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 3rd May- the Fifth Sunday of Easter - and for the week ahead:

Scripture: 

'Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious In God’s sight. Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.' (First Letter of Peter, Verses 4 and 5)

Reflection:

You have only to look at our own parish churches of St George and St Nicholas to see that like most ancient churches they are not built of identical, factory-made bricks, set in neat, regular rows, but are constructed from assorted chunks of natural stone. Some of the stones are large, others are quite small, all shapes and sizes, but the skillful stone masons have fitted them together into solid structures that have lasted for centuries.

St Peter calls his readers to become ‘like living stones’. We are all different, all shapes and sizes, varying in character and appearance, background and gifts. Some fit in easily, others are more awkward. But God, the Master Builder, finds a place for every ‘stone’, large, small, rugged or smooth, as he builds us into a community in which each of us has an essential part.

Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen 

'Rector's Letter': April 2026 -  Please click this link:  /content/pages/documents/rectors-letter-april-2026.pdf 

Updates and photos re the Restore, Renew Rejoice project are here:  /content/pages/documents/rrr-update_1_29-january-2026.pdf    /content/pages/documents/rrr-update_2_5-february-2026.pdf    /content/pages/documents/rrr-update_3_20th-february-2026.pdf    /content/pages/documents/rrr-update_4_with-qr-code-8th-march-2026.pdf    /content/pages/documents/rrr-update_5_20th-march-2026.pdf

UPCOMNG SERVICES IN MAY

Sunday 3rd May - The Fifth Sunday of Easter

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

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

Sunday 10th May -  The Sixth Sunday of Easter

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

10 am - Morning Worship - at Benenden Primary School

Thursday 14th May - Ascension Day

7.30 pm - Ascension Day Service at St Nicholas, Sandhurst 

Sunday 17th May -  The Seventh Sunday of Easter

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

10 am - Sung Eucharist - at Benenden Primary School

Sunday 24th May - Pentecost 

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

10 am - Holy Communion - at Benenden Primary School

Sunday 31st May - Trinity Sunday 

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

10 am -Benefice Service at St Nicholas, Sandhurst 

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.)