Rector of Smarden Church and Biddenden Church:
The Rev’d Alex Bienfait

Following the Church of England Coronavirus guidelines, all services are suspended and the church building is currently closed.  However we have started a range of services online.   For details please click here

If you would like to be kept in touch and join our church email list please click here.

Why are our churches closed?

Following directions from the Government and updated guidance from the Church of England and the Diocese,  both churches are now closed until further notice. This is very disappointing but it is a reflection of how important it is that we distance ourselves from one another and slow down the spread of the virus in order to save lives.  We are committed to following the new guidelines and we must do all we can to help protect the health of our communities and ensure the NHS can manage over the coming months.

Our church buildings may be closed but the Church is not – it is changing and we are doing all we can to adapt to that change in encouraging and supporting our communities through these extraordinary, challenging times. Our worship of God and our care for each other continues even while physically separated.

We have been overwhelmed by the positive responses to the services and prayers that we have streamed from the Rectory and thank you to all who provided feedback.  We are going to continue offering live stream services and prayers.    We are also investigating what else technology might be able to help us with and how we can best keep in touch over the coming weeks and months – we will let you know more in due course.

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength . . . Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’ Mark 12:30-31

A prayer from Bishop Rose

God of compassion,
be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation;
in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through him who suffered alone on the cross,
but reigns with you in glory,
Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

CONTACT DETAILS
Rev’d Alexander Bienfait, Priest-in-Charge of Smarden and Biddenden
rector@sbcofe.org
01580 291454

Tom Hay, Smarden Churchwarden
thomasahay@gmail.com
01233 770286 or 07768 616809

Edward Demery, Smarden Churchwarden
edward@demery-consulting.com
01233 770579 or 07515 770102

Ann Courtness, Biddenden Churchwarden
anncourtness@yahoo.co.uk
01622 891190 or 07753 673787