Left: Bishop Duque at a Methodist assembly in Medellín in 2012. Right: Pope Francis meets representatives of social movements in 2024. With thanks to Jim Hodgson whose post is here. As the world remembers the late Pope, I join with others who reflect on his legacy. Commenters identify his work as a church reformer, some... Continue Reading →
Hope is not bound by circumstances — Two stories of hope in action
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH, GAZA CITY As we move through Easter Week together I am moved by the witness of the late Pope who prayed and worked for peace in the Middle East. As reported by CBC News: On Monday night, following the news of the death of Pope Francis, Father Gabriel Romanelli's cellphone in... Continue Reading →
Canadian religious leaders and Earth Day — Remembering Pope Francis
Canadian religious leaders are finding their voice on climate justice issues. In a joint statement in advance of Earth Day Lutheran bishop Susan Johnson, Interim Anglican Primate (senior bishop) Anne Germond, and Indigenous Anglican Bishop Chris Harper have issued a strong statement connecting faith with the climate crisis as a matter of importance for members... Continue Reading →
The Servant
A homily for Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2025St. Saviour Anglican Church, Penticton BCThe Very Rev. Ken Gray So what do Gosford Park, The Remains of the Day, Upstairs Downstairs, and Downton Abbey have in common? Apart from each show’s unique historical meta-narratives, each of these very English period dramas describe “life downstairs,” the loves, duties,... Continue Reading →
A Summerland Stories Scrapbook — Historic Summerland brought to life
I am so pleased to help my writer colleague, Norma Hill launch her new book A Summerland Stories Scrapbook at a special event on Sunday night, May the 4th at 6 p.m. in the “Stone” Church on Prairie Valley Rd in Summerland. Years in the making, Norma has assembled, transcribed, edited, and arranged literally hundreds... Continue Reading →
Don’t rain on my parade
A Sermon for Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025For the congregations of Summerland United Church andSt. Stephen Anglican Church, Summerland BCThe Very Rev. Ken Gray Everyone loves a parade; at least I do, and I have very special memories of a few. Growing up in Victoria I remember as a kid watching the Victoria Day parade,... Continue Reading →
Democracy is not a spectator sport — Advice to Americans from one Canadian
[Ken Gray] Today, I have joined the ranks of the disheartened. FAKE NEWS, though I am stymied by the number and severity of the many horror stories I discover daily. With so many different fronts on which to report, attacks on the leadership of the National Security Agency, potential threats to peaceful protest, the destruction... Continue Reading →
The long con — Worse than any Netflix series
Reposted from James B. Greenberg on Substack The confidence game doesn’t begin with a lie. It begins with a story—one so emotionally resonant it feels like truth. It offers meaning, identifies villains, flatters the audience, and—when fully deployed—quietly opens the vault. Donald Trump’s political rise is not just a break from convention. It’s a textbook... Continue Reading →
Stop, and smell the roses
A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church, Penticton BC on the fifth Sunday in Lent, April 6th, 2025 — The Very Rev. Ken Gray It is said by those who teach writing that every paragraph should start with a strong opening sentence. In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens opens with... Continue Reading →
Putting feet to prayer — Anne Lamott on the “American Spring”
From Anne Lamott on Facebook(Some of us are still there . . .) [Anne Lamott] “Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their country, even medium-good people with bad feet and attitudes, like me. Now. This week. Some of you voted enthusiastically for Donald Trump and still believe... Continue Reading →