The Revd. Linda Washington retired at the end of March. Since then, the Diocesan of St Albans has been leading a formal process to select a new part time (0.5) Rector for Toddington and Chalgrave.A Vacancy Meeting attended by over 40 people was held at the end of March which gave the community an opportunity to express their preferences for the role.The Parochial Church Council's (PCC's) of Toddington and Chalgrave worked together to create a joint Parish Profile. This acts as something of a prospectus for applicants by summarising the "church life" in Toddington and Chalgrave. The Parish Profile promotes the parish's, and all its activities whilst also being concise.The Parish Profile is available with the adverts and also on the St George of England and All Saints church websites.The advert is on the following websites:https://www.stalbansdiocese.org/vacancies/0-5-p-t-rector-for-toddington-and-chalgrave/ https://www.cofepathways.org/members/modules/job/detail.php?record=8714
Hello Everyone As my period as Rector of Toddington and Chalgrave draws to the end of its season, I would like to say an enormous thank you to you all for your friendship, care, love and support during my ministry these past 7 and a half years. It has been such a privilege to serve in these two parishes and to walk with, and alongside, so many of you through life events. There have been times of sadness, and times of joy, times of celebration and times of exhaustion, times of need and times of plenty, times of prayer, times of worship, times of silence and times of joy and laughter. Each experience and conversation has been significant and important. Thank you so much for all you have offered during our time together. There are so many workers in the field, in church and outside church. The churches depend on the kindness and the generosity of time and effort from such a wide range of volunteers: those who ring the bells, or set the clock right, those who manage the church accounts, or who arrange flowers, those who clean the churches and clean the brasses, or those who maintain the grounds with weeding groups or church grass mowers, those who bake cakes or prepare meals, those who arrange fundraising or social events, and those who sing, play the organ, prepare notices, maintain websites and social media sites, or serve in church; those who lead Messy Church, Youth Group, Toddington Community Fridge, or open up the church and church hall day after day. There are those who clean and decorate the hall, hang posters and displays, or those who read in church or prepare intercessions, those who pray or support financially, or assist as friends to maintain the buildings. Whatever the role, however big or small your contribution, it has been invaluable and so appreciated. I pray that you will continue to support the churches during the interregnum and that the process of appointing a new minister will go smoothly and be a validating experience for you. The church building is important, but so are the people of Christ who are the ‘living Church’ in the community. May you continue to shine a light to all you meet.. May Jesus the Light of the World sustain and encourage you when times seem tough and may you never doubt how much God loves you. Thank you to you all for joining me on 16th February for my final Sunday Services. I will never forget them - or you. I am awaiting a link to the filmed 'Songs of Praise' service and hope to be able to release this to anyone who would like to see it (do let me know if you’d like a link) and I have recently received some photos of the farewell events and have attached a few to share with you. If you have any photos which you can share with me, I’d be delighted to see them. Thank you also so much for your wonderful gifts, flowers, and retirement cards. I was so blessed! You have been so kind and thoughtful. I’m still enjoying the flowers and cards, one month on .. see attached photo and I look forward to spending some quiet moments reflecting with notebook and pen in hand, or to trips to the theatre to see some favourite shows. Thank you so much! Looking ahead, do please consider joining the vacancy meeting on 27 March at Wilkinson Hall when the Bishop and Archdeacon will discuss the vacancy process and will invite your thoughts about a future minister. I do find myself reflecting that the role I have held has been a paid 0.5 role, but I have worked nearer full-time. I hope and pray that it will be possible to appoint a replacement minister for more that 0.5 to continue the valuable work which we have shared within the churches, the community and within the schools. At my farewell discussion with Bishop Richard, I was asked what note I would leave on the desk for the minister, following me in, and I replied, "Love them!”. Thank you so much for your warmth of love and care to me during my time as your minister. It has been so very special. As I hand over communication links to members of PCC, can I please check if you are happy for me to pass on your email address so you can continue to be informed of upcoming events and services. If you would prefer that I remove your email address, please let me know, and I will withhold it. God bless you all Linda Rector (for a few more days) Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone This will probably be one of my last general emails before I ease away on retirement on 18 March but I wanted to say a huge thank you for all your good wishes recently at my final services on 16 February and at Youth Group this evening. I have been so spoilt with the most wonderful 'send off' from the lower school with the children singing so wonderfully at my final assembly, when I was presented with a very special book of memories from the children, plus two stunning bouquets of flowers from staff and children. Then at church on 16th the Quintet Choir sang, led by Nicholas, and the school choir sang at the afternoon 'Songs of Praise' service, with so many of you coming to offer your support, including Bishop Richard and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Gordon Moulds. There was an incredibly beautiful display of flowers decorating the church, and balloons, decorations and farewell refreshments in the Hall, with flowers, gift vouchers, cakes, picture memory displays, messages and retirement cards. What an amazing send off! Thank you all so much for your contributions. It has warmed my heart to read some of your lovely messages. Thank you! I will remember you fondly. There has been a lot to take in and I am still coming to terms with the reality of what retirement will mean. Nigel and I took a timely holiday in Malta last week which was wonderful. We went to church in the Anglican cathedral in Valletta on the Sunday 23rd and enjoyed exploring the beautiful, historic city during the week. The sun came out which always makes life seem a little brighter and I'm pleased we brought it home with us so you can share it too! Last Sunday, Nigel covered the Sunday services at Toddington and Chalgrave and I was pleased to support four Toddington confirmation candidates who were confirmed by Bishop Richard at Woburn Church. Please hold them in your prayers. Moving forward, generally, Rev Anne Barker will cover two Sundays each month, Rev Roger Wood will cover two Sundays at Chalgrave and one at Toddington, and Malcolm Curtis will lead one Sunday service at Toddington, in addition Malcolm will also be available to cover funerals (or Nigel, and me occasionally) I will be available to meet with couples to discuss wedding and baptism requests, in the first instance, so do please get in touch if you would like to make arrangements. Dee Curtis will be the point of contact for funeral requests at Toddington Church and Sandy Ryan or Sue Russell will be the points of contact for Chalgrave Church. Services and Events this week: Ash Wednesday 5th March Lent Lunch 12.00 noon at Wilkinson Hall 6.00 pm Ash Wednesday Service with the Imposition of Ashes, at Toddington Church - service led by Rev Anne Barker Thursday 6th March 12.00 noon Hot Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall Friday 7th March 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall 2.00 pm World Day of Prayer service - a service presented by representatives from local churches - All Welcome Saturday 8th March 9.30 am Toddington Community Fridge.. All welcome. 10.00 am Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 9th March 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Revd Anne Barker 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Revd Anne Barker Future events: Thursday 13th March 'Just 10' Course, week 3, at 12 Leighton Road, 6.30pm Sunday 16th March 9.30 am Holy Communion service, Chalgrave Church - Revd Andy Jefferson from Flitwick parish church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Revd Andy Jefferson Chalgrave APCM meeting 10.30 am Chalgrave Church 6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington Church Monday 17th March 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2.00 pm Toddington PCC meeting, Wilkinson Hall, 2pm Tuesday 18th March 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall During the next two weeks I will hopefully see some of you for a chat as I pop into different events. Do feel free to give me a ring, if you'd like a visit. Wishing you every blessing Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone This will probably be one of my last general emails before I ease away on retirement on 18 March but I wanted to say a huge thank you for all your good wishes recently at my final services on 16 February and at Youth Group this evening. I have been so spoilt with the most wonderful 'send off' from the lower school with the children singing so wonderfully at my final assembly, when I was presented with a very special book of memories from the children, plus two stunning bouquets of flowers from staff and children. Then at church on 16th the Quintet Choir sang, led by Nicholas, and the school choir sang at the afternoon 'Songs of Praise' service, with so many of you coming to offer your support, including Bishop Richard and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Gordon Moulds. There was an incredibly beautiful display of flowers decorating the church, and balloons, decorations and farewell refreshments in the Hall, with flowers, gift vouchers, cakes, picture memory displays, messages and retirement cards. What an amazing send off! Thank you all so much for your contributions. It has warmed my heart to read some of your lovely messages. Thank you! I will remember you fondly. There has been a lot to take in and I am still coming to terms with the reality of what retirement will mean. Nigel and I took a timely holiday in Malta last week which was wonderful. We went to church in the Anglican cathedral in Valletta on the Sunday 23rd and enjoyed exploring the beautiful, historic city during the week. The sun came out which always makes life seem a little brighter and I'm pleased we brought it home with us so you can share it too! Last Sunday, Nigel covered the Sunday services at Toddington and Chalgrave and I was pleased to support four Toddington confirmation candidates who were confirmed by Bishop Richard at Woburn Church. Please hold them in your prayers. Moving forward, generally, Rev Anne Barker will cover two Sundays each month, Rev Roger Wood will cover two Sundays at Chalgrave and one at Toddington, and Malcolm Curtis will lead one Sunday service at Toddington, in addition Malcolm will also be available to cover funerals (or Nigel, and me occasionally) I will be available to meet with couples to discuss wedding and baptism requests, in the first instance, so do please get in touch if you would like to make arrangements. Dee Curtis will be the point of contact for funeral requests at Toddington Church and Sandy Ryan or Sue Russell will be the points of contact for Chalgrave Church. Services and Events this week: Ash Wednesday 5th March Lent Lunch 12.00 noon at Wilkinson Hall 6.00 pm Ash Wednesday Service with the Imposition of Ashes, at Toddington Church - service led by Rev Anne Barker Thursday 6th March 12.00 noon Hot Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall Friday 7th March 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall 2.00 pm World Day of Prayer service - a service presented by representatives from local churches - All Welcome Saturday 8th March 9.30 am Toddington Community Fridge.. All welcome. 10.00 am Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 9th March 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Revd Anne Barker 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Revd Anne Barker Future events: Thursday 13th March 'Just 10' Course, week 3, at 12 Leighton Road, 6.30pm Sunday 16th March 9.30 am Holy Communion service, Chalgrave Church - Revd Andy Jefferson from Flitwick parish church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Revd Andy Jefferson Chalgrave APCM meeting 10.30 am Chalgrave Church 6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington Church Monday 17th March 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2.00 pm Toddington PCC meeting, Wilkinson Hall, 2pm Tuesday 18th March 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall During the next two weeks I will hopefully see some of you for a chat as I pop into different events. Do feel free to give me a ring, if you'd like a visit. Wishing you every blessing Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
