Summerland jazz musician Larry Crawford at a recent community centre concert event A guest blog by Susan NorieAnother in our “Little Town of Summerland” series Following a discussion covering the topic of Aging in the Arts at the Ryga Arts Festival (see Ken’s earlier blog) a broad spectrum of issues was covered at that discussion.... Continue Reading →
Meme-Stakes – Both are high
Henry Porter in The Guardian reports from inside recent Trump Rallies: “To attend a Trump rally in rural America makes you worry for humanity’s future. After six hours in the baking sun watching 60,000-plus Trump supporters lap up his lies, I am here to tell you that there are few more lowering experiences to be... Continue Reading →
Peace Train – Get on board
On this the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, the effects of which remain deadly and destructive on all sides today, I want to promote peace, but how? There have been many peace walks, peace protests, peace initiatives in recent decades; there have also been peace trains: Cue Jusuf Islam (Cat Stevens). Why... Continue Reading →
God is green, and denying climate change is anti-Christian
From The Independent — Sunday 22 September 2024 When we hear the command of Christ to treasure God’s creation, it is up to us to heed the call, writes Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Earlier this year, I attempted to visit the Darien Gap in Central America. With its 165 miles of dense jungle, connecting... Continue Reading →
Kindness, respect, and building understanding — A way forward for reconciliation
Writing in The Tyee on the 4th annual National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Monday, September 30, Tumia Knott, spaləl̕, a member of Kwantlen First Nation, a lawyer with First Peoples Law, with a practice focus in Indigenous law and self-determination initiatives expresses concern and some sadness about our national observance: I struggle with National Truth... Continue Reading →
And the angels, they go up and down (With thanks to Joni Mitchell)
A sermon on the Feast of St Michael and All Angels for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland, Sunday, September 29th, 2024 -- The Very Rev. Ken Gray Today’s preacher is presented with an embarrassment of homiletical riches. On this, the Feast of St. Michael (Michaelmas) Revelation describes how “war broke out in heaven; Michael... Continue Reading →
Six weeks out — Set 14
I know that we are all holding our breath prior to Tuesday night's Vice-Presidential candidate debate. (Who knows; there might actually be a debate -- how cool is that?) There are however a few memes to share until the next memeingful political landscape shifts and jolts, or should I say jabs and punches. It's easier... Continue Reading →
The Witness Blanket — Truth telling towards reconciliation
I am so pleased to share this blog by Carey Newman, Indigenous artist, master carver, filmmaker, author, mentor, and public speaker.On his father’s side, he is from the Kwakwaka’wakw from the Kukwekum, Giiksam, and WaWalaby’ie clans of Fort Rupert, and Coast Salish from Cheam of the Sto:lo Nation along the upper Fraser Valley, in what... Continue Reading →
Sticks, and balls — Juno at the Peach Orchard Dog Park
Juno is a well known dog blogger. She has been absent from these pages for a bit. But she's back, with more energy, and opinion, than ever. The illustration above says it all. Should I, must I, incorporate AI analysis to improve my experience of chasing balls at the famed Peach Orchard Dog Park, not... Continue Reading →
Invitation
Everyone is invited to join us on the hill at the Summerland Ornamental Gardens for a special time of reflective quiet and garden exploration on Sunday, September 29th. To the information on the poster, allow me to add the following: On the day, if possible, please bring a small foodstuff—finger food only, no utensils required... Continue Reading →