It seems that most people meet online these days, not just in bars or through family connections or through friends. Norma Hill and I met online, not on a dating site as we are both happily married, though not to each other. One early email exchange is dated November 8, 2023 though our relationship feels... Continue Reading →
We must balance compassion with accountability โ A Health First collaborative approach for Victoria
Like most cities, large and small, the City of Victoria in British Columbia still struggles how best to harmonize the lives of rich and poor, of those who live comfortable lives with those who live at great risk, on the streets or elsewhere in the community. Despite massive amounts of money spent on programs, no... Continue Reading →
How a โSanctuary Communityโ REALLY operates
[Ken Gray] Today I feature a story of how one community frustrated the efforts of ICE agents in one American city. I think it worthwhile to demonstrate particular resistance actions, hopefully to encourage others to implement similar actions elsewhere. The struggle continues; it is nowhere near over. Not at all. Robert Reich received the information... Continue Reading →
Todayโs word is Zarf
I canโt say if John knew the word Zarf. The late Rev. John Pratt died some years ago so I cannot ask him. We were theological students together in Saskatoon, SK in the late 1980s. He was married to Diane, a Syrian Orthodox woman who may have introduced him to the rich tradition of Turkish... Continue Reading →
Now is a great time to be a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays, and it seems, a Blue Jays player
Our Jays are on an amazing run right now. Few predicted such success six months ago. Our boys just swept the Baltimore Orioles; they lead the American league East four games ahead of their heel-nipping rival, the New York Yankees. Manager John Schneider has strengthened a fragile bullpen and continues to finesse the starting pitching... Continue Reading →
Sam McGee, Robert Service, and a Summerland Story
I am often asked to share a song or a poem at variety nights or campfire gatherings. Typically I call up memories of British comedy classics from Flanders and Swan. Over the years I have offered my own version of Hoffnungโs The Bricklayerโs Lament. I really need to broaden my scope to include some Canadian... Continue Reading →
Out of the mouth, of primates โ How Climate Change is Rewriting Our Future
https://youtu.be/2creIhQvRLw Political Primate on YoutubeTranscription and highlights, KJG The clock is tickingโand our planet is sounding the alarm louder than ever. From raging wildfires to devastating floods, climate change is no longer a distant threat; itโs a global emergency happening right now. Ah, climate change. Behold the great paradox of our age. Ours is the... 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 →
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 →
An economy of place โ The Fogo Island story
How one of Canadaโs richest women transformed the island of her birth Highlights from Deirdre McQuillan in The Irish Times Sun Aug 24 2025 Having made a fortune in fibre optics, the โculturally responsibleโ entrepreneur Zita Cobb helped reverse the fortunes of Fogo island, Newfoundland At the age of 13, in 1971, Zita Cobb, an... Continue Reading →