Leaders
Ken GrayBorn and raised in Victoria BC, music, ministry, photography and activism have all characterized the busy life of this recently retired Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Kamloops. Other ministry has taken him to many places throughout BC, Canada and in other provinces of the Anglican Communion. He is a popular facilitator of Ecojustice educational and training events including being one of the founders of the Justice Camps Initiative of our national church.
An avid photographer, Ken recently retired as president of the Kamloops Photo Arts Club which he invigorated and inspired throughout the pandemic. Legally blind since birth, Ken’s presentation Blinded by the Light has been well received by many clubs and groups, including a collection of Canadian blind photographers.
His ability to integrate the technical aspects of photography with majesty, mystery and mastery is acknowledged by many. He loves life, people, landscape, experience, language, learning and discovery. He loves helping others on their own unique journeys of discovery.
He is a recent contest award winner with the Canadian Association of Photographic Artists. Recent publications include The Walrus magazine.
Michael ShapcottThe Rev’d Michael Shapcott is the Executive Director of the Sorrento Centre since 2018.
Michael is never far from his camera (the “eye of his heart”), where he seeks to visualize the deep wisdom of the words of Hildegard of Bingen: “there is the music of heaven in all things”. He is grateful to work with a dedicated staff team, a hard-working Board of Directors and many volunteers to manage the day-to-day operations and finances of the Centre. He is active in the life of the Shuswap region and beyond, working on a variety of initiatives locally, provincially, across Canada and internationally.
Michael seeks to live deeply into the words of the 14th-century English mystic Julian of Norwich: “Be a gardener, dig a ditch, toil and sweat, and turn the earth upside down and seek the deepness and water the plants in time. Continue this labour and make sweet goods to run and noble and abundant fruits to spring. Take this food and drink and carry it to God as your true worship.”
He lives on the campus of the Sorrento Centre with the delightful Phoebe, our Branch Manager, who teaches Michael how to slow down and smell all the delightful smells that our world has to offer. He is the proud father of the talented and beautiful Nicole and Malcolm. Michael knows how to play the accordion and concertina, and attempts to do so as much as he is able.
Phil McIntyre-PaulPhil is a co-founder and senior consultant with the Shuswap Trail Alliance, a former program associate with the Canadian Adventure and Education Centre, a former instructor with Thompson Rivers University’s Tourism Management faculty, and creator of “Living on a Paddle and a Prayer: Wilderness Journeys”. He is privileged to live, walk, paddle, and play within the Shuswap Lakes region of Secwépemcúĺecw with his partner Kathy.
A Pilgrim’s Way
led by a team of explorers
Back for a second year!
$150 plus optional meals and accommodations
A few years ago one of our pilgrimage leaders, Ken Gray, enjoyed the movie The Way, starring Martin Sheen. Determined to finish his late son’s Camino journey, he carries cremated remains in an act of sacred disposition. The path followed is the historic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, a route and practice increasingly popular for many Canadians who seek time and space for a deeper engagement with life, love and the beauty of Creation. Many have been richly blessed by that particular historic walk. They identify the walk as both an invitation and a reward. The Camino however is not the only accessible pilgrimage. We can walk anywhere, anytime, especially throughout beautiful British Columbia, which many will during 2022 as part of a special Anglican Pilgrimage initiative.
There are many reasons to make a pilgrimage, alone or in community. Pilgrimages can be long or short — a half day, to a week or months. Some break walks into short sections depending on their availability; others have the opportunity for longer periods of time and travel. Time or circumstance are not the most important factors in making a pilgrimage. Intention and it’s first cousin, desire, are the most important requirements for a fruitful pilgrimage. Our pilgrimage is for adults of all ages and genders and will be facilitated by Ken Gray with Phil McIntyre-Paul and Michael Shapcott. Walks will occur over mostly level terrain. Each daily walk will be approximately 5-6 hours long with breaks and a bagged lunch (optional purchase with meals). A qualified first-aider will accompany the group and a support vehicle will be available. A supply list will follow.
So ask yourself a simple question — can you separate yourself for a time, from pressing commitments, from work or other activity, from the delights and demands of family life and friendship circles, just for a time, intentionally? As with much religion and spirituality, the intention to live and love differently, even briefly, will provide the necessary detachment to enter into a different creative, thoughtful or prayerful space.
A second feature of pilgrimage, in fact one of its greatest gifts, is the opportunity to discover in a new way your place in a messy, mucky world, by taking yourself out of the action, for a time and for a reason – personal, social and spiritual refreshment. An intentional walk/pilgrimage shaped by a director can increase self-awareness and help you reflect upon and cherish all your connections – with people, with nature and beauty, with all creation and with God-in-Jesus. If the above notes resonate with you, please consider joining us at the Sorrento Centre this fall.
Find out more about Social and Ecological Justice Working Group…
Download a poster: [PDF] [PNG] [JPG]
Ken Gray
Recently retired from ordained ministry at St. Paul’s Cathedral in downtown Kamloops, Ken and his wife Kathie have returned to Summerland in the BC South Okanagan where he writes and comments on issues including Ecojustice, pilgrimage, and the future of church.
His connection with pilgrimage goes back to 1979 when he joined approximately 100 students from throughout the UK talking towards Holy Island, Lindisfarne. He is a longtime supporter, presenter and participant at Sorrento centre programmes. He is an active member of the Provincial Social and Ecological (SEJ) working group which sponsors this event.
He is a skilled amateur photographer, a lover of dogs and a passionate advocate for living the retirement life.
