Hello Everyone,
What a week this has been. Last week's email was difficult to write, and this week's is similar. Ukraine has been constantly in the news, and we have watched and listened with shock as events have emerged. Why is this happening!
Our hearts ache for the people of Ukraine, Afghanistan and other areas of terrorism and war (on Friday a suicide bomb also exploded in a mosque in Pakistan on Friday causing death and injury to many people - described by the Archbishop of Canterbury as a godless and heinous crime). How can such atrocities happen in a modern world? Our screens are full of images which show evil at work and there is a sense of helplessness. The countless stories of families divided, needless pain and the destruction of a peaceable people takes the flavour from our living. We pray, we lament, we look to ways to reach out and give.
The Upper Room online service this week will be dedicated to prayer for Ukraine and our world and we will include prayers in our morning services.
People are keen to help others and aid is being shipped out to support folks, but guidance messages are appearing (on BBC news and other sites) that money donations are the most useful way to support as this can be directed more purposefully to people's needs. Should you wish to donate money to the Disaster Emergency Fund, which includes the Red Cross and other large charities, the Big Give are currently doubling donations under a match funding scheme..
We need to remember in this challenging time, that there are also things to raise our spirits, and this week it has been a joy for Nigel and I between us to host Youth Group, lead another assembly at school, mark the start of Lent with the Ash Wednesday services, take a wedding, share food and fellowship at the Ploughman's lunch and Westcaf, unite with the other local churches in the World Day of Prayer service on Friday, breathe the fresh air and admire the emerging beautiful snow drops, crocus, hyacinths, daffodils and spring flowers and even notice a hint of blossom forming on the trees too. The beauty of God's creation as it is meant to be.
This week has been a week of adjustment, dealing with the shock reality on our screens of families torn apart, possessions left behind, and destruction. It leads us into a time of reflection about what really matters. Let us unite in our prayers for Ukraine, the world, and its people and pray for their protection and come together this Lent to value the special treasures that we have in family and friends, and in our relationship with Christ.
Services this Sunday 6 March
Harlington
8am BCP Holy Communion - Linda
9am Families Breakfast Club - Rebecca
9.30am Holy Communion - Nigel
12.30pm Baptism - Nigel
Chalgrave 9.30am Holy Communion - Linda
Tingrith 9.30am Morning Praise - Jon
Toddington 11am Holy Communion - Linda
Westoning 11am Holy Communion - Nigel
Services and events this week:
Monday 7th March
Morning Prayer Toddington Church 9.30am
Memorial Service to Paul Scrivener at Westoning Church at 2.30pm
The Online Bible Course 7.45pm session 6
Tuesday 8th March
Westoning Westcaf 10-12 noon Westoning Village Hall
Sewing Bee 1-3pm at Westoning Village Hall
The Knitting Group 10.30-12 noon, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington
Youth Group (9-11 age) 5.30-7pm, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington
Wednesday 9th March
Morning Service at Harlington Church 10am
Thursday 10th March
Lent Course begins via zoom at 7.45pm Zoom link
Friday 11th March
The Painting for Pleasure group 10.30 -12noon, Wilkinson Hall, Toddington
Little Stars 1.15-2.45pm Westoning Church
Friday Fellowship 2-4pm Westoning Village Hall
Messy Church 3.15-5.30pm Wilkinson Hall, Toddington
Saturday 12th March
Diocesan Synod Meeting 9.30-1.30pm
We wish you a fruitful and blessed week. Do get in touch if you would like a chat, or a time of prayer.
Toddington Church will be open from 9.30am to about 3pm each day this week, if you would like a quiet place to say prayers. Other churches open on request.
God bless. We wish you love and peace.
Linda and Nigel