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 19th May -Pentecost - and for the week ahead:

Scripture:

When the day of Pentecost had come, [the disciples] were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2.1-21 †)

Reflection: 

Jerusalem was teeming with Jews from far and wide, come to celebrate the great feast of Pentecost (Shavuot). There would be speakers of Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic in the crowd, but also Arabic, Egyptian and various local dialects, yet all of them heard and  understood the disciples’ joyful outburst in their own language.

How could that possibly be true?

The disciples were not learned men, fluent in all these languages. The message was not in the words spoken, but in what the crowds heard, translated for each individual by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

We are all different, but God communicates with each of us in ways that we can understand, whether in words, pictures, events or experiences, directly or through other people. Are we listening?

Lord, open our ears to your words and our hearts to your love.

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 IN MAY:

Sunday 5th - Sixth Sunday of Easter

8 am Holy Communion

10 am  All Age Communion

5 pm Choral Evensong

Thursday 9th - Ascension Day

7.30 pm Benefice Service at St George's 

Sunday 12th - Seventh Sunday of Easter

8 am 1662 BCP Holy Communion

10 am Morning Worship

Sunday 19th - Pentecost

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

Sunday 25th - Trinity Sunday 

8 am Holy Communion followed by breakfast at the Memorial Hall

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 Mondays and Fridays and at the Mission Church, Back Road, Sandhurst TN18 5JU at 8am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays