From the Rev. Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai
Dear Friends,
Sometimes we feel that life just isn’t fair! Sometimes it isn’t – why does a good person get cancer, and a bad one have a long and happy life? This is one of the biggest questions in Christian theology.
The Bengali Humanitarian Relief Group
We will have a special collection for Rohingya Refugees on Sunday 1st October as part of our outreach to those whose experiences have certainly not been fair! This money will go to the Bengali Humanitarian Relief Group, an organisation set up by Ben Svasti, the Honorary British Consul in Chiang Mai. He writes:
In response to the plight of an estimated 430,000 civilians, mostly children, who recently moved from Myanmar to refugee camps in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh, and who are in desperate need of humanitarian relief, a Bengali Humanitarian Relief Group has been set up with the support of some members of the diplomatic community in Chiang Mai.
The purpose of this strictly apolitical humanitarian group is to raise emergency relief funds and to provide essential humanitarian support to new arrivals crossing the Myanmar-Bangladesh border particularly children in this continuing desperate crisis.
This tragedy is happening on our doorstep, just 600 kms away, closer to us than Bangkok; it is too close to ignore.
I am sure members of All Saints will contribute generously to this fund. You can find more details here.
This Week at All Saints
In contrast to these dire situations, we on the other hand, have little reason to complain, but some people just like complaining and we see this in this week’s Old Testament and Gospel readings. Do the complainers have a point? Come and find out!
Tomorrow night we also have our next Theology on Tap meeting. The topic is “doubt”. See below for details!
Our scripture readings for this Sunday are Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:27-30, and Matthew 20:1-16, and we will be singing the hymns Alleluia Sing to Jesus, Amazing Grace, Now Thank We All Our God, and All My Hope on God Is Founded!
The readings can be found via this link !
Theology on Tap
Our next Theology on Tap meeting will be tomorrow night, Friday 22nd September. We will again meet at 7 p.m. at the UN Irish Pub! This month’s topic is “doubt”!
From October we will begin meeting every two weeks. The schedule is on the Theology on Tap page of the All Saints website.
Harvest Festival
On Sunday 15th October we will journey together to Thung Dong Farm to celebrate our Harvest Festival Eucharist in the midst of nature. We will leave church at 9:30 a.m.
This will be followed by a barbecue, please bring salads and deserts to share. There will be a sign-up sheet at the back of the church. Please sign if you intend to come.
Your favourite Hymns!
Last week I listed the top ten hymns used at All Saints. If you have a favourite hymn you would like us to sing, then send me an email!
Join the Choir
Our service of Nine Lessons and Carols will be held on Saturday 9th December. Lannacapella Choir will be leading the worship. They would love more singers. If you would like to join to sing at this event, please see Chris or email her on christinebaw@gmail.com.
Our next Potluck – Sunday 1st October
We will have a potluck lunch on Sunday 1st October following our service which includes the collection for the Rohingya refugees. We can give thanks for all we have to share with one another.
Congregation News
David Burdoin is still in Suan Dok hospital with acute anemia, but hopes to be going home tomorrow. I am sure he would then appreciate visitors. He sends thanks to everyone for their support and love.
Nate and Muyoung are expecting a baby girl! Nate gave the happy announcement in church last Sunday.
God bless,
Iain
All Saints' Chiang Mai 