Recently published in The Guardian [Ken Gray] Many of us organ students in the 1970s worked for Victoria BC Organ Builder, Hugo Spilker. Part of our duties involved visiting local churches with Hugo to hold console keys as he tuned the organ pipes in the loft. While some pipes are built of wood, a majority... Continue Reading →
Elizabeth White, from Facebook — Sen. Mark Kelly is responding after the Department of Defense initiated a formal retirement grade determination and issued a Letter of Censure to reduce his retired military rank and corresponding pension. The move came after Kelly publicly criticized the Trump administration. Here is Mark Kelly’s full statement, shared verbatim: (Senator... Continue Reading →
Center for Action and Contemplation faculty member Brian McLaren introduces the 2026 Daily Meditations theme: “Good News for a Fractured World” — Sunday, January 4, 2026 [Brian McLaren] Our world is deeply fractured. We see the symptoms all around us. We see it in politics. We see it in social media. We see it in... Continue Reading →
Another in a series of short personal fictional stories about a mystery church with a quirky minister in an unnamed community, though not in a galaxy far away. Enjoy. A face stares up at me from a large bowl of Bouillabaisse, a French seafood stew -- the version before me with a wonderful west coast... Continue Reading →
Photo credit: Michael Shapcott A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland, Epiphany 2025 – The Very Rev. Ken Gray Before one sets off on an Epiphany journey it’s important to know which star to follow. There must have been dozens of bright lights in the Middle Eastern sky, many visible to the ancient... Continue Reading →
A reflection from December 16, 2019 by John Rutter [Ken Gray] It is now ten years since the death of Sir David Wilcocks, organist, conductor, composer/arranger, and college administrator. One of my great pleasures as a student at the Royal College of Music from 1977-1979 was singing in the RCM chorus which Sir David conducted ... Continue Reading →
On New Years Day I typically share W. H. Auden’s poem New Year Letter, a truly imaginative and insightful piece I commend to you once again. This year however, I want to share something different, a sort of what I got for Christmas this year kind of report. I have almost finished "Joyride: A Memoir"... Continue Reading →
First published by Dennis Windigo, December 29, 2025 David Frum’s publication this week “Good Intentions Gone Bad” in The Atlantic wants readers to believe that recognizing Indigenous land rights is an unfortunate mistake — an ill-timed indulgence that threatens economic growth just when the country needs it most. He writes that the courts are “inventing... Continue Reading →
Based on Talking to yourself when you’re alone: Psychology shows it often reveals powerful traits and exceptional abilities - By Redac / 29 December 2025 “Hey Kathie, I saw Ken walking down to the post office the other day.” “Really. So tell me, was he talking to himself?” “Funny you should mention that; he was,... Continue Reading →
Another in a series by me. For other chapters see below “What clipper did I use last time? Number three, or number four?” I had procrastinated long enough. Looking like a modern day Einstein, my hair scrambled madly off in all directions, a sort of Labradoodle look with a dry, scratchy beard attached. It was... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 