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 3rd November - All Saints' Day - and for the week ahead:

Scripture

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1.3) 

Reflection

This weekend is Halloween, and to ‘celebrate’ the occasion several of the houses in the road where I live are festooned with grotesque images of death, the scarier the better. One front garden surpasses all the rest with its
amazing display of ghosts, witches, skeletons and grinning skulls, all suspended from a washing line and shaking in the wind. The chief aim seems to be to make death appear as ugly and frightening as possible.

This same weekend the church remembers with thanksgiving all those who have gone before us in faith. The word Halloween actually means ‘the eve of All Hallows’, All Saints Day, and the following day is dedicated to All Souls, when we call to mind those dear ones whom we no longer see but know to be safe in the care of God, our loving Father. No ugliness, no terror, but new birth into a living hope, through faith in the one who assured us that where he is, we too shall be.

Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen 

“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 NOVEMBER

Sunday 3rd - ALL SAINTS' DAY

8 am Holy Communion

10 am  All Age Communion

7.30 pm All Souls' Service: Commemoration of the Faithful Departed.  - Refreshments & fellowship in Church from 7pm.

Sunday 10th - REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

8 am 1662 BCP Holy Communion

10.45 am Service of Remembrance 

Sunday 17th - Second Sunday before Advent 

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

Sunday 24th - Christ the King

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.)