Just for fun, and for a break from the savage political and ecological non-fiction swirling around me right now, I have turned my hand to fiction, and to short stories in particular. Here is my first story. See what you think. Truth disguised Truth be told, sometimes distractions are the main thing. Recently graduated from... Continue Reading →
Decisions, decisions, decisions
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland, Canada — The sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 28, 2025 — The Very Rev. Ken Gray We heard some months ago Jesus’ declaration of blessing and woe: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you... 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 Jesus’ parables invited listeners to find wisdom in their daily agricultural circumstances . . . Nabhan... Continue Reading →
A promise is a promise
A sermon for the First Sunday of Advent -- Sunday, December 1st, 2024For the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church in Penticton, BC CanadaThe Very Rev. Ken Gray Sometimes you’ve just gotta sing. A United Church minister friend from many years ago used to say, “they’ll listen when you talk, but they’ll remember when you... Continue Reading →
Empires come and go
A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church, Penticton BCSunday, November 24th, 2024Festival of the Reign of Christ First off, happy patronal festival to St. Saviour’s congregants gathered online or here in the room today. I had hoped to say something about your name, prompted in part by a question from a catholic... Continue Reading →
And the angels, they go up and down (With thanks to Joni Mitchell)
A sermon on the Feast of St Michael and All Angels for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland, Sunday, September 29th, 2024 -- The Very Rev. Ken Gray Today’s preacher is presented with an embarrassment of homiletical riches. On this, the Feast of St. Michael (Michaelmas) Revelation describes how “war broke out in heaven; Michael... Continue Reading →
The opportunity is before us: Lessons from Ellie Johnson
A sermon shared with the parish of St. George, Cadboro Bay, Victoria BC on Sunday, April 28, 2024 by the Very Rev. Ken Gray I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing . . .... Continue Reading →
“Open Ended” — a fine sermon for Easter season
A sermon preached by the Rev. Leighton Lee in St Mark’s, Niagara on the Lake on Sunday, March 31, 2024 Mozart’s Great C Minor Mass is one of the iconic unfinished masterworks in the canon of Western music. Yet even though it’s unfinished, it’s oddly complete, too. So I was dubious when I was invited... Continue Reading →
An Easter sermon
For St. Saviour's Anglican Church in Penticton BC -- Sunday March 31, 2024 A VOICE IS HEARD IN RAMAH,HIROSHIMA, SALVADOR,WOMEN REFUSING COMFORTFOR THEIR CHILDREN ARE NO MORE;NO GARLAND OF LOVELY FLOWERSCAN DISPEL THE ANCIENT GRIEFOR SILENCE THE ANGUISHED VOICESTHAT ABHOR THE WAR MACHINE. This song was written by Coleen Fulmer, a lay Franciscan working in... Continue Reading →
Palm Sunday — Passion or Parade?
A sermon preached on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024 by the Ken Gray at St. Stephen Anglican Church in Summerland BC Today is a day of texts and stories, one of the longest set of lections in our three-year lectionary cycle. Consequently today is not a day for long sermons so I will be as... Continue Reading →