St George's Church, Benenden

 

St George's Benenden is joined with St Nicholas' Sandhurst

as a Benefice led by the Rector, Revd David Commander

 

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. 

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

 

Scripture & Reflection: Sunday 24th March -  Palm Sunday - and for the week ahead:

Scripture:

Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.  Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! ‘  (Scripture - Mark 11. 8-10)

Reflection: 

This is the celebration chant the crowd sang as Jesus made his way into Jerusalem in the week before his death.  They loved him and cheered him because they thought he was going to overthrow the Roman Empire and set them free.  Indeed, he had come to set them free, but not in the way they thought.

He had come to set them free from themselves - to show them a new way of living -  one of love, compassion, unselfishness  - a way of living that puts others first, doesn’t judge, and is inclusive and affirming to all. 

The cheering crowd on Palm Sunday thought he had come with great power and might to set them free from oppression. The same crowd crucified Him a few days later because He didn’t live up to their expectations.  But Jesus had come with great power and love to set them free in a different way.  The power of love is the power of Easter Sunday.  Love conquered death, love won the victory and love is the message that Jesus brought then, and brings to us today. Love truly is the ‘reason for the season’. 

Vicki Young

 

 

 

“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 MARCH

Sunday 3rd-Third Sunday of Lent 

8 am Holy Communion

10 am  All Age Communion

5 pm Choral Evensong

Sunday 10th- MOTHERING SUNDAY-Fourth Sunday of Lent

8 am 1662 BCP Holy Communion

10 am Morning Worship

Sunday 17th-Fifth Sunday of Lent-Passiontide begins 

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

HOLY WEEK

Sunday 24th-Palm Sunday

8 am Holy Communion followed by breakfast at the Memorial Hall

10 am Morning Worship

Monday 25th

7.30 pm Reflective Service at Sandhurst Mission Church

Tuesday 26th 

7.30 pm Reflective Service at St George's

Wednesday 27th 

7.30 pm Reflective Service at Sandhurst Mission Church

Maundy Thursday

28th 7.30 pm Holy Communion at St George's

Good Friday

29th 10am an Hour at the Cross at St George's

Easter Eve 

7.30 pm Reflective Service at St George's 

Easter Day

6.15 am Sunrise Service at St Nicholas, Sandhurst

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

 

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

 

 

Powered by Church Edit