I love this woman, Sue Nelson. Not so much the woman herself; we have never met. But I watch her most mornings. She brings a tonic to my day, a spring to my step, a smile to my face. For over twenty-five years she has been the ballpark organist for the Minnesota Twins baseball team.... Continue Reading →
Now several years into blog creation here at takenote.ca I love to receive feedback from followers and subscribers. One curious reader enjoyed my Dunking Duck blog so much that she has requested a longer video, something akin to the popular and widely available Christmas fireplace, something she could watch when she is frustrated with her... Continue Reading →
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland Anglican ChurchThe 3rd Sunday of Lent — March 23, 2025The Very Rev. Ken Gray Let me tell you about my recent trip to the hairdresser. We used to call these persons “barbers”; we still have some of these in our little town of Summerland. Over the... Continue Reading →
Ash Wednesday is one of my favourite times of the liturgical year. Sure, Christmas is fun; and Christianity is anchored in the Easter Festival. We enjoy communion with Christ through the gift of the Holy Spirit celebrated at Pentecost. But despite the richness of all these great festivals, I still find Ash Wednesday profound and... Continue Reading →
So what is it about the number 500? There is a particular “ring” to it as it points me towards all sorts of events, persons, music and memories. First, I think of the Indianapolis 500, one of the most famous car races in the world. A race car enthusiast in a former parish never missed... Continue Reading →
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen SummerlandSunday, January 19, 2025Andrew Stephens-Rennie, Director of Missional Renewal, Anglican Diocese of Kootenay[Bold emphasis KJG] [Andrew Stephens-Rennie]Between the word that is spoken, the word that is heard, and the word that is lived, may your name be praised O God, our Strength and our Song. Amen. You... Continue Reading →
Standing in a Penticton pulpit yesterday I thought aloud about suitable music for the Epiphany season. Today, on the Feast of Epiphany itself I have a suggestion which came to mind during yesterday’s sermon, a text by the English clergyman and theologian John Hanry Newman (1801-1890) who in 1833 wrote Lead Kindly Light enroute to... Continue Reading →
Once again Kathie and I have returned home, at last. We have had other grueling travel adventures throughout 2024; and many more will likely occur. For now, however, we are home! Pardon the cliché, but there really is no place like home. Dorothy said it best, with other poets and prophets before her; there’s nothing... Continue Reading →
Enough politics (for now). No more Juno dog blogs (until the new year). It’s time for some Christmas music, in particular, The 2024 St. Olaf Christmas Festival, "Our Hope for Years to Come." A compilation of this year’s three performances is now available for on-demand viewing throughout the holiday season here. A tradition since 1912,... 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 →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 