Now fifty years since I graduated from Victoria’s Oak Bay High School I have fond memories of wood shop class. Lacking an eye for detail coupled with insufficient powers of concentration I particularly loved making bowls on the wood lathe. I likely created more shavings than bowls, but it was wonderful fun. When invited by... Continue Reading →
It was a pleasure to visit my former congregation, the Church of the Advent in the parish of Colwood and Langford a few days ago, not only to enjoy lively worship, music, preaching, and community. I attended in order to acknowledge the leadership of a young Anglican, Taylor Gossman. I did so in my capacity... Continue Reading →
One word: Photography. My favourite activity when on holiday is taking pictures, no less so then during our extended staycation in Victoria, a five-week adventure that will end this coming weekend. Home feels good, but it’s been a blast in the meantime. I blogged a few photo shoots here. There are too many more to... Continue Reading →
One of the most difficult decisions facing visitors and residents of Victoria is deciding on a favourite coffee shop -- First-world problem for sure. A friend recently directed us to the Imagine Studio Café nestled in Victoria’s historic James Bay neighbourhood. She heard it was good food and drink, and really interesting. She was right... Continue Reading →
I walked onto the rooftop patio of Victoria’s Strathcona Hotel to meet almost one hundred members of my high school graduating class. Now fifty years after the actual 1975 graduation ceremony at Victoria’s Oak Bay High School I wasn’t really thinking about the effects of the passage of time. Temporarily befuddled, a server pointed me... 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 →
Sometimes you have to go back to find what was always there. Such is the case with the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, a magical place Kathie and I discovered a few days ago as our June vacation in Victoria continues. For years Kathie and I lived a ten-minute drive from the Quale Road location... Continue Reading →
A sermon from Su McLeod, Director of supporter relations, Alongside Hope (formerly the Canadian Anglican Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund) on Sunday June 1, 2025 at St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Victoria BC [Ken Gray] OUR UNPLANNED VISIT to my childhood church, St. John’s Iin Victoria brought to life so many fond memories... Continue Reading →
[Ken Gray] It was a pleasure to visit the church of my childhood and later years, St. John the Divine in Victoria this past Sunday. I attended in order to co-sign a letter to Canadian Minister Mark Carney asking him to honour his previous commitments (Value(s), p. xv) to create policy which protects the environment... Continue Reading →
Just days into our 2025 holiday adventure, taking us to Victoria and other up-island destinations, with a brief side trip to Vancouver, the camera is once again out of its bag. In what will likely be the first of a few blogs I am pleased to share some images with you my loyal readers. No... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 