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 24th May- Pentecost - and for the week ahead:

Scripture:
'When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ '(John 20.19)

Reflection:
The story of Pentecost – what happened to change the world 50 days after Easter – is a story of a few bereaved friends/disciples of Jesus experiencing a rush of wind and ‘tongues of fire’, and as a result being fired up to spread what they called the Good News. That good news was that in the midst of a world of personal and global turmoil, the Spirit of Peace is, like the wind, invisibly breathing, even blowing, all around and in us. Just as by drawing breath we live physically, so we do actually have access to inner spiritual life. Peace be with you.

David Harmsworth 

'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:

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   Revd Ylva's last service in the Benefice 

Sunday 7th June - The Second Sunday after Trinity

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

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

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

Sunday 14th June -  The Third 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  21st June -  The Third Sunday after Trinity

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

10 am - Sung Eucharist - at Benenden Primary School

Sunday 28th June - The Fourth Sunday after Trinity

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

10 am - Holy Communion - at Benenden Primary School

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.)