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 →
Meet my friend Norma
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 →
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 →
Here is a book worth reading โ A focus on Francis
A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour Church, Penticton on Sunday, October 5, 2025 [St. Francis transferred from Oct 4) by the Very Rev. Ken Gray โPreach the gospel at all times, and when absolutely necessary, use wordsโ Attributed to St. Francis, these words embody the thirteenth-century Italian whose greatest honour was to be... Continue Reading →
Decisions, decisions, decisions
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland, Canada โ The sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 28, 2025 โ The Very Rev. Ken Gray We heard some months ago Jesusโ declaration of blessing and woe: โBlessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you... 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 →