How can Advent and Christmas be contemplated in a time of war, asks Richard Sewell, Dean of St. George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem [Reprinted from the Church Times UK and St. George’s 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 →
Amidst the seasonal flurry of activity, and given much anxiety of global and national geopolitics, here is a refreshing story, word, and song. Enjoy. “There Will Come Soft Rains” is a lyric poem by Sara Teasdale published in the July 18 issue of “Harper’s” magazine, just after the start of the 1918 German Spring Offensive... Continue Reading →
“Something magical happens when Michael Kaeshammer sits at the piano. Sure, like all pianists, he plays 12 notes across 88 keys. But the musician and songwriter coaxes dazzling, kaleidoscopic sounds from his instrument in a way few can rival.” Thursday night’s performance at Oliver’s Frank Venables Theatre (no bad seat in the house BTW) showed... Continue Reading →
I am pleased to share a sermon from a colleague, Fiona Brownlee preached at Montreal’s Christ Church Cathedral on the 20th Anniversary of the Massacre at Ecole Polytechnique, Montreal, December 6, 1989. After the event and Fiona’s sermon the sentiments expressed remain potent and deserving of our attention today. Scripture Readings:Judges 11: 30-40Psalm 551 Corinthians... 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 →
A sermon for the First Sunday of Advent -- Sunday, December 1st, 2024For the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church in Penticton, BC CanadaThe Very Rev. Ken Gray Sometimes you’ve just gotta sing. A United Church minister friend from many years ago used to say, “they’ll listen when you talk, but they’ll remember when you... Continue Reading →
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby visits Nazareth, Israel Joint Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury and Archbishop Hosam Naoum Dear Friends, Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Over five days, 15-19 November 2024, we travelled together, as fellow brothers in Christ, on a long-planned pilgrimage to pray... Continue Reading →
Another episode in our “Little Town of Summerland” series Watching from a distance, it was hard to hear what was happening at the Remembrance Day Ceremony 2024 in our little town of Summerland, for two reasons. As often happens the amplification system could not project sound to the southern-most area of the jam packed Memorial... Continue Reading →
In small towns like ours here in Summerland, throughout most of Canada Remembrance Day observance is a major event. Shortly before 11:00 tomorrow downtown at the Memorial Park cenotaph literally hundreds of folks of all ages will brave rain, wind, or occasionally snow, all bundled up to join the parade or watch from the sidelines—veterans,... Continue Reading →
Walter Brueggemann is one of the foremost interpreters of the Old Testament of our day. As an American Christian educator he reflects here a day after the recent US federal election. He turns to Holy Scripture and to the prophet Elijah In the wake of the 2024 presidential election and its acute disappointment for many,... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 