With thanks to photographers Linda Curle, Linda Carnegie, Lorne Hoover, and Nancy Montgomery Still my favourite movie, Casablanca, contains some brilliant cinematic lines: “Play it again Sam”; “We’ll always have Paris”; and “Round up the usual suspects.” Filmed in 1942 during the depths of the Second World War, the plot centres around Victor Laslo, a... Continue Reading →
Juno is 5 years old now – by Juno
Pictured here with MaPaw, Kathie, Juno is a popular dog blogger who has been far too quiet in recent months. Many of her blogs appear here. Today, I am 5 years old. Hard to believe isn’t it? Or is it? I am in good physical condition. MaPaw cares for my diet, my teeth, and my... Continue Reading →
We’ve already been wiped out — Don’t bet against the Holy Spirit
Thoughts on “church” from Kelvin Holdsworth, Provost (Dean) of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow, in the Scottish Episcopal Church [Anglicans in Scotland and Canada face remarkably similar circumstances and challenges, through which the Holy Spirit now leads us.] I heard of another church that is due to close this week. It is in a place some... Continue Reading →
Nothing is impossible, I hope
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 →
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 →