A Sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour, Penticton BCSunday, October 13th, 2024 (Canadian Thanksgiving)The Very Rev. Ken Gray JOB 23:1-9, 16-17; PSALM 22:1-15; HEBREWS 4:12-16; MARK 10:17-31 I can say with confidence that I have never been accused or convicted of a crime. I have been in court a number of times to watch... Continue Reading →
NDP and ME
BC’s average real GDP per capita was 2.4 per cent higher in 2023 than five years earlier, compared with a 0.6 per cent decline in Canada overall. Photo via Wikimedia, Creative Commons licensed (THE TYEE) It will not surprise readers of this blog to discover that I have begun to comment on the BC Election... Continue Reading →
Peace Train – Get on board
On this the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, the effects of which remain deadly and destructive on all sides today, I want to promote peace, but how? There have been many peace walks, peace protests, peace initiatives in recent decades; there have also been peace trains: Cue Jusuf Islam (Cat Stevens). Why... Continue Reading →
God is green, and denying climate change is anti-Christian
From The Independent — Sunday 22 September 2024 When we hear the command of Christ to treasure God’s creation, it is up to us to heed the call, writes Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Earlier this year, I attempted to visit the Darien Gap in Central America. With its 165 miles of dense jungle, connecting... Continue Reading →
Kindness, respect, and building understanding — A way forward for reconciliation
Writing in The Tyee on the 4th annual National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Monday, September 30, Tumia Knott, spaləl̕, a member of Kwantlen First Nation, a lawyer with First Peoples Law, with a practice focus in Indigenous law and self-determination initiatives expresses concern and some sadness about our national observance: I struggle with National Truth... Continue Reading →
And the angels, they go up and down (With thanks to Joni Mitchell)
A sermon on the Feast of St Michael and All Angels for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland, Sunday, September 29th, 2024 -- The Very Rev. Ken Gray Today’s preacher is presented with an embarrassment of homiletical riches. On this, the Feast of St. Michael (Michaelmas) Revelation describes how “war broke out in heaven; Michael... Continue Reading →
The Witness Blanket — Truth telling towards reconciliation
I am so pleased to share this blog by Carey Newman, Indigenous artist, master carver, filmmaker, author, mentor, and public speaker.On his father’s side, he is from the Kwakwaka’wakw from the Kukwekum, Giiksam, and WaWalaby’ie clans of Fort Rupert, and Coast Salish from Cheam of the Sto:lo Nation along the upper Fraser Valley, in what... Continue Reading →
Invitation
Everyone is invited to join us on the hill at the Summerland Ornamental Gardens for a special time of reflective quiet and garden exploration on Sunday, September 29th. To the information on the poster, allow me to add the following: On the day, if possible, please bring a small foodstuff—finger food only, no utensils required... Continue Reading →
Nazarean — Memoir and meaning together
Nazorean: How a Jewish Wisdom Sect Gave Birth to the ChurchKem LutherWipf and Stock310 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 x 0.62 inPaperback 9798385225972Published: August 2024kem.luther@gmail.com I acknowledge the risk in recommending a book I have not read. Knowing the author, his interests and some of his personal story I will take such a chance. Kem Luther... Continue Reading →
The show must go on – But how?
Sitting with a group of elder(ly) actors the other day was eye-opening for me. The workshop—part of Summerland’s amazing little Ryga Arts Festival—titled “Aging in the Arts” sought to brainstorm ways to assist and mitigate issues for actors and others in their older years. To a person, participants have been active in the craft or... Continue Reading →