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:

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. (Galatians 5: 19-23) 

Reflecton: 

When children and young and struggling to make sense of the world, parents and carers, alongside teachers and other family members, do their best to teach them right from wrong. This can be simple to begin with; don’t hit your brother, don’t snatch things from friends, share your toys. However, it doesn’t get any easier. Trying to explain a white lie to a child is a challenge. As is trying to shield them from all the wrongs in the world in an effort to protect their innocence, yet knowing that they will have to face the world one day. How many of the works of the flesh from the first list have you crossed off? At least one for many people, as no-one is perfect. But we don’t need to wrestle with our failings, we have the perfect antidote. The second list shows us where we need to be putting our attention and efforts. When writing this, it was tempting to only take the second list as the point for the reflection. But only when we understand how low we can go as humans do we really begin to grasp the incredible gift of grace that we’ve been given. We are invited to come to the Spirit just as we are, because we’ve already been saved. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t practice and share the gifts of the Spirit in our daily lives. Which one can you live out best this week?

“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 6th JULY - The Third Sunday after Trinity:

8am - Holy Communion 

10 am - All Age Communion

5 pm - Choral Evensong 

SUNDAY 13th JULY - The Fourth Sunday after Trinity:

8 am - 1662 BCP Holy Communion 

10 am - Morning Worship

SUNDAY 20th JULY - The Fifth Sunday after Trinity: 

8 am Holy Communion

10 am Sung Eucharist

SUNDAY 27th JULY - The Sixth Sunday after Trinity:

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.)