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

Assistant 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

Assistant 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

For other leaders please see Who's Who

Scripture & Reflection:  Sunday 3^rd December and for the week ahead:

Scripture

‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’ (Mark 13 32-37)

Reflection

How often do we remind ourselves that Advent is a season of waiting, longing and preparation and then realise how hard it can be to hang on to that spiritual meaning of the season?

All around us are the trappings of Christmas with its different kinds of waiting, longing and preparation which usually overshadow the true meaning of Advent - it’s not that it is wrong to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ - far from it. But Advent is a time to prepare for the second coming of Christ the King even though we do not know when or how he will return. Jesus tells us that this does not matter, our job is to be ready, doing what God has called us to do with the gifts he has given us. Sharing those gifts with each other in love with the help of the Holy Spirit to bring about God’s Kingdom on earth.

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 DECEMBER

Sunday 3rd - First Sunday of Advent

8 am Holy Communion

10 am  All Age Communion

5 pm  Candlelit Advent Carol Service

Sunday 10th - Second Sunday of Advent

8 am 1662 BCP Holy Communion

10 am Morning Worship

Sunday 17th - Third Sunday of Advent 

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

Tuesday 19th  7.30 pm Parish Carol Service

Sunday 24th - CHRISTMAS EVE

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Morning Worship

3 pm Crib Service

11.30 pm First Communion of Christmas

Monday 25th - CHRISTMAS DAY

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Morning Worship followed by Holy Communion at 11 am

Mid-week Communion: 10am, Tuesday, at the Mission Church, Sandhurst.

Morning Prayer takes place at St George's at 8am on Mondays and Fridays and at the Mission Church, Back Road, Sandhurst at 8am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays