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

Reflection: Sunday 14th June - The Second Sunday after Trinity - and for the week ahead:

Collect (Special prayer) for Trinity 2:

Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you…
 

Reflection:

‘Love’ can mean so many things. I love chocolate. I love Christmas. I love the books of Jane Austen. I love the colour purple. I love my friends.

The love ‘poured into our hearts’ by God is something different. In the older versions of this prayer it is called charity, though in recent years the word charity has come to mean giving to good causes, which is very right and commendable, but not what is meant here.

The love we pray for is selfless, unconditional love in action, not dependent on our feelings, but a reflection of God’s love for all humanity, however undeserving. This is not something we can generate by our own efforts, which is why we pray that God will pour it into our hearts. And for this to happen we need to open our hearts to receive it.

Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen 

UPCOMNG SERVICES:

Sunday 7th June - The Second Sunday after Trinity

8 am - Holy Communion - in the Chancel  at St George's

10 am - All Age Holy Communion - at Benenden Primary School

5 pm - Evening Prayer - in the Chancel at St George's

Sunday 14th June -  The Third Sunday after Trinity

8 am - 1662 BCP Holy Communion - in the Chancel at St George's

10 am - Morning Worship - at Benenden Primary School

Sunday  21st June -  The Third Sunday after Trinity

8 am - Holy Communion - in the Chancel at St George's

10 am - Sung Eucharist - at Benenden Primary School

Sunday 28th June - The Fourth Sunday after Trinity

8 am - Holy Communion - in the Chancel  at St George's

10 am - Holy Communion - at Benenden Primary School

Extensive building work is currently underway at St George's. During this time all Sunday services will be held as follows:  8 am Sunday Holy Communion - in the Chancel at St George's. 10 am Sunday Services - at Benenden Primary School.   Special Services will take place at St Nicholas, Sandhurst, unless indicated otherwise. 

Mid-week Communion: Every Tuesday at the Mission Church, Back Road, Sandhurst TN18 5JU

Morning Prayer takes place at the Rectory 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 the Rectory.)