Most North American political watchers applauded the award of this yearโs Nobel Peace Prize to the Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado. With many others, I originally sighed with relief that Donald Trump was unsuccessful in his brazen attempt to add the Nobel trophy to his glittering oval office junk shop. Advised by friend and... Continue Reading →
Decisions, decisions, decisions
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland, Canada โ The sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 28, 2025 โ The Very Rev. Ken Gray We heard some months ago Jesusโ declaration of blessing and woe: โBlessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you... Continue Reading →
Remembering Chris โ Kamloopsโ Chris Rose has died aged 89
"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."โWinnie the Pooh Wife, Gine, and family members wrote: "Our dear husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to many, Chris Rose, transitioned peacefully from this life on Wednesday Sept. 24th surrounded by his loving family and the loving care of his nurses... Continue Reading →
On Charlie Kirk, Martyrdom, and Celebrity
Tripp Hudgins, Sep 15, 2025 -- From Lo-fi Gospel minute on SubstackWith thanks to Carol Edwards Iโm still trying to figure out why Iโm allowing this whole situation to take up so much space in my mind and heart. I think itโs because people I love love Charlie Kirk. They admire him. They believe in... Continue Reading →
Meet my friend Dick
Another in my series โLarger Than Life Characters in our little town of Summerlandโ Dick Spencer and I met shortly after Kathie and I moved to Summerland in the fall of 1994. With his wife, Lois, he was a member of the Anglican congregation I served as priest from 1994-2004. A talented woodworker and carpenter... Continue Reading →
Even in war zones, some things continue as usual, when they can, as they should
From Don Binder on Facebook - The Revd Donald Binder is Chaplain to the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem and Canon Pastor of the English-Speaking Congregation of St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha (Bethesda) which has five porticoes. In these lay many... Continue Reading →
Pope Leo and the witness of the Algerian martyrs
I first learned of the Algerian martyrs through the movie: Of Gods and Men, a film centered on a true story that happened in the monastery of Tibhirine, Algeria, where nine Cistercian monks lived in harmony with the largely Muslim population of Algeria, until seven of them were kidnapped and assassinated in 1996 during the... Continue Reading →
Hell hath no fury like a pissed-off Labradoodle โ Juno is shocked and disheartened
Dog-blogger, Juno, a six-year-old Labradoodle, lives with her MaPaw and PaPaw in beautiful Summerland in the British Columbia interior. She is a healthy, happy dog, but today we see a side of her few people or animals witness. When she gets angry, well, look out. Hello everyone. I hope you are enjoying August as much... Continue Reading →
Such a cloud of witnesses
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen Anglican Church, Summerland BC - Sunday, August 17th, 2025 โ The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost - The Very Rev. Ken Gray A woman approached me after a sermon I recently preached in Penticton, quite upset, as I intentionally contrasted the love of the Good Samaritan with the... Continue Reading →
Now they come for the churches โ US churches especially, pay attention to this
Thanks Barbara Liotscos for the shareThe following information DOES NOT constitute legal advice in either the US or Canada. The message below is โheads upโ only. A warning from DIANA BUTLER BASS AUG 07, 2025 Thereโs a letter making the rounds on social media from my friends in the UCC (United Church of Christ in... Continue Reading →