The best of friends — Ken Gray, photo It was such a lovely dinner. Around sixty members of the Anglican parish of St. Stephen, Summerland (STS), and Summerland United Church (SUC) enjoyed beautifully seasoned schnitzel, mashed potatoes whipped to the texture of icing sugar, tender cabbage rolls and a fluffy bun, all finished off with... Continue Reading →
Apology? Yes, and No
A Sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour, Penticton — The Very Rev. Ken Gray — Sunday, January 26th, 2025 — The Third Sunday after the Epiphany The Sunday following the Tuesday, the day after the inauguration on Monday of this past week of President Donald Trump, when the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, the Rt.... Continue Reading →
Peace be with you
A poem by the Rev. Donna WallSt. John, Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada Peace be with you in this place of confusion and sadness.Peace be with you in your brokenness,Peace be with you in your hoping,Peace be with you in your examination,Peace be with you in your reconciling and in your learning. Peace be with you... Continue Reading →
Small, hard, and full of meanness
Mary Oliver in 2008, and for today Of The Empire We will be known as a culture that feared death and adored power, that tried to vanquish insecurity for the few and cared little for the penury of the many. We will be known as a culture that taught and rewarded the amassing of things,... Continue Reading →
Dear President Trump, please have mercy
[Sorry for the second posting today but the report below is so very important it deserves immediate circulation. It is customary for a new president to visit and participate and worship at Washington's National Cathedral. For once, he did not control the agenda or its content. Bravo Madam Bishop.] The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde,... Continue Reading →
Empty eyes of an empty man — An unfolding nightmare
With thanks to Richard Geoffrey-Leggett here is “another nail-on-the-head assessment of the unfolding nightmare” south of our shared border with the USA. Political blogger Charlie Pierce spares no words with his trenchant analysis of the Trump first day in office.” [Charlie Pierce] "In my life, I have watched John Kennedy talk on television about missiles... Continue Reading →
Lovers in a dangerous time
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen SummerlandSunday, January 19, 2025Andrew Stephens-Rennie, Director of Missional Renewal, Anglican Diocese of Kootenay[Bold emphasis KJG] [Andrew Stephens-Rennie]Between the word that is spoken, the word that is heard, and the word that is lived, may your name be praised O God, our Strength and our Song. Amen. You... Continue Reading →
Óscar Romero: Preacher of Love and Justice
From the Center for Action and ContemplationWednesday, January 15, 2025 [Ken Gray] I know some of you don't read my blogs in full. But in this case, if you read nothing more, READ THE FINAL PARAGRAPH -- Trust me on this [Center for Action and Contemplation] Let us not tire of preaching love, for this... Continue Reading →
First things first
First off dear reader, I encourage you read of to listen to the classic Abbott and Costello routine Who’s on first. Abbott: Who is on first!Costello: I'm asking YOU who's on first.Abbott: That's the man's name.Costello: That's who's name?Abbott: Yes.Costello: Well go ahead and tell me.Abbott: That's it.Costello: That's who?Abbott: Yes . . . [Wiki]... Continue Reading →
HOPE and exercise SOMOOD — A way towards peace in the Middle East
[Assis Naim Ateek, Sabeel Community] Dear Friends, What should our new year's message be when so many of our sisters and brothers in occupied Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and throughout the Middle East are experiencing fear, despair, anxiety, and the prospect of an uncertain future? I believe that an appropriate message should be of hope... Continue Reading →