Spirituality and Health Care: An interview with Dr. Jane Philpott [Ken Gray] I first became aware of Dr. Jane Philpott as she stood beside Jody Wilson-Raybould, then Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, both eventually fired from the Liberal cabinet of the day by Justin Trudeau. They took their stand on principle as the most significant... Continue Reading →
Here's an inspiring piece by Anne Lamott published a few days ago in the Los Angeles Times. A cartoon in the New Yorker decades ago showed two prisoners chained to the wall at the wrists and ankles, well off the ground, in a jail cell, in a cave. One man turns to the other and... Continue Reading →
I like Wab Kinew, a lot. If we moved in the same circles I think we could easily be friends. Wabanakwut, the 25th Premier of Manitoba has been an author, musician, broadcaster and university administrator. He is best known as a host of programming on CBC Radio and CBC Television. Kinew is Canada's first provincial... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
Social Synthesist and author Eileen Workman provides answers to two pressing questions I have about Donald Trump. 1) Has he always been this abusive and cruel in his business and political dealings. And 2) while he is considered by many a laughing stock, serving up daily dose of clown-like horrors atop a vicious bullying narcissism,... Continue Reading →
Celebrating great Americans — A new series of blogs Time for something different here at takenote.ca. Setting aside stories of the dark fascist in the white house and his posse of oligarchal henchmen I want to commence a series celebrating great modern day Americans. Today I feature Henry Louis Gates, Jr., someone I have only... Continue Reading →
James Murray, circa. 1879 in the scriptorium In 1992, a Lutheran Bishop joined a group of us Anglican clergy for a supper meeting at the local golf club in Sooke a short drive from Victoria. While my memory of the discussion is somewhat hazy, at one point during the meeting he simply said, “words matter.”... Continue Reading →
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 →
Every activist needs a poet. Very few are poets; certainly I’m not; I don’t sit still long enough; my powers of observation are limited. Like chess, I find poetry overly demanding of my short social media-distracted attention span. To engage poetry I must concentrate: Read the text out loud, several times if necessary; savour the... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 