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 13th July - the Fourth Sunday after Trinity - and for the week ahead:

Scripture:

The Good Samaritan

A lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘’Teacher’, he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus replied ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And Jesus said to him ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself the lawyer said to Jesus ‘And who is my neighbour?’ (Luke 10.25-29)

Reflecton: 

The question comes from a lawyer, professionally concerned with all the minutiae of the law. His question seems to imply that if an individual does not qualify as a neighbour in the eyes of the law we are not compelled to ‘love him as ourself’. Jesus does not give a direct answer. Instead he tells a story about a traveller who is mugged on a lonely road, stripped, robbed, beaten up and left for dead. Two people pass that way, people of his own nationality and faith, but for good reasons of their own (fear of being attacked themselves,  haste, risk of pollution?) they hurry on past him. The man who stops and takes care of the victim is of a different faith and culture, a despised Samaritan. Definitely not to be regarded as ‘one of us’. As Christians we are called to reflect God’s love for us in love and service to all those we encounter, without prejudice of culture, gender, ethnicity, religion or social standing. Work out the implications for yourself, says Jesus, not  only to the lawyer but to you and me. ‘Go’, he says, ‘and do likewise’.

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 JULY - The Third Sunday after Trinity:

8am - Holy Communion 

10 am - All Age Communion

5 pm - Choral Evensong 

SUNDAY 13th JULY - The Fourth Sunday after Trinity:

8 am - 1662 BCP Holy Communion 

10 am - Morning Worship

SUNDAY 20th JULY - The Fifth Sunday after Trinity: 

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

SUNDAY 27th JULY - The Sixth Sunday after Trinity:

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.)