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 21st December - The Fourth Sunday of Advent - and for the week ahead:

Scripture:   In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ (Luke 1 26-28)

Reflection:    As we arrive at the 4th Sunday of Advent we are called to focus on Mary, the mother of Jesus - a young girl betrothed to a carpenter living in an insignificant backwater of the Roman Empire. There was nothing in her past that could have prepared her for what the angel Gabriel told her was to happen. She had been favoured by God and she simply had to trust that what she had been chosen for was a blessing. The experience of Mary is there to remind us that God’s blessing has no connection with human standards of acceptability, wealth or comfort - Mary had none of those. We are being encouraged to open ourselves to receive God’s blessings so that we, like Mary, can step out into the world in trust.

Lyn Hayes, ALM

“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 7th December - The Second Sunday of Advent 

8am - Holy Communion 

10 am - All Age Communion

Sunday 14th Decenver - The Third Sunday of Advent 

8 am - 1662 BCP Holy Communion 

10 am - Morning Worship

Friday 19th December

1.45 pm - BPS Christmas Service 

Sunday 21st December - The Fourth Sunday of Advent 

8 am - Holy Communion

10 am - Sung Eucharist

Monday 22nd December

7.30 pm - Parish Carol Service

Wednesday 24th December - CHRISTMAS EVE

3 pm - Crib Service 

11.30 pm - The First Communion of Christmas 

Thursday 25th December - CHRISTMAS DAY

8 am - Holy Communion

10 am - Morning Worship followed by Holy Communion 

Sunday 28th December - The First Sunday of Christmas 

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.)