A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland on the 4th Sunday of Easter Season, May 11, 2025 — The Very Rev. Ken Gray Every once in a while a hymn arrests me; it makes me stop in my tracks, and I go WOW. This happened last week when I presided at St. Saviour’s... Continue Reading →
Poems are part of me, when I can remember them. As I age I find it harder to remember texts whether longer or shorter. Some years ago I used to proclaim the Christmas Gospel (John 1:1-14) while processing through the church, reciting from memory. It was an excellent discipline with a particular dramatic effect. Can’t... Continue Reading →
I am so pleased to help my writer colleague, Norma Hill launch her new book A Summerland Stories Scrapbook at a special event on Sunday night, May the 4th at 6 p.m. in the “Stone” Church on Prairie Valley Rd in Summerland. Years in the making, Norma has assembled, transcribed, edited, and arranged literally hundreds... 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 →
I am looking forward to visiting with others who graduated from Victoria’s Oak Bay High School fifty years ago, the Class of 1975. As interest spreads my guess is that around fifty of us will show up at a Victoria hotel in early June, hoping that we are recognizable and we will recognize others. I... 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 →
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 →
A poem by the Rev. Donna WallSt. John, Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada Peace be with you in this place of confusion and sadness.Peace be with you in your brokenness,Peace be with you in your hoping,Peace be with you in your examination,Peace be with you in your reconciling and in your learning. Peace be with you... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 