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 for Easter Day & the week ahead:

Scripture:

‘But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.’ (1 Corinthians 15.12-14, 19-20 12)

Reflection:

Paul is responding to his opponents in Corinth who say quite simply ‘Dead men do not come back to life’. If that is the case, says Paul, then Jesus has not been raised, and neither will anybody else be. This life is all there is, and those of us who believe otherwise are pathetically deluded. But, says Paul, the fact is that Jesus has been raised, and that knowledge changes everything, both for our life on earth and for how we face death.

Why should we believe this? Many, like those scoffers in Corinth, will dismiss it as wishful thinking, but for those who are genuinely seeking the truth there is abundant evidence pointing to the reality of the Resurrection. And the most convincing evidence of all is found in the transformation of lives changed by the knowledge of this truth.

May you experience the reality of Christ’s Resurrection in your own lives.

Happy Easter!

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 6th April - The Fifth Sunday of Lent 

8 am - Holy Communion

10 am  - All Age Communion

5 pm - Choral Evensong

Sunday 13th April - Palm Sunday 

8 am - 1662 BCP Holy Communion 

followed by breakfast at the Memorial Hall

9.45 am - Meet at the Memorial Hall for Palm Sunday procession to Church

10 am - Holy Communion 

HOLY WEEK

Monday of Holy Week - 14th

7.30 pm - Reflective Service at Sandhurst Mission Church

Tuesday of Holy Week -15th

7.30 pm - Reflective Service at St George's

Wednesday of Holy Week - 16th

7.30 pm - Reflective Service at Sandhurst Mission Church

Maundy Thursday - 17th

7.30 pm - Service at St George's 

Good Friday - 18th

10 am - An Hour at the Cross

Easter Eve - Saturday 19th

7.30 pm - Service at St George's 

EASTER DAY - Sunday 20th April

5.40 am Sunrise Service at St Nicholas, Sandhurst

followed by breakfast at Sandhurst Mission Church

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

Sunday 27th April - Second Sunday of Easter

8 am - Holy Communion 

10 am - Morning Worship

5 pm - Patonal Service - Choral Evensong 

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.)