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, 16th November, and for the week ahead:

Scripture: 
Then Jesus said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom.
There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various
places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.”  Luke 21. 10-11

Reflection:
Do you, like me, see these terrible events predicted by Jesus, reflected in what we are confronted by on our television screens and in our newspapers day by day? The wars, the natural disasters, the famines and disease...And we feel so powerless in the face of so much suffering. So why not just get on with our own lives... Yes! Our own lives are the only place where we have power to make a change for the better.

Let’s not be put off by the size of the problem, but believe that every one of us, old or young, weak or strong, rich or poor, sick or healthy, has a role to play in bringing about God’s longed for kingdom. Don’t
underestimate your potential, or the power of God at work in you.

'And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them’

Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen 

“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 2nd November - All Saints' Day

8am - Holy Communion 

10 am - All Age Communion

7.30 pm - Commemmoration of the Faithful Departed

Sunday 9th November - Remembrance Sunday 

8 am - 1662 BCP Holy Communion 

10.45 am - Service of Remembrance - followed by wreath laying at the War Memorial 

Sunday 16th November - The Second Sunday before Advent

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

Sunday 23rd November - The Sunday Next before Advent 

8 am - Holy Communion 

10 am - Morning Worship

Sunday 30th November - Advent Sunday

8 am - Holy Communion 

10 am - Morning Worship

5 pm, - Advemt Carol Service 

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.)