From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
Dear Friends,
Jesus said:
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?”
At this time of restricted travel, gaining the whole world would seem to be an impossible but desirable goal. Those of us used to being able to travel freely are now mostly confined to one country. But Jesus says that even if we could gain the whole world it would not be worth losing our lives. But there is a paradox, it is only when we are prepared to lose our lives for the sake of Jesus that we can really find it! It is in giving up the claim to “our rights” that we are really free to embrace others and live!
In person worship continues at All Saints. This Sunday you can again join the congregation in person at 10 a.m., or join live on Zoom with this link, or watch later via the All Saints Audio-Visual page.
Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be Jeremiah 15:19-21, Romans 12:9-21, and Matthew 16:21-28, and our hymns will be Praise with joy the world’s Creator, and Now thank we all our God!
Details of the practical arrangements for Face-to-Face worship are below.
Potluck on the 6th September
On Sunday, September 6th, immediately following the church service, All Saints will hold its first potluck since February at the Mennonite Central Committee compound which is walking distance from our church. Please bring a main dish or salad to share (microwave and oven available). Drinks and dessert will be provided.
A showing of Hamilton will take place after the potluck for those interested. The meal will be eaten outside under a roof. The movie will be shown in the MCC office conference room.
Last Week’s Service
Last week’s service can be seen by clicking here! It was a great time of worship and we were delighted to be joined by a group of students from the Religious Studies Department of Chiang Mai University. Mark and Tarntip spoke with them before the service and explained what it means to be a Christian and the Anglican liturgy.
Tarntip and Mark meet the CMU students
Our next All-Zoom Service
There will be another all Zoom service on Sunday 13th September at 6 p.m. Thai time. I will be leading the service and this will be in addition to All Saints’ regular 10 a.m. in-person service! It will give us all another chance to see our All Saints friends from around the world.
Face-to-Face Worship at All Saints
Last Sunday at All Saints
The following measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of those attending:
The chairs have been rearranged to ensure that social distancing is maintained, people’s temperature will be taken on arrival, masks will be required, and hand gel supplied. Names and contact details will be recorded.
All the doors and windows will be open and fans will ensure maximum air circulation. No singing will be permitted but we will be able to listen to the hymns being played on the organ and sing along in our heads. There will not be a coffee time following the service, but people are invited to lunch, out-doors, at Green O’Clock following the service.
The services will be shared on Zoom so that those who cannot, or do not feel happy to, attend in person, can still join!
The protocols can be viewed here!
All Saints’ Wednesday Lunch
Lunch yesterday!
This is now a weekly event! Yesterday, a group from All Saints again gathered for lunch! Why not join next week? (You don’t need to be a member of the Gymkhana Club to attend!) We will be meeting at the Gymkhana Club at midday every Wednesday!
Weekly Offering to All Saints
You can still donate online, or place your money in the basket during the service.
It is wonderful that you will be able to meet together and join in worship once again. I hope to join you all soon!
God bless,
Father Iain
All Saints' Chiang Mai 