With thanks to June Maffin I am pleased to share an insightful poem by Brian Bilston. June writes: “I believe that living in the US these days is 'Freedom with a Trigger.' ... 'Justice in a Holster' ... 'The Pulled Vote, Not the Cast Vote.' Thank you, Brian Bilston. Your words in your "America is... Continue Reading →
Creator, from the depth and breadth of creation, we thank you. The message below is from Tomás Insua, Laudato Si' Research Institute (Oxford University) on behalf of Bishop Bedford-Strohm (chair of Feast of Creation process) and fellow conveners. Additional context added by KJG. For months now many global ecumenical partners including Anglicans have participated in... Continue Reading →
I have long lasting ties with Scotland’s 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 →
A few days ago I published a blog describing Pope Leo’s citation of the faithful witness of the Algerian Martyrs during the Algerian civil war between 1994-1996. Mission, the pope insisted, is never “a form of self-display, in opposition of identities, but the gift of self, even to the point of martyrdom, by those who... Continue Reading →
Don’t offer condolences. Act, stop Israel, and hold journalists’ 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 →
Taking a rest today from some of the horrible news from down south, and elsewhere. Please find below a truly good news story. Enjoy. Back to the awfuls (new word) tomorrow. Promise. As a child growing up in Victoria through the 1960s I remember the “Chinese grocery stores.” I especially remember one on the corner... Continue Reading →
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 →
Thanks to Gary Schmidt for this lovely little piece. My father is in his eighties, and every morning he insists on walking to the little grocery store at the end of the street. I’ve told him a hundred times, “Dad, you don’t need to do that. I can order everything online. One click, and it’s... Continue Reading →
Posting on David’s Facebook page, Joan Bubbs, David’s wife shared the sad news: “I have signed on to David's Facebook page to share the heartbreaking news that David died yesterday [Sunday], after a short illness. Some of you will also know that David was suffering from severe dementia. The combination of physical and mental deterioration... Continue Reading →
Dog-blogger, Juno, a six-year-old Labradoodle, lives with her MaPaw and PaPaw in beautiful Summerland in the British Columbia interior. She is a healthy, happy dog, but today we see a side of her few people or animals witness. When she gets angry, well, look out. Hello everyone. I hope you are enjoying August as much... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 