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
Hello Everyone What a wonderful moment in history it has been to watch the Coronation of King Charles III today - rich in pageantry and in Christian Symbolism. So many Heads of State and guests in the Abbey, and crowds lining the streets, and many people across the world watching on screen, observing this richly Christian service of commitment and dedication which began with a child representative saying: 'YOUR Majesty, as children of the kingdom of God we welcome you in the name of the King of kings'. and the King replied: 'In his name and after his example I come not to be served but to serve'. The king is keen to serve - to follow Jesus, the King of Kings as his guiding example, to build a Kingdom of care and love. So many stories shared, by the people he has interacted with over the years, told of his valued dedication and caring support to them or to organisations in trouble or need, as the Prince of Wales, preceding this special day. Today's service exampled his desire to be inclusive, respectful, unifying and humble. The king demonstrates understanding and care for his people and his aim is to continue to serve, with the example of Jesus Christ in his heart, anointed by God - to serve and not to be served. As part of the king's vision, we are called to serve too, by volunteering to help someone or to help an organisation in need, using our gifts and talents. The king, and the King of Kings, know the importance of giving of ourselves to help others. Thank you to all who already give so much in so many ways. Your church, and your community value this so much. As we gather this weekend to celebrate and have fun as community let us also reflect on the following prayer: Blessed are you, Lord Jesus, for as you were sent by the Father, so you send us. Equip Charles our King and all your people with the gifts to fulfil our calling, that we may love as you loved, serve as you served, and willingly follow wherever you lead. Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever. Our services and events this week Sunday 7th May 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Monday 8th May - Bank Holiday no services Tuesday 9th May 10.30 am Knitting Group 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 11th May 2.00 pm Meeting with Friends, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 4.00 pm Burial of Sheila Parkes' ashes, Chalgrave Friday 12th May 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group 6.30 pm Service of Thanksgiving for King Charles III, Toddington Church, with the Quintet Choir and Royal British Legion representatives. All Welcome Saturday 13th May Coronation Coffee Morning 10.00 am, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Sunday 14th May 9.30 am Holy Communion service, Chalgrave 11.00 am Holy Communion service, Toddington Monday 15th May Morning Prayer 9.30 am, Toddington Church Have a wonderful bank holiday weekend.. and I hope the sun comes out to light your way. God bless Linda
Hello Everyone It seems we are in for a lovely bank holiday weekend with high temperatures on Monday, which will be lovely - although, I hope it doesn't reach as high as Spain's 40 degrees! - phew! The excitement is building this week as we approach King Charles III Coronation on Saturday. London will be abuzz with practice runs and dignitaries arriving for the special occasion. The pageantry promises to be slick and exciting with the largest number of Heads of State gathered in one place. Across the country communities will gather to celebrate and mark the special event with street parties and other opportunities for fun and fellowship - such a welcome time to gather, post Covid lockdowns. Toddington has special events planned for Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon, and in our Sunday services both this week and next we will include prayers for King Charles and for the Archbishop of Canterbury, and all involved in the service. This week's Services and Events Sunday 30th April 9.30 am Morning Praise service, Chalgrave, led by Malcolm Curtis 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington, Linda and Malcolm Monday 1st May - Bank Holiday no services and events Tuesday 2nd May 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 3rd May 11.00 am Funeral of D Squires, Toddington Church Thursday 4th May 12.00 noon, Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Friday 5th May 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Saturday 6th May - Coronation Day Toddington Church bells to be rung in the morning before the Coronation Events on the Green, led by the British Legion in the evening. (See poster) Sunday 7th May 9.30am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Monday 8th May - Bank Holiday no services Tuesday 9th May 10.30 am Knitting Group 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 11th May 2.00 pm Meeting with Friends, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 4.00 pm Burial of Sheila Parkes' ashes, Chalgrave Friday 12th May 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group 6.30 pm Service of Thanksgiving for King Charles III, Toddington Church, with the Quintet Choir and Royal British Legion representatives. All Welcome Have a wonderful week. God bless Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone I hope you have had a good week. The weather has been pretty kind to us and the grass and plants are growing apace.. with beautiful blossom emerging. Our churches have looked beautiful, decorated for Easter, but now, despite being still in the Easter Season our attention is turning also to Springtime events, including the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III. I know the various villages will be planning different events to celebrate this special occasion and I have circulated a poster about the Royal British Legion Toddington events, but please do let me know of any other events happening in Toddington, Tebworth, Wingfield and Chalton villages so I can share these too. Later today, volunteers from the Royal British Legion will help to raise the English standard at the church, to commemorate St George of England, the patron saint of England and also of Toddington Church. We will pay tribute to our patron saint in tomorrow morning's service. There are also various fun things happening locally, including at Wrest Park for families. This Afternoon St George's Church hosts a Toddington Music Society Spring Concert by Bedfordshire Woodwind Academy Flute Ensemble at 2.30 pm which will conclude St George of England's 800 years celebrations. Tickets available on the door £10 (cash only). All welcome. The Quintet Choir will be rehearsing songs and music for a special Thanksgiving service for the Coronation of King Charles which will be held at 6.30 pm at Toddington Church on Friday 12 May 2023. All Welcome to the service.. and to join the Quintet Choir... see below invitation from Nicholas: Dear Singers, We have been invited to sing at a coronation-themed service at Toddington on the evening of Friday 12th May. To prepare, we will rehearse 7.30-8.30 pm on the following Thursdays: 20th April, 27th April , 4th May, 11th May The first three practices are likely to take place at Harlington and the fourth will be held at Toddington. Amongst the music, I hope we can do Malcolm Archer's arrangement of 'Rejoice the Lord is King' - Please do come along to rehearsals, even if you cannot make the service on 12th May as we will be singing some other pieces too. Do please feel free to go along to any of the rehearsals and if you would like to speak to Nicholas for more information I can link you. This Friday's Messy Church will have a Coronation theme and we look forward to welcoming our families. This week's services and Events Saturday 22nd April - Spring Concert, Toddington Church, 2.30pm Sunday 23rd April 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion and remembering our Patron Saint, St George, Toddington Church Monday 24th April 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2.00 pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Tuesday 25th April 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Wednesday 26th April 11.00 am Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall. Thursday 27th April 7.30 pm Quintet Choir Rehearsal, Harlington Church Friday 28th April 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall 3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Sunday 30th April 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church Have a good week. With every good wish. Linda
