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

Associate 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

Associate 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  19th January - The Second Sunday of Epiphany - and for the week ahead:
 

Scripture:

'Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.'  (1 Corinthians 12 4-7 & 11)

Reflection:

Competition to be the best is generally celebrated with honours, prizes, medals or trophies which starts at school and continues throughout our lives. This has the effect of leaving those whose contributions are not quite up to scratch feeling underrated and seen as a failure.

Whoever we are, wherever we come from, we are all blessed with gifts that enable us to help all humanity to work together for the common good. Each and every one of us has a different ability and we all have something special to bring to the table. Each contribution that we make to our family life, our community life & our church life is to be equally honoured, celebrated and developed to bless and transform the world. So let us help everyone to nurture their God given gifts.

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 JANUARY

Sunday 5th - Epiphany

8 am Holy Communion

10 am  All Age Communion

5 pm Choral Evensong

Sunday 12th - The Baptism of Christ 

8 am 1662 BCP Holy Communion

10 am Morning Worship

Sunday 19th - The Second Sunday of Epiphany

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

Tuesday 26th - The Third Sunday of Epiphany 

8 am Holy Communion 

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 Monday and Friday and at the Mission Church, Back Road, Sandhurst TN18 5JU at 8am on Tuesday and Wednesday each week. (NB During the school holidays Wednesday Morning Prayer is at St George's.)