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 17th November & for the week ahead:

Scripture

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’ (John 3.16-21)

Reflection

‘For God so loved the world…’ God loves everything He has made. Since the Makin Report into the activities of John Smyth QC was published, causing our Archbishop to resign, many have been wondering, where was God’s love in this? How could this have happened?

When priorities get skewed, and the care for individuals takes a back seat compared to the ‘higher’ goals of managing reputations and the image of the institution, or even of God, then God’s love is given the lie. God loves us as individuals, not as members of a group, whether we call it ‘The Church’ or something else.

There will be some, for whom the last two weeks have stirred up painful memories, or raised questions about things they have experienced or witnessed. Please be assured that we, your local priests, and our Safeguarding Officers are all here to talk to. The Church of England website and other church websites also give information and contact details, if this feels more comfortable. But most of all, be certain of God’s love and care for you, as you work out which way forward is the right one for you.

And what about the perpetrators? Does God love them too? He does, but he does not love their evil deeds. We are often afraid to speak in such absolute terms as good vs evil, light vs darkness, but in this case, I think we have no choice. If being God’s people and Jesus’ followers should mean anything at all, then it must mean to hold to the light and expose the darkness. All for the sake of love, God’s love for all that He has made.

Revd Ylva
 

“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 NOVEMBER

Sunday 3rd - ALL SAINTS' DAY

8 am Holy Communion

10 am  All Age Communion

7.30 pm All Souls' Service: Commemoration of the Faithful Departed.  - Refreshments & fellowship in Church from 7pm.

Sunday 10th - REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

8 am 1662 BCP Holy Communion

10.45 am Service of Remembrance 

Sunday 17th - Second Sunday before Advent 

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

Sunday 24th - Christ the King

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.)