Hello Everyone All of a sudden we are into full Christmas season flow! This weekend we are enjoying the beautiful Christmas Tree Festival at Toddington Church, which has many wonderful trees imaginatively decorated and presented by different community and church groups. Thank you to everyone who has helped in any way to make the Friends of Toddington Church Christmas Tree Festival such a success. The trees look wonderful, the church looks beautiful, the tombola is full-some and tempting.. and so are all the beautiful cakes and refreshments. So much time and effort has gone into the planning, organisation and preparation with community groups arriving during the week to set up their tree displays. Which one will catch your eye? On Sunday morning both our services will be Christingle services and as we light them we will reflect on Jesus, the Light of the World. And how our world needs light this year to shine through the darkness! The week ahead promises to be busy! On Monday church folks will be clearing up after the Christmas Tree Festival and I am going to school to see the nursery class nativity in the afternoon. On Tuesday I have been invited to go with the lower school choir to L and D hospital where they have been invited to sing.. and the children in school sing (and sign) so well! In the evening, Youth Group will be having fun at their Christmas Party. On Wednesday I'll be back in school in the morning to attend Year one's nativity. This is quickly followed by Tebworth Christmas Pop Up Tea room where there promises to be another wonderful array of tasty Christmas provisions. On Thursday, I'll be leading a collective worship at the lower school, telling the next instalment of the Christmas story. In the afternoon Nigel and I will visit Harlington Upper school for an hour or so to remember with staff and students loved ones who have died. Christmas time is a time, for many of us, of mixed emotions as we remember loved ones who will not be sitting around the table with us this year. It is good to spend time to value those we have loved and to remember and it can be particularly helpful to meet with others who are experiencing similar loss or sadness. It is reassuring and comforting to share. If any of you reading this email would find it helpful to meet with others to remember, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me. I am keen to support if I can. Some churches hold a 'blue Christmas' service and if this is something that you would find helpful, I can organise a special service before Christmas. On Thursday afternoon Toddington Messy Church team look forward to hosting Christmas Messy Church in the Hall, at 3.30pm (Thursday this month instead of on Friday) and we will be doing Christmas crafts and have a Christmas story and Christmas Tea. On Friday, the church will be filled with lots of young people at the Scout service. It certainly will be an exciting week. No days off this week! On Saturday, folks will be busy lighting candles at Chalgrave church for the 'Carols by Candlelight' service at 6pm, when Nicholas will be playing and the Quintet Choir will be singing.... and if you have time to spare to help clean or to decorate the church this week, please let Sandy know. She will be very glad of an extra pair of hands! On Sunday 17th we have our usual 9.30am and 11am morning services with an Advent theme and in the afternoon at 3pm Toddington Band will fill Toddington Church with Christmas music and songs. Do come along if you can. It is always a toe tapping enjoyable time. The following week continues with carols and Christmas music. On Monday 18th Toddington Church hosts a Nine lessons and Carols service at 7.30pm with the Quintet Choir singing; do come along and join in with the singing and hear the Christmas story told by readers from church and the community. On Tuesday 19th we look forward to hosting Parkfields KS2 and KS3 carol services at Toddington church with the church filled with wonderful music by Mr Wynn and the two different Key Stage choirs. I'm excited to welcome the children and staff to church again this year. It was such a joy last year. Then on Wednesday morning 20th December.. Toddington St George School will be coming to church for their morning Christmas Carol service. What special times we have ahead. I love the families and children coming to church. The excitement at Christmas, as we remember the baby Jesus, is so tangible and joyful. Do look out for the church Christmas Card which should be delivered to your home very soon. If you haven't received one yet, do pop into church to pick one up and I have attached a copy with this email. Thank you all for your wonderful support, fellowship and care for each other. God bless Linda Rev Linda Washington Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello everyoneThe temperatures have dipped suddenly and winter is very much upon us. Christmas activities and services are also approaching quickly.Nigel and I enjoyed a dark, cold walk at Wrest Park last evening, strolling along a wonderful evening light walk through the grounds, admiring the display of coloured lights which highlighted the trees and buildings. It was very cold and wonderfully atmospheric... and very enjoyable.. but there was no obvious sign of reference to Jesus. Next weekend will be the Toddington Church wonderful Christmas Tree festival which is such a highlight of our year with community groups getting together to contribute their creative ideas and decorations. There will be restricted access to the church from Wednesday whilst the trees are installed but the church will be open for prayer. I wonder where we will find Jesus among the trees? There will be so much to see and to admire (with refreshments available in the Hall). We finish on Sunday, carol singing amidst the trees. This morning I attended a Christian Breakfast at Frost's garden centre with Fiona Castle speaking about Christmas... and she reflected on how beautiful the centre looks with its twinkling lights and beautiful displays... but then reflected on how so many people celebrate Christmas, and yet have no idea about the person whose birthday we are celebrating. An interesting perspective! This week, I had the privilege to spend special time in the lower school with colleagues from church, telling the children about Mary (the mother of Jesus) and Elizabeth (the mother of John the Baptist) as part of our Christmas Assemblies and on Friday, a team of us from church headed back into school for an afternoon of making Christingles with the children... such a wonderful time! We gathered later with the children for a time of worship.. with them all proudly holding their Christingles as I explained the symbolism of the Christingle..remembering Jesus, the light of the world (the white candle), at the centre. It was a very special afternoon, enjoyed by us all, and I was very grateful to Mr Darlington, and the staff, for making us so welcome.This afternoon, the Linsdale singers gave a wonderful concert of Christmas songs at church.. definitely with Jesus at the heart. And then I popped along to the Christmas Rotary Afternoon Tea.. which had a lovely happy atmosphere, with people contentedly tapping along to the music, enjoying lovely food and time together. I always love this gathering. Was Jesus visible? He was certainly present in the generosity of the provision and care given by the Rotarians and volunteers who were keen to serve and provide a special time. He was there drawing people together and in the various conversations. He is so often in our interactions and meetings. I wonder where you will find Jesus this week?Fiona Castle suggested an interesting type of Advent calendar action... to try to do a good deed each day...something that will make someone's day a little brighter. It doesn't need to be much.. and yet it may make all the difference to the person you reach out to. 'What would Jesus do' is an interesting thought each day. Asking God each day to guide us, can bring about some very special moments. May you be blessed, as you reach out and may we have wonderful opportunities to introduce Jesus into people's Christmas this year.This week's services and events:Sunday services 3rd December. Advent Sunday9.30am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church11am Holy Communion, Toddington ChurchMonday 4th9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington churchTuesday 5th10.30am Knitting Group Wilkinson HallWednesday 6- Friday 8thsetting up for the Christmas Tree FestivalFriday 8thChristmas Tree Preview evening with wine and canapes. Tickets need to be pre-booked and cost £10. Contact Fran Brown 01525 872501Saturday 9thChristmas Tree Festival 11-5pm entrance £2.50, children free.Sunday 10th9.30am service at Chalgrave Church11am Holy Communion Service Toddington ChurchChristmas Tree Festival 1-5pm finishing with carols by the trees. Entrance £2.50, children free.Upcoming Christmas events:Tuesday 12th December 5.45pm Youth Group Christmas Party, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 14 December 3.30pm Christmas Messy Church, Wilkinson HallFriday 15 December 7pm Scout Carol ServiceSaturday 16 December 6pm Carols by Candlelight Chalgrave ChurchSunday 17 December 3pm Toddington Band Christmas Concert, Toddington ChurchMonday 18 December 7.30pm Nine Lessons and Carols, Toddington Church.Tuesday 19 December Parkfields Carol services, in churchWednesday 20 December Toddington St George L S carol service, in churchThe church Christmas cards have now arrived and we will be delivering these to homes in Toddington, Tebworth, Wingfield and Chalton. If you have time and energy to deliver some cards, I will be very happy to receive your help! Please send me an email or a text.(If you, like me, enjoy Christmas Tree Festivals, you may wish to visit Harlington Church festival this Sunday afternoon).Wishing you a bright and blessed week.LindaRev Linda WashingtonRector Toddington and Chalgrave.07715 603557
Hello EveryoneThere has been a hive of activity on the Green today with stall holders preparing the scene for a fun village get together at the 'Light Up Toddington event this evening', from 4-7pm. Today has been wonderfully sunny with clear blue skies but it promises to be cold this evening so do please wrap up warm! I look forward to the children singing and the buzz of people meeting and greeting each other, whilst enjoying the fun, as the scene is set for a build up to Christmas. The Parish Council have arranged to illuminate the church this evening, which will provide a rather special backdrop (Thank you!). Besides music, stalls and entertainment on the Green, there will also be craft stalls and refreshments in Wilkinson Hall. Toddington is such a pretty village but it always looks extra special lit up and decorated for Christmas.This afternoon I attended the Royal British Legion AGM and I just want to say a huge thank you to the Toddington Branch for all their help and support with church commemorative and remembrance events and for their slick organisation of the annual Remembrance event on the Green and the poppy collection, which draws us all together so effectively, to Remember. We are very fortunate to have a village branch of RBL and I am keen to support them.. so I encourage you, to please consider becoming members, or supporters, so our local branch can stay strong and effective (contact John Wood, or Melanie).Chalgrave's Pop Up Tea Room on Wednesday at Tebworth Memorial Hall was another special moment this week with a full hall and lots of conversations shared over delicious cake, or hot soup. Thank you so much to the catering team for all their hard work. And, thank you to Toddiington team for catering this evening, and very soon at the Christmas Tree Festival. Do please link with Dee about any Christmas Tree entry queries.This week I also had a musical treat at Sunday's Young Musician of the Year competition with young musicians of great talent taking part. I was amazed by the quality.. and on Tuesday evening, Nigel and I had another treat at the concert of Choral Music and poetry at Bedford school, organised by Nicholas Hopton in aid of Movember. Such a musical blessing.. with us leaving uplifted by the talents of pupils and teachers, and the choir, who took part. I am looking forward to hearing more singing this evening from the school choir and representatives.With a Christmas Theme in mind.. for your diary...here is a list of the forthcoming Christmas events and services at Toddington and Chalgrave churches during December:December Services and Events:Chalgrave ChurchSundays 3, 10 and 17th December Holy Communion Service, 9.30amWednesday 13th December Christmas Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall 11am - 1pmSaturday 16th December Carols by Candlelight Service, 6pmSunday 24th December Benefice Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church, 11amChristmas Eve, 24th December Crib Service, 2.30pm Midnight Mass, 11.15pmChristmas Day, 25th December Benefice Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church, 10am31st December Benefice Morning Praise Service, Toddington Church, 11amToddington ChurchFriday 1 December Christingle Service with the children at Toddington St George School.Saturday 2 December Christmas Concert, Linsdale Singers, 2.30pm, Toddington ChurchSundays 3, 10th, 17th December Holy Communion Services, 11am ToddingtonMondays 4,11,18th December Morning Prayer, 9.30am, Toddington Church Friday 8 December - 7pm Christmas Tree Festival Preview Evening, Toddington Church.Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December Christmas Tree Festival Toddington Church, Saturday 11.5pm, Sunday 1-5pm, ending with Carols. Refreshments available in Wilkinson HallThursday 14th December Christmas 'Messy Church' 3.30pm Wilkinson HallFriday 15th December Scout Carol Service, 7pm, Toddington Church.Sunday 17th December Toddington Band Christmas Concert 3pm, Toddington ChurchMonday 18th December Nine Lessons and Carols service, 7.30pm, Toddington ChurchTuesday 19th December Parkfields School, Christmas Carol services, Toddington ChurccWednesday 20 December Toddington St George Lower School Christmas Carol service, Toddington ChurchSunday 24th December Benefice Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church, 11amChristmas Eve (Sunday) 4pm Crib Service, and 10pm 'Midnight Mass', Toddington ChurchChristmas Day (Monday) Benefice Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church 10amSunday 31st December Benefice Morning Praise Service, 11am, Toddington ChurchThis week's services and events:Sunday 26 November - Christ The King Sunday9.30am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church11am Holy Communion, Toddington ChurchMonday 27th November9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church2pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson HallTuesday 28th November10.30am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall5.45pm Youth Group, Wilkinson HallWednesday 29th NovemberRest DayThursday 30 NovemberRest DayFriday 1st December 10.30am Painting For Pleasure group, Wilkinson HallNo Ploughmans lunch this month!Looking forward to seeing you to catch up sometime.. perhaps at a Christmas Service, or perhaps over a glass of mulled wine, or a hot cuppa this evening.Keep warm and look after yourselves.God blessLindaRectorToddington and Chalgrave07715 603557
Hello everyone I hope you are well and have had a good week. The autumn colours are building and beautiful to see, but how quickly the dark evenings have set in. I'm already looking forward to the longer days and brighter evenings but in between we can enjoy the time of Christmas lights leading us forth through Advent towards Christmas. Last weekend, it was a privilege to take part in the various Remembrance services at Toddington, Chalgrave Church and Tebworth, to remember those who had died, were injured, or affected by the different conflicts and wars past (and present). The rain held off for the services, apart from a few minutes at each service and it was good to see so many people gather to represent the villages, the schools, the uniformed groups and the different community groups. Well done to the British Legion team for setting up the gazebos and sound system at Toddington, for their careful organisation of the event, and for attending each service. Thanks also to Toddington Band for their music and to Tebworth Parish Council for their organisation. We look forward to the next Toddington village community event this Saturday to light up Toddington for the Christmas season, which will take place on the Green between 4-7pm, and is organised by Toddington Parish Council. There will be music from Toddington Band and 'Simply Sax', fun stalls refreshments and entertainment on the Green plus craft stalls and refreshments in Wilkinson Hall. Do come along if you can. It is always good to see the light shining in the darkness! Sunday Services 19 November 2023 9.30am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11am, a Baptism and Holy Communion service, Toddington Church 6pm Evensong, Toddington Church Other services and events this coming week: Sunday 2.30pm Young musician of the Year Competition (with young musicians from Beds, Herts and Bucks), Toddington Village Hall, admission on the door £8 adult, £1 children Monday 9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday Knitting Group, 10.30am Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 10am Church brass cleaning working party, Toddington Church 11-1pm Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall Thursday rest day! Friday 10.30am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday Light up Toddington, 4-7pm Toddington Green and Wilkinson Hall Sunday 26th November 9.30am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11am Holy Communion, Toddington Church Have a good week everyone. God bless Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
