Hello Everyone Holy Week was a busy time in the churches as we remembered Jesus' journey into Jerusalem and his journey to the Cross, and on Easter Sunday we celebrated that 'Jesus is Risen' and sang joyful Alleluia songs in church. Thank you so much to everyone who took part in the preparations, or joined the worship in church. There have been so many people involved, offering time, talents and help: cooking, flower arranging, setting up prayer stations at Toddington, playing for our services, singing in the choir at the Wednesday eve service, helping as sidesperson for services, washing up in the hall etc. It really has been a team effort for which I am so grateful. Thank you all. I definitely could not have managed without you. The churches look so beautiful decorated with lilies and spring flowers to remember loved ones. I offer you all a 'Happy Easter' greeting. This week continued to be busy as the churches hosted the funeral of Joy Britain and Grace and Billy's wedding at Toddington, and the funeral of Sheelagh Deamer at Chalgrave church. Please hold them, and their families, in your prayers. Services on Sunday 16th April 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, with a baptism, Toddington Church6.00 pm BCP Evensong service, Toddington Church Services and Events from 17 April Monday 17th April 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 18th April Knitting Group 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall Youth Group 5.45 pm, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 19th April Funeral of Roy How, Toddington Church, 12.00 noon Thursday 20th April St George's Fellowship 2.00 pm Wilkinson Hall Friday 21st April Painting for Pleasure group 10.30 am Saturday 22nd April 2.30 pm Toddington Music Society Spring Concert by Bedfordshire Woodwind Academy Flute Ensemble, Toddington Church, Entry £10 (cash only) Sunday 23rd April 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Patronal Service, and Holy Communion, Toddington Church Friday 28th April 3.30pm Messy Church, Toddington, Wilkinson Hall This year's Annual Parochial Church Meetings will be held at: Chalgrave Church 21st May. There will be a 10.30 am Morning Service, followed by APCM, and a bring and share lunch. Toddington Church 24th May at 7.00 pm. Have a good week.. especially remembering all who are returning to school or work after the Easter holidays. God bless Linda
Hello Everyone This Sunday, Palm Sunday begins Holy Week which is the special week in the church when we follow Jesus' journey into Jerusalem, first cheered by happy crowds waving palm leaves, then to the Last Supper with his disciples, before a time of intense prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane which we mark on Maundy Thursday. On Good Friday we remember Jesus' arrest and trial, and lonely walk with the cross to his crucifixion. How quickly the atmosphere changed from joy to sadness. This week, a team of loyal volunteers worked hard to create a series of 10 interactive prayer stations in church ready for Holy Week, and for the Toddington lower school year 2 children who visited last Thursday. The children were a joy to host. We thoroughly enjoyed their visit, and so did they. One of my favourite moments was as we all sang 'Give me Joy in my heart.. with the chorus 'Sing Hosanna', with the children waving palm leaves. The children all had their own special memory and it was a wonderful surprise to receive thank you letters from them on Friday at the end of term assembly. How important it is to say thank you, and I guess that is what Holy Week is mainly about. It is a time for us to slow down, stop the busyness, and pause to acknowledge what Jesus did for us on the cross, and to say a big thank you! Do please join us this Easter for our special Holy Week Services and events and do please pop into church to spend a little time walking the prayer stations, and then head to the Cheyne Chapel to sit alongside the station of Jesus in the tomb (the scene of his resurrection) and remember Jesus, and loved ones, and say thank you. The peace is special. Jesus' love for each and every one of us, is so special and it is unconditional. Come and soak awhile in it. You will be most welcome. This week's services and events: Palm Sunday 9.30 am Holy Communion and the distribution of palm crosses, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion and the distribution of palm crosses, Toddington Church Monday 3rd April 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 11.00 am Toddington Lent Course, The Rectory. Tuesday 4th April 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 5th April 7.30 pm Easter Journey with Jesus service, with readings, music and songs, with the Quintet Choir. Maundy Thursday 6th April 6.00 pm Maundy Thursday Benefice Supper, Wilkinson Hall ( for catering purposes, please let Sandy or Dee know if you will be coming) 7.30 pm Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Good Friday 7th April 9.30 am Chalgrave Church, Hour at the Cross Service with readings and reflections 10.30 am – 12.00 noon Easter Messy Church, for messy church children and families, Wilkinson Hall. All Welcome. 2.00 pm Toddington Church, Hour at the Cross Service with readings and reflections. Easter Saturday 8th April 8.00 pm Confirmation Service at St Alban's Abbey. Please come and support Diane, Len and Lianne who will be confirmed by Bishop Richard at this special Easter Saturday service (Please be seated by 7.45 pm, and let me know if you would like a lift) Easter Sunday 9th April 9.30 am Easter Day Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave 11.00 am Easter Day, Holy Communion Service, Toddington Future dates for your diaries: No Morning Prayer on Monday 10th April - Bank Holiday. 12th April, 10.30 am the funeral of Joy Britain, Toddington Church 14th April, 12.30 pm The wedding of Grace and Billy, Toddington Church 14th April, 3.00 pm, Memorial Service for Sheila Diemer, Chalgrave Church Easter Lilies in memory of loves ones. Chalgrave and Toddington Churches will be decorated with Easter lilies for Easter Sunday. Each Lily flower will be in memory of a loved one. If you would like to include your loved ones, please either write their names on the list in church, or let Sandy know for Chalgrave church, and Dee or Roger know for Toddington Church. A donation for each lily is requested, please. We have become aware of several families who are finding things difficult at the moment. If you feel able to make a small donation (either food or a little money) to help to ease their journey, please have a word with Linda or Dee. Donations of food, from the church, have been very gratefully received this week. Thank you. I wish you all a special, reflective and peaceful week as we journey with Jesus. God bless Linda
Hello Everyone I hope you have had a good week. It's been a very busy week for me, but it has also been a joy to meet up with so many people either in school, at the Lent courses, or at the different church activities. Thank you to all who have helped or supported the various church events. Chalgrave monthly 'Pop Up Tea Room' had an array of tempting cakes, which happy people consumed while supping teas, tasting soup or quiche, or buying home-made cards and raffle tickets. As usual there was a lovely friendly atmosphere. Today at Toddington there was an enticing smell of cooked bacon and sausages to greet visitors to the tabletop sale; on Wednesday I popped by to Toddington Lent lunch which had a wonderful selection of hot soups and a room full of contented chatting people. Then I had a treat to climb to the top of the church tower with John to learn about the bells, clock and standard (and catch up on some bellringers markings).. and I was able to view the parish, which felt rather special as the Rector (a few photos attached). You may have heard us toll a bell a few times. On Tuesday evening I met up with the Royal British Legion at their monthly meeting where they discussed their arrangements for the King's Coronation (poster attached). On Thursday, and Tuesday, I attended the lower school and enjoyed leading a weekly worship in the good company of Roger Stares who kindly shared telling the story of the Last Supper, and played piano as the children sang. And finally, on Friday, Nigel and I headed off to a special ceremony in Bedford for the installation of the new High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Russell Beard, who has invited Nigel to be his chaplain, which is a huge privilege. Each event this week has been special.. and I thank you for your part in the busyness of the week. Here's to next week! We look forward to hosting year two children in church on Thursday morning to view the Easter Encounter' prayer stations. Some of us will be starting to install some stations in church tomorrow after the morning service, and further stations on Tuesday between 11.15 and 1.45pm. It would be wonderful to have some helpers and volunteers please to install a station, or to assist in church next Thursday to help to make the children feel welcome and/or to 'cover' a prayer station by explaining to the children the focus and theme. If you have any plants in pots or foliage that can be used to decorate the garden of Gethsemane or the tomb garden, or large pebbles or larger stones, it would be appreciated please. This Friday we will be holding Messy Church at 3.15 pm and we also hope to hold another Messy Church session on Good Friday at 10.30 am, both sessions will be in Wilkinson Hall. On Wednesday evening, of Holy Week we are pleased to host a reflective Holy Week service with the Quintet Choir singing some lovely pieces. Then we will move fully into our Easter Services. This Sunday's services: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave - Linda and Nigel 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington - Linda (NB no baptism this week - please pray for Ariana who is sick) Services and Events this week: Monday 27th March 9.00 am Morning Prayer, Toddington (Earlier time just for this week). 2.00 pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall 7.00 pm Toddington Lent Course at the Rectory (different time this week) Tuesday 28th March 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 29th March 12.00 noon, Lent Lunch, Wilkinson Hall 7.30 pm Chalgrave Lent Course Thursday 30th March 10.30 am and 11.30 am Year 2 visit to Easter Encounter Prayer stations, Toddington church Friday 31st March 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson Hall 3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 2nd April - Palm Sunday 9.30 am Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Toddington Church Holy Week services 7.30 pm, Wednesday, An Easter Reflective Service with the Quintet Choir 6.00 pm Maundy Thursday Benefice meal in Wilkinson Hall, followed by a service in church Good Friday 9.30 am Stations at the Cross, Service with reflective readings, Chalgrave Church 10.30 am – 12.00 noon Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall 2.00 pm The final hour at the cross, reflective service, Toddington Church Easter Saturday 8.00 pm Confirmation Service at St Albans Abbey - please pray for our candidates: Diane, Len and Lianne. Easter Sunday 9.30 am Chalgrave Church, Easter Day Holy Communion Service 11.00 am Toddington Church, Easter Day, Holy Communion Service It's a full letter this week. I am sure to have forgotten something. Can I please ask you to hold Dee, Pat and Peggy in your prayers for healing and good recovery. With much love to you all God bless Linda
Hello Everyone I hope you are enjoying the Spring Sunshine with the beautiful spring blossom and flowers bursting to life..just in time for Mothering Sunday. I delighted to see a carpet of Primroses too this week. It has been an eventful and busy week this week but there have been many blessings and special moments - one of which was the very special Evensong Service last Sunday evening. It was a joy to hear voices ring out from the choir stalls with singing. Thank you Malcom and Roger for putting the service together so well. It was enjoyed so much that we will be making it a regular monthly evening service on the third Sunday of each month at 6.00 pm. The Lent courses have also offered special times together in groups as we study a Bible passage and share reflections. Sadly, one not so good moment was learning about the damage to a Chancel support beam at Chalgrave Church which needs urgent repair so the Chancel has been closed for safety reasons until the repair is completed. Visitors to church in the near future for services will be met with a view of scaffolding and metal supports in the Chancel and we cannot use the main altar... but this will not limit our desire to worship and our regular services will continue...with a little adaptation. It's always good to ring a few changes! This week's services: Sunday 19 March, Mothering Sunday 9.30 am Morning Praise, Chalgrave Church - Malcolm 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Linda This week's services and events: Monday 20th March 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 11.00 am Toddington Lent Course, the Rectory Tuesday 21st March 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 2.00 – 7.00 pm Alma Farm Consultation Event... anyone interested to obtain more information is very welcome to pop in. Wednesday 22nd March 11.00 am Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall 12.00 noon, Lent lunch, Wilkinson Hall 5.00 pm Toddington PCC, The Rectory 7.30 pm Chalgrave Lent Course, The Calders'. Thursday 23rd March Rest Day Friday 24th March 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson Hall No Messy Church this week// postponed to Friday 31st March Saturday 25th March 10.00 am Friends, Table Top Sale, Wilkinson Hall - speak to Fran or Dee to request a table top. Sunday 26th March 9.30 am Holy Communion Service - Chalgrave 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, with baptism, Toddington Week commencing 27 March, we will be setting up Easter Encounter, prayer stations in church, in preparation for year 2 school visit on 30th. If you are able to assist with setting these up and/or would like to be responsible for creating a station, please speak or link with Linda. Have a good week. God bless Linda
