A Sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour, Penticton BCSunday, October 13th, 2024 (Canadian Thanksgiving)The Very Rev. Ken Gray JOB 23:1-9, 16-17; PSALM 22:1-15; HEBREWS 4:12-16; MARK 10:17-31 I can say with confidence that I have never been accused or convicted of a crime. I have been in court a number of times to watch... Continue Reading →
NDP and ME
BC’s average real GDP per capita was 2.4 per cent higher in 2023 than five years earlier, compared with a 0.6 per cent decline in Canada overall. Photo via Wikimedia, Creative Commons licensed (THE TYEE) It will not surprise readers of this blog to discover that I have begun to comment on the BC Election... Continue Reading →
AI Preaching — Never say never
OK, I admit it; I fell asleep during a recent Canadian Council of Churches online seminar titled: “Theology and Artificial Intelligence: Systematic and Denominational Perspectives” which occurred Tuesday, Oct 1, 2024. No worries however, as there will likely be a recording available. If not, AI will come to my rescue. Researching via Perplexity (an NYT... Continue Reading →
Peace Train – Get on board
On this the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, the effects of which remain deadly and destructive on all sides today, I want to promote peace, but how? There have been many peace walks, peace protests, peace initiatives in recent decades; there have also been peace trains: Cue Jusuf Islam (Cat Stevens). Why... Continue Reading →
Hearing AI-ds
AKA Do you hear what I hear? OR Do I hear what you hear? Likely not Our son, Cameron turned 35 a couple of days ago. His partner Emm invited us to a surprise party last night which we dutifully and enthusiastically attended. Such fun! It seems everyone loves him as much as we do—but... Continue Reading →
And so it goes — Memes and memories (AKA It’s all a matter of debate)
The dedication and enthusiasm of American pollsters, journalists, academics, campaign workers, and the candidates themselves are matched—and in some estimates exceeded—only by the efforts of researchers here at takenote.ca. Our goal is to continue to place before you, dear reader, inspiring, witty, artistic, topically relevant, sometimes edgy political imagery which captures the intent and spirit... Continue Reading →
God is green, and denying climate change is anti-Christian
From The Independent — Sunday 22 September 2024 When we hear the command of Christ to treasure God’s creation, it is up to us to heed the call, writes Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Earlier this year, I attempted to visit the Darien Gap in Central America. With its 165 miles of dense jungle, connecting... Continue Reading →
Kindness, respect, and building understanding — A way forward for reconciliation
Writing in The Tyee on the 4th annual National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Monday, September 30, Tumia Knott, spaləl̕, a member of Kwantlen First Nation, a lawyer with First Peoples Law, with a practice focus in Indigenous law and self-determination initiatives expresses concern and some sadness about our national observance: I struggle with National Truth... Continue Reading →
And the angels, they go up and down (With thanks to Joni Mitchell)
A sermon on the Feast of St Michael and All Angels for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland, Sunday, September 29th, 2024 -- The Very Rev. Ken Gray Today’s preacher is presented with an embarrassment of homiletical riches. On this, the Feast of St. Michael (Michaelmas) Revelation describes how “war broke out in heaven; Michael... Continue Reading →
Six weeks out — Set 14
I know that we are all holding our breath prior to Tuesday night's Vice-Presidential candidate debate. (Who knows; there might actually be a debate -- how cool is that?) There are however a few memes to share until the next memeingful political landscape shifts and jolts, or should I say jabs and punches. It's easier... Continue Reading →