What a great way to start the new year, every year, but especially this year, early on New Year’s Day 2025, a walk in the woods enjoying a Northern Lights display. My friend and colleague, Louise, lives in Smithers, the Gem of Northern British Columbia. Despite warmer temperatures than normal this year, snow lay on... Continue Reading →
Makes the heart glad – Environmental Expo at Church of the Advent in Colwood, BC
I totally get it! When things change for me, other changes follow. When clergy leave a parish (or cathedral) things they valued sometimes disappear. (Trust me on this.) Joseph had led the people of Israel during times of famine. His prophecy of good and bad times was fully realized. As a result he enjoyed the... Continue Reading →
First things first
First off dear reader, I encourage you read of to listen to the classic Abbott and Costello routine Who’s on first. Abbott: Who is on first!Costello: I'm asking YOU who's on first.Abbott: That's the man's name.Costello: That's who's name?Abbott: Yes.Costello: Well go ahead and tell me.Abbott: That's it.Costello: That's who?Abbott: Yes . . . [Wiki]... Continue Reading →
Everything is compromise?
Response to my earlier blog Everything is Evil has been deep and swift. I have received comments and suggestions from more readers of this blog than any other. Thanks to everyone who has contributed. This blog includes a wide variety of responses, each in their own way wrestling with the ethical and physical issues related... Continue Reading →
Everything is evil — A father/son conversation
Sometimes the best advice I receive comes from those closest to me: Longtime friends, work colleagues, family members including my wife, Kathie, and our two kids. Farewell Facebook, goodbye Elon Musk, but hello to family members, those of my own flesh, to my own son, tho recently told me that “everything is evil.” This seemed... Continue Reading →
HOPE and exercise SOMOOD — A way towards peace in the Middle East
[Assis Naim Ateek, Sabeel Community] Dear Friends, What should our new year's message be when so many of our sisters and brothers in occupied Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and throughout the Middle East are experiencing fear, despair, anxiety, and the prospect of an uncertain future? I believe that an appropriate message should be of hope... Continue Reading →
Elizabeth May to Justin Trudeau, with thanks
I thought Elizabeth's note following Justin Trudeau's resignation announcement yesterday particularly fine and worth sharing on this blog. [Elizabeth May] This morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finally admitted the inescapable conclusion that he had to step aside to make room for new leadership. The fact that the announcement could surprise no one is to admit... Continue Reading →
We don’t sing this hymn much these days, but today we should
Standing in a Penticton pulpit yesterday I thought aloud about suitable music for the Epiphany season. Today, on the Feast of Epiphany itself I have a suggestion which came to mind during yesterday’s sermon, a text by the English clergyman and theologian John Hanry Newman (1801-1890) who in 1833 wrote Lead Kindly Light enroute to... Continue Reading →
My dunking duck
Allow me to introduce you to my dunking duck. Amongst other gifts I received this Christmas—a Tushie bidet, a bar of still unopened 70% chocolate, a pair of comfy maroon socks, a writer’s style guide, and the ubiquitous bottom-of-the-stocking orange, I received something I have wanted for a very long time, a youthful memento, a... Continue Reading →
Journey with Jimmy — As our journey continues
A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church, Penticton BC // The Very Rev. Ken Gray No sermon today can avoid mention of the recent death and enduring legacy of Jimmy Carter. As Joe Biden put it, “decency, decency, decency.” My gosh, Jimmy Carter is one of us, a Christian, a progressive evangelical... Continue Reading →