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

Reflection: Sunday 26th July - The Eighth Sunday after Trinity - and for the week ahead:

Scripture:

Jesus put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’ He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’ (Matthew 13.31-33)

Reflection:

It’s quite surprising to hear the Kingdom of Heaven described in such homely, everyday terms. A latecomer to gardening, I’ve never quite got over my amazement at seeing a tiny seed grow into a healthy plant, yielding beautiful blooms or even edible fruit. And I never fail to be astonished that such tiny amounts of yeast can transform a lump of dough, lightening its texture and doubling it in size.

In such small, ordinary beginnings, says Jesus, we see the power of God at work. The majority of us are not people of power and influence, and yet in our undramatic everyday lives God can work in us to further his kingdom. Lord, take our lives, our words and our actions, and make them a blessing to others.

Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen 

UPCOMNG SERVICES:

Sunday 2nd August - The Ninth Sunday after Trinity

8 am - Benefice Holy Communion - at St Nicholas, Churc, Sandhurst (no 8 am service in Benenden this Sunday)

10 am - All Age Holy Communion - at Benenden Primary School

5 pm - Evening Prayer - in the Chancel at St George's

Sunday 9th August -  The Tenth Sunday after Trinity

8 am - 1662 BCP Holy Communion - in the Chancel at St George's

10 am - Morning Worship - at Benenden Primary School

Sunday 16th August -  The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

8 am - Holy Communion - in the Chancel at St George's

10 am - Sung Eucharist - at Benenden Primary School

Sunday 23rd August - The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

8 am - Holy Communion - in the Chancel  at St George's

10 am - Holy Communion - at Benenden Primary School

Sunday 30th August - The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

10 am - Benefice Holy Communion - at St Nicholas Church, Sandhurst (no 8 am service in Benenden this Sunday)

Extensive building work is currently underway at St George's. During this time all Sunday services will be held as follows:  8 am Sunday Holy Communion - in the Chancel at St George's. 10 am Sunday Services - at Benenden Primary School.   Special Services will take place at St Nicholas, Sandhurst, unless indicated otherwise. 

Mid-week Communion: Every Tuesday at the Mission Church, Back Road, Sandhurst TN18 5JU

Morning Prayer takes place at the Rectory 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 the Rectory.)