Both authors, Louise Penny and Barbara Kingsolver, are doing the rounds of book festivals and online broadcasts presently. I will say something about Louise Penny later, but for now, my focus is on Barbara Kingsolver whose recent novel, Partita intrigues and delights me. A classically trained pianist herself, Kingsolver opens up the world of aspiring... Continue Reading →
Gratia Grancino โ A storied cello is restored
The cello in the image above IS NOT the instrument featured in this the video below. While similar, it is a later instrument housed in Musical Instrument Bank of the Canada Council for the Arts. With apologies, no pre-US Midterm election claptrap today. No Alberta politics. No AI grumbles. Today, something quite different, very much... Continue Reading →
We have our work cut out for us now in BC politics
[Ken Gray] Weโve been here before and here we are again. Some will remember the first BC-Liberal government of Gordon Campbell who in 2001 defeated the Glenn Clark led NDP taking 77 of 79 seats in the legislature. This was the largest majority of seats and the second-largest majority of the popular vote in BC... Continue Reading →
A vocation of ordered hospitality
Reposted from the Diocese of Algoma website. See original posting for pictures and a video link. For Esther Anstice, an unlikely journey from a small island parish to one of the worldโs great cathedrals has become a vocation in the Church You can almost hear the red carpet being rolled out as Esther Anstice, Deputy... Continue Reading →
So here is a lovely surprise — Character matters for some
James Talarico for Senate, Neil Bush -- Republican Neil Bush says he was โdeeply troubledโ by opponent Ken Paxtonโs conduct and โenormously impressedโ with Talarico Ariana Baio Wed 21 Oct 2026 at The Guardian Neil Bush, a son of former president George HW Bush and a lifelong Republican, announced on Tuesday that he crossed party... Continue Reading →
Follow the money — All of it
Reposted from Hans Nichols -- Oct 20, 2026 Axios Hill Leaders [None of these folks have any interest in "getting money out of politics." None. The more the merrier is seems. THE NUMBERS ARE STAGGERING. No wonder politics is in so much trouble globally. KJG] House Republicans are entering the final two weeks of the... Continue Reading →
Winners and Losers NOT
Reposted from the Center for Action and Contemplation daily meditation site Father Richard Rohr points to the creation of winners and losers as a sure sign that an โempire consciousnessโ is at work: There is an overall paradigm that Iโve been calling โempire thinking,โ which is a zero-sum game. And in a zero-sum game, one... Continue Reading →
A movie worth watching – With thanks to The Guardian
Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief, The Guardian Last month, the documentary movie NAZA, produced by the Guardian, received the longest standing ovation in the history of the Venice international film festival, where it had its global premiere and won the special jury prize. Filmed on the rooftops of Tel Aviv, the documentary features interviews with 24 Israeli... Continue Reading →
Bott, (not bot), on AI in church settings
With thanks to former Moderator of the United Church of Canada, Richard Bott I find his draft policy on Faith Formation and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence well informed and compelling. AI is here to stay; the genie is out of the bottle. For myself, I try to limit use of AI for many of... Continue Reading →
Naming what is important
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, SummerlandSunday, October 18th, 2026 | The Twenty-First Sunday after PentecostThe Very Rev. Ken Gray Names are important. I like to be called by my name and I expect you do also. I have no idea why I am named Kenneth John. Kenneth Reid lived across the street... Continue Reading →