Monthly Archives: January 2021

Candlemas remembers the time when Mary and Joseph took Jesus to be presented at the Temple.  It marks the end of the full Christmas season.

Why Candlemas?  Because Jesus is the Light of the World – the one who brings light into darkness!

Our world is full of challenges.  The US has entered a new chapter with the installation of a new president, and All Saints also begins a new chapter with my final return to Chiang Mai.  (Although I am not comparing Mark Crawford to Donald Trump!)

It’s great to be back and I am really looking forward to the new things we can do together!  God is good!
 Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be Malachi 3:1-4, Hebrews 2:14-18, and Luke 2:22-40, and our hymns will be All People that on Earth do Dwell, Christ Be Our Light, King of Kings Majesty, and All My Hope on God Is Founded!

Father Iain’s Return

I am back in Chiang Mai and will be leading worship at All Saints this Sunday!  Thanks for all your prayers and support, I am so excited and looking forward to seeing you again!

Thanks to all who hosted and attended welcome back meals this week.  I look forward to seeing some of you in Chiang Dao this Friday!

The First Welcome Meal at Phyliss and Arthur’s.

First Hundred Days

It is really great to be back!  I have a list of ten things I want to do in my first hundred days – or from Candlemas to Pentecost!

Watch this space for more details!

Pancake Sunday

On Sunday 14th February we will have a pancake potluck as we prepare for the beginning of Lent.  Bring toppings to share.


Ash Wednesday

We will have a special Ash Wednesday Service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday 17th February.  This will include the imposition of ashes.

Wednesday Lunch

Lunch!
Our lunch will be on next week!  I am looking forward to being there again!  Why not come along?   (You don’t need to be a member of the Gymkhana Club to attend!) 

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate online, or place your money in the basket during the service.

God bless,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Water into wine!  What a useless miracle – it’s not like healing the sick or feeding the hungry!  So what was the point? John, in his Gospel, describes the miracles as a series of “signs” – the point is, they point to who Jesus is!  He is the one who has power over nature, over all the world!

How do we react to these signposts?  Do we follow or choose to go the other way? Perhaps water into wine wasn’t a useless miracle after all!  Cheers!

Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be Genesis 14:17-20, Revelation 19:6-10, and John 2:1-11, and our hymns will be All Creatures of our God and King, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, I am the Bread of Life and A Mighty Fortress!

Video of last week’s service can be viewed here!

Father Iain’s Return

I have nearly finished my quarantining in Bangkok.  God willing, I shall fly back to Chiang Mai on Sunday.  All has gone well so far.  Thanks for all your prayers and support, I am so excited and looking forward to seeing you again!

Mark has been organizing a serious of events to welcome me back, including meals on Monday 25th, Tuesday 26th, and Wednesday 27th, and a getaway to Chiang Dao on Friday 29th January.  See Mark for more details.

I shall be back in All Saints and leading worship on Candlemas, Sunday 31st January!

New Constitution

Every Thursday for the last couple of months, Mark, Chris, Bill, Tarntip, Gene, and I, have been meeting to develop the Mission, Values, Vision, and Constitution of All Saints.  We hope to have all this ready for presentation at a congregational Annual General Meeting at the end of February, along with the election of new Council members.

More to follow!

Wednesday Lunch

Lunch!
We will be meeting for lunch at midday next Wednesday at the Gymkhana Club.  I am really excited to finally be back with you!  Why not join us?  (You don’t need to be a member of the Gymkhana Club to attend!) 

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate online, or place your money in the basket during the service.

God bless,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

What is God calling you to?  Our Old Testament reading this week records God’s calling of Samuel, and our Gospel reading tells of Jesus’ calling of Nathaniel.  God is calling you too!

Not all are called to be bishops, priests, or deacons, although I believe that God is calling many more than those who answer the call, but we are all called if we are Christians, for we are called to follow Christ.

So, think!  What is God calling you to do, to be?  Is God calling you to ordination?  The world needs more priests – more people to lead, minister, and intercede, to and for God’s people and the world. Talk to me if you feel God is putting a calling on your life, whether you are nine years old or ninety-nine years old!  God is calling!

Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be 1 Samuel 3:1-20, Revelation 5:1-10, and John 1:43-51, and our hymns will be Praise my Soul the King of Heaven, I the Lord of Sea and Sky, I will offer up my life, and Tell Out My Soul!

Video of last week’s service can be viewed on the AllSaintsChiangMai.com audio-visual page!

Father Iain’s Return

I am now safely back in Thailand quarantining in Bangkok.  God willing, I shall be back in Chiang Mai from Sunday 24th January.  Thanks for all your prayers and support, I am so excited and looking forward to seeing you again!

Mark has been organizing a serious of events to welcome me back, including meals on Monday 25th, Tuesday 26th, and Wednesday 27th, and a getaway to Chiang Dao on Friday 29th January.  See Mark for more details.

I shall be back in All Saints and leading worship on Candlemas, Sunday 31st January!

Wednesday Lunch

Lunch!
Check on Sunday to see if the lunch is on next week!  (You don’t need to be a member of the Gymkhana Club to attend!) 

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate online, or place your money in the basket during the service.

God bless,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

This is my first email of the new year, so Happy New Year! Who knows what 2021 will bring?  But the one thing we do know, is that God is with us.

In our church lectionary we are now in Year B, and the Gospel readings will be going through the Gospel of Mark.  This week we begin with the Baptism of Jesus. In baptism, Jesus dedicated himself again to God’s service, and that is what we can also do together as we enter the new year.  As part of our liturgy this week we will say the Methodist Covenant Prayer in place of our Creed.  Read the words, and prepare your hearts to serve God together.

The Methodist Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,
exalted for you, or brought low for you;
let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.

And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. 
So be it.
 
And the covenant now made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.’

 Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, and Mark 1:4-11, and our hymns will be Let All the World in Every Corner Sing, On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry, In Christ alone my hope is Found, and Christ is made the Sure Foundation!

Video of last week’s Epiphany Service can be viewed here!

New Year’s Eve @ YCF

All Saints people had a wonderful New Year’s Eve out at the Youth Charity Foundation.  After dinner together, Mark preached, and the children performed.  

A great end to 2020!

Kids with their presents and All Saints people

!
Singing together!

Mark Preaching

The younger kids “We Wish you a Merry Christmas” You can watch the video of the “We Wish you a Merry Christmas” dance here!

Wednesday 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.

I hope you have a blessed and more positive 2021!  I have now received a negative Covid-19 test result and my fit to fly certificate so I am ready to travel back to Thailand on Friday!  Please pray for my safe journey!

God bless,

Father Iain