Hello Everyone It is good to be back. We have had a lovely family holiday in the Alps. When we left France the snow had arrived and the mountains were shining white but when we arrived just a week before it was like Spring with green valleys. So many changes of weather in a week, and so much seems to have happened already this year... good things, special family times for us with happy memories to tide us through the year. I hope the New Year will be especially good for you too. As I began to write, the sun was shining through the window in a beautiful interlude from the wind and the rain but by the time I finished it is pouring again! It is encouraging to see the days begin to lengthen and to know that Spring is just around the corner. Plans for the year ahead are beginning and Chalgrave Church have already mapped out some great fundraising/social events and I have no doubt Toddington will also have a busy social fundraising diary ahead. It is good to have things to look forward to. This Thursday morning it was lovely to be back in school to tell the children about Epiphany and the arrival of the Kings to see Jesus. Wedding and baptism meetings have begun as people look forward to special events in the year. I wonder what your Epiphany, special moment will be this year. I pray you will be blessed. This Sunday's Services: 9.30 am Chalgrave Church, Holy Communion 11.00 am Toddington Church, Holy Communion. Services and dates for your diaries from 15 January Monday 16th 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 17th 10.30 am- 12.30 pm Knitting group, Wilkinson Hall (weekly each Tuesday morning) 2.00 pm PCC safeguarding training course at Helen's 7.30 pm Chalgrave Parish Council Meeting.- Tebworth Memorial Hall Wednesday 18th 10.30 am - 2.30 pm Wednesday Winter Warmer, Wilkinson Hall (weekly on Wednesday) Thursday 19th 2.00 pm St George's Fellowship time, Wilkinson Hall (monthly) Friday 20th 10.30 am - 12.30 pm Painting for Pleasure Group (weekly each Friday morning) 2.00 pm Toddington PCC Sunday Services 22nd January: 9.30 am Holy Communion, Service Chalgrave 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington 1.00 pm Baptism service, Toddington Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Rooms will be held at Tebworth Memorial Hall, on 4th Wednesday of the month between 11-2pm. Dates for your diaries: 25 January, 22 February, 22 March, 26 April, 24 May, 28 June, 26 July. Wednesday 25th 7.00 pm Chalgrave PCC meeting with Bishop Richard.Friday 27th 3.30 pm Messy Church in the Wilkinson Hall Saturday 28th 9.30 am to 12.00 noon £1 sale, Wilkinson Hall - run by the Friends of St George's Church. Have a good week everyone. I look forward to seeing you soon. God bless Linda
Hello Everyone What a wonderfully snowy white and frosty week this has been.. with the odd smattering of freezing fog to add to the wintery atmosphere! The pavements have been treacherously slippery so I hope you are all in one piece, without bruises. The scenery has been so pretty with trees heavily laden in white sparkling droplets, frozen cobwebs twinkling under the lights, and an expanse of white fields and hedgerow before our eyes. It is a long time since I remember a winter as deeply cold as this. It has been a busy and special week; with St George of England Lower School and Parkfield's School Christmas services either in church or in school, Christmas Messy Church, Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room, Toddington Wednesday Winter Warmer, and of course, last weekend's Carols by Candlelight service at Chalgrave and the Christmas Tree Festival at Toddington. I have also enjoyed time with my son David, when I can, while he is home from Australia - and it has been special choosing a Christmas tree together as a family and enjoying time around a log fire and simple things like having a chat. It has also been great to have his help carrying heavy shopping for our school family Christmas hampers - (see photo of Helen arriving with 9 home-made fruit cakes). It was a delight to welcome the Parkfields students to church for their first service in church for a few years with the new choir leading the singing with Mr Winn leading. Sadly, the lower school weren't able to make it to church (and I sadly missed the early year's Christmas songs at school) due to the weather but it was a delight to go into school instead to watch the nativity play and to share worship and the final Christmas service. Then the week culminated with a lovely Christmas Messy church with fun activities, crafts, singing and tea. This weekend the Christmas concerts continue with Toddington Band concert this evening (17th December) at 6.00 pm and the Nine Lessons and Carols Service with the Quintet Choir, at 6.30 pm on Sunday 18th December, both at Toddington Church. This Sunday's services: 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church - Nigel 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church - Nigel - (covering for me so I can take the services at Harlington and Westoning Churches) 2.00 pm Tingrith Nativity service (with a difference) - Linda lead 6.30 pm Toddington 9 Lessons and Carols Service - Linda This Christmas week and the following New Year events and services: Monday 19th December 9.30 am Morning Prayer 12.00 noon Toddington PCC lunch Tuesday 20th December 12.30 pm Funeral of Ronald Smith, Toddington Church Westoning Church, Carol service, with Quintet Choir 7.30 pm Wednesday 21st December Wednesday Winter Warmer, Wilkinson Hall, 10.30 am – 3.00 pm, with soup and baked potatoes 6.30 pm Chalgrave PCC dinner Thursday 22nd December ? Friday 23rd December Harlington Christmas Carol Service with Quintet Choir 8.00 pm Saturday 24th December - Christmas Eve 3.00 pm Crib Service, Chalgrave Church 4.30 pm Crib Service, Toddington Church 10.00 pm Midnight Mass, Toddington Church 11.15 pm Midnight Mass, Chalgrave Church Sunday 25th December - Christmas Day 10.00 am Benefice Holy Communion Service - Toddington Church Sunday 1st January - New Year's Day 11.00 am Benefice Morning Worship Service - Toddington Church (No Communion) - Malcolm Sunday 8th January 9.30 am Morning Worship service, Chalgrave Church - Malcolm Curtis 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Rev Jane Fox Other regular events of knitting group, painting group etc will finish and restart at different times.. but please link with the groups for information. This will be my last email for a few weeks as I will take time off after Christmas to rest and share family time before David returns to Australia. Nigel and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and look forward to meeting with you either before Christmas at one of the Christmas services, or in the New Year. Have a wonderful Christmas and let us not forget that Jesus is the reason for the season. Happy Christ Mass (it is the season to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ) with love and Christmas blessings Linda and Nigel
Hello Everyone I hope you are keeping warm and well on these suddenly chilly days. This morning the frost lay heavily in the fields and sparkled on the roads and roof tops as we headed out on a mission. We now have a glow in our hearts, despite the icy conditions outside as our son David arrived back early this morning for a Christmas visit, from Sydney - his first time home since Covid lockdown and our first hug for over three years. So, it might be chilly weather, but for us it is a warm and happy day! This is a special time of year for so many different reasons, but not least because it is a time for folks to get together to share meals, conversation, Christmas Fayre, family times, Christmas Lights and Christmas Carols, as Jesus, Mary's child, unites us in the joy of the Christmas Nativity story. This weekend: Toddington Christmas Tree Festival. The church looks beautiful with a wonderful range of specially dressed trees adorning the aisles. Thank you so much to everyone who has been involved in decorating a tree, and also for organising and setting up. We very much look forward to welcoming you when you visit. Do please come and enjoy the moment. There are trees offered by many local organisations - it's a brilliant bringing together of community talent and creativity. Thank you for your support. The Festival is on today from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm and tomorrow from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm, finishing with carols beside the trees at 5.00 pm. Refreshments will be served in Wilkinson Hall where there will also be a few stalls. Chalgrave Church - Carols by Candlelight Sunday 7.00 pm The Church has a special beauty but becomes even more spectacular when decorated for this service. Do come and join us to sing along to the carols and hear of the birth of Jesus told through story and reflections. All Welcome. Sunday 11th December services: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service at Chalgrave 11.00 am Holy Communion Service at Toddington 5.00 pm Carols beside the trees - Toddington Church 7.00 pm Carols by Candlelight, Chalgrave Church Services and events from Monday 12th December Monday 12th December 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington No seated Pilates this week. Tidying up after Christmas Tree Festival - Toddington Church Tuesday 13th December Tidying up after Christmas Tree Festival - Toddington Church 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Wednesday 14th December 9.00 am Lower School Reception Class visit to Toddington Church to sing carols. 10.30 am – 3.00 pm Wednesday Winter Warmer, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 10.30 am Parkfields Middle School KS1 Christmas Service, Toddington Church 11.00 am – 1.00 pm Chalgrave, Pop Up Tea Room with Christmas songs, Tebworth Memorial Hall 2.00 pm Parkfields Middle School KS2 Christmas Service, Toddington Church Thursday 15th December no events?! Friday 16th December 10.15 am Lower School Christmas Service, Toddington Church 3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Saturday 17th December 6.00 pm Toddington Town Band concert in Church (not 3pm as previously advertised) Sunday 18th December 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church 6.30 pm Nine Lessons and Carols Service, Toddington Church Monday 19th December 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 20th December 12.30 pm Funeral, Toddington Church Saturday 24th December - Christmas Eve 3.00 pm Crib Service, Chalgrave Church 4.30 pm Crib Service, Toddington Church 10.00 pm Midnight Mass, Toddington Church 11.15 pm Midnight Mass, Chalgrave Church Sunday 25th December Christmas Day 10.00 am Benefice Service of Holy Communion Toddington Church (No service at Chalgrave Church) New Year's Day 11.00 am Service of the Word 'Morning Praise', Toddington Church (No Service at Chalgrave Church). I have attached an invitation to Carols by Candlelight this evening and a separate sheet for your notice board with details about the upcoming Christmas Services. With Seasons Greetings Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone I hope you are keeping well and have had a good week. We have had a special week with wonderful singing and Christmas Lights as a theme. On Monday we went to a 'Singalong with Gareth’ Malone concert at Oxford which was great fun... singing alongside members of the Military wives, the Sing Choir, and Gareth's lockdown online choir in the audience. It was so special to sing with such beautiful voices and for a moment dream that your voice too was a beautiful voice as you were taken up in the sound! On our way across to the concert we stopped off at Blenheim Palace to see the Christmas light exhibition in the Palace.. this was stunning! On Tuesday evening Youth group met with Rebecca, Doug, Bridget and me at the Hall, and learned about the good news of Jesus, coming over the mountain (Isaiah 52 v 7) ... emphasised with the help of Toblerone, biscuits, green icing and a flower! The children also contributed to an imaginative Christmas tree for next weekend's Christmas Tree Festival.. which came alive with twinkling lights. Wednesday was Winter Warmer Day at the hall with a good turnout of folk gathering for a natter over soup and a baked potato. On Thursday morning Malcolm and I lead an Advent Collective worship at the lower school and lit the first Advent candle, telling 2 stories about Angel Gabriel's visits to Mary and Joseph (to be continued next week) and we gave out Nativity Advent Calendars to each class. St George's Church hosted the special funeral for Rita Stares on Thursday with the church resplendent with beautiful flowers and the sound of splendid choir and congregational singing and music as we honoured God and Rita. Yesterday evening as we were preparing a lit Christmas Tree, the church door opened and lots of beavers, cubs, scouts and parents gathered in church for the first carol service this year. It was a delight to see them all and we had fun as we unpacked the Christmas parcel, told the story of Jesus' birth with carol singing and the beavers and cubs singing songs and reading the story. Such a wonderful start to the Christmas season. So today continues with 2.00 pm Rotary Club Afternoon tea at Parkside school so I may see some of you there. There is also a Christmas Tree Festival at Harlington Church this week end if you would like a preliminary warm up for our own Christmas Tree Festival next week! Tonight, there is another opportunity to enjoy singing and music at the Toddington Music Society concert of festive music in church at 7.30pm. Poster attached. £6. Tickets on the door, cash payment. On Sunday we have a visiting speaker from Compassion Charity coming to speak at our morning services to update us on the work of Compassion and about some of the children we are sponsoring. I thank everyone involved in any of the activities and for the amazing support teams who have served refreshments, arranged flowers, or have helped in any other way. I look forward to sharing the coming week with you. This Sunday 4th December services 9.30 am Holy Communion with a visiting speaker from Compassion, Chalgrave 11.00 am Holy Communion, with a visiting speaker from Compassion, Toddington Services and events this coming week: Monday 5th December 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 6th December Knitting Group 10.30 am Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 7th December Winter Wednesday Warmer gathering in Wilkinson Hall 10.30 am- 3.00 pm Preparations for Christmas Tree Festival in church Thursday 8th December Preparations for Christmas Tree Festival in church Friday 9th December Painting for Pleasure group 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall. Christmas Tree Festival Preview Evening at Toddington Church, 7.00 pm, with wine and canapes, £10 a ticket. Saturday 10th December Christmas Tree Festival weekend: 11.00 am – 5.00 pm Saturday Toddington Church. Sunday 11th December Christmas Tree Festival weekend 1.00 – 5.00 pm Sunday - finishing with carol singing at 5.00 pm, Toddington Church Carols By Candlelight Service, 7.00 pm Chalgrave Church (NB Sunday instead of Saturday this year) Toddington and Chalgrave churches both collect food donations for the Foodbank which is seeing increasing need. If you are able to make a donation, these can be dropped off during daylight hours at St George's Church, Toddington which has collection baskets in the South Porch, or to 22 Leighton Road by the back door. This year, we are collecting Christmas and essential food items for Christmas Food Hampers to bless some local families. The hampers will be issued through the schools so will be anonymous, but we would welcome donations towards these, if you feel able. There is a box in Toddington Church labelled for families for such donations. Thank you. And so, another busy week draws to a close and we look forward to what God has in store next week. May you all be richly blessed and know the Peace of Christ during this Advent season. Best wishes Linda Rector at Toddington and Chalgrave
