Timely and prescient thoughts from American writer Parker Palmer By accident of birth, the Christmas story has been a staple of my life for 85 years. As a kid, it was all about the glitter and gifts, of course. Today, the story compels me to question my courage and my resolveā¦ It asks me to... Continue Reading →
A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church, Penticton BC on Christmas Eve 2024 -- The Very Rev. Ken Gray We all have our Christmas traditions. My own include hauling out Raymond Briggs books and videos including Father Christmas and The Snowman. I often watch the Alistair Sim version of Charles Dickensā A... Continue Reading →
Enough politics (for now). No more Juno dog blogs (until the new year). Itās time for some Christmas music, in particular, The 2024 St. Olaf Christmas Festival, "Our Hope for Years to Come." A compilation of this yearās three performances is now available for on-demand viewing throughout the holiday season here. A tradition since 1912,... Continue Reading →
How can Advent and Christmas be contemplated in a time of war, asks Richard Sewell, Dean of St. Georgeās Cathedral, Jerusalem [Reprinted from the Church Times UK and St. Georgeās College, Jerusalem] THE ancient city of Jerusalem is bordered by two valleys: Gehenna and Kidron. The latter is also known as the Jehosophat Valley in... Continue Reading →
Reprinted from Why āThe Muppet Christmas Carolā Is a Radical Christian ClassicBy Mitchell Atencio - sojo.net - Dec 12, 2022 [Ken Gray] Coming off our recent radio-play production of A Christmas Carol, I decided it was time to watch the Muppetā 1992 adaptation of the classic Dickens tale. Upon release, the film was variously reviled... Continue Reading →
A sermon on the Third Sunday of Advent,Sunday, December 15th, 2024for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland BCThe Very Rev. Ken Gray I wonder if you have a personal hero? Your hero could be in the realm of sports, or music, someone in the church, or even a politician. For Blue Jays fans, itās Canadian-Dominican... Continue Reading →
I am so grateful for readers who send me ideas for blogs and other publications. So thank you Ray Fletcher and Karen Pidcock who each in their own way and time directed me to The Salisbury Organist, Ben Maton. Ben Maton loves music, and sacred music in particular. He loves rural England and the west... Continue Reading →
I am pleased to share a sermon from a colleague, Fiona Brownlee preached at Montrealās Christ Church Cathedral on the 20th Anniversary of the Massacre at Ecole Polytechnique, Montreal, December 6, 1989. After the event and Fionaās sermon the sentiments expressed remain potent and deserving of our attention today. Scripture Readings:Judges 11: 30-40Psalm 551 Corinthians... Continue Reading →
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. āCome thou redeemer of the earth,ā āLo, He comes with clouds, descending,ā āOn Jordanās bank the Baptist cry,ā with many others. These well populate my musical memory in a wonderful way, though I must say... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 