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

Reflection: Sunday 12th October and for the week ahead:

Scripture:

As they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’ (Luke 17:14b-19)

Reflection:

This is a story of Jesus healing ten people of leprosy, but only one of them coming back to thank him. All ten heard Jesus words, and his instruction to go and show themselves to the priests. All ten of them did as Jesus said; they went. And in doing as Jesus instructed, they were all healed. But only one of them recognised the healing power of Jesus and came back to say, “thank you”. Only one of them came back and praised God with a loud voice.

It raises a number of questions for each of us: Do we listen to Jesus? Do we then do what he asks? Do we stop to thank Jesus? Do we acknowledge and praise God?

We shouldn’t be ashamed of knowing God in our lives and loving him. We need to be like the one who came back, not like the other nine who did not recognise God’s healing in their lives. Know and own your faith; proclaim it; and live it. That is the message from today’s scripture.

Revd David

“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 AT ST GEORGE'S

Sunday 5th October - The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity:

8am - Holy Communion 

10 am - All Age Communion

5 pm - Choral Evensong 

Sunday 12th October - The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity:

8 am - 1662 BCP Holy Communion 

10 am - PET SERVICE

Sunday 19th October - The Eigteenth Sunday after Trinity: 

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

Sunday 26th October - Bible Sunday: 

8 am - Holy Communion 

10 am - Morning Worship

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.)