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We aim to be a welcoming, open church community. This website is intended to provide a good guide to our church life. Please see the contact details if you need help or any further information.
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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
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Scripture & Reflection: Sunday 1st December - Advent Sunday - & for the week ahead:
Collect:
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal. Pilate summoned Jesus and asked him "Are you the king of the Jews?" (John 19.33)
Reflection
The run up to Christmas day is a busy time, and the retail market certainly does its best to encourage it! It’s a time known for extravagance and buying just a little bit extra, even when we can’t actually afford it. We are convinced that this year must be better, or at least different, to the year before. Some people feel there is competition with their neighbours for the biggest or brightest street decorations to celebrate the season.
In this Collect, a simple prayer for each week of the year, I’m struck by the word humility. We know that Jesus was born into a humble stable, but how many of us feel humble this week? Can you give that little bit more to a local charity or food bank? Can you stop to listen to your neighbour for a bit longer, and invite them in for a mince pie? What light can you shine into other people’s lives? Perhaps share with your family ideas of how to be humble this Advent season.
Victoria Bray
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“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 1st - First Sunday of Advent
8 am Holy Communion
10 am All Age Communion
5 pm Advent Service of Light
Sunday 8th - Second Sunday of Advent
8 am 1662 BCP Holy Communion
10 am Morning Worship
Sunday 15th - Third Sunday of Advent
8 am Holy Communion
10 am Sung Eucharist
Tuesday 17th
7.30 pm Parish Carol Service
Friday 20th
2.30 pm Benenden Primary School Christmas Service
Sunday 22nd - Fourth Sunday of Advent
8 am Holy Communion
10 am Morning Worship
Tuesday 24th - CHRISTMAS EVE
3 pm Crib Service
11.30 pm First Communion of Christmas
Wednesday 25th - CHRISTMAS DAY
8 am Holy Communion
10am Morning Worship followed by Holy Communion
Sunday 29th - First Sunday of Christmas
10 am Benefice Holy Communion
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.)
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