I still miss Chris Lind, very much. Aged 61, he died far too soon during his time as director of the Sorrento Retreat and Conference Centre. Decades earlier he was my ethics professor at the Saskatoon Theological Union. Later we served together on the General Synod EcoJustice Committee. Finally, when I was in Kamloops we... Continue Reading →
Finally, PRIDE in Summerland
On Saturday, June 13, 2026 Summerland United Church with St. Stephen Anglican Church hosted the first ever PRIDE parade in our little town. Sure, such events have been a regular feature on the coast since the 1990s. They have also become a staple event in larger centres in the BC interior such as Kamloops and... Continue Reading →
Not your typical Sunday sermon, but one that should be preached, everywhere
Natalie Kyriacou | โHow Will History Judge Us?โ | Democracy, Climate & the Future Australian author and environmentalist Natalie Kyriacou delivers a powerful and deeply provocative address at the Reclaiming Democracy Together launch event. Opening with the question, โHow do you think we will be written about in history books?โ, Natalie reflects on the contradictions... Continue Reading →
Bishop of Amazonia and Primate of Brazil appointed as Chair of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN)
Posted on: June 4, 2026 2:12 PM by The Anglican Communion [Ken Gray notes: This is the global network I have served one way or another since 2005. The appointment of Archbishop Marinez marks an important new chapter in the history and influence of this timely and important network.] [Anglican Communion] The purpose of ACEN... Continue Reading →
Okanagan Gleaners โ An Okanagan miracle story
Gleaner: Noun; a person who gathers small amounts of grain or other produce left behind by regular harvestersโMiriam Webster There is a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is plantedโEcclesiastes You may not have heard about the Gleaners, but you need to know about them, and if possible you should join... Continue Reading →
Meet my (our) friend, Christina
Truth be told, Christina is more Kathieโs friend than mine, though for the purposes of this blog I will claim her nonetheless. We first met at the Peach Orchard Dog Park. (Where else?) At the time she and husband Doug owned one border collie, Nik. Eventually they rounded out their flock adding Sky (called Sky... Continue Reading →
Formation for Christians โ Wisdom from Joan Chittester
[Joan Chittester remains one of the most dynamic and insightful writers on faith and justice today] Today prophets of pietism tell us to "pray for peace" and "pray that God's will be done." And this is certainly important. But they do not demand that we ourselves do something to ensure either. Instead, the professional pietist... Continue Reading →
Treecrastinating
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland by the Very Rev. Ken Gray -- Sunday, May 17, 2026 Today I stand before you without my hearing aids. After several years of good service, my hearing aids now require some repair. Thankfully, they are still under warranty. This means a trip for them back... Continue Reading →
Call the Midwife — Kindness on full display
Credit: Neal Street Productions/BBC Posted by Michelle Collins on May 12, 2026 via NPR SOME SPOILERS โSometimes, our new beginnings have been yearned for. We have chosen them. Others lie in wait...โ Jennifer Worthโs words (as spoken by Vanessa Redgrave) kick off the season finale. This final episode offers a deeply moving look at what... Continue Reading →
Leadership
A reflection by the Revโd Jon Swales [Extracts] Every church has leaders.Every church has a culture.Even if nobody names it,something is shapingthe life of that community. Culture is the feel of a place. Itโs how people are treated when nobody is watching. Itโs what gets celebrated, what gets ignored, who gets heard, and who slowly... Continue Reading →