A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, SummerlandSunday, June 23, 2024The Very Rev Ken Gray Once the decision was made, that Kathie and I would move to Summerland for me to take up the post of Rector of St. Stephen’s in 1994 we came up a few weeks prior to moving in order to... Continue Reading →
Not your ordinary war story
Written by Brittany Caffet / 650 CKOM, Regina, SK My father was a D-day veteran. I remember asking him when I was little “what did you do in the war Daddy?” Sometimes it’s worth asking. Our daughter, Hannah joined her partner, Marc and his family as they travelled to Normandy, France this past week to... Continue Reading →
International Albinism Awareness Day, June 13th 2024 – a very personal story
Welcome friends once again to International Albinism Awareness Day. As a person who lives the albino life since birth, I continue to support the work of Under the Same Sun, a Canada-based charity with albino leadership that supports albinos living at risk or who require assistance in meeting their life goals in Southern Africa, especially... Continue Reading →
Happy Birthday Richard Howard — A lesson in forgiveness
Today is Provost Richard Howard's birthday (born 12 June 1884). Provost Richard Howard, led the ministry at Coventry Cathedral (UK) during WW2, and during the Coventry Blitz was one of four firefighters who went on the roof to try save the cathedral. The very next day, he stood in the ruins, still smouldering, and said... Continue Reading →
Push Pooch Park — A presentation to Summerland Town Council
UPDATE The outcome from tonight’s meeting of Summerland Town council regarding the Peach Orchard Dog Park is very positive. The mayor explained his motion and his desire to continue to build consensus around this contentious matter. In response council while appreciating his intent disagreed. Initially concerns were expressed about the costs, historic and future if... Continue Reading →
Queer
It’s a word I use advisedly. As a cis-gender male it feels uncomfortable for me to use the word as I have only encountered it used pejoratively. Many in the Queer community welcome it with, yes, PRIDE. In conversation with a couple of clergy colleagues recently, I asked if we had read any Queer theology.... Continue Reading →
Beacons of hope in a time of climate crisis
From an interview with Vatican News and the World Council of Churches In light of the recent data from Copernicus, the European Union's climate monitoring service, the video statement below from the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay (World Environment Day, 5 June, 2024) is timely and concerning. In... Continue Reading →
Dignity and inclusion . . . on the sidewalk
Writing for the Centre for Action and Contemplation Rabbi Sharon Brous draws on her Jewish tradition to name the dignity of every human being. She tells a story illustrating how nearness and neighborliness lead to loving action: My friend goes to a church of Caribbean immigrants in downtown Los Angeles. One day his pastor preached:... Continue Reading →
What’s to celebrate? Introducing the “Assisi” initiative
A LITURGICAL OPPORTUNITY; AN ECUMENICAL KAIROS -- AN EMERGING CONSENSUS TO ENHANCE THE “FEAST OF CREATION” AND HONOUR THE CREATOR — The story so far The notes below draw heavily on a published report of Conference proceedings available here. After decades of ecumenical celebrations (since 1989) of the annual “Feast of Creation” of September 1,... Continue Reading →
Ed Sullivan Matters to Black History
Photo: Ed Sullivan and Coretta Scott King - Photo courtesy of SOFA Entertainment By Kevin Powell (from Facebook) Because he was such an icon, he was able to have Black artists on TV when they were often not welcomed nor wanted elsewhere. I cannot recall when I first heard the name Ed Sullivan, but it... Continue Reading →