Church letter

April 2026

Click for the church letter from March 2026

The joy of Holy Week and Easter is here. Alleluia!

The main part of St George’s Church building may be closed for the Restore, Renew, Rejoice project (see recent archeology finds below), but the work of the church and variety of services continue.

The year continues to move on at a pace; and here we are in April, Lent is almost over and we’re into Holy Week. It is a very busy week in the church year and so significant. It is such a powerful time and meaningful time if you immerse yourself in it. Across the benefice - the two parishes of Benenden and Sandhurst - we have 12 services in the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. We begin with the celebration of Palm Sunday, on 29 March. Being a fifth Sunday of the month, the main act of worship is a benefice service - both church families worshipping together - this time at St Nicholas in Sandhurst. We begin with a blessing of the palm crosses and a short procession from The Triangle to St Nicholas Church. To make it even more of a celebration, we have a baptism too!

We continue the week with Reflective Services on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings helping us draw towards Easter Sunday ready to celebrate once again. These services move between the chancel in St George’s and the Mission Church. On Maundy Thursday, we gather for that most special commemoration of the Last Supper. This year we do for the first time in front of the beautiful wood carving in St Nicholas Church. On Good Friday we gather again at St Nicholas, for the solemn remembrance of Jesus going to the cross for us all. (He did it whether we believe in Him or not.)

Holy Week finishes with another Reflective Service on Easter Eve (Saturday evening) in the chancel at St George’s. This final, quiet service prepares us for the joy and celebrations of Easter Sunday. Consider coming to our Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday at St Nicholas Sandhurst. It starts at 6.05am, which is later than some years! Once we’ve seen the sunrise and celebrated what this day means, come and have breakfast with us at the Mission Church in Back Road. Then there are 8am and 10am services in Benenden and a 10am service in Sandhurst. A joyful day, and a powerful week.

May you find time to hear the wonderful gospel (“good news”) of the Easter story. God bless.

Revd David Commander, Rector