I loved playing musical chairs in my early years. Whether it was the running around, the competitiveness, or the music that created the delight I cannot recall. I just loved playing the game and can still picture one or two in my mind. You likely remember the drill. Chairs are set up inside a circle... Continue Reading →
Juno’s day at the dog park – a party proposal
Image from Summerland Dog Owners Association and Castanet Juno is a popular dog blogger who has been active in local community campaigning around dog rights, privileges, and pleasantries. Summer is here at last, so it’s time to head to the beach and to the dog park. For various reasons it’s been a long time coming... Continue Reading →
STORMY WEATHER — A rough weather memoir
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, SummerlandSunday, June 23, 2024The Very Rev Ken Gray Once the decision was made, that Kathie and I would move to Summerland for me to take up the post of Rector of St. Stephen’s in 1994 we came up a few weeks prior to moving in order to... Continue Reading →
Dear Deacons – One note from one particular priest
This past weekend Anglican Deacons, Canada gathered for its triennial meeting at the beautiful Sorrento Centre in the Shuswap region of British Columbia. Approximately sixty attendees from Anglican and Lutheran congregations, with guests from The United Church of Canada worshipped, prayed, sang, and studied for three days together. I was invited to join them for... Continue Reading →
What’s in the Murse
First, let’s get a few things out of the way. A “murse” is a man’s purse. Typically (no woke welcome here) women carry a purse and men, a murse. Years ago in response to my frustration at constantly losing my personal belongings Kathie gave me a murse, a carry-all of a size somewhere between a... Continue Reading →
International Albinism Awareness Day, June 13th 2024 – a very personal story
Welcome friends once again to International Albinism Awareness Day. As a person who lives the albino life since birth, I continue to support the work of Under the Same Sun, a Canada-based charity with albino leadership that supports albinos living at risk or who require assistance in meeting their life goals in Southern Africa, especially... Continue Reading →
Happy Birthday Richard Howard — A lesson in forgiveness
Today is Provost Richard Howard's birthday (born 12 June 1884). Provost Richard Howard, led the ministry at Coventry Cathedral (UK) during WW2, and during the Coventry Blitz was one of four firefighters who went on the roof to try save the cathedral. The very next day, he stood in the ruins, still smouldering, and said... Continue Reading →
Push Pooch Park — A presentation to Summerland Town Council
UPDATE The outcome from tonight’s meeting of Summerland Town council regarding the Peach Orchard Dog Park is very positive. The mayor explained his motion and his desire to continue to build consensus around this contentious matter. In response council while appreciating his intent disagreed. Initially concerns were expressed about the costs, historic and future if... Continue Reading →
Queer
It’s a word I use advisedly. As a cis-gender male it feels uncomfortable for me to use the word as I have only encountered it used pejoratively. Many in the Queer community welcome it with, yes, PRIDE. In conversation with a couple of clergy colleagues recently, I asked if we had read any Queer theology.... Continue Reading →
Beacons of hope in a time of climate crisis
From an interview with Vatican News and the World Council of Churches In light of the recent data from Copernicus, the European Union's climate monitoring service, the video statement below from the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay (World Environment Day, 5 June, 2024) is timely and concerning. In... Continue Reading →