Clergy

Rector: Revd David Commander is the Rector of the Benefice of Benenden and Sandhurst. He originally trained and worked as a Chartered Mechanical Engineer for 28 years. He served his curacy at St James's, Tunbridge Wells, before moving to Benenden in October 2013.  He and his wife, Helen, have two daughters, two grandsons, a grandaughter, and an extremely friendly dog, Barney.

T: 01580 240658    M: 07710 416978    revdavidcommander@gmail.com   

The Rectory, The Green, Benenden, Kent TN17 4DL

Assistant Priest: Though she was born in London, Rev. Rosemary Kobus van Wengen has spent most of her adult life abroad, teaching in schools and universities in Uganda and The Netherlands. She was ordained in 2001 in Canterbury Cathedral, and since then has served as a non-stipendiary priest (now ‘retired’, with Permission to Officiate) in Benenden and Sandhurst. Besides a passion for parish ministry her interests include art and literature, handwork and gardening.  rosemaryvanwengen@gmail.com

Assistant Priest: Rev. Ylva Blid-Mackenzie was born and raised in Sweden, moving  to Kent in 1996. She finished her theological studies at St Augustine's College in May 2020 and then served her Title  Post in Benenden and Sandhurst with the Revd. David.  She trained as a Landscape Architect and runs Madrona Nursery with her husband Liam. They have three sons, two border collies and some chickens.

T: 01233 820100    M: 07766 711957    rev.ylva@gmail.com

Scripture & Reflection: Sunday 12th May - The Seventh Sunday of Easter - and for the week ahead:

Scripture:

6 ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8 for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. (John 17: 6-11)
Reflection: 

Jesus knows his time has come to die and he has many things to speak about to prepare his disciples for his departure. Jesus begins to pray, not speaking to his disciples anymore, but directly to God. Jesus wants them to overhear what he is saying. He wants them to hear the intimacy of his relationship with his Father. Jesus wants them to know that he is not leaving them alone but in the hands of God.

He wants them to understand that because of his close relationship with his Father he can lay all his worries and requests before God in confidence, and he will be heard. Jesus models what he wants for his followers: closeness and complete trust in God for their well-being. And Jesus is not just praying for the disciples here but for us too and so he brings past, present and future
together.

Lyn Hayes ALM

“Services” and Prayer:

Please make use of the beautiful quiet space in St. George's Church any day for individual private prayer; prayer resources are available. 

UPCOMING SERVICES IN MAY:

Sunday 5th - Sixth Sunday of Easter

8 am Holy Communion

10 am  All Age Communion

5 pm Choral Evensong

Thursday 9th - Ascension Day

7.30 pm Benefice Service at St George's 

Sunday 12th - Seventh Sunday of Easter

8 am 1662 BCP Holy Communion

10 am Morning Worship

Sunday 19th - Pentecost

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

Sunday 25th - Trinity Sunday 

8 am Holy Communion followed by breakfast at the Memorial Hall

10 am Morning Worship

Mid-week Communion: Every Tuesday at the Mission Church, Back Road, Sandhurst TN18 5JU

Morning Prayer takes place at St George's at 8am on Mondays and Fridays and at the Mission Church, Back Road, Sandhurst TN18 5JU at 8am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays