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 24th August and for the week ahead:

Scripture:
Luke 22.24-27: Gospel for St Bartholemew’s Day

‘A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves'

Reflection:

What an amazing thought, that we should be guests at Christ’s table, and that himself should wait on us. This is not only a lesson to us in humility - a lesson that the disciples clearly needed to learn - but also the assurance of God’s loving provision for our needs. Nowhere is this more beautifully expressed than in this poem by George Herbert (1593-1633), who comes to realise that God’s gifts to us do not depend on our worthiness - we cannot earn them - but flow from God’s unconditional love. And our response is to reflect that love and generosity in our own lives and in the service of others.

LOVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lack’d anything.

‘A guest,’ I answer’d, ‘worthy to be here:’
Love said, ‘You shall be he.’
‘I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on Thee.’
Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
‘Who made the eyes but I?’

‘Truth, Lord; but I have marr’d them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.’
‘And know you not,’ says Love, ‘Who bore the blame?’
‘My dear, then I will serve.’
‘You must sit down,’ says Love, ‘and taste my meat.’
So I did sit and eat.

Revd Rosemary

“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 AT ST GEORGE'S

SUNDAY 3rd August - The Seventh Sunday after Trinity:

8am - Holy Communion 

10 am - All Age Communion

5 pm - Choral Evensong 

SUNDAY 10th August - The Eighth Sunday after Trinity:

8 am - 1662 BCP Holy Communion 

10 am - Morning Worship

SUNDAY 17th August - The Eighth Sunday after Trinity: 

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

SUNDAY 24th August - The Ninth Sunday after Trinity:

8 am - Holy Communion 

10 am - Morning Worship

SUNDAY 31st August - The Tenth Sunday after Trinity:  NB A 'Fifth' Sunday of the month:  Benefice services apply -

8 am Holy Communion at St Nicholas Sandhurst 

10 am - Benefice Holy Communion 

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.)