I did not attend the Vancouver School of Theology so never studied with the late, Dr. Terry Anderson. I did meet him however in the early 2000s as he travelled to Summerland for a weekend event with local ecumenical clergy and our congregations. Summerland Christian community leaders were a diverse lot in those days, ranging... Continue Reading →
Is the Wild Goose part of my congregational future?
On Sundays when I do not preach or preside locally I try to include something relevant to โfuture-churchโ themes. While my typical Sunday morning worship experience occurs in traditionally built and appointed historic buildings, utilizing a familiar liturgy with mostly traditional music, I gotta say that I often donโt feel nourished. For many reasons, I... Continue Reading →
First Nations Version of the bible misses the mark
[Ken Gray] As an ordained Canadian settler-descended Anglican who initially welcomed the First Nations version of the New Testament. The language seemed fresh, dynamic, and, well, different than other translations I have always used for preaching and proclamation. In using it sparingly in public worship I thought I was helping the process of healing and... Continue Reading →
Celebrating Creation in a beautiful garden
Call it a stroll through a forest; a walk along curvy pathways; a resting place between colourful flowerbeds. Whatever you call it, you are invited to join together for the second annual Celebration of Creation at the Summerland Ornamental Gardens on Sunday afternoon, September 14 gathering at the Gazebo at 2 p.m. Itโs a great... Continue Reading →
Taking your typewriter to church? Maybe not!
John Longhurst is likely the only journalist covering matters of faith in a Canadian Daily, the Winnipeg Free Press. In 2006, John received the Distinguished Contribution to Religious Communications from the Association of Roman Catholic Communicators of Canada. In 2021 he received the Manitoba Lieutenant Governorโs Award for the Advancement of Interreligious Understanding. In 2024,... Continue Reading →
Get out of jail, free, through Grace
A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour, Penticton on the 1st week of the 2025 Season of Creation, September 7, 2025 โ The Very Rev. Ken Gray On this the first Sunday in the 2025 Season of Creation, letโs go somewhere unusual. As the Monopoly board says, โGo to Jail - Go directly to... Continue Reading →
Happy Creation Day
Creator, from the depth and breadth of creation, we thank you. The message below is from Tomรกs Insua, Laudato Si' Research Institute (Oxford University) on behalf of Bishop Bedford-Strohm (chair of Feast of Creation process) and fellow conveners. Additional context added by KJG. For months now many global ecumenical partners including Anglicans have participated in... Continue Reading →
โNo one calls me Daveโ โ An appreciation of the life and ministry of David Crawley 1937 – 2025
Posting on Davidโs Facebook page, Joan Bubbs, Davidโs wife shared the sad news: โI have signed on to David's Facebook page to share the heartbreaking news that David died yesterday [Sunday], after a short illness. Some of you will also know that David was suffering from severe dementia. The combination of physical and mental deterioration... Continue Reading →
Finding the sweet spot
No sermon from me today but a beautiful reflection from our friends at the Center of Action and Contemplation. I have read it several times, each time finding something jarring, beautiful, and different. Dr. Gary Paul Nabhan describes how Jesusโ parables invited listeners to find wisdom in their daily agricultural circumstances . . . Nabhan... Continue Reading →
Sabeel Wave of Prayer, for August 2, 2025
I often wonder how I can assist the victims of the Gaza genocide. Sure, I make information available to my blog followers. What more can I, and you actually do? Well we can pray, in particular with Palestinian residents throughout the Middle East. We can join the Sabeel Wave of Prayer. Sabeel is an ecumenical... Continue Reading →