This picture is misleading. The town looks lovely -- even green. Closer inspection will reveal that the mountain from mid-image over to the far right is crispy, dark, and burned. When we left, the fire topped over the ridge and was coming straight for us. Thankfully, the wind changed though widespread damage occurred elsewhere. The... Continue Reading →
Paws down — A warning to pet owners returning home following evacuation
With thousands of Summerlanders we are now cleared to return home. We are excited to finally return. Our almost 7-year-old Labradoodle, Juno, shares our joy. We know our home escaped damage; likely the worst evidence of the Bald Range Wildfire will, for us, be smoke and ash. A local pet owner posted just yesterday a... Continue Reading →
The Plight of the Pirate Pack โ Revisiting the Feeding of the Five Thousand
A Sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour, Penticton, Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 by the Very Rev. Ken Gray I donโt know if youโve heard the news, but thereโs trouble brewing at BC Ferries; and I donโt mean long lineups, service interruptions, or adverse weather cancellations. As former residents of Vancouver Island, Kathie and I... Continue Reading →
Thereโs a canoe hanging from the living room roof
Writing today from an undisclosed location in central Ontario 90 minutesโ drive and boat ride north of Peterborough. Itโs summer here at a lovely cottage thanks to a kind invitation from a new family member and her parents. I say โcottage,โ having originally typed โcabinโ inappropriately. There is an important distinction between the two monikers.... Continue Reading →
An invitation to worship that honours both Creator and creation — From Samoa
by Galumalemana Bolivia Smith As the golden rays of the sun streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting vibrant colors across the altar, and the choir sang, โAll Heaven Declares the Beauty of the Risen Lord,โ I felt a deep sense of connection between heaven and earth. I was reminded why, as the Choir Master of... Continue Reading →
Thanks Moravians – So much Good News here
The Rev. John Jackman, a man with a white beard and hair, and a boy of about 9 in a Scout uniform are shown at the altar of a church, with colorful confetti floating around them. Heard on US National Public Radio, June 28, 2026Noam Levey for KFF Health News WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. โ Some issues,... Continue Reading →
A Black Arm Band for a 250th anniversary
Robert Reich Jun 28, 2026 Friends, For the next seven days, most of America will be engaged in celebrating the birth of our nation 250 years ago. Trump wants to use this occasion for his insatiable ego by putting his name and face everywhere he can. His grandiosity is boundless; his narcissism, loathsome. Others may... Continue Reading →
Finally, PRIDE in Summerland
On Saturday, June 13, 2026 Summerland United Church with St. Stephen Anglican Church hosted the first ever PRIDE parade in our little town. Sure, such events have been a regular feature on the coast since the 1990s. They have also become a staple event in larger centres in the BC interior such as Kamloops and... Continue Reading →
Bishop of Amazonia and Primate of Brazil appointed as Chair of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN)
Posted on: June 4, 2026 2:12 PM by The Anglican Communion [Ken Gray notes: This is the global network I have served one way or another since 2005. The appointment of Archbishop Marinez marks an important new chapter in the history and influence of this timely and important network.] [Anglican Communion] The purpose of ACEN... Continue Reading →
Fill me with living water
A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church, Penticton // Sunday June 7, 2026 by the Very Rev. Ken Gray I am sure that Archdeacon Peter (O'Flynn) and I have both struggled on occasion to find just the right sermon topic. At times, there are far too many options. Today is a good... Continue Reading →