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 18^th January – The Second Sunday of Epiphany – and for the week ahead:

Scripture    I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus. (I Cor 1.4)

The crime writer Peter James chose to call his Brighton detective Superintendent Grace because, he says, he wanted a name that connoted the restoration of order at the end of a story dealing with the gritty, dark world of crime.

Thank God for every moment of each day when we come in contact in any way with the beauty of his grace.

David Harmsworth

The January 'Rector's Letter' including details of the Restore, Renew Rejoice project and the temporary closure of St George's can be found here: /content/pages/documents/benenden-rector-s-letter_january-2026.pdf

UPCOMING SERVICES AT ST GEORGE'S

Sunday 4th January - Epiphany

8am - Holy Communion 

10 am - All Age Communion

Sunday 11th January - The Baptism of Christ 

8 am - 1662 BCP Holy Communion 

10 am - Morning Worship

Sunday 18th January - The Second Sunday of Epiphany

8 am - Holy Communion

10 am - Sung Eucharist

NB On Monday 19th January extensive building work at St George's commences. This is estimated to take approximately nine months. 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. 

Sunday 25th January  - The Third Sunday of Epiphany

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

10 am - Morning Worship- at Benenden Primary School

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.)