An Advent poem from John Bell I have come across John Bell many times since the early 1990s. The person and work of this longtime member of the Iona Community in Scotland, a teacher, theologian, musician, poet, activist, and ecumenical leader has influenced my own ministry in so many ways as both a priest and... Continue Reading →
Growing up as a boy chorister at St. John the Divine in Victoria I remember well the hymns of Advent. “Come thou redeemer of the earth,” “Lo, He comes with clouds, descending,” “On Jordan’s bank the Baptist cry,” with many others. These well populate my musical memory in a wonderful way, though I must say... Continue Reading →
This prayer by the Rt. Rev. Susan Goff, retired Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, has been shared widely on Facebook. I share it here as an example of genuine prayer and as encouragement to all who find it difficult to pray in this current political climate: My ConfessionGod, I can’t for the... Continue Reading →
With thanks to Kamloops follower, Carol Edwards here’s a great piece from The Thread, with Jenny Smith - Please read the original post complete with a few poignant poems. Nov 14, 2024 Jenny Smith writes: “Gentle readers, I’m sending you deep love this day. For whatever your body is holding. I’m currently hanging out at... Continue Reading →
Two responses to the 2024 elections From Jennifer Henry, United Church of Canada national staff and former director of KIROS Ecumenical Justice Initiative (shared Wednesday November 6) I don't have any place in my head or heart for pundits or analysts today. Certainly no place for "I told you so's" or "who cares anyway." I... Continue Reading →
The Hon. Justice Murray Sinclair died Monday November 4, 2024. My own acknowledgement is here. Written in 2021 here are some of Justice Sinclair’s words. His inspiration continues . . . If you know your Creation story, Then you know from where you have come And you know where you are going And what you... Continue Reading →
Author Wendell Berry, a Kentucky native who turned 90 years old on 8/5/24, studied at Stanford University, visited Tuscany for a year as a Guggenheim fellow, and then taught at New York University for two years. An invitation to teach at the University of Kentucky, however, carried him back home. He bought a farm near... Continue Reading →
Sunday, August 18th, 2024A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen Summerland Anglican ChurchThe Very Rev. Ken Gray Remembering the late, great, Canadian Norman Jewison, who produced the 1971 film based on the earlier Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof, let’s sing Tevye’s song: [TEVYE, spoken]Oh dear Lord, you made many, many poor people. I... Continue Reading →
So what did you do on Saturday, July 27, 2024 when the sun set and the sky turned dark? I was watching a British crime drama on television; others in my Okanagan community enjoyed the warm waters of the lake; some might have been bird watching. I am certain however that no one here was... Continue Reading →
Herb O’Driscoll was a treasured mentor, colleague and friend when we served together in the Diocese of Islands and Inlets (British Columbia). He wrote two hymns for my installation as Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Kamloops in 2016. We worked together a number of times during summer programs at the Sorrento Centre. He gave... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 