A Poem on Hope It is hard to have hope. It is harder as you grow old, for hope must not depend on feeling good and thereโs the dream of loneliness at absolute midnight. You also have withdrawn belief in the present reality of the future, which surely will surprise us, and hope is harder... Continue Reading →
โWalking into a living universeโ
A reflection from the late John OโDonohue For the First Day of the Season of Creation 2026 Also our first experience of the Feast Day of Creation in the calendar of the Christian Church Listen to Johnโs beautiful reflection here https://vimeo.com/203378234?fl=pl&fe=cm Video transcript: I'm John O'Donohue. I'm a writer. I live here in the west... Continue Reading →
Moses, the burning bush, and the Bald Range wildfire
Here's the good news. The Bald Range wild fire is now held. Hallelujah. Back home in Summerland most residents have now returned to a new post-evacuation experience of "normal." Though not all; some are still unable to access their homes or work places. Many are negotiating with insurance companies; others continue to wonder about next... Continue Reading →
What is “enough” anyway? What would a โdegrowth churchโ look like?
by James Adair, BROADVIEW, Aug. 6, 2026 [I find the concepts below compelling. As churches often claim they are cocunter-cultural to my eye they simply mirror the capitalist culture that surrounds and feeds them . How often have I preached on the Parable of the shrewd Manager trying to avoid praising the servant who took... Continue Reading →
โThe roots of true community are fireproofโ — A Wildfire Worship Experience — Sunday August 16, 2026
An archival shot from Cartwright Mountain, an area likely destroyed by the Bald Range wildfire. Resources and thoughts assembled by me, the Very Rev. Ken Gray, all in light of the Bald Range Wildfire in and around Summerland, BC as we and over 20,000 others are evacuated from our homes and community for an indefinite... Continue Reading →
Hope in the age of wildfire
After one week evacuated from our home in Summerland, an exodus forced by the Bald Creek wildfire, one of the worst in the history of British Columbia, ย we join another 20,000 home and business owners hoping for an imminent and safe return to our homes and our little Town. A very small section of Summerland... Continue Reading →
A day-5 evacuation story
Image: Hope, Susan Norie From Facebook [Ken Gray - I don't know Banu Tรผlรผmen's but they tell a beautiful story admist so much uncertainty.] I don't quite know how to describe these past five days. There are stories everywhere. Some heartbreaking. Some heroic. Stories of loss and uncertainty, but also extraordinary stories of kindness, generosity... Continue Reading →
Picture this — Wildfire
These images were created prior to our evacuation from Summerland late Friday night. Given our hurried packing there was no time to take shots of the fire itself though we did witness the Cartwright Mountain Ridge (our dog walking area) fully aflame. Many such images are sprinkled throughout social and news media. Our evacuation story... Continue Reading →
โItโs about dignityโ: Anglicans call for relief as U.S. blockade strangles Cuba
Alongside Hope executive director Will Postma (fourth from left) visits a rural community in Cuba in 2018 By Matthew Puddister - Published August 5, 2026 - Reposted from the Anglican Journal Everyday life for the average Cuban today starts without electricity, Jose โPepeโ Bringas, general coordinator of the Episcopal Church of Cubaโs Integral-Missionary Development Program... Continue Reading →
The Plight of the Pirate Pack โ Revisiting the Feeding of the Five Thousand
A Sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour, Penticton, Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 by the Very Rev. Ken Gray I donโt know if youโve heard the news, but thereโs trouble brewing at BC Ferries; and I donโt mean long lineups, service interruptions, or adverse weather cancellations. As former residents of Vancouver Island, Kathie and I... Continue Reading →