Dear All
We hope you are all keeping safe and well during this Advent time as we are look forward to celebrating Jesus' birth at Christmas.
This week with the first Covid vaccinations becoming available, our young people returning from university after what must have been a very strange first term and a wet and chilly week it has been a joy to meet up with some of our youth groups and with our young families for Christmas services in church; many of whom we have not been able to meet with since lockdown commenced in March. How special to see the children dressed up in their nativity costumes.. full of joy and anticipation. Our thanks go to Rebecca and Jenna for leading these services.
This week our schools prepare to close for the Christmas holidays after a really challenging term. In Toddington we will very sadly say farewell to Mrs Spencer as she retires from St George of England School. How many lives she has inspired and encouraged so wonderfully not only through her leadership but also through her Christian witness. I am personally very grateful to her for her incredible support and extremely dedicated hard work, and for her living faith, as will so many children and families.
Today, inspired by Nicholas, readers from across the Quintet have gathered to record Nativity readings for the Christmas Recorded services, which will be combined with carols recorded with Nicholas last week by the Quintet choir. Thank you so much to all involved in this wonderful gathering of resources which will enable us all to celebrate the wonderful message of Jesus' birth together, whether in church at Christmas services, or in our homes watching the recordings. There will be a family service for anyone not able to come to a crib service, and also a service of Lessons and Carols. These will be uploaded to the church web sites and Church Facebook pages next week-end, we hope, with links emailed to you.
Within the uncertainty of our current times, it is good to be able to reach out and grasp firmly to the Light, to Jesus, the Light of the World.. our Redeemer and our Saviour... the Son of God, born as a child, laid in a manger. The shepherds and the wise men journeyed to see this tiny babe, led by the shining light of a star. This week and during the Christmas weeks, you are invited on a journey too to 'Follow the Star' in Westoning - with a new star appearing in the village each day, and Toddington on the sensory trail around the village leading to the nativity in the North Porch of the church where you are invited to hang your star. There will also be a Nativity Trail in Harlington. Look out for more information on the Facebook pages and websites or contact Linda or Nigel for more information
Services this week
The Quintet recorded video service for this week of Advent 3 is available at the usual address:
https://www.harlingtonchurch.org/worship-services-2/this-sundays-service/
Links will be uploaded to the web pages and Facebook pages. The readings and service sheets are attached.
Services this Sunday:
Harlington Holy Communion 9.30am
Tingrith Holy Communion 9.30am
Westoning Holy Communion 11am
Toddington Holy Communion 11.15am
Chalgrave Service of Carols and Readings 2.30pm
The Upper Room zoom service continues the theme of Advent at 6pm online
Christmas Carol Services
Chalgrave Church Service of Carols and Readings 2.30pm.Sunday 13th December.
Westoning Church 'Follow the Star' service of Readings and Carols 7.30pm Thursday 17th December
Chalgrave Church Carols by Candlelight service 7pm Saturday 19th December.
Tingrith Church: Nativity service 3pm Sunday 20th December.
Toddington Church 'Celebrating the Light' service of Carols and Readings 6pm Sunday 20th December
Harlington Church 'Celebrating the Light' Service of Lessons and Carols 7.30pm 21st December
Crib Services
Crib Service Toddington Wednesday 23rd and 24th December at 4pm
Crib Service Chalgrave Thursday 24th at 2.30pm
Crib Service Harlington Wednesday 23rd at 4pm and 24th at 5.30pm
Crib Service Westoning 21st December at 10am, 22nd 4pm, 23rd 2.30pm, 24th 2pm and 4pm (fully booked)
Midnight Mass services:
Tingrith 8pm 24 December
Westoning 10pm 24 December
Toddington 10pm 24 December
Harlington 11.15pm 24 December
Chalgrave 11.15pm 24 December
Christmas Morning services
Toddington Church Benefice service 10am
Harlington Church 10am
Westoning Church 10am
Each Christmas service will have limited places available and you are firmly encouraged please to book early for any services which you would like to attend as Social Distancing and Track and Trace guidelines will be in place. Unfortunately, it is possible that entry on the door without prior booking will not be permitted,
To reserve places:
For Toddington and Chalgrave Churches please contact: allsaintschurchchalgrave@gmail.com or (if no email available; phone 01525 874716)
For Harlington Church please book on the church website booking button (or if no email available, phone 01525 873214)
For Westoning Church please book on the church website booking button at westoningchurch.org.uk or phone 01525 714442
For Tingrith Church: places limited so village priority for bookings.
We hope that you will have now received a printed Church Christmas card with all the key Christmas service information. Please contact us on 01525 714442 if you have not received this yet or if you need any further information
This week we continue:
Morning Prayer at Toddington at 9.30am on Monday
Morning Prayer by zoom at 9.30am Tuesday
Morning service with Holy Communion 10am Harlington Church
Private Prayer at Westoning at 12noon on Wednesday
Private Prayer at Toddington at 10.30am on Thursday.
Advent Course by Zoom on Tuesday eve at 7.30pm (contact Nigel on nwashy2@gmail.com if you wish to attend) Jenna Dearden leads this week.
Toddington Afternoon Tea and Advent course Wednesday 4pm
There are some wonderful opportunities to worship together over the next few weeks. We look forward to gathering together either in church or remotely in our homes and send our love and prayers to you all.. especially remembering in our prayers those who are sick or recovering from surgery, those who are alone and those who grieve. Do please contact us if you would like any support or a friendly chat or a prayer.
God bless
Linda and Nigel