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 8th September - Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity - and for the week ahead:

Scripture

My brothers and sisters,[a] do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?[b] 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Have a seat here, please’, while to the one who is poor you say, ‘Stand there’, or, ‘Sit at my feet’,[c] 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2 1-4)

Reflection

Have you ever felt the need to put on a different persona or ‘mask’ when in certain social situations? Or have you equated someones inteligence with the way that they talk? Do you have a ‘telephone’ voice?

We all, in one way or another, make judgements about a person based on their appearance, the way they walk or talk, and their social standing.

Oh to be like little children - who show no such partiallity, they interact with each other and with adults, just as they are. They don’t ‘dress to impress’ they just live out what Christ is asking us to do - to treat every person with the respect and love which they deserve, allowing people to be who they are born to be - made and loved by God.

“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 SEPTEMBER:

Sunday 1st - Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

8 am Holy Communion

10 am  All Age Communion

5 pm Choral Evensong

Sunday 8th - Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

8 am 1662 BCP Holy Communion

10 am Morning Worship

Sunday 16th - Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

Sunday 22nd - Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

8 am Holy Communion 

10 am Morning Worship

Sunday 29th - Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

8 am Holy Communion 

11 am HARVEST SERVICE  

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.