VIGIL IN A SMALL TOWN, by Betty-Ann Xenis, Summerland, BC The second time we met, it was windy and our candles kept blowing out. It seemed symbolic somehow. Candles, a light in the darkness, being blown out by a force beyond our control. We finally stopped trying to relight them but just stood in the... Continue Reading →
Success, learning opportunities, and Teflon-coated pans โ A scouting leadership story
[Ken Gray] The Rev. Chris Parsons (Executive Archdeacon of the Anglican Diocese of Kootenay) and I have been clergy colleagues for many years, now in the Diocese of Kootenay, and previously in the Diocese of Islands and Inlets (BC). We each know the peaks and troughs of working in ordained leadership, especially within the Anglican... Continue Reading →
Episcopal clergy travel to Minneapolis to march in โICE Out of Minnesotaโ day of action
By David Paulsen, Episcopal News Service Washington Bishop Mariann Budde speaks Jan. 22 during a news conference by clergy about immigration actions in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo: Jack Jenkins/Religion News Service [Episcopal News Service] Episcopal clergy and lay leaders are among the hundreds of people of faith from across the United States who have traveled to... Continue Reading →
Acknowledging the land on which we live, work, and play โ A primer
[Ken Gray] This past Christmas Eve while visiting with family in Nelson, BC my wife and I worshipped with the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church. In line with Anglican practice, the presider, the Rev. David Burrows, offered a land acknowledgement. It was both fulsome and beautiful. I contacted David a few days later asking... Continue Reading →
Iโll be seeing you
AKA Confessions of a Kindle addict A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland on Sunday, January 18, 2005 by the Very Rev. Ken Gray There are all sorts of ethical concerns surrounding the owner of Amazon, US tech billionaire Jeff Bezos. That admitted and underlined, the Amazon process of book purchase and delivery... Continue Reading →
Liturgical renewal
Another in the series: Stories from Somewhere by me, Ken GrayAn index to other stories is here โGod be with you.โ โOh Lord, not again. โGodโ is so archaic. Surely โsource of all beingโ is better, more relevant, inclusive, and pleasing to the Divine.โ โBut you just said โLord.โ Thereโs a problem there pal. Pate-ree-ark-al.โ... Continue Reading →
Consent
A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour, Penticton on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Sunday, January 11, 2026 by the Very Rev. Ken Gray Letโs start with three questions. Last week we had the Three Kings; this week, Three Questions: 1) Since the new year, how many times have you written... Continue Reading →
Falling Apart, Coming Together: Advice for a new year
Center for Action and Contemplation faculty member Brian McLaren introduces the 2026 Daily Meditations theme: โGood News for a Fractured Worldโ โ 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 →
Holding Onto Emmanuel
A message from the Sabeel community As we celebrate this Christmas season, we give thanks for your gifts of friendship and solidarity with the people of Palestine. Your support, prayers, and commitment to justice and peace sustain us and encourage our work every day. We especially honor those who are willing to take risks to... Continue Reading →
Noel
โNOELโ by J.R.R. Tolkien was written in 1936, amidst the gathering gloom of national socialism in Germany. At the time, it provided an antidote to social and political anxiety. May it provide some relief for us now. Grim was the world and grey last night:The moon and stars were fled,The hall was dark without song... Continue Reading →