Center for Action and Contemplation faculty member Brian McLaren introduces the 2026 Daily Meditations theme: “Good News for a Fractured World” — Sunday, January 4, 2026 [Brian McLaren] Our world is deeply fractured. We see the symptoms all around us. We see it in politics. We see it in social media. We see it in... Continue Reading →
Another in a series of short personal fictional stories about a mystery church with a quirky minister in an unnamed community, though not in a galaxy far away. Enjoy. Between the covers A face stares up at me from a large bowl of Bouillabaisse, a French seafood stew — the version before me with a... Continue Reading →
Photo credit: Michael Shapcott A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland, Epiphany 2025 – The Very Rev. Ken Gray Before one sets off on an Epiphany journey it’s important to know which star to follow. There must have been dozens of bright lights in the Middle Eastern sky, many visible to the ancient... Continue Reading →
Another in a series by me. For other chapters see below “What clipper did I use last time? Number three, or number four?” I had procrastinated long enough. Looking like a modern day Einstein, my hair scrambled madly off in all directions, a sort of Labradoodle look with a dry, scratchy beard attached. It was... Continue Reading →
From Following Jesus: A life of faith in a postmodern world - on Facebook from where these images also appear. With thanks to Imelda Kedge for the link From Kurt at followingJesus.org I wrote this for US Thanksgiving in 2013 when our table included those born in the USA, Iraq, Korea, and Ethiopia. With Christians,... Continue Reading →
From author and artist Jan Richardson It grows only deeper, this sense of how closely light and dark live together, and how grace imbues the places that are most laden with shadows and unfathomable mystery. The season of Advent impresses this upon us with such intention, with its exquisite weave of stories and images that... Continue Reading →
Pianist-composer Fazıl Say premieres his 'Mother Earth' Piano Concerto with the Philharmonic Orchestra this weekend Days before it’s London premiere, Turkish pianist-composer Fazıl Say talks about his powerful Piano Concerto 'Mother Earth' - a work inspired by the climate crisis and the urgent need to protect our planet. The work premieres Sunday 30 November with... Continue Reading →
Both COP30 and the Tapiri closing service described below are now history. There are however excellent suggestions named below for action following COP, suitable for all regions as the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (2025-2034) continues. Six days of intensive dialogue among faith communities concluded on 16 November with... Continue Reading →
UPDATE - At the time of publication talks still continue, now in overtime. See how this particular World Series ends. Letter from COP30 in Belém, Brazil - University of British Columbia sociologist, David Tindall reports from COP30 – Published in The Tyee, Friday, November 21, 2025 David Tindall, a sociology professor at UBC, is chair... Continue Reading →
Reposted from Sylvia Olsen’s blog here Dr. Sylvia Olsen is an author, story-teller, knitting designer, housing specialist and teacher, Sylvia Olsen is an eclectic mix of her creative and academic pursuits. Her books have received numerous awards and nominations and many are Canadian best sellers. Her knitting designs have received attention across Canada and the... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 