During a cuddle with our newborn grandson yesterday, I said to the assembled entourage that we should watch an episode of Call the Midwife together. Why not, I thought, as our daughter and partner did benefit from the services and friendship of a local midwife. So why not check in with one of BBCโs most... Continue Reading →
Failure to care for creation is an โecological sinโ a Roman Catholic commission declaresย
[KJG] During her 2006-2015 term as Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori stated that ignoring or denying climate change is a moral failing and a "sinful" rejection of God's creation. The howls of protest at the time remain legendary. As a trained scientist herself, she knew the effects of climate change on... Continue Reading →
Humanity must stop pretending it doesn’t know what it’s doing to the Earth
That's the message from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, marking 1 September as both the start of the Orthodox ecclesiastical year and the Day of Prayer for the Protection of the Natural Environment, an observance the Ecumenical Patriarchate established in 1989 and which now brings Christian communities together worldwide: "a symbol and practical promotion of the unity... Continue Reading →
The unwinding of our climate
From The Guardian daily newsletter, Monday, Aug 31, 2026 - Hettie OโBrien, FIRST EDITION Over the weekend, rescue workers in Nepal and Tibet raced to find people who are still trapped in villages affected by catastrophic flash floods. As of this morning, the death toll stands at 903, and more than 4,000 people are missing.... Continue Reading →
Summerland Sauce Project supports farmers impacted by wildfire and rescued Okanagan crops
Chef Ned Bell (left) and Farmer Thomas Tumbach started the Summerland Sauce Project to turn veggies into help - Photo: Summerland Sauce Project Casey Richardson - Aug 29, 2026 / From Castanet A project that bought crops from Okanagan farmers impacted by the Bald Range wildfire and turned them into seasonal sauces and preserves raised... Continue Reading →
Moses, the burning bush, and the Bald Range wildfire
Here's the good news. The Bald Range wild fire is now held. Hallelujah. Back home in Summerland most residents have now returned to a new post-evacuation experience of "normal." Though not all; some are still unable to access their homes or work places. Many are negotiating with insurance companies; others continue to wonder about next... Continue Reading →
What is “enough” anyway? What would a โdegrowth churchโ look like?
by James Adair, BROADVIEW, Aug. 6, 2026 [I find the concepts below compelling. As churches often claim they are cocunter-cultural to my eye they simply mirror the capitalist culture that surrounds and feeds them . How often have I preached on the Parable of the shrewd Manager trying to avoid praising the servant who took... Continue Reading →
Fireside chat
I have always imagined a โfireside chatโ as the place where two people enjoy conversation and libations in front of a roaring fireplace in an English country house. or a remote Canadian cabin. I have enjoyed both over the years, where the conversation included politics of all sorts and stripes, religion, photography, biography, literature, music.... Continue Reading →
Preserving our memories — A Summerland legacy project
From Paws n Tails Photography, Summerland BC Iโve been thinking a lot about what I wanted to do with my photography after everything that has happened here. I had planned an August opening special to introduce Paws N Tails Photography to Summerland. But after the fire, that just didnโt feel right anymore. We are so... Continue Reading →
โThe roots of true community are fireproofโ — A Wildfire Worship Experience — Sunday August 16, 2026
An archival shot from Cartwright Mountain, an area likely destroyed by the Bald Range wildfire. Resources and thoughts assembled by me, the Very Rev. Ken Gray, all in light of the Bald Range Wildfire in and around Summerland, BC as we and over 20,000 others are evacuated from our homes and community for an indefinite... Continue Reading →