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 7th September and for the week ahead:

Scripture:

He turned to them and said:  … 'Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him,  saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” ' (Luke 14.25-30)

Reflection:

Has it ever occurred to you that following Jesus might have consequences? Jesus knows this, and he wants his followers to be aware of it too. Not because he wants to scare us off, but by becoming a disciple we are entering into a process of transformation, where our values change and our priorities shift away from the mainstream. This can be costly in all sorts of ways…are we prepared to ‘carry this cross’ and follow where Jesus leads us? 

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 AT ST GEORGE'S

Sunday 7th September - The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity:

8am - Holy Communion 

10 am - All Age Communion

5 pm - Choral Evensong 

Sunday 14th September - The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity:

8 am - 1662 BCP Holy Communion 

10 am - Morning Worship

Sunday 21st September - The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity: 

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

Sunday 28th September - HARVEST - The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity:

8 am - Holy Communion 

11 am - Harvest Morning Worship NB NOTE CHANGE OF TIME. The service will be followed by the Harvest Lunch.

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.)