Hello Everyone I hope you have all had a good week. The weather has been sunny and that always makes us feel better. It’s been so lovely to have warm weather and sunshine recently, and although today brought heavy rain showers the gardens will have appreciated a good drink. The weather forecast is encouraging for next week - the last week of the school holidays - and we wish all staff and children preparing for the new academic year, a restful and rewarding week. Tomorrow afternoon 1.00 -4.00 pm and Monday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm, we have the Toddington Church Scarecrow festival, so why not enjoy an hour scarecrow spotting in the village, or perhaps you would like to quickly create a scarecrow and let Dee know? Maps and refreshments available at Wilkinson Hall. Do please drop by. Poster attached. This morning, we hosted a busy Toddington Community Fridge event with lots of lovely fruit and vegetables and bakery goods available and a happy team ready to serve you. Thank you so much Lynn from Tescos, Andy and Bryan, Dillon and Dominic for delivering the goods. The 'Fridge' is becoming very popular. It runs from 9.30 – 11.00 am each Saturday morning at Wilkinson Hall. Keep in touch with what is available via the new' Toddington Community Fridge' Facebook page or St George of England Church Facebook page. Our next Arty Crafty session is at Wilkinson Hall on Wednesday 28th August morning at 10am. The first week the children made a pirate ship and sea creatures, last Wednesday they had a lovely time making mini-beasts. This Wednesday promises fun time too. (Children please come dressed prepared to get messy!). This Sunday's services: 9.30am Holy Communion with quiet reflective music, Chalgrave Church 11am Holy Communion, Toddington Church Events: Sunday 25th August 1.00 – 4.00 pm Scarecrow Festival, Maps and refreshments, and book stall, Wilkinson Hall Bank Holiday Monday 26th August No Morning Prayer Scarecrow Festival 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, Maps and refreshments, and book stall, Wilkinson Hall Tuesday 27th August Knitting Group, 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 28th August Arty and Crafty time from 10.00 am, Wilkinson Hall (see poster) Thursday 29th August Chalgrave Church Cleaning? 1.00 pm The Bible Course, 7.00 pm, The Rectory, session 4. Friday 30th August Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall, 10.30 am Saturday 31 August Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall, 10.30 am Saturday 31 August Toddington Community Fridge 9.30 – 11.00 am Have a great bank holiday weekend and a lovely week. Best wishes Linda Rev Linda Washington
Hello Everyone Sending a quick email to wish you well during this holiday season and to let you know the link for David Ward's funeral tomorrow, in case you would like to tune in online and are unable to attend in person. The funeral will be held at North Herts Crematorium at 1pm tomorrow, and you are welcome to attend to pay your respects. The family will be meeting back at the social club afterwards for refreshments and to share happy memories of David. Our thoughts go out to Peter, Jeff and Kerry and all the family this evening. Please find below the webcast link for David Ward's funeral service at North Herts Crematorium at 1pm on Thursday 15th August, which can now be shared to friends & family. Website: https://watch.obitus.com Username: puwi1854 Password: 707565 Please note, the link does not go live until a few minutes before the service. Looking ahead at church, the Toddington Community Fridge will be at Wilkinson Hall again this Saturday from 9.30am until 11am. All are welcome to come. The food available is provided by local supermarkets to avoid it going to waste. Please bring a bag to carry produce home with you. There was quite a queue at opening time last Saturday, which was great to see. This Sunday services: 9.30am Holy Communion Service Chalgrave Church 11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church 6pm Evensong Service, Toddington Church Other usual weekly and monthly events continue during the summer season: Knitting group Tuesday mornings at 10.30am Painting for Pleasure group, Friday mornings 10.30am St George's Fellowship, Wilkinson Hall, 2pm Thursday 15th The Bible Course session 3 - the Rectory, Thursday 15th at 7pm There is no Messy Church during August but there are two more Arty Crafty sessions from 10am on Wednesdays 21st and 28th, at Wilkinson Hall, for children (accompanied by an adult). All Welcome. Last session children (and adults) had great fun making a pirate ship and creating sea creatures. I hear talk of Scarecrows and mini beasts for the next session. Great fun! Enjoy these Summer days. God bless Linda
Hello EveryoneWhat a wonderfully sunny, dry week we have had with temperatures soaring into 30 degrees. Phew! Summer has finally arrived for a run of consecutive days. The Olympics are in full swing and there have been many amazing achievements with athletes, swimmers, runners, cyclists, gymnasts etc producing incredible displays of achievement, determination and skill - a culmination of years of testing and dedicated application. To take part in the Olympics is a massive achievement in itself, and is such an inspiration to us all. There have been so many sights of 'don't give up' - 'you never know what you can achieve unless you try'. And how they have tried! Anything is possible.By contrast, there has been much sad news on our screens this week. We pray for those who live in fear, for those injured and for those who have lost their homes, their lives, loved ones, and their hope. Let us all unite this week to pray for peace and for the Lord to pour his light and comfort into those dark places.This week at church there has been much to be grateful for: The Saturday Toddington Community Fridge is proving popular with more people visiting last Saturday, and this Saturday, we have been promised a bumper delivery of fresh food and store cupboard foods which would otherwise waste. Do come along to Wilkinson Hall between 9.30-11am to choose 3 kg of food to take home. It is all free. I thank Cllr Andy Snape, and the Flitwick Community Fridge volunteers who collect, sort, and deliver, so much for their generosity of time and effort. They really do so much to make this a successful project. It is a great initiative. Do pop along to the Hall to see for yourselves. Mid-week you can visit the Rufus Centre, Flitwick, to gather up new fresh items. The fridge there is restocked daily and their new 'shop' will soon be open.Youth Group gathered on Tuesday evening at the Rectory for some fun and food. Thank you to Kate, Doug and Bridget for guiding us through the activities, quiz and fun. The evening went very quickly and was enjoyed by all. We are hoping to meet again during the holidays – date tbc. The Bible Course group also met Tuesday evening and had a fruitful discussion.Toddington Ploughman's Lunch went well on Thursday with lovely main course food and puddings. Chalgrave Church cleaning volunteers were in full force in the afternoon polishing, sweeping and cleaning. We have such a wonderful team of helpers and volunteers. I know that many church folk also help at Singing Cafe on Thursdays, at Friday Lunches and with Toddington Help. Thank you all so much! You are all very special! If you would like to help at Chalgrave church as part of a working party to tidy up the church grounds, or to join the church cleaning group please let me or Sandy know. Similarly, Dee, would be grateful of offers to help keep Toddington Church grounds and church tidy. Foodbank weekly donations are much needed, please. Dee keeps an up-to-date list in church of key requested food items needed and donations can be left in church or at 22 Leighton Road. Thank you so much for your continued generosity. Events going forward:Saturdays Toddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson Hall, 9.30-11am. 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st AugustCoffee Morning 10am Wilkinson Hall, 10th August Sunday Services 9.30am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th August11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th August6pm Evensong, Toddington Church, 18th August Mondays 9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church, 5th, 12th, 19th August (Not on 26th - Bank Holiday)2pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall, 12th August (not 26th – Bank Holiday) Tuesdays 10.30am Knitting Group Wilkinson Hall WednesdaysArty Crafty fun days for children (accompanied by an adult please) Wilkinson Hall from 10am on 7th, 21st and 28th August. (please provide an apron or a shirt for protection..or come dressed to get messy. You may also like to bring a picnic lunch) ThursdaysTime with Friends, Wilkinson Hall 2pm 8 AugustSt George’s Fellowship, Wilkinson Hall, 2pm 15 AugustChalgrave Church Cleaning 1pm 15 AugustDavid Ward’s funeral North Herts Crematorium, 1pm 15 AugustBible Study Course wk 3, The Rectory, 7pm 15 August FridaysPainting for Pleasure, 10.30am, Wilkinson Hall 9th, 16th 23rd and 30th August Scarecrow Festival: Sunday 25th August and Monday 26th August. More details to follow. NB No Messy Church in August and no Pop Up Tea Room in August. Wishing you all a restful time. I am not planning to send a letter next week but will keep in touch with any important news. With best wishes LindaRectorToddington and Chalgrave07715603557
Dear AllI hope you had an enjoyable and restful week.Tomorrow we host the second Community Fridge at Wilkinson Hall, at 9.30am, with food collected from local supermarkets which will be delivered by volunteers from Flitwick. The food is all free and is offered as part of a sustainability initiative to avoid wasting food. Do come along, with a bag, to see what is on offer. We will be grateful for offers of help in the future to either collect and deliver supplies to the Hall on Saturday mornings, or to assist during the Community Fridge operating hours between 9.30-11am on Saturdays. Please let me know if you would like to be involved. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and to join together in this community initiative.On Sunday afternoon at 6pm you are warmly invited to the Hymns and Pimms evening at Toddington Church. See poster. Last Sunday we had wonderful concert at Chalgrave Church of contemporary songs, played and sung by Richard. It was so wonderful to be back socially in church again to share a special time of music, enjoyment and afternoon teas. Thank you so much Richard for the wonderful music and songs which had us singing along and remembering those golden classics. Thank you to all who baked and served. Thank you for attending to help us raise funds to maintain and restore the church. There was also another special Chalgrave Pop Up Tea room this week but the ladies are having a rest in August so the tea room returns in September.Looking ahead to this week:Saturday 27th JulyToddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson Hall, 9.30-11amSunday 28th July9.30am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Linda and Nigel11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Linda and Nigel6pm Hymns and Pimms Songs of Praise ' Friends of St George's evening, Toddington Church. Come and enjoy singing your favourite hymns (donations invited to support the maintenance of the church building)Monday 29th July9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington ChurchToddington PCC meeting 7pm (or earlier tbc))Tuesday 30 July10.30am Knitting Group, Wilkinson HallYouth Group, 4.30pm, The Rectory (TBC) - time to consider Youth Alpha7pm The Bible Course, part 2 - The Rectory.Wednesday 31st JulyWorking Party at Toddington Church ? Please speak to Dee if you are able to help.Thursday 1st August12 noon, Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall1pm Church cleaning, Chalgrave ChurchFriday 2nd August10.30am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson HallSaturday 3rd August9.30-11am Toddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson Hall,Sunday 4th August9.30am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Linda11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - LindaWednesdays 7, 21 and 28th August Arty and Crafty days at Wilkinson Hall from 10am - see poster.Saturday 10th August - 10am Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall and 9.30am Toddington Community Fridge (outside Wilkinson Hall.. Hoping the weather is kind!)Scarecrow Festival Sunday 25 and Monday 26 August. Please let Sandy or me know if you have time to spare to help maintain the grounds at Chalgrave Church. Shrubs need cutting back and we need help to weed and keep the grounds tidy.Thank you all for your help and support in these busy weeks of Summer, and throughout the year.We hold Ruth Betts (deceased), Geoff her husband and her family in our prayers at this very sad time. We like so many in the village were so incredibly sad to hear the very sad news today of Ruth's death in Scotland. She has been such a special and valued member of the church bell ringing team. We will miss her bell ringing presence and her skilled ringing out of the good news of Jesus' birth and Jesus resurrection on Christmas and Easter mornings which always drew me to look upwards with joy. Thank you so much Ruth. We will miss you. RIP. I wish you all a good week, with sunny weather and chance to relax and restore your energy levels.With best wishesLindaRectorToddington and Chalgrave07715 603557revdtoddington@gmail.comrevdchalgrave@gmail.com
