Hello Everyone I hope last week was kind to you and that this week will be even better! As the schools settle back after half term holidays, we approach the start of Lent in the church calendar with Shrove Tuesday swiftly followed by Ash Wednesday. We will be holding a 6.00 pm Ash Wednesday service at Toddington church and both Parkfields and the lower school have invited me to in to lead an assembly about Lent. There seem to be many different perspectives by people about Lent. Some incline to 'give up' something for Lent while others prefer a more proactive approach to 'take up' something for Lent. I read an interesting article by English Heritage about Shrove Tuesday and Lent which said: 'Christians believe that the 40 days before Easter (called Lent) mark the time that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. Traditionally, Christians would spend this time praying and fasting, which meant not eating a range of foods including meat, eggs, fats and milk. The word ‘shrove’ comes from a Roman Catholic practice – to ‘shrive’ meant going to confess your sins and being absolved by a priest. In the past, a ‘shriving’ bell was rung on Shrove Tuesday to call people to church to confess their sins'. Lent is indeed a time to seek to come closer to God, and through prayer and quiet time this may well lead to a time of confession. In the church, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday with a penitential service and during that service there is opportunity to receive the sign of an ash cross on our foreheads to remind us of Jesus who was tempted and challenged in the desert for 40 days and nights, before the start of his ministry. The mark of the cross also reminds us that Jesus died on the cross at Easter and bore our sins. Through his death and resurrection, he demonstrated his love and forgiveness to us. We will be holding Toddington and Chalgrave Lent courses this Lenten season, to enable us to spend time learning about Jesus' ministry and reflecting on how we can apply what we learn today. So, this Lent, there will be a time of 'giving something up' and of 'learning something new' and of 'reaching out'. It is an important discipline to look inwards and to self examine, but also to look outwards with positive action... 'What would Jesus do'. You are very welcome to join a Lent course. They should be informal groups. Please let me know you are coming so I can prepare, or just come along. The Toddington course will meet at the Rectory at 11.00 am, starting on Monday 27th February, next week. The Chalgrave course will offer a series of Bible studies and reflections and will be based at the Calders. This week's services and events Sunday 19th February 9.30 am Service of Holy Communion, Chalgrave - Nigel 11.00 am Service of Holy Communion, Toddington - Nigel Monday 20th February Morning Prayer, 9.30 am Toddington Shrove Tuesday 21st February Knitting Group 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall Youth Group 5.45 pm, Wilkinson Hall (and Tuesday 28th February) Ash Wednesday 22nd February (The start of Lent) Final Wednesday Winter Warmer gathering, 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall - (next Wednesday - Lent lunch at 12.00 noon) Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall 11.00 am – 1.00 pm Ash Wednesday 6.00 pm evening service, with Holy Communion, Toddington Church Thursday 23rd February 11.30 pm Funeral of Sheila Parks, Chalgrave Church 7.30 pm Quintet Choir Rehearsal, Toddington Church - (Looking towards Easter) - all welcome Friday 24th February 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall 2.00 pm Rehearsal for World Day of Prayer service, Toddington Baptist Church 3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall Services and events from Sunday 26th February 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave - Linda 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington - Linda Monday 27th February 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington 11.00 am The Lent Course, Toddington, Mondays, 27 Feb, 6, 13, 20 and 27 March and 3 April. All Welcome. Come when you can. Location Rectory 2.00 pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall 7.00 pm Chalgrave PCC Tuesday 28th February 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 3.00 pm Toddington PCC 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 1st March 12.00 noon, Lent lunch, Wilkinson Hall Chalgrave Lent Bible reflection group (each Wednesday evening during March) time tbc Thursday 2nd March 12.00 noon Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall Friday 3rd March World Day of Prayer, Toddington Baptist Church, 2.00 pm If you would be interested to have a chat, discuss baptism or Confirmation, receive prayer, have Home Communion, or have a worry, concern or a joy that you would like to share with me, do please get in touch so we can arrange to meet. with love and prayers Linda (and Nigel) Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone On Thursday afternoon Nigel and I spent a few lovely hours at Anglesey Abbey enjoying the beautiful snow drops which are in full flower. Different varieties of snowdrops were mixed in areas with yellow aconites, winter cyclamen, winter roses and a few discreet crocuses, all offering a sense that Spring is in the air, despite the cold biting wind. On today's walk at Wrest Park I noticed dead looking twigs beginning to display new buds. How wonderful nature is, that despite the cold ice still lingering on the water, the ducks and birds abound, and each day now draws us all forward to brighter, longer days, sunlight and new growth. Today, we received a wonderful surprise visit from 2 members of the church family and are still smiling with joy after a most enlightening conversation with a very articulate young man. What joy these short moments in time offer. We give thanks and praise to God for special times of blessing and joy and we pray that this week you will receive a blessing of encouragement and joy to ease you forward. This Sunday's services: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Linda 11.00 am A 'Healing' Service with Holy Communion, Toddington Church - Linda and Nigel Services and Events this week: Monday 13th 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2.00 pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Tuesday 14th 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Wednesday 15th 10.30 am - 2.30 pm Warm Winter Wednesday - with soup and baked potato lunch, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Thursday 16th 2.00pm St George's Fellowship, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Friday 17th 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington 12.30 pm Memorial Service for Philip Henden, St George of England Church. Services and events for February and beyond Sunday 19th February 9.30 am Service of Holy Communion, Chalgrave - Nigel 11.00 am Service of Holy Communion, Toddington - Nigel Monday 20th Morning Prayer, 9.30 am Toddington Shrove Tuesday 21st Knitting Group 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall Youth Group 5.45 pm, Wilkinson Hall (and Tuesday 28th February) Ash Wednesday 22nd February (The start of Lent) Final Wednesday Winter Warmer gathering, 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall - (to be replaced by Wednesday Lent lunch, 12.00 noon) Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall 11.00 am – 1.00 pm Ash Wednesday 6.00 pm evening service, with Holy Communion, Toddington Church Thursday 23rd 11.30 pm Funeral of Sheila Parks, Chalgrave Church 7.30 pm Quintet Choir Rehearsal, Toddington Church - (Looking towards Easter) - all welcome Friday 24th 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall 2.00 pm Rehearsal for World Day of Prayer service, Toddington Baptist Church 3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 26th 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Monday, 27th 9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington 11.00 am The Lent Course, Toddington, Mondays, 27 Feb, 6, 13, 20 and 27 March and 6 April. All Welcome. Come when you can. Location Rectory or Wilkinson Hall. tbc 2pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall 7pm Chalgrave PCC Tuesday 28th 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 3.00 pm Toddington PCC 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday March 1st 12.00 noon, Lent lunch, Wilkinson Hall Chalgrave Lent Bible reflection group (each Wednesday evening during March) time tbc Thursday March 2nd 12.00 noon Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall Friday March 3rd World Day of Prayer, Toddington Baptist Church, 2.00 pm Please hold the people of Turkey, Syria and Ukraine in your prayers this week. And so, the weeks speed forth into Spring, towards Easter. Have a good week. Sending you every blessing. Linda (and Nigel) Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone Last Sunday we celebrated Candlemas remembering Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the temple, and the joy of his discovery by Simeon and Anna who had been waiting so many years for the coming of the Lord. We also considered the Candlemas Bells (Snow drops) which appear so faithfully, popping up through the frosty ground each year marking the occasion. Their pure white and beauty also remind us of Mary's purification and admittance into the temple following the birth of Jesus. This week has had many special moments.. mainly through meeting people and having a chat. How important conversation is! This Sunday, as our congregations continue to grow and settle post lockdown, we are looking forward to introducing the first of our 'Healing' services. Special services like this were laid down during Covid lockdown when we had to keep apart and masked, but how good it is now to be able to gather to pray together and to pray for each other. Tomorrow at 9.30 am the service at Chalgrave will allow time to pray special prayers for the sick and to offer anointing with oil as we ask God to heal in body, mind and spirit. There will be a similar service next Sunday (12th February) at 11.00 am at Toddington Church. The services will be gentle and non-threatening and will aim to offer peace and blessing. Do please join us to either pray for yourselves or for someone else who is on your heart. You will be most welcome. This Sunday's Services 9.30 am A service with prayer for Healing and Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church - Linda & Nigel 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington, Malcolm and Linda Services and Events from Monday 6th February Monday 6th February 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2.00 pm An Introductory course about Prayer Ministry, The Rectory - information from Linda Tuesday 7th February 9.30 pm Prayer Group 10.30 am Knitting Group - Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Wednesday 8th February 10.30 am - 2.30 pm Wednesday Winter Warmer, with soup and baked potato lunches, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Thursday 9th February 2.00 pm Afternoon with friends - refreshments, games, conversation and a warm welcome, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Friday 10th February Painting for Pleasure group, 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Saturday 11th February 10.00 am - 12.00 noon Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Sunday 12th February 9.30 am Morning Service, Chalgrave 11.00 am Healing Service, Toddington NB: Seated Pilates will now take place twice a month, on 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, 2.00 pm, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington Ploughmans lunches will start in March and will be on the first Thurs of each month. Looking ahead: There will be a weekly Lent course for Toddington Church from w/c 27 February (day tbc). and a weekly Wednesday evening Lent Bible Study course for Chalgrave Church, during March. More information to follow. We are looking to reintroduce Open the Book visits to the Lower School for collective worship on a few Thursdays each month (about 10.00 am) If you would be interested to be part of a team going into school to 'act' out some of the Bible Stories with us at Collective Worship time, please do let me know. The lower school are seeking helpers to listen to children read. If you have time to offer, please let me know. It would be lovely for some of our church members to be able to offer support. The lower school is also seeking a new Foundation Governor.. someone who has Christian faith, who would be willing to offer to support the school. Please let me know if you may be able to help. Thank you all so much for your support in so many different ways. It truly is the body of Christ coming together, using your time, gifts and talents. Thank you.. your help is so appreciated. Wishing you all a very blessed week. Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone Can we really be heading to the end of January already? I must admit that I feel a certain joy to see the lengthening days with the extra daylight and the chance to be outside a little longer each day. The days have been particularly pretty with frost and blue skies recently, although Wednesday's pavements and roads were treacherous with the freezing fog. There have been special moments to celebrate this week with Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room being well attended with a wealth of cakes and provisions and smiles; Messy Church at Toddington on Friday was a time of creativity focused on the Epiphany story of the three kings and their camels; the lower school assembly on Thursday was joyful with children high fiving Nigel as they left after he 'acted' enthusiastically the part of Peter, the fisherman, hauling in a large catch of fish! Toddington church folk welcomed visitors to Wednesday Winter Warmer with hot soup and fellowship and again this morning with cakes and conversation to the Friends' coffee morning. On Wednesday evening Bishop Richard joined us at Chalgrave PCC meeting and shared a Biblical reflection which inspired lots of conversation. It is good being together.. and thank you to everyone for providing such wonderful opportunities to gather. Spring is in the air! This week I have been encouraged to see buds appearing on the hydrangea and on other trees and shrubs; early bunches of daffodils and hyacinths are appearing in the shops and just in time for Candlemas this Sunday, the snowdrops are starting to push through the frozen soil. Snowdrops have a certain traditional symbolic link to Candlemas: 'Snowdrops have, in Britain, been closely associated with Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ into the Temple (February 2nd). This is the day when Simeon took the child in his arms and proclaimed him a light to the world, and Anna proclaimed his glory'. This Sunday's Services: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service at Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service at Toddington Church Other Services and Events this week Monday 30th January 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 31st January 10.30 am Knitting Group 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 1st February 10.30 am - 2.30 pm Wednesday Winter Warmer gathering (soup and baked potatoes) Wilkinson Hall Thursday 2nd February NO Ploughman's lunch this month Quintet Choir rehearsal Harlington Church (7.30 pm?) - more information from Nicholas Hopton Friday 3rd February 10.30am Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 4th February Trefoil Guild coffee morning at Methodist Church Sunday 5th February 9.30 am Healing Service with Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church - Linda and Nigel 11.00 am Holy Communion Service - Malcolm and Linda Sunday 12th February 9.30 am Morning Service at Chalgrave Church. 11.00 am Healing Service with Holy Communion, Toddington Church- Linda and Nigel As we move forward there will be more information about Lent courses but for now, I wish you a wonderful week. God bless Linda
