I have long lasting ties with Scotlandโs Iona Community. During the 1990s while ministering at Sooke on Vancouver Island I discovered their music and liturgies. Initially created by John Bell, Graham Maule, and the Wild Goose Worship Group the liturgies were scripturally based, socially relevant, and justice-centred. The music was very well crafted, easy to... Continue Reading →
When the Gates of Hell will open who will be there to notice?
A few days ago I published a blog describing Pope Leoโs citation of the faithful witness of the Algerian Martyrs during the Algerian civil war between 1994-1996. Mission, the pope insisted, is never โa form of self-display, in opposition of identities, but the gift of self, even to the point of martyrdom, by those who... Continue Reading →
Donโt mourn the deaths of Palestinian journalists
Donโt offer condolences. Act, stop Israel, and hold journalistsโ murderers to account. Thank you Jim Hodgson Unwrapping Development for bringing this story to my attention. Eman Hillis, Gaza-based fact-checker, Al Jazeera A year ago, my dear friend and relative, journalist Amna Homaid, was brutally killed, along with her eldest child, Mahdi, 11. She was targeted... Continue Reading →
Pope Leo and the witness of the Algerian martyrs
I first learned of the Algerian martyrs through the movie: Of Gods and Men, a film centered on a true story that happened in the monastery of Tibhirine, Algeria, where nine Cistercian monks lived in harmony with the largely Muslim population of Algeria, until seven of them were kidnapped and assassinated in 1996 during the... Continue Reading →
Such a cloud of witnesses
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen Anglican Church, Summerland BC - Sunday, August 17th, 2025 โ The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost - The Very Rev. Ken Gray A woman approached me after a sermon I recently preached in Penticton, quite upset, as I intentionally contrasted the love of the Good Samaritan with the... Continue Reading →
Land rights defender Leocadio Juracรกn arrested in Guatemala โ An important urgent action request
I am always pleased to share posts from friend and activist, Jim Hodgson, who lives just down the road from me in Summerland. Now retired from global justice work with the United Church of Canada Jim has a special passion for human rights respect in the Americas. He is currently working on a major book... Continue Reading →
Now they come for the churches โ US churches especially, pay attention to this
Thanks Barbara Liotscos for the shareThe following information DOES NOT constitute legal advice in either the US or Canada. The message below is โheads upโ only. A warning from DIANA BUTLER BASS AUG 07, 2025 Thereโs a letter making the rounds on social media from my friends in the UCC (United Church of Christ in... 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 →
If someone finds a potato peel – there isn’t even a way to cook it
Photo composite: KJG Silence in the Face of Gazaโs Starvation is Absolute Betrayal of Holocaust VictimsBy Orit Kamir Shared by Robert Reich Jul 29, 2025 In her childhood, my mother was starved by a dark regime. When the Nazi army occupied Poland and Jews were pushed into ghettos, they were forced to make do with... Continue Reading →
Thereโs a special place in hell for these Trump administrators โ They want people to die
Closed: Trump Admin Officially Shuts Down the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineโs LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services Source: Trevor News โ Jul. 17, 2025 July 17, 2025 โ The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has officially terminated the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineโs LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program. Starting today, contacts who reach... Continue Reading →