Hello Everyone,
The sun is shining on this new day, the countryside is abuzz with new growth, blossom, buds and rich greenery and there is a lightness and promise in the air.
I hope you have had a good week and enjoyed the long bank holiday weekend celebrating the historic coronation of King Charles III, the longest waiting Heir to the throne. The crowds filled the Mall and lined the streets to see the King and Queen pass by in the golden coach accompanied by an impressive show of ceremonial processing troops. The Coronation service was splendid, with a strong Christian ethos and beautiful music. It was also lovely to share in the lower school Coronation picnic last Friday, and in Chalton, Chalgrave and Toddington celebration gatherings on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Thank you for inviting me.
Tomorrow evening, we offer a Service of Thanksgiving for the Coronation of King Charles at St George of England Church, Toddington, with the Quintet Choir singing 2 special pieces and representatives from the Royal British Legion joining us. The service is at 6.30pm, followed by refreshments. All Welcome. Do please join us.
On 30 April, I relinquished my role as Associate Minister at Westoning Benefice to focus fully on the parishes of Toddington and Chalgrave where I am Rector 0.5 of full-time (3 days pwk).
As a trial, I am looking to take regular days off on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays and to be available in the parishes on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays. I have previously served virtually full-time despite being 0.5 but I'm now going to try to identify some regular days off. This is a dream in principle, as I believe the parishes need a full-time minister and I have always sought to be available when needed.
I will offer flexibility for funerals and would not want to turn anyone away in time of need. So, I ask you to please bear with me, and to pray for our parishes, as I seek to work through this logistical challenge, to find the best way forward for us all. Thank you as always for your friendship, fellowship and support. These parishes are very special places to serve.
This week's services and events:
Thursday 11th May
2.00 pm Time with Friends, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington
4.00 pm Burial of Sheila Parkes Ashes, Chalgrave Church
5.15 pm Toddington PCC, the Rectory
7.15 pm Quintet Choir rehearsal, Toddington Church
Friday 12th May
10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall
6.30 pm A Service of Thanksgiving for the King's Coronation, Toddington Church, with the Quintet Choir
Saturday 13th May
10.00 am Coronation Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall
Sunday 14th May
9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church
11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church
Monday 15th May
9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church
12.00 noon Funeral of Mrs B Richards, Luton Crem
Tuesday 16th May
10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall
Thursday 18th May
2.00 pm St George's Fellowship
Friday 19th May
10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall
Saturday 20th May
11.30 am - 12.30 pm Organ Recital, Toddington Church
Sunday 21st May
10.30am Morning Service, Chalgrave Church followed by Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)
11.00 am Morning Praise Service, Toddington
Have a good week.
With thoughts and prayers
Linda
Rector Toddington and Chalgrave