Years ago I suggested to a justice-seeking colleague that we should investigate the role of humour in our social and ecological justice advocacy. We can be awfully serious, I said. Off-putting even. She replied that the context — human rights abuse; the climate crisis; avaricious market hegemony — didn’t lend itself well to comedic treatment.... Continue Reading →
This is a repost from Timothy Snyder's Substack post published Thursday June 19, 2025 It was a thrill to march at the No Kings Rally in Philadelphia on Saturday with friends and about a hundred thousand people. On the stage, I led a chant of "no kings -- freedom," and I tried to explain three... Continue Reading →
[Ken Gray] Our extended visit to Victoria continues to serve up delightful surprises, none more exciting than a reunion with Aboriginal Neighbours friends. While never a member of the organization myself, our ministries intersected especially during my time as rector (priest) of the Church of the Advent in Colwood from 2005-2016. A summary of their... 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 →
A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church, Penticton BCFourth Sunday in Lent — Mothering Sunday, March 30th 2025 — The Very Rev. Ken Gray Happy Mothering Sunday to you all. Since the middle ages, Mothering Sunday has been celebrated in the United Kingdom on the fourth Sunday of Lent. I grew up... Continue Reading →
Photo collage: NPR Conan O'Brien and other top comedians brutally humiliate Donald Trump at the Kennedy Center — ripping into the "orange a**hole" despite the MAGA coup to seize control of the famous cultural center. CONTEXT The John F Kennedy Centre for the performing arts, Washington D. C. Since the early 1960s the John J... 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 →
Your editors at takenote.ca continue to search out every aspect, every nuance, every outrage generated by the Hitleresque antics of Don-Old 2.0. Today we turn our broken hearts and curious minds to the topic of White House interior design, specifically to Don’s redecoration of the historic Oval Office itself. We are assisted in our quest... Continue Reading →
My colleague and friend, Jeff, recently emailed the following question to me: “Hi Ken -- just wondering how you're doing these days? So much terribly difficult stuff going on, all at once. We are struggling with it -- working a lot through the emotions, especially grief and frustration. Around here, most everyone is experiencing that.” ... Continue Reading →
First off dear reader, I encourage you read of to listen to the classic Abbott and Costello routine Who’s on first. Abbott: Who is on first!Costello: I'm asking YOU who's on first.Abbott: That's the man's name.Costello: That's who's name?Abbott: Yes.Costello: Well go ahead and tell me.Abbott: That's it.Costello: That's who?Abbott: Yes . . . [Wiki]... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 