I am pleased to share a prayer from Irwin Keller, Rabbi, Teacher, writer, hope-monger. Rabbi Keller knows well how the news is a double-edged sword; it informs us about what is happening locally, nationally, and globally; likewise it often upsets us often to the point of despair. Whether we learn of events in the Middle... Continue Reading →
Canada: The Labradoodle of allies
[KJG] Five-year-old Labradoodle Juno is a nationally recognized dog-blogger who lives with her Mawpaw and Pawpaw in Summerland in the BC Okanagan. Her numerous blogs on many topics remain a popular feature of takenote.ca. Today, she digs into US politics. Enjoy. [Juno] Jon Stewart, you nailed it. You have mended my broken heart, an organ... Continue Reading →
May in February
Inside Home Hardware, Osoyoos BC, proudly Canadian [While events have progressed since Elizabeth’s writing, the principles she shares remain relevant and potent. While Canada and Mexico now enjoy some breathing room, Trump’s ambition to annex Canada and enact economic warfare remain as strong as ever.] A message Sunday evening from Elizabeth May, leader of the... Continue Reading →
Jeff’s question
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 →
Óscar Romero: Preacher of Love and Justice
From the Center for Action and ContemplationWednesday, January 15, 2025 [Ken Gray] I know some of you don't read my blogs in full. But in this case, if you read nothing more, READ THE FINAL PARAGRAPH -- Trust me on this [Center for Action and Contemplation] Let us not tire of preaching love, for this... Continue Reading →
Solidarity with residents of the Holy Land
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby visits Nazareth, Israel Joint Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury and Archbishop Hosam Naoum Dear Friends, Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Over five days, 15-19 November 2024, we travelled together, as fellow brothers in Christ, on a long-planned pilgrimage to pray... Continue Reading →
Memestakes
With a bit of an apology, and my now diverted promise to move beyond post-debate political memes, the meme-verse has exploded with a huge variety of extreme-memes, a collection we at takenote.ca have distilled down to just a few for your consideration today. "Cats and dogs" has inspired dog and cat lovers alike. Reference to... Continue Reading →
Dear Deacons – One note from one particular priest
This past weekend Anglican Deacons, Canada gathered for its triennial meeting at the beautiful Sorrento Centre in the Shuswap region of British Columbia. Approximately sixty attendees from Anglican and Lutheran congregations, with guests from The United Church of Canada worshipped, prayed, sang, and studied for three days together. I was invited to join them for... Continue Reading →
Queer
It’s a word I use advisedly. As a cis-gender male it feels uncomfortable for me to use the word as I have only encountered it used pejoratively. Many in the Queer community welcome it with, yes, PRIDE. In conversation with a couple of clergy colleagues recently, I asked if we had read any Queer theology.... Continue Reading →
An unsolicited review of a timely book
Following a flurry of online and in-person book launches, I was delighted to receive the following review of Partnership as Mission: Essays in Memory of Ellie Johnson by the Rev. Margaret Marquardt. Such a pleasant surprise from one who knows the tough road of advocacy, long before the word "justice" even entered my own vocabulary.... Continue Reading →