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 15th March - Mothering Sunday - and for the week ahead:

Scripture - Collect for Mothering Sunday

God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself: strengthen us in our daily living that in joy and in sorrow we may know the power of your presence to bind together and to heal.

Reflection

On this Mothering Sunday, we are reminded through the words of the Collect that we are all joined together as one human family, called to live in peace and harmony with one another.

Mothering is a quality that we are all capable of, regardless of gender. We are each called to share the love of Jesus Christ—love that he gave freely for us on the cross—with those around us.

While we may not be able to change everything that is happening in the wider world, we can make a difference in our own corner of it. Showing compassion and care for those around us, both within our families and in the wider community, is one way of “mothering” the people in our lives.

Sometimes this takes courage. Jesus showed that courage through the way he gave his life so that we might experience eternal life. May we be inspired by his example to share love, kindness, and compassion with all those we meet.

'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 March - The Second Sunday of Lent

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 March - The Third Sunday of Lent 

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

10 am - Morning Worship - at Benenden Primary School

Sunday 15th March - Mothering Sunday

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

10 am - Mothering Sunday Family Communion - at Benenden Primary School

Sunday 22nd March - The Fifth Sunday of Lent

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

10 am - Morning Worship- at Benenden Primary School

Sunday 29th March - Palm Sunday

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

10 am - Benefice Palm Sunday Communion - at St Nicholas Church, Sandhurst (Palm Sunday Procession from the Lower Car Park at St Nicholas. Meet at 9.45 am)

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 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.)