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 8th February and for the week ahead:

Scripture     

‘Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. And there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him... Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’’ (Matthew 17.1-9 The Transfguration. 8.3.36)

Reflection 

Soon it will be Lent, traditionally a time when we reflect on the suffering of Jesus, leading up to his betrayal and arrest, his physical and mental agony and his death on the Cross. Unlike his companions, however, we are blessed with the knowledge that this was not the end; that in spite of everything death, for us as for Jesus, is not the end.

As witnesses of Jesus’s transfiguration his closest friends were granted an awesome experience of his glory, a confirmation of his true identity, to strengthen them in preparation for the challenges and horrors that lay ahead. How could they later forget this and flee in terror when everything seemed to fall apart?

In all the misery and injustice that we see and hear about day by day , we pray that we may not lose sight of the glimpses of God’s glory all around us, perhaps not dramatic like the sign given to those disciples, but still a continuing source of hope and encouragement for us, day by day.

'Rector's Letter': February 2026: /content/pages/documents/rectors-letter-february-2026.pdf

The January 'Rector's Letter' including details of the Restore, Renew Rejoice project and the temporary closure of St George's can be found here: /content/pages/documents/benenden-rector-s-letter_january-2026.pdf

UPCOMING SERVICES AT ST GEORGE'S

Sunday 1st February - The Presentation of Christ in the Temple

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

10 am - All Age Communion - at Benenden Primary School

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

Sunday 8th February - The Second Sunday before Lent 

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

10 am - Morning Worship - at Benenden Primary School

Sunday 15th February - The Sunday before Lent 

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

10 am - Sung Eucharist - at Benenden Primary School

Ash Wednesday 18th February

7.30 pm - Benefice Ashing Service - at St Nicholas Sandhurst

Sunday 22nd February - The First Sunday of Lent

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

10 am - Morning Worship- at Benenden Primary School

NB On Monday 19th January extensive building work commenced at St George's. This is estimated to take approximately nine months. 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 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.)