With other mainline Christian denominations the Anglican Church of Canada increasingly struggles to maintain ministry especially in rural settings though also in some urban centres. Simple truth: Fewer people invest energy and money in parish churches now, saving their financial commitments for special projects or secular organizations like the Sierra Club or Doctors Without Borders... Continue Reading →
Voices from Israel — Mosaic, or Monolith?
My publication of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s recent advisory statement on the need for Israel to heed the decision of the International Criminal Court drew some very helpful thoughts from a longtime and trusted friend, Lance Weisser. Archbishop Justin Welby says the State of Israel has been “denying the Palestinian people dignity, freedom and hope”... Continue Reading →
Tevye’s dilemma
Sunday, August 18th, 2024A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen Summerland Anglican ChurchThe Very Rev. Ken Gray Remembering the late, great, Canadian Norman Jewison, who produced the 1971 film based on the earlier Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof, let’s sing Tevye’s song: [TEVYE, spoken]Oh dear Lord, you made many, many poor people. I... Continue Reading →
Meaningful Memes
Your team at TakeNote.ca continues to search the online world for more creative response from digital content creators who follow the 2024 US Presidential race. No guesses on outcome yet but my, oh my, the Harris/Walz momentum continues. What is curious to me is how a response to the GOP/Trump camp with sometimes as little... Continue Reading →
A Wave of Prayer washes over the world
Introducing Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center Mission To strive towards theological liberation through instilling the Christian faith in the daily lives of those who suffer under occupation, violence, injustice, and discrimination. Vision Local Christians inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ stand for the oppressed, work for justice, engage in peace-building The Wave... Continue Reading →
There will never be another Vera
From a mystery viewer posting on Facebook: Can anyone suggest alternate series to watch? I know there’ll never be another Vera; but I hope there’ll be other series similar (or someone can recommend likewise) which feature a witty, central protagonist like her. Personally, I always thought it’d be interesting to see another series based on... Continue Reading →
The Case of the Disappearing Salad — A Summer-Land Mystery
It was a beautiful kitchen creation; a summer salad; a mix of spinach, chicken, avocado, strawberries, almonds, and cucumber topped off with a poppy seed dressing. And it’s gone . . . On a warm, breezy, summer evening in 2024 Ken and Kathie Gray drove to Sunoka Beach Park, a provincial park just outside the... Continue Reading →
Suffering in the Holy Land
F ollowing my recent post where I quoted the Archbishop of Canterbury’s critique of Israel’s disrespect for the conclusions of the International Criminal Court, I found today’s post from the Centre for Action and Contemplation helpful. Possibly you will also. Palestinian Christian pastor Dr. Munther Isaac reflects on what it means for his family and... Continue Reading →
Archbishop of Canterbury statement on the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
02/08/2024 Jeroen Bouman ICJ In a statement Saturday Aug 3, 2024welcoming the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Archbishop of Canterbury has urged governments around the world to reverse the "deeply damaging trend" of upholding international law "in a selective manner". Archbishop Justin Welby says... Continue Reading →
This is Juno’s world — We just live in it
My son sent the above photograph with caption to Kathie and me while we vacationed in Nova Scotia recently. He was caring for our house and for Juno in our absence. He always enjoys Juno’s company and looks forward to the day when he can have his own dog. That day will come, but not... Continue Reading →