With thanks to the Rev. McAllister, the following: Thicken my love.Widen my heart.Sharpen my analysis.Enliven my praxis.Embolden my voice.Deepen my rest.Lighten my heaviness.Toughen my skin.Soften my spirit.Strengthen my friendships.Lengthen my endurance.Weaken my ego.Awaken my soul.Refreshen my vision.Hearken to my weary voice, O God,as we are co-conspiratorsin the struggle for a new world.Amen -- Terrance Hawkins... Continue Reading →
The Blessing of a Sneeze
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen Anglican Church, Summerland BC / Sunday, February 16, 2025 / The Very Rev. Ken Gray I was recently told that I should include more humour in my sermons. I often do, though my joking around is often unplanned and spontaneous. Today however, I will begin with a... Continue Reading →
Are you saved?
A sermon for the parish of St. Saviour, Penticton BCSunday, February 9th 2025 / Fifth Sunday after the EpiphanyThe Very Rev. Ken Gray “Are you saved brother?” I used to hear this question a lot some years ago. It was spiritual lingua franca when I was coming into adulthood in the 1970s. Christians, especially evangelicals,... Continue Reading →
Mothers, Fathers, and Prophets — Hopes, dreams, and expectations
A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church, Penticton BC — Sunday, February 2, 2025 — Feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple — The Very Rev. Ken Gray Mitzy J Smith, J. Davison Philips Professor of New Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA sets the stage for our... Continue Reading →
The gift of volunteers
The best of friends — Ken Gray, photo It was such a lovely dinner. Around sixty members of the Anglican parish of St. Stephen, Summerland (STS), and Summerland United Church (SUC) enjoyed beautifully seasoned schnitzel, mashed potatoes whipped to the texture of icing sugar, tender cabbage rolls and a fluffy bun, all finished off with... Continue Reading →
Apology? Yes, and No
A Sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour, Penticton — The Very Rev. Ken Gray — Sunday, January 26th, 2025 — The Third Sunday after the Epiphany The Sunday following the Tuesday, the day after the inauguration on Monday of this past week of President Donald Trump, when the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, the Rt.... Continue Reading →
500 — It’s more than just a number
So what is it about the number 500? There is a particular “ring” to it as it points me towards all sorts of events, persons, music and memories. First, I think of the Indianapolis 500, one of the most famous car races in the world. A race car enthusiast in a former parish never missed... Continue Reading →
Peace be with you
A poem by the Rev. Donna WallSt. John, Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada Peace be with you in this place of confusion and sadness.Peace be with you in your brokenness,Peace be with you in your hoping,Peace be with you in your examination,Peace be with you in your reconciling and in your learning. Peace be with you... Continue Reading →
Small, hard, and full of meanness
Mary Oliver in 2008, and for today Of The Empire We will be known as a culture that feared death and adored power, that tried to vanquish insecurity for the few and cared little for the penury of the many. We will be known as a culture that taught and rewarded the amassing of things,... Continue Reading →
Dear President Trump, please have mercy
[Sorry for the second posting today but the report below is so very important it deserves immediate circulation. It is customary for a new president to visit and participate and worship at Washington's National Cathedral. For once, he did not control the agenda or its content. Bravo Madam Bishop.] The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde,... Continue Reading →