Dear All I'm sorry to be sending a last-minute short email this week. It hasn't turned out to be quite the week I was anticipating.. but then when does it! I spent two days preparing for and dealing with workmen cutting back the hedge, shrubs and apple tree at the rectory,..so if you would like any apples, pleeeaase do get in touch. We have so many! Following a great school governors' meeting on Wednesday eve, I returned home with thoughts buzzing through my head about the school assembly the next morning and about how much work there was to do to prepare for this Sunday's services...when, suddenly I was struck down by a grotty sickness bout - probably food poisoning. Thursday pretty much passed me by as I slept for virtually 24 hours, emerging rather gradually on Friday. Saturday has been spent glued to the computer to prepare for our four special services tomorrow and I am looking forward to being back in the swing of things tomorrow, and to meeting up with many of you again, relieved that I am married to a lovely clergy husband who will be alongside tomorrow offering support. Over the years we have tended to minister in separate places, so it will be rather special to minister together tomorrow and we look forward to seeing you. This Sunday our services are: 9.30 am Chalgrave Church, In Loving Memory Service - lead by Linda and Nigel 11.00 am Toddington Church, Holy Communion Service - lead by Linda, with Nigel presiding at Communion 1.00 pm A Baptism Service for Amelie, Toddington Church - lead by Linda 4.00 pm Toddington Church, In Loving Memory Service - lead by Linda and Malcolm, (with Nigel preaching). Other events this week are as mentioned in last week's email apart from: Tuesday 8th November 5.45 pm, Wilkinson Hall, Youth Group - 9+ years of age. Rebecca will be sending out invitations. Please get in touch if you know someone who would like to come along. Wednesday 9th November, Wednesday Winter Warming time – 10.30 am – 3.00pm with soup and baked potatoes for lunch Thursday 10th November, 2.00 pm Meet with Friends, Wilkinson Hall Friday 11th November Service of Remembrance at the War Memorial led by the British Legion 10.40 am Packing Samaritan's Purse shoeboxes, 2.00 pm Wilkinson Hall. All help will be most welcome! Saturday 12th November No activities planned! Sunday 13th November - Remembrance Sunday 9.30 am Benefice Holy Communion Service at Toddington Church 10.40 am Remembrance Service on the Green 2.00 pm A time of Remembrance at Chalgrave church by the memorial 3.00 pm Remembrance Service, Tebworth Memorial Hall Our thoughts and prayers go to all who grieve, remembering those who will be attending the In Loving Memory services tomorrow, and those who are not able to. If you would like to come to pay respects to a loved family member or friend, please do join us. You will be warmly welcomed and this type of service can offer comfort and healing. It is a service which offers time to remember, time to step aside from the busyness for a while and time to light a candle in memory of a loved one. Our particular prayers go out to Roger, Sally and Matthew as they grieve the loss of Rita who died suddenly this week. We thank God for all Rita offered to the Church of St George. She will be very sadly missed. with best wishes Linda and Nigel
Hello EveryoneIt seems a long time since I sent my last email with information about October's services when Nigel and I were about to head off for a rest. I hope October has been a good month for you. The weather has been so mild, sunny and unseasonably kind. We enjoyed some wonderfully relaxing days in Dorset and then last week we spent a week in the Lake District and were thrilled to see 3 otters emerge from the shrubbery alongside us at Derwent Water heading out for a swim. Such simple moments but very special. I am now back in the flow and led a wedding at Harlington Church today and will be picking up momentum this week. Tomorrow's services will be lead by Archdeacon Dave at Chalgrave and Toddington Churches, and I look forward to seeing you all either during the week, or next Sunday to catch up.I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who has helped to cover during my absence. I am so grateful to you. Malcolm Curtis, Rev Roger Wood and Archdeacon Dave have covered Sunday services and Malcolm also kindly covered funerals, Morning Prayer, a school harvest assembly and several services at short notice in September when I was unwell. This enabled me to have a sabbatical and a holiday and I was so glad of the opportunity to sleep and rest. Thank you!It seems impossible that it is already over a month since the wonderful Petal and Purl festival, which was such a glorious event, organised and inspired by Angela, Rita, June and their trusted team of knitters and flower arrangers. It was so very special. So many hours were poured into the organisation, and preparations to create a truly memorable occasion with the 800 year old church of Toddington looking resplendently beautiful - a fantastic setting for the later Harvest Service and for my formal licensing service as Rector, and the service of Commemoration to HM the Queen. Thank you to all involved for your generous time and dedication.So much happened in September, and in October, and now as we approach November, we anticipate the 'In Loving Memory' services at Chalgrave and Toddington next Sunday to remember and give thanks for special friends and family loved ones who have died and we light a candle in their memory. If you would like to include a name to be read out at either service, please either contact me, sign the church lists tomorrow at the services, or pop into Toddington church this week to add names to the appropriate list in church. I'll leave out a list for both Toddington and Chalgrave churches for you.This Sunday's servicesAll Saints, Chalgrave, 9.30am Holy Communion Service led by Archdeacon Dave Middlebrook.St George of England, Toddington, 11am Holy Communion Service led by Archdeacon Dave MiddlebrookEvents and services this week:Monday 31st October9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington ChurchTuesday 1st10.30 Knitting for all, Wilkinson Hall.Thursday 3rd12 noon hot Ploughman’s Lunch, Wilkinson HallFriday 4th10. 30 am Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson HallFuture November Events and ServicesSunday 6 November 9.30am In Loving Memory Service at Chalgrave Church11am Holy Communion Service at Toddington Church1pm Baptism Service, Toddington Church4 pm In Loving Memory Service at ToddingtonMonday 7, 14, 21, and 28 Morning Prayer 9.30am Toddington Church14th Seated Pilates, 2pm Wilkinson Hall tbcTuesdays 1, 8,15, 22 and 29th Knitting for all, Wilkinson HallWednesday 9, 16, 23 and 30th 10.30am – 3.00 pm WARM WINTER WEDNESDAYS with tea/coffee, soup, jacket potatoes, new/old friends and conversation. See attached poster.Thursdaysa variety of different weekly activities.Friday4, 11, 18, 25th Painting for Pleasure, Wilkinson HallSunday 13th - Remembrance Sunday9.30am Benefice Holy Communion Service, Toddington10.40am Remembrance Service on the Green2pm Time of Remembrance at Chalgrave Church Memorial3pm Remembrance Service, Tebworth Memorial HallSunday 20th9.15 – 10.30 AM - Messy Breakfast (will usually be on 2nd Sunday of the month but delayed due to Remembrance Sunday)Friday 25th3.30pm Messy Church, Wilkinson HallSaturday 26th 9 am Pre-Christmas Mini Bazaar10.30 - 2.30pm Saturday Coffee Time 3.30 pm Village Community event on the GreenWishing you all well and looking forward to seeing you soon. Do please get in touch if you would like a visit, Home Communion, a chat or have a prayer request.God blessLinda
Hello Everyone, Autumn's approach is in the air and the temperatures are beginning to dip, but we are still blessed with sunshine and dry days. This Sunday we host Harvest Services at Chalgrave at 9.30 am and Toddington at 11.00 am, to give praise to God for his provision and his good creation. As the church is still so beautifully decorated, we are inviting donations of long-life food items for the food bank which covers our area, and any fresh produce will be sent to the Noah project for the homeless. Thank you to everyone who has helped to decorate the churches and for any foods you may donate. We had a lovely time at Messy Church yesterday celebrating Harvest through crafts and activities. It is so lovely to see the children and their families sharing time together. This evening at 6.00 pm we host the benefice Harvest Supper at Wilkinson Hall. Can it be less than a week since the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth and a week since the beautiful Petal and Purl festival at Toddington? How this week has flown by! I was absorbed most of the day last Monday watching the funeral processions and services and was incredibly impressed by the slick performance of HM forces and the smoothly choreographed event. How moving it was. I have also been very impressed by the beauty of the flower and knitting arrangements in Toddington church which have presented a wonderful celebration of the church's 800 years anniversary and of God given talents and care. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way to the displays, and to the provision of the Preview evening and a weekend of refreshments - plus separate stalls. It was truly a special event. Thank you, and with particular thanks to Rita and June for organising the floral displays, to Angela for organising the knitting displays, and to Dee who lived at church for days! I am very aware that many, many people were involved, so thank you all. Last Sunday at 6.00 pm Toddington and Chalgrave churches came together to mark the occasion of my licensing as Rector of the benefice. Thank you so much to everyone who came to support. It was a moment in time to mark and recognise our progress and also to offer stability and security as we move forward. Archdeacon Dave led the service and shared the joy of the occasion. I had fun learning how to ring bell no 5 (which is one of the heavier bells) and managed to make it ring out to mark the moment. At the end of the service, we were moved to see so many people queueing to come into church for the service of Commemoration to the Queen. About two hundred adults and children came to the service to pay their respects. Afterwards we gathered outside at 8.00 pm to light candles, lay flowers and to share the nation's one minute silence. I've attached a few photos of Petal and Purl festival and also of my licensing. This week end I will be leading my last Sunday services for a month as Nigel and I are taking some time out for a rest (following his retirement from Westoning Benefice) and this may be the last weekly email for a few weeks. The services will be as follows for this Sunday and for October: This week's Sunday Services Sunday September 25th 9.30 am Harvest Festival with Communion - Chalgrave Linda and Malcolm 11.00 am Harvest Festival with Communion - Toddington Linda and Malcolm October Sunday Services Sunday October 2nd 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave - Rev Ian Ogilvie 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington - Rev Roger Wood Sunday October 9th 9.30 am Morning Praise, Chalgrave - Malcolm C 11.00 am Morning Praise, Toddington - Malcolm C Sunday October 16 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave - Rev Roger Wood 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington - Rev Roger Wood Sunday October 23 9.30 am Morning Praise, Chalgrave - Malcolm C 11.00 am, Morning Praise, Toddington - Malcolm C Sunday 31st October 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave - Archdeacon Dave 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington - Archdeacon Dave Regular Events going forward for this week and future weeks: Morning Prayer 9.30 am Monday in church Tuesday Morning 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall Friday Morning 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall Weekly events happening during the month: Monday, Craft Group (4th Monday of the month) 26th September and 24th October at 2.00 pm, Wilkinson Hall Monday, Seated Pilates group (2nd Monday of the month) 10th October 2.00 pm, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday, Pop up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall: 28th September and 19th October, 11.00 am Thursday, Ploughman's Lunch (first Thursday of the month) 12.00 noon, 6th October, Wilkinson Hall Thursday, Afternoon with Friends (2nd Thursday of the month) 2.00 pm, 13th October, Wilkinson Hall Thursday, St George's Fellowship (3rd Thursday of the month) 2.00 pm, 20th October Wilkinson Hall Friday, Messy Church, (4th Friday of the month) 3.30pm 28th October, Wilkinson Hall Saturday Cake Stall on the Green (2nd Saturday of the month) 9.30 am 8th October. Saturday, Coffee Morning (4th Saturday of the month) 10.00 am 22nd October, Wilkinson Hall Sunday Messy Breakfast (2nd Sunday of the month) 9.30 am, Wilkinson Hall Toddington PCC Thursday 6th October Funerals at Toddington Church: 7th October at 2.30 pm - Harry Britain Thinking of you all. May you have a good week. God bless Linda
Hello Everyone We are looking ahead to a busy week-end of events both nationally and locally and it is so lovely to see the sun shining to herald in the weekend. It will be a chilly wait for anyone in the Queue in London waiting to pay their respects to HM the Queen but stories told of friendships formed and of the incredible moment of entering Westminster Hall to share the vigil make one tingle. How resounding was the sound of the drum beat on Wednesday's procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall with the crowd watching on in deep silence. The week has been full of precisely choreographed military spectacles as the people of the United Kingdom, and the world, have come together to pay their respects to a much valued and deeply loved Queen who served and led her people with such commitment and grace. King Charles and the Royal Family could not have done more to honour their mother, grandmother, aunt - our monarch. My prayers for strength, comfort and peace reach out to them. Locally this week end we warmly invite you to the Petal and Purl 800 years festival event at Toddington church which garners up flower arranging, knitting and historical knowledge by members of the community to provide floral displays depicting the 800 years of the Church, knitting displays to represent key moments of church life and historical exhibitions about significant moments relating to the Church itself. The event formally starts this evening: Preview Evening at 7.00 pm, with wine and canapes. Tickets £10 from Fran 872501 or Dee. Saturday 17th from 10.00 am to 5.00pm Tickets £5 but no charge to children Sunday 18th from 1.00 – 5.00pm. Tickets £5 but no charge to children. The Book of Condolence will remain available each day for people to pay their respects to HM Queen Elizabeth in church at Toddington. Chalgrave Church book of Condolence is available on Sunday morning from 9.15 am to 11.00 am, or by appointment by contacting Sandy 874748, or Rev Linda.Flowers of tribute to the Queen may be laid outside Toddington Church, on the south side, in the U shape between the South Porch and Cheyne Chapel (preferably with the plastic covers removed) This Sunday's Services 9.30 am Chalgrave Church - A Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving for HM Queen Elizabeth (with HC). 11.00 am Toddington Church - A Service of Holy Communion with prayers for HM Queen Elizabeth and HM King Charles 6.00 pm Toddington Church- The Service of Institution and Induction of Revd Linda as Rector of Toddington and Chalgrave with Archdeacon Dave Middlebrook and The Quintet Choir. 6.45 - 7.15 pm Refreshments in Wilkinson Hall 7.15 pm Toddington Church - A Service of Commemoration on the death of HM Queen Elizabeth - Rev Linda and Archdeacon Dave 7.45 pm leading into 8pm one Minute National Silence - when people from church and the benefice villages will gather on the south side of the church to pay their respects to the Queen and lay flowers. Monday 19th September - A Bank Holiday to pay our final respects to HM the Queen on the occasion of her 11.00 am State Funeral. Next Week's events Tuesday 20th September 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 11.00 am Safeguarding Training for PCC members at the Rectory 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall Thursday 22nd September St George's Fellowship 2.00 – 4.00 pm Chalgrave PCC 6.00 pm Friday 23rd September 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall 3.30 pm Messy Church, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 24th September Harvest Supper for Chalgrave and Toddington Churches, Wilkinson Hall 6.00 pm Sunday 25th September 9.30 am Harvest Communion Service, Chalgrave 11.00 am Harvest Communion Service, Toddington Sending my huge thanks to everyone involved in the Petal and Purl preparations. Do please come and support the festival, and any of the services.. and I extend an especially warm invitation to you to my licensing service which is a wonderful opportunity to mark and celebrate the development and moving forward of these Benefice churches. I will declare an oath of allegiance to King Charles III. Please also come to the special Commemorative services of Tribute to the Queen. With best wishes Linda Priest in Charge Toddington and Chalgrave (from Sunday - Rector)
