Hello everyone
We hope you have had a good week and are keeping well? It has been a joy this week to watch the athletes' achievements in the Olympics and we admire their dedication, performance and stamina. It has been a busy week for us, with baptisms, weddings and funerals. Nigel and I are pacing ourselves so we get to the finishing line for a breather. We will be 'out of the office' from Monday 9th until Thursday 19th August.
On the infection front, there are encouraging signs countrywide that infection rates are levelling off, but locally infections, particularly in the Toddington area have virtually doubled, and we remain cautious until all rates decrease. We are very grateful to you all for continuing to wear a face mask in church, which will be helping locally to keep infections at bay.
Each of the church PCC's decided to continue with the wearing of facemasks in church, and to avoid singing for a little longer, as we meet in an enclosed space. We look forward to the day when we can sing and gather freely, but for now, Nigel and I are very aware that we are suddenly meeting lots of people each week in different settings, and are keen to keep ourselves, and others safe so the weekly services, the weddings, baptisms and funerals will take place as planned which will enable families to gather together for special occasions after so long apart.
We very much appreciate people wearing masks not only for their own safety but also to keep others safe. Nigel and I have been a little unnerved on a few recent occasions to find ourselves leading services with visiting congregations who have chosen not to put on facemasks despite a request to do so. Even if all or us are double jabbed we can still be carriers of infection and we feel it is important to provide a safe environment in church for all who visit. Thank you for your understanding and support. We particularly emphasise this with care for our Church Wardens, vergers, Sidespeople and organists who serve in church. Thank you all for your care.
This Sunday's services are:
Chalgrave Church, 9.30am Holy Communion Service in church, led by Linda, followed by cake and refreshments.
NB The planned 'Songs of Praise' 2pm service this Sunday at Chalgrave has been postponed.
Tingrith Church: no service this week.
Harlington Church: 9.30am Holy Communion Service led by Nigel and Robert
Toddington Church: 11am Holy Communion Service with a Baptism. Led by Linda
Westoning Church: 11am Holy Communion Service, led by Nigel and Jon. Followed by a Baptism service at 12.30pm.
The Upper Room online service at 6pm by Zoom
Services this week:
Monday Morning Prayer 9.30am Toddington Church
Wednesday Morning 10am Holy Communion morning worship Harlington Church
Storytime on Bury Orchard, Harlington, Wednesday 6pm (with drink and biscuit before bedtime for the children).
Tomorrow Toddington Parish Council have organised a picnic on the Green from 11 to 4pm with stalls from local organisations.
Next week's services wc 15 August.
Chalgrave Church 9.30am Morning Praise led by Malcolm Curtis
Harlington Church 9.30am Service of the Word led by Robert.. commemorating the Patron Saint of Saint Mary
Tingrith Church 9.30am Morning Prayer led by Jon
Westoning Church 11am Morning Prayer led by Jon
Toddington Church 11am Morning Praise led by Malcolm Curtis.
Monday 16th Morning Prayer 9.30am Toddington Church,
Wednesday 18th Morning Worship at Harlington Church at 10am
Thursday 6pm Storytime on Bury Orchard
Friday at 2pm Friday Fellowship at Village hall.
The Upper Room will be held at 6pm online by zoom
Funerals:
Monday 23rd Mr Neal, Toddington
Tuesday 24th, Selwyn Davis, Westoning (a private family service)
Thursday 26th, Marie Caldwell, Toddington.
Please pray for these people and for their families and friends who grieve.
Prayer request:
Please pray for healing and wholeness for Rachel Farmer and please hold Stephen, Linda and the family in your prayers.
We send you our love and very best wishes. Keep safe, keep well.
God bless
Linda and Nigel