Fr. Richard Rohr names a tension I have felt throughout my ministry. As a parish priest I represented the tradition of the church, yet always felt (and still do feel) called to push the boundaries. We certainly need both influences, but I continue to wonder how the two can coexist in one person, one leader,... Continue Reading →
THANKSGIVING SERMON 2025
A sermon for the combined congregations of St. Stephen Anglican Church and Summerland United Church at the Stone Church in Summerland -- Thanksgiving Sunday, October 12, 2025 -- The Very Rev. Ken Gray Itโs a familiar scenario to all of us. We walk into a grocery store, or a car dealership, or into one of... Continue Reading →
Lucy Winkett on the new Archbishop of Canterbury
I first discovered the Rev. Lucy Winkett when she joined the staff of St. Paulโs Cathedral in London UK in 1997. There for many years, first as a minor canon and later as canon precentor she blazed the way for female clergy through what was then a exclusively male enclave. Years later than me she... Continue Reading →
Why Do So Many Christians Believe in Trump?
The more he rejects Jesusโ teachings, the more MAGA rejoicesSteve Burgess 1 Oct 2025 - The Tyee โLove your enemies,โ said Jesus, โand pray for those who persecute you.โ โI hate my opponents,โ said Donald Trump. Trumpโs statement, delivered from the podium at the Arizona memorial for murdered activist Charlie Kirk, makes him anti-Christ. Not... Continue Reading →
RIP Terry Anderson — From Christian belief to moral decision
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 →