wilkinson Hall Friday 9 September 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 10 September 9.30 am Cake stall on the Green Future services and events Funeral of John Bryant 10.30 am Monday 12 September in church Funeral of Ivor Bain 1.00 pm Wednesday 14 September in church The church will then be closed to the public from 2.30 pm on 14 September until the Petal and Purl preview evening on 16 September so the church displays can be installed for the special Petal and Purl festival. Petal and Purl festival 16 September preview evening.. tickets from Dee. Petal and Purl festival 17 and 18 September open days for viewing Sunday 18 September - a special celebration service at 6.00pm to celebrate Toddington Church's 800 years anniversary which is being marked by the beautiful Petal and Purl festival and to give thanks for the hard work of all who serve, with the Quintet Choir offering a couple of special songs to mark the occasion. The service will also mark a moment in history when the Archdeacon will license me as Rector to Toddington and Chalgrave churches (instead of Priest in Charge). Do please come and join us to give thanks for our churches and to pray for our future ministry. Wishing you every blessing Linda
