YOU ARE INVITED to the third in a series of Pilgrimages sponsored by the Ecclesiastical Province of BC/Yukon in collaboration with the Parish of Kokanee in the Anglican Diocese of Kootenay.
From September 14-18, 2026 St. Mark’s in Kaslo will host a week-long gathering of pilgrims from across the province for prayer and worship, shared meals, fellowship, and exploring our natural spaces and ecosystems through the lens of ecojustice and the stewardship of Creation.
The West Kootenays are a microcosm for our province. In our little corner of the Rockies, we have small representations of many of the ecosystems found in BC, from alpine scree slopes to valley bottom through old growth forests. We have places of exceptional beauty and rarity, but we also face many of the environmental threats found throughout BC and Canada; from waterways affected by hydro-electric infrastructure, to forest fires as well as industrial overextraction.
The cost to participants is $400.00 including local transport, meals. and accommodation at the Kaslo Motel. Except for emergencies, the registration fee is not refundable. Participants must sign a waiver upon arrival and are responsible to declare any medical or physical conditions that may limit moderate physical activity.
Please contact the registrar [that’s yours truly] with questions and to register at grayintheforest@shaw.ca. Pilgrimage leaders are the Revs. David Burrows and Alecia Greenfield. We acknowledge with thanks financial support from the Diocese of Kootenay and the Province of BC/Yukon.
Additional Information
In conversation with the wardens of Kaslo parish, and in response to questions received I can confirm the following:
1) We set a limit of 20. This is because of accommodation, food, and travel limitations. No exceptions.
2) Concerning food, breakfasts and lunch will be takeaway stuff, provided by a local group here, from Mirror Lake, which is just outside of Kaslo. They specialize in vegetarian and health food. It’s high high-quality stuff, not cheap, but you know, they can accommodate just about any kind of diet given enough notice. Three suppers will be at a local restaurant here called the Bluebelle Bistro. They will open exclusively for us during those three suppers. The fourth supper we’re providing at the motel. There are three large grills at the motel, and Caroline at the motel who has been very accommodating here, is going to let us use them. We will have both meat and non-meat available in a barbecue. We thought we’d do that the last night as a supper thing, and maybe have some wind up activities, and you know, weather allowing, be together. So, no burned wieners in sugary white buns.
3) Concerning energy expenditure and necessary fitness level hiking level is moderate or less. One section will be a five-hour hike along a level rail grade. Stafford adds that we are setting up an alternate plan to the hike. We have a historical walk in Kaslo that we’re going to offer. This walk will conclude at the historic Stern-Wheeler, the Moye.
4) Concerning sites: Argenta is about 45 to 60 minutes north of Kaslo on the other side of the lake. You can reach it without crossing the lake because you go over the top. Argenta has had a Quaker community there since the 1950s, quite a famous one. They had their own school there but the school isn’t operating anymore. But they have a small Quaker group, the Meeting House. David has done a lot of work to get them to present the Quaker experience to us. People will find it interesting, and just the whole community of Argenta as a different way of living. It’s kind of like going back about 50 years or more. These people have exchanges where they leave food. Generally, they trade and barter; it’s a fascinating look at a small community.
Birchdale, which is north of Kaslo, has just in the last 10 years developed this Orthodox community over there. We will have to take the people over by boat, and we’ll be wearing life jackets! I can assure you, Liam (another Kaslo parishioner) is organizing that piece. They’ve built a chapel over there, and Father Nilos, who’s well known to us here in Kaslo, has created this orthodox community. [Ken adds; the Orthodox have been global and national leaders in environmental engagement since 1989.] It’s an interesting look at a different kind of religious belief, but also a different way of worshiping, and I think that both of those trips, which are on different days — they will take a good portion of each day — will be hopefully, you know, fascinating for people.
5) Other questions should be addressed to the Rev. David Burrows who is best reached by email at revdavid.kokanee@gmail.com
FRIENDLY REMINDER: With all of the above, time is of the essence as space is limited. We have been able to connect some walkers with car-pooling options.
Blessings to all pilgrims, Ken Gray
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