Thanks Victoria Laine for sharing a record of this talk. I knew about it; got lazy; and didn’t go. Shame on me. Limlempt Clarence Louie, one of Canada’s most respected First Nations chiefs, recently told a Penticton audience made up of mostly of seniors that growing old is admired and worshiped in his culture. A... Continue Reading →
An activist’s prayer
With thanks to the Rev. McAllister, the following: Thicken my love.Widen my heart.Sharpen my analysis.Enliven my praxis.Embolden my voice.Deepen my rest.Lighten my heaviness.Toughen my skin.Soften my spirit.Strengthen my friendships.Lengthen my endurance.Weaken my ego.Awaken my soul.Refreshen my vision.Hearken to my weary voice, O God,as we are co-conspiratorsin the struggle for a new world.Amen -- Terrance Hawkins... Continue Reading →
From Post-Liberal to Fascist — The political evolution of J. D. Vance
The library of the Yale law school. Maybe Vance is sitting there somewhere. [Ken Gray] The notes below are reprinted from a post by Fr. Cyril Hovorun shared by Edmonton-based theologian Stephen Martin. I have edited the English translation for accuracy and length, and have added a few links. Before sharing Fr. Cyril’s notes I... Continue Reading →
Welcome to the great twilight struggle between the democracies and the dictatorships — The United States has now become an outlaw state
Defending democracy on Capital Hill, Feb 5, 2025 “The democratic world will have to get along without America. It may even have to defend itself from it.” ~ Andrew Coyne, The Globe and Mail, February 14, 2025 [Andrew Coyne, originally published in the Globe and Mail] I wonder if we have underestimated the gravity of... Continue Reading →
The Blessing of a Sneeze
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen Anglican Church, Summerland BC / Sunday, February 16, 2025 / The Very Rev. Ken Gray I was recently told that I should include more humour in my sermons. I often do, though my joking around is often unplanned and spontaneous. Today however, I will begin with a... Continue Reading →
Canada, the 51st state? “Over our dead bodies,” say Indigenous leaders
Brandi Morin, Ricochet Media Indigenous leaders across Canada are responding sternly to President Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion that Canada should become “our cherished 51st state,” emphasizing that any such discussion must recognize Indigenous sovereignty and treaty rights. Dr. Wilton Littlechild, a prominent Cree lawyer from Maskwacis, Alberta who helped draft the UN Declaration on the... Continue Reading →
Laying down the law, in Tanzania
Mwigulu, courageously speaking in front of the African Court last September [Ken Gray] Readers of my blog will already know that as an Albino myself I have long supported the work of Under the Same Sun, a charity based in British Columbia but working in Tanzania to support Albinos who live at great risk and... Continue Reading →
Are you saved?
A sermon for the parish of St. Saviour, Penticton BCSunday, February 9th 2025 / Fifth Sunday after the EpiphanyThe Very Rev. Ken Gray “Are you saved brother?” I used to hear this question a lot some years ago. It was spiritual lingua franca when I was coming into adulthood in the 1970s. Christians, especially evangelicals,... Continue Reading →
Canada: The Labradoodle of allies
[KJG] Five-year-old Labradoodle Juno is a nationally recognized dog-blogger who lives with her Mawpaw and Pawpaw in Summerland in the BC Okanagan. Her numerous blogs on many topics remain a popular feature of takenote.ca. Today, she digs into US politics. Enjoy. [Juno] Jon Stewart, you nailed it. You have mended my broken heart, an organ... Continue Reading →
Apology? Yes, and No
A Sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour, Penticton — The Very Rev. Ken Gray — Sunday, January 26th, 2025 — The Third Sunday after the Epiphany The Sunday following the Tuesday, the day after the inauguration on Monday of this past week of President Donald Trump, when the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, the Rt.... Continue Reading →