Tis the season for books, for my comments and recommendations for you, loyal readers of books I have read in the past year, and my own suggestion of titles for the year to come. Now half way through Who We Are: Four Questions For a Life and a Nation by Murray Sinclair I want to... Continue Reading →
Timely and prescient thoughts from American writer Parker Palmer By accident of birth, the Christmas story has been a staple of my life for 85 years. As a kid, it was all about the glitter and gifts, of course. Today, the story compels me to question my courage and my resolve… It asks me to... Continue Reading →
Reprinted from Why ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ Is a Radical Christian ClassicBy Mitchell Atencio - sojo.net - Dec 12, 2022 [Ken Gray] Coming off our recent radio-play production of A Christmas Carol, I decided it was time to watch the Muppet’ 1992 adaptation of the classic Dickens tale. Upon release, the film was variously reviled... Continue Reading →
From Who We Are: Four Questions For a Life and a Nationby Murray Sinclair , Sara Sinclair, Niigaan SinclairLearn about this very special book here As we grow oldthe ground we walk onrises upso that,as each of those few momentsleft to uspass byand we grow oldand hair turns greyer stillwe move a bit more slowly.... Continue Reading →
With thanks to Karen Pidcock for the share. This year I do not wantthe dark to leave me.I need its wrapof silent stillness,its cloakof long lasting embrace.Too much lighthas pulled me awayfrom the chamberof gestation. Let the dawnscome late,let the sunsetsarrive early,let the eveningsextend themselveswhile I lean intothe abyss of my being. Let me lie... Continue Reading →
Amidst the seasonal flurry of activity, and given much anxiety of global and national geopolitics, here is a refreshing story, word, and song. Enjoy. “There Will Come Soft Rains” is a lyric poem by Sara Teasdale published in the July 18 issue of “Harper’s” magazine, just after the start of the 1918 German Spring Offensive... Continue Reading →
Cónal Creedon is a critically acclaimed novelist, playwright and documentary filmmaker. Many readers will already be familiar with him. I was not, until a writer friend, Norma, shared with me a CBC Radio Ideas special event from McGill University in Montreal. Writing in USA Review Of Books, Kate Robinson describes Creedon’s work this way: “Creedon’s... Continue Reading →
Growing up as a boy chorister at St. John the Divine in Victoria I remember well the hymns of Advent. “Come thou redeemer of the earth,” “Lo, He comes with clouds, descending,” “On Jordan’s bank the Baptist cry,” with many others. These well populate my musical memory in a wonderful way, though I must say... Continue Reading →
Jesse Zink is Principal of Montreal Diocesan Theological College and canon theologian in the Diocese of Montreal. His recent book Faithful, Hopeful, Creative: Fifteen Theses for Christians in a Crisis-Shaped World is now widely available. The following post by Jesse Zink was first published on Substack.com [Jesse Zink] A high-profile international gathering in Assisi earlier this... Continue Reading →
Walter Brueggemann is one of the foremost interpreters of the Old Testament of our day. As an American Christian educator he reflects here a day after the recent US federal election. He turns to Holy Scripture and to the prophet Elijah In the wake of the 2024 presidential election and its acute disappointment for many,... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 