Hello Everyone, The sun is shining and it has been a glorious day. The big Luton - Coventry football match is in play.. and I wonder which team will win? It has been a busy and eventful week for us with different unexpected things cropping up, but all is well. This week Chalgrave and Toddington Churches held their annual Parochial church council meetings - the time in the year when we reflect back over the previous year to give thanks for the work of so many in the church, acknowledge special times, and recognise challenges which have been faced. Each meeting reflected back the love and care, hard work and commitment of all who serve, in so many different capacities, and I am so very grateful to you all for your support and efforts. In case you are interested, I have attached my minister's APCM report for Chalgrave Church. Youth group met in Wilkinson Hall on Tuesday evening and had a 'fruitful' discussion about the 'I am' sayings of Jesus, with a focus on bread. Messy Church children and school assembly this week focused on 'Pentecost'. We had a range of crafts at Messy Church.. but, as usual, the cooking corner was very popular with children decorating 'Holy Spirit' dove biscuits. There seems to be a theme developing here as Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room last Wednesday was a lovely time with people enjoying a range of cakes and lovely foods. This Sunday we celebrate 'Pentecost' - the Birthday of the Church - when the Holy Spirit came in Jerusalem so many years ago and 3,000 people dedicated themselves to follow Jesus, and were baptised. People spoke in many different languages and were so energised by the Holy Spirit, the Bible tells us they had flames of fire on their heads. Wow! What a special time. There is a special call to prayer and worship tomorrow, to join together as a nation to pray for the knowledge of Jesus to be spread across the nation. Please spare a moment tomorrow to join us in this prayer. This Sunday's services. on May 28th 9.30 am Chalgrave Church, Holy Communion Service 11.00 am, Toddington Church, Holyn. Communion Service This week's events.. (school half term holidays) Monday 29 May - Bank Holiday Tuesday 30 May - Knitting group 10.30 am Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 31 May - Church grounds working party 10.00 am – 12.00 noon. More information from Dee Thursday 1 June - Ploughman's lunch 12.00 noon,. Wilkinson Hall and Toddington PCC, 2.30 pm at Toddington Rectory. Friday 2 June - Painting for Pleasure group, 10.30 am Wilkinson Hall Sunday 4 June 9.30 am service, Chalgrave 11.00 am service, ToddingtonIt is a slightly calmer week this week and the weather promises to be good which is always encouraging.Happy Pentecost!Wishing you many blessingsLinda Rector
Hello Everyone The sun is shining and we are forecast the hottest day of the year so far, this weekend, which will be lovely. Nigel and I spent a few days by the sea last week and loved the sea breeze and the views... so refreshing after the busyness of the King's Coronation events and other important commitments. It is good to have time to be still, to give thanks and to reflect. Life can get so busy sometimes. It has been a delight this week to have the new notice board installed at Toddington Church, thank you to all involved in the planning and the financing of the new display board. It has been a long time since we first mentioned it, but thanks to some focused chasing by Bridget, the company installed it on Thursday. Do please give it a glance when you walk by to see updates and information about news and events. At Chalgrave Church we rather sadly have a restoration project ahead to repair a damaged beam in the Chancel. At present the beam is held up by scaffolding and support, until the restoration work is completed. Please pray for the church and its people during this time. Certain social and fundraising events have had to be postponed until we can meet more freely but our regular services continue. This week, both churches hold their annual Parochial Church meetings to look back over the past year, giving opportunity to report and value all the hard work by a whole range of faithful volunteers who give up so much time, and love to make sure these beautiful churches are kept in good condition and remain available for the generations to come. Please do pop by to the respective meetings, as representatives of the parishes we serve, to offer your support and appreciation of their efforts. Looking ahead to this week's services and events: Sunday 21st May 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Linda and Nigel...followed by the APCM Annual Parochial Church Meeting at 10.30am 11.00 am Morning Praise Service, Toddington Church - Malcolm to lead 6.00 pm Evensong Service, Toddington Church - Malcolm to lead Monday 22nd May 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2.00 pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Tuesday 23rd May 9.00 – 11.00 am (approx) Lower School visit to Toddington Church 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Wednesday 24th May 11.00 am – 1.00 pm Pop Up Tea Room, refreshments by Chalgrave Church, Tebworth Memorial Hall 10.00 am – 12.00 noon, outdoor churchyard working party, Toddington Church. All help welcome. Please speak to Dee for more information. 7.00 pm Toddington APCM Annual Parochial Church Meeting, in church. All Welcome. Thursday 25th May rest day! Friday 26th May 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Saturday 27th May 7.00 pm Garden Party in aid of the Friends of Toddington Church, at Rachel's 21 High Street. Tickets £10 from Rachel, Fran or Dee. Looking ahead Sunday 28th May 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church Monday Bank Holiday 29th May (and Half Term Week for schools) No Morning Prayer Thursday 1st June 12.00 noon Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall 2.30 pm Toddington PCC meeting, at the Rectory Friends of Toddington Parish Church, Open Gardens and a plant stall on 1st and 2nd of July - new gardens and plants wanted please. Enquiries to Fran, Sue or Dee. Enjoy the sunshine and have a good week! Best wishes Linda Rector, Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone, The sun is shining on this new day, the countryside is abuzz with new growth, blossom, buds and rich greenery and there is a lightness and promise in the air. I hope you have had a good week and enjoyed the long bank holiday weekend celebrating the historic coronation of King Charles III, the longest waiting Heir to the throne. The crowds filled the Mall and lined the streets to see the King and Queen pass by in the golden coach accompanied by an impressive show of ceremonial processing troops. The Coronation service was splendid, with a strong Christian ethos and beautiful music. It was also lovely to share in the lower school Coronation picnic last Friday, and in Chalton, Chalgrave and Toddington celebration gatherings on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Thank you for inviting me. Tomorrow evening, we offer a Service of Thanksgiving for the Coronation of King Charles at St George of England Church, Toddington, with the Quintet Choir singing 2 special pieces and representatives from the Royal British Legion joining us. The service is at 6.30pm, followed by refreshments. All Welcome. Do please join us. On 30 April, I relinquished my role as Associate Minister at Westoning Benefice to focus fully on the parishes of Toddington and Chalgrave where I am Rector 0.5 of full-time (3 days pwk). As a trial, I am looking to take regular days off on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays and to be available in the parishes on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays. I have previously served virtually full-time despite being 0.5 but I'm now going to try to identify some regular days off. This is a dream in principle, as I believe the parishes need a full-time minister and I have always sought to be available when needed. I will offer flexibility for funerals and would not want to turn anyone away in time of need. So, I ask you to please bear with me, and to pray for our parishes, as I seek to work through this logistical challenge, to find the best way forward for us all. Thank you as always for your friendship, fellowship and support. These parishes are very special places to serve. This week's services and events: Thursday 11th May 2.00 pm Time with Friends, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 4.00 pm Burial of Sheila Parkes Ashes, Chalgrave Church 5.15 pm Toddington PCC, the Rectory 7.15 pm Quintet Choir rehearsal, Toddington Church Friday 12th May 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall 6.30 pm A Service of Thanksgiving for the King's Coronation, Toddington Church, with the Quintet Choir Saturday 13th May 10.00 am Coronation Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 14th May 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church Monday 15th May 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 12.00 noon Funeral of Mrs B Richards, Luton Crem Tuesday 16th May 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 18th May 2.00 pm St George's Fellowship Friday 19th May 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 20th May 11.30 am - 12.30 pm Organ Recital, Toddington Church Sunday 21st May 10.30am Morning Service, Chalgrave Church followed by Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) 11.00 am Morning Praise Service, Toddington Have a good week. With thoughts and prayers Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone What a wonderful moment in history it has been to watch the Coronation of King Charles III today - rich in pageantry and in Christian Symbolism. So many Heads of State and guests in the Abbey, and crowds lining the streets, and many people across the world watching on screen, observing this richly Christian service of commitment and dedication which began with a child representative saying: 'YOUR Majesty, as children of the kingdom of God we welcome you in the name of the King of kings'. and the King replied: 'In his name and after his example I come not to be served but to serve'. The king is keen to serve - to follow Jesus, the King of Kings as his guiding example, to build a Kingdom of care and love. So many stories shared, by the people he has interacted with over the years, told of his valued dedication and caring support to them or to organisations in trouble or need, as the Prince of Wales, preceding this special day. Today's service exampled his desire to be inclusive, respectful, unifying and humble. The king demonstrates understanding and care for his people and his aim is to continue to serve, with the example of Jesus Christ in his heart, anointed by God - to serve and not to be served. As part of the king's vision, we are called to serve too, by volunteering to help someone or to help an organisation in need, using our gifts and talents. The king, and the King of Kings, know the importance of giving of ourselves to help others. Thank you to all who already give so much in so many ways. Your church, and your community value this so much. As we gather this weekend to celebrate and have fun as community let us also reflect on the following prayer: Blessed are you, Lord Jesus, for as you were sent by the Father, so you send us. Equip Charles our King and all your people with the gifts to fulfil our calling, that we may love as you loved, serve as you served, and willingly follow wherever you lead. Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever. Our services and events this week Sunday 7th May 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Monday 8th May - Bank Holiday no services Tuesday 9th May 10.30 am Knitting Group 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 11th May 2.00 pm Meeting with Friends, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 4.00 pm Burial of Sheila Parkes' ashes, Chalgrave Friday 12th May 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group 6.30 pm Service of Thanksgiving for King Charles III, Toddington Church, with the Quintet Choir and Royal British Legion representatives. All Welcome Saturday 13th May Coronation Coffee Morning 10.00 am, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Sunday 14th May 9.30 am Holy Communion service, Chalgrave 11.00 am Holy Communion service, Toddington Monday 15th May Morning Prayer 9.30 am, Toddington Church Have a wonderful bank holiday weekend.. and I hope the sun comes out to light your way. God bless Linda
