Hello everyone
Here we are, at the beginning of the new liturgical year C, with Advent Sunday tomorrow. How quickly this year has passed.
This week I took an Advent Wreath into School for a talk about Advent, explaining how we light a different candle each Sunday to remember the Patriarchs, the Prophets of old who foretold the birth of Jesus, of John the Baptist, of Mary, and of Jesus the Light of the World. On Thursday Nigel and I led an assembly about the visit by Angel Gabriel to Elizabeth and Mary and we look forward to further assemblies and carol services at schools in the lead up to Christmas. It is such a joy to share this special season.
This week, Toddington Youth group met on Tuesday and today Harlington Church hosted the children's wonderful Art Attack day organised and inspired by Stanley - decorating the church with colourful pictures. There was such a good turn out of children and parent. It is so important to encourage children. Other events for our children and families ahead this week are: TWIG meeting at Westoning on Tuesday at 3.30pm at the Village Hall and Little Stars at 1.15pm on Friday in Church; Toddington host Christmas Messy Church at 3.30pm on Thursday (instead of Friday) also in Wilkinson Hall, and all these events lead into two wonderful Christmas Tree festivals which will be held at Toddington Church and Harlington Churches next week-end. The season of Jesus, the Light of the World approaches.. with much excitement.
This Wednesday Chalgrave Church co-host a pop-up tea room at Tebworth Memorial Hall from 10.30am to 1pm to offer folks opportunity to meet for a cuppa and a chat and tomorrow, Tingrith Church hold a special Advent service at 3pm accompanied by Tingrith choir.
This is the season to be still and reflect, and to prepare.- despite the busyness around us.. and with this in mind, Nigel invites Harlington folk to a new Advent course on Wednesday afternoons (poster attached)
I will be leading an Advent course in Toddington on Mondays. Do please let me know if you are interested to join this.
Tomorrow, we look forward to lighting the first Advent Candles in our churches as we focus on this time of preparation for the coming of Jesus.
Here are some of the upcoming services and events in our churches:
This Sunday's services:
Chalgrave Church - no service this week. We will be joining Toddington for a Benefice Service at 11am.
Harlington 9.30am Holy Communion. Linda leading, Robert preaching
Westoning 11am Holy Communion . Nigel leading, Jon preaching
Toddington 11am Holy Communion Benefice Service. Linda
Tingrith 3pm Advent Service with Choir. Nigel/Linda/Jon
6pm Upper Room Service looks at the implications of Advent
Events this week:
Monday
Toddington 9.30am Morning Prayer
(No Mums and Tots this week)
Advent Course 11am the Rectory (for Toddington/Chalgrave churches)
Online Alpha course continues 7.45pm
Tuesday
Westcaf at Westoning Village Hall 10-12 noon.
TWIG Westoning Village Hall 5.30pm
Wednesday
Harlington. Morning Service at 10am
Pop up Tea room at Tebworth Hall 10.30am to 1pm
Harlington Advent Course begins at 2.30pm
Thursday
Messy Christmas Church 3.30pm Wilkinson Hall
Friday.
Little Stars at Church at 1.15pm Westoning
Friday Fellowship at the Village hall at 2pm Westoning
Saturday
Christmas Tree Festivals
Harlington Church 12-5pm Saturday and Sunday, finishing with a carol service at 5pm
Toddington Church 11-5pm Saturday and 1-5pm on Sunday finishing with carol singing at 5pm (poster attached)
We send our good wishes to you all this week. Keep warm, keep safe and take time to be still to watch, wait, and prepare for the coming of Jesus.
God bless
Linda and Nigel