Hello Everyone All too suddenly, my last services are upon us. Tomorrow, I will lead my final service at Chalgrave Church at the 9.30 am Holy Communion Service and next Sunday we zoom suddenly to my final services within Toddington Church and within the benefice with an 11.00 am Benefice Holy Communion Service followed by a Songs of Praise service at 3.00 pm at Toddington Church. How incredibly quickly these services have arrived. I don’t feel reality has yet dawned on me, and although a lot of planning has gone into the logistics of arranging future cover for the churches during the vacancy, my head and my heart have not yet caught up to the reality of stepping aside. As conversations have turned to retirement these past weeks, I know that I, and you, are about to enter a new time.. and the fact of separation is a very real dimension to consider. After over 7 years of building relationships, it will be hard to step away but, although no longer your Rector after 18 March I hope we can remain friends and you will feel able to stay in touch, if you wish. The Church of England ministry etiquette advises me to step aside to give the benefice space to prepare for a new minister to come to pick up the reins and I respect that etiquette, and will keep a low profile, but it is likely that the vacancy may be nine months or more. In between time, Nigel and I will continue to live in Flitwick and will be nearby, and at times will no doubt bump into you in nearby Garden centres or supermarkets, or perhaps at Toddington Community Fridge or at an occasional Pop Up Tea room or coffee morning. We are both there for you, if you need help, and will hold you in our prayers, so please do get in touch if you need any support, especially during the vacancy process. You may be out of sight for a while, but you will not be out of mind, and I pray that the Lord will guide you and protect you and equip you for the days ahead. Thank you for placing your trust in me these past years and for walking alongside me on the journey - in many cases, going the extra mile. Thank you for giving me such a warm welcome and such wonderful support. May God bless you all. Sunday 9th February services 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Monday 10th February 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2.00 pm Seated keep fit with Alison, Wilkinson Hall 6.30 pm Alpha + Group, Rachel and Doug’s Tuesday 11th February 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 12th February 11.00 am – 2.00 pm Wednesday Winter Warmer Thursday 13th February 2.00 pm Afternoon with Friends, Wilkinson Hall Friday 14 February 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 15 February Toddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 16 February Linda’s Last Sunday Services 11.00 am Benefice Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Benefice lunch 12.45 pm Wilkinson Hall 3.00 pm Songs of Praise, Toddington Church (Please see poster) 4.15 pm Farewell Refreshments in Wilkinson Hall If you would like to attend the Benefice ‘congregation' lunch please can you let Dee, Bridget or Sandy know for catering numbers. Dee 872649 I suspect these dear ladies may also be grateful of offers of cakes (and perhaps help to serve) for the farewell refreshments after the 3.00 pm Songs of Praise service too. It will be so lovely to see you all, and to have chance to say thank you for our time together these past 7 plus years. I will miss you. God bless Linda Rector of Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone This past week has flown by. There has been much good to celebrate like the Chalgrave monthly Pop Up Tea Room with its wonderful array of cakes and refreshments, and Toddington Community Fridge which offered an abundance of foods this morning which were gathered up quickly by visitors with little left by 10.15am (great that foods are used so well and not sent to landfill). On Wednesday, the Toddington Winter Warmer gathering commenced with folks enjoying warming soup and a good natter and this afternoon there was a bargain sale in the Hall. Lots of good opportunities to gather together. This Tuesday we look forward to hosting Youth group in the Hall at 5.45pm, and Messy Church, also in the Hall, on Friday 31st January (postponed from last Friday) when we will consider 'Changes'. Then, all too quickly, we move into February, the month of big 'Change' for me, with my retirement rapidly approaching. February 9th will be my last Sunday leading the usual two regular Holy Communion services at both benefice churches: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church, 26 January, 2nd February (with a baptism), 9th February 11.00 am Holy Communion Service Toddington Church, 26 January, 2nd February (with baptisms), 9th February. On 16th February I lead my final Sunday Services at Toddington with: 11.00 am Benefice Holy Communion Service (with both church congregations) followed by a benefice lunch. 3.00 pm a Benefice and Community 'Songs of Praise' Service at Toddington Church, with the Quintet Choir, followed by farewell refreshments in Wilkinson Hall. All welcome to the services. I officially retire on 18 March 2025, but lead my last services a month before in February, to allow me time to finalise arrangements and organisation, before I step away. The Bishop will be in touch with the parishes to discuss the vacancy, and the advertisement process to seek a replacement minister. Sadly, this process is often prolonged and it is possible that I will not be replaced for some months, so visiting ministers, and Malcolm, will kindly cover services in between. Please pray for the churches as they weave their way forward through the various obstacles and pray that the replacement process will go smoothly with a good appointment. This week's events: Monday 27th January 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2.00 pm Seated exercise with Alison, Wilkinson Hall Tuesday 28th January 10.30 am Knitting group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 29th January 11.00 am Winter Warmer, Wilkinson Hall Friday 31st January 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall 3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall.. Craft and activities for children with adults, with Bible story, and hot tea. (see poster) Next Sunday 2nd February Holy Communion Services with baptisms at Chalgrave (9.30 am) and Toddington (11.00 am) Churches. Recently we have heard the sad news of the deaths of Ida Squires and Fred Thistlethwaite. Ida's funeral will take place at Oakfields Gardens Crematorium, Steppingley on Wednesday 5th February at 11.00 am, and Fred's funeral will be in the Chapel at Luton Crematorium on Tuesday 11th February at 11.00 am. Our thoughts and prayers reach out to their families at this sad time. Wishing you all a happy and healthy good week. Best wishes Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave parishes
Hello Everyone It was a joy to host Toddington Community Fridge again this Saturday. Although there has been a short break, a lot of work went on behind the scenes to set up a CIC, a 'Community Interest Charity’ which will now oversee the running of the Fridge. Many of the existing church volunteers will be there to welcome and help you each week but if you would be interested to help, do please let us know. Thank you to everyone who made a donation this morning. The funds will go to the running costs and provision of the new CIC business, (not to the church). I don’t know about you, but the weeks are already running quickly past in January. It was good to escape to the sea for 2 days in the week for a breath of sea air and some brisk walking plus bonus time with my daughter, and next week I will be retreating on Monday and Tuesday to soak up as much quality time as I can with my son before he flies back to Sydney. Precious times! I’ve copied below the timetable of upcoming services and events for the remainder of January for your information. Don’t forget Evensong tomorrow evening at 6.00 pm, Pop Up Tea Room at Chalgrave Memorial Hall, and Winter Warmer at Wilkinson Hall on Wednesday, and Messy Church on Friday. All too suddenly, I am attending my last Evensong and my last Messy Church and my last Pop Up Tea Room and my last Tebworth Parish Council meeting this week. How quickly time flies. I will miss these different events, and I will very much miss seeing you all. These last few weeks will be very precious. More precious times and memories to treasure! Have a good week everyone. See you soon Linda Rector Sun 19th JanuaryHoly Communion Service 9.30 am - Chalgrave Church Holy Communion Service 11.00 am - Toddington Church Evensong 6.00 pm -Toddington Church Mon 20th January Morning Prayer 9.30 am - Toddington Church Tues 21st January Knitting Group 10.30 am – 12.30 pm - Wilkinson Hall Wed 22nd January Pop Up Tea Room 11.00 am – 1.00 pm - Chalgrave Memorial Hall Winter Warmer 11.30 am – 2.00 pm - Wilkinson Hall Fri 24th January Painting for Pleasure 10.30 am – 12.30 pm- Wilkinson Hall Sat 25th JanuaryToddington Community Fridge 9.30 – 11.00 am- Wilkinson HallSun 26th January Holy Communion Service 9.30 am - Chalgrave Church Holy Communion Service 11.00 am - Toddington Church Mon 27th January Morning Prayer 9.30 am - Toddington Church Sit & stay Fit 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm - Wilkinson Hall Tues 28th January Knitting Group 10.30 am – 12.30 pm - Wilkinson Hall Youth Group 5.45 pm – 7.15 pm - Wilkinson Hall Wed 29th January Winter Warmer 11.30 pm – 2.00 pm - Wilkinson Hall Fri 31st January Painting for Pleasure 10.30 am – 12.30 pm - Wilkinson Hall Messy Church 3.30 pm - 5.30 pm - Wilkinson Hall
Hello Everyone We certainly are in a cold slump of weather, but how pretty the heavy frost has been across the fields with the clear blue sky above. Today, during a quick walk at Wrest park Nigel and I reflected back on childhood memories of skating runs on a stretch of ice in the school playground, (which would be well salted and sealed off nowadays for health and safety reasons) but in the park we watched a rare sight of a family of children skating across a large frozen puddle and they were having a lovely time. The ducks, geese and swans looked substantially less enamoured, and hungry, as they skated across solid ice trying to find somewhere to break through for food. We were glad to be snuggled up under woolly hats, scarves and gloves… but it was a lovely walk. I hope you are all managing to stay warm and snug and safe. This morning folks gathered for the first coffee morning of this new year, and despite the weather, there was a good gathering with warm friendly conversation.. pleased to see each other. Thank you to all who came, and to all who helped to provide the refreshments etc. We missed hosting Toddington Community Fridge this week but hopefully it will be back with us again on the 25th January. The week has seemed a bit quieter as clearing up continued post-Christmas, and thank you to the teams who took down the decorations and cleaned the churches. Functions and gatherings return to full flow this week and looking ahead here are some dates for this year’s diary from Chalgrave Church: Pop Up Tea Room: 11.00 am – 1.00 pm Chalgrave Memorial Hall - January 22nd, February 26th, March 26th, April 23rd, May 28th, June 25th, July 23rd, September 24th, October 22nd, November 26th, December 10th. (No Pop Up in August). Afternoon Tea & Toddington Town Band: Saturday, May 17th, 2.00 – 4.00 pm.Booking is required for catering purposes. Please book with Alison Stone email: alisonstone.as1@gmail.com or mobile 07771897451 Christmas Craft Fair: Saturday, November 8th, 11.00 am – 4.00 pm Chalgrave Memorial Hall As I look ahead to the strange prospect of retirement, I’d like to let you know that on 9th February I will lead my final two services at both churches: 9th February 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church (my last service at Chalgrave 😔) 9th February 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington and on 16th February I will lead my final services within the parishes. These will be: 11.00 am Benefice Holy Communion Service at Toddington Church. 3.00 pm Songs of Praise Service at Toddington Church, with the Quintet Choir. All welcome. Come, and let us reflect, and give thanks for our times together. After this service there will be farewell refreshments in Wilkinson Hall. I do hope you can come and join us at one, or other, or all of the services. I have attached the latest 'What’s On' for January with information about services and events at both churches during this month. Wishing you good health, and well-being . May January be kind to you, and may you ward off all those bugs and germs. God bless Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
