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 27th October - Bible Sunday - and for the week ahead:

Scripture

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14 -17)

Reflection

The Bible is more than just a collection of words, it is a book with a purpose, inspired by God, not just for reproof, correction and training, but to draw us closer to the one who created us, loves us and whose deepest desire is to be in relationship with us. Through the stories contained within, it exists to encourage us and equip us to deal with all the joys and challenges of life.

Just like Timothy, many of us have grown up knowing the Scriptures, but all too often we find our own Bibles sitting on our bookshelves gathering dust. We take our Bibles for granted. So, what if we treated them as if they were going to dissapear tomorrow?If I knew that tomorrow there would be an empty space on my bookshelf where the Bible should have been, then I would certainly make space in my life to reread those passages that move me or perhaps the ones that I don’t quite understand, or even books that I never quite got round to reading.
Perhaps today we can renew our commitment to dwelling in this book, seeking the Lord in the place where the Lord may be found.

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 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.)