Monthly Archives: February 2022

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

The Vision of God!

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – THIS SUNDAY!

Dear Friends,
This week our bible readings focus on the Transfiguration when Jesus was revealed in shining glory.  What is our vision of Jesus like?  A holy God, a close friend and brother, a distant figure of history? Our vision probably includes all three images and many more, and will vary over time, but how do we approach God, how do we relate to the divine?

Mark will be preaching again this Sunday, as we contemplate the holiness of God!

The readings for this Sunday will be Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, and Luke 9:28-43, and we will be singing the hymns Praise my Soul the King of Heaven, Transfiguration Hymn, You laid aside Your Majesty, and When we walk with the Lord!

Use this link to join this Sunday on Zoom at 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Last week’s Service!

It was wonderful to have our choir, formed from some of the children of the Youth Charity Foundation, with us again last Sunday. You can watch last week’s sermon and hear the children sing during communion with this link!

We also had a very enjoyable potluck – thanks to all who made this possible!

Annual General Meeting 2022 –  This Sunday!

Our AGM will be held on Sunday 27th February following the morning service, in accordance with the provisions of our 2021 Constitution. 

What does the AGM do?

All Saints is a hybrid church – we are neither fully congregational nor fully episcopal.

In a congregational church, all authority under God rests with the congregation.

In the purest form of congregationalism, all decisions would be taken by vote of a congregational meeting.  This would require almost weekly congregational meetings, and so decisions would be made by those who happened to be present that week.  In a quickly changing congregation, like All Saints, this could be quite unstable.

In a completely episcopal church, like the Roman Catholic or Orthodox churches, all authority under God rests with the bishops, who delegate that authority to priests.  The lay people do not have formal authority in the structure and authority is passed on in the Apostolic Succession.  In an independent congregation, like All Saints, this would put all authority in the hands of one person and wouldn’t provide a system for accountability.

So All Saints’ constitution seeks to provide a system of checks and balances, taking the best features from each model.

Firstly, the congregation is the ultimate authority, under God, but delegates that authority by appointing a priest and electing members of the Church Council.

Each year, the congregation elects new members of the Church Council at its Annual General Meeting. 

This year, one of our longest-serving members, Helga Spring, will be stepping down.   Of the remaining three lay members, Chris Tananone has agreed to serve for one more year to aid transition to the newer council members, Hannah Alexander-Herrick has only served for a year, and Katie Wierenga was co-opted to complete the remainder of Bill Moeller’s term in September.

To ensure continuity, our Church Council consists of four lay seats elected by the congregation, and three clerical seats occupied by the clergy or, in the absence of three clerical staff, nominated by the vicar.  Nominations are now closed and four people have been nominated for the four elected positions on the Church Council.  They are:

Chris Tananone
Hannah Alexander-Herrick
Katie Wierenga
Sarah Sensamaust

Both Mark Crawford and I have been in leadership at All Saints for a number of years, and so, along with Chris, can provide that needed continuity and institutional memory – but we can be outvoted by the lay members.  (Our deacon, Gene Bourquin, has temporarily set down as he explores possible ordination to the priesthood within The Episcopal Church.)

Article 2 of the All Saints constitution states:

“The ultimate authority of All Saints Chiang Mai is the word of God. The authority for the governance of the temporal affairs of the church (such as finance, property, and governance) rests with the congregation and is carried out by the Church Council. The authority for spiritual matters rests with the vicar. If there is a disagreement about whether an issue is spiritual or temporal, this will be determined by the Church Council.”

Our constitution seeks to balance leadership and accountability, and contains further checks and balances to this end.  You can download and read the whole constitution here.

How can you be involved in the future of All Saints? 

Firstly, attend the AGM this Sunday where you can elect members to the new Council.

Secondly, pray for your Church Council members, give them your support, and share your ideas and concerns with them.

And finally, pray for Mark and I as we lead All Saints forward, and carry spiritual responsibility for God’s people.

The AGM will not last very long.  There will be a Vicar’s Report, and a Financial Report from Arthur Mann, our Treasurer.  The congregation will then be asked to approve the budget for 2020 and elect the new Church Council. 

Please be there and be involved if you can – it is your church!

Ash Wednesday – Next Week!

We will have a special Ash Wednesday Service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday 2nd March.  This will include the imposition of ashes. 

Use this link to join on Zoom at 7 p.m.
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Sad News

Those of you who were at church last Sunday will know that my car was hit by a motorcyclist last Friday night, following the choir practice at YCF.  My car was parked and so I wasn’t involved in the actual accident.

Sadly the man died on Tuesday.  Please hold his family in your prayers.


Chili Night 

A few of the group!

Mum and I may be away on Monday and Tuesday next week so Chili Night may be cancelled.  We will announce whether it will happen at the service on Sunday.

Prayer Meeting

We have a weekly online prayer meeting.  Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.  

Use this link to join the prayer!

Weekly Offering to All Saints
You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

God is with us!

POTLUCK THIS WEEK

Dear Friends,

A couple of years ago I said to my brother “With Covid the future is so uncertain.”  “The future is always uncertain!” He replied.  And that is so true, but with God we can be certain that in the end all will be well!

Yesterday my exciting plans fell through.  They weren’t very important plans, nothing life-changing, but one minute I had a plan for what I was going to do next week, and the next minute that plan was gone.  Sometimes the roller-coaster of expectations can be exhausting, but as Christians we have the promise of Immanuel – that God is with us!

This does not mean that life is always easy – for some people it is very hard indeed – but the promise of God can be a comfort even in the darkest times.  I think of a friend from Egypt who has just lost her husband to a sudden heart attack in his mid-forties, leaving her with two teenage children.  God is with us – but sometimes life is tough!

So let us take comfort, and pray for one another.  Let us show love, mercy, and thankfulness, and let us rest in the Lord’s arms.

The bible readings for this Sunday will be Genesis 2:4-9, 15-25, Revelation 4, and Luke 8:22-25, and we will be singing the hymns Before the Throne of God Above, Christ is the World’s Light, Give me Jesus, and Christ Be Our Light!

Use this link to join this Sunday on Zoom at 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Potluck – This Sunday!

This will be our annual pancake potluck as we anticipate the beginning of Lent.  Some people have been allocated things to bring, but everyone can bring pancake toppings to share!

Covid at the Youth Charity Foundation

The outbreak is now officially over.  Only one girl actually tested positive and half the choir will join us for our service and potluck this week.  All is well now – thanks be to God!

New Home Groups – Starting Soon!

All Saints Chiang Mai will soon be starting Home Groups based on the teachings, videos, and book by Brene Brown on vulnerability.  Vulnerability has been proven to improve creativity and enjoyment of life.  We will be embarking on an adventure together!  These groups will be open to whoever wants to learn more about vulnerability in a safe and supportive community.  An opportunity to invite friends who do not attend All Saints and even those who never imagine themselves setting foot in a church.  

Our time together will include a meal, video or other learning activity, and time for discussion.  The groups will meet for approximately 1 ½ hours per week.  Please click on the survey below so we can find the best days and time to launch these new Home Groups.  Thank you!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9N3SG36

Annual General Meeting 2022 – Next Sunday, 27th February

Our AGM will be held on Sunday 27th February following the morning service, in accordance with the provisions of our 2021 Constitution. 

What does the AGM do?

All Saints is a hybrid church – we are neither fully congregational nor fully episcopal.

In a congregational church, all authority under God rests with the congregation.

In the purest form of congregationalism, all decisions would be taken by vote of a congregational meeting.  This would require almost weekly congregational meetings, and so decisions would be made by those who happened to be present that week.  In a quickly changing congregation, like All Saints, this could be quite unstable.

In a completely episcopal church, like the Roman Catholic or Orthodox churches, all authority under God rests with the bishops, who delegate that authority to priests.  The lay people do not have formal authority in the structure and authority is passed on in the Apostolic Succession.  In an independent congregation, like All Saints, this would put all authority in the hands of one person and wouldn’t provide a system for accountability.

So All Saints’ constitution seeks to provide a system of checks and balances, taking the best features from each model.

Firstly, the congregation is the ultimate authority, under God, but delegates that authority by appointing a priest and electing members of the Church Council.

Each year, the congregation elects new members of the Church Council at its Annual General Meeting. 

This year, one of our longest-serving members, Helga Spring, will be stepping down.   Of the remaining three lay members, Chris Tananone has agreed to serve for one more year to aid transition to the newer council members, Hannah Alexander-Herrick has only served for a year, and Katie Wierenga was co-opted to complete the remainder of Bill Moeller’s term in September.

To ensure continuity, our Church Council consists of four lay seats elected by the congregation, and three clerical seats occupied by the clergy or, in the absence of three clerical staff, nominated by the vicar.  Nominations are now closed and four people have been nominated for the four elected positions on the Church Council.  They are:

Chris Tananone
Hannah Alexander-Herrick
Katie Wierenga
Sarah Sensamaust

Both Mark Crawford and I have been in leadership at All Saints for a number of years, and so, along with Chris, can provide that needed continuity and institutional memory – but we can be outvoted by the lay members.  (Our deacon, Gene Bourquin, has temporarily set down as he explores possible ordination to the priesthood within The Episcopal Church.)

Article 2 of the All Saints constitution states:

“The ultimate authority of All Saints Chiang Mai is the word of God. The authority for the governance of the temporal affairs of the church (such as finance, property, and governance) rests with the congregation and is carried out by the Church Council. The authority for spiritual matters rests with the vicar. If there is a disagreement about whether an issue is spiritual or temporal, this will be determined by the Church Council.”

Our constitution seeks to balance leadership and accountability, and contains further checks and balances to this end.  You can download and read the whole constitution here.

How can you be involved in the future of All Saints? 

Firstly, attend the AGM on 27th February where you can elect members to the new Council.

Secondly, pray for your Church Council members, give them your support, and share your ideas and concerns with them.

And finally, pray for Mark and I as we lead All Saints forward, and carry spiritual responsibility for God’s people.

The AGM will not last very long.  There will be a Vicar’s Report, and a Financial Report from Arthur Mann, our Treasurer.  The congregation will then be asked to approve the budget for 2020 and elect the new Church Council. 

Please be there and be involved if you can – it is your church!

Chili Night 

A few of the group!

Chili Night at the vicarage continues on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.

Every week, mum and I are hosting this open-house, offering chili con carne and rice followed by ice cream.  Anyone can come  – you don’t have to let us know, just turn up.  (Although advanced notice is useful so we can prepare enough chili!)

All are welcome – not just All Saints people.  Tell your friends, spread the word!

The address is:

The New Vicarage,
9/65 Ban Ing Doi,
Kan Klong Chonprathan Road, 
Tambon Chang Phueak, 
Chiang Mai

This is the link on Google Maps.

Prayer Meeting

We have a weekly online prayer meeting.  Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.  

Use this link to join the prayer!

Weekly Offering to All Saints
You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Money, Money. Money!

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Gospel reading from Luke, Jesus talks of blessings.  But is money a blessing?  Certainly it is – we need money to live and take care of those we love!  But is lots of money a sign of blessing, a sign of God’s favour?  Mark addressed this is his sermon last week. 

Most of us reject the “prosperity gospel” – the idea that if we are good Christians we should have health, wealth, and the good life. On the other hand, few of us have taken a vow  of poverty either – we don’t believe that all Christians should give everything to the poor. It is a dichotomy – how much is enough and how much is too much?  How do we witness to God’s love with our use of material things? 

Blessed are you who are poor,
   for yours is the kingdom of God.

When I began All Saints I was a student living on my savings.  By the end of the first year I was ready to move into the church office as I had no money for rent or anything else.  God then provided me with a job, and now I have a big house and a car.  Is that wrong?

I think the secret is that we have to hold on to things lightly.  We must remember that all blessing is from God and we need to be ready to share and, indeed, give everything away again, if God calls on us to do so. And meanwhile, we need to be thankful people, giving thanks to God for all God has provided, for it is from God – and not because of our own cleverness or righteousness – but because of God’s love for all!

The bible readings for this Sunday will be Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, and Luke 6:17-26, and we will be singing the hymns When Morning Gilds the Skies, The Lord’s My Shepherd, Be Still for the Presence of the Lord, and Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing!

Use this link to join this Sunday on Zoom at 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Covid at the Youth Charity Foundation

The good news is that there has still been only one positive case at YCF and so God willing the children should be able to come out of self-isolation tomorrow. Please continue to hold them all in your prayers.

Videos of Sermons and Services

We are currently livestreaming all our services on Zoom as well as recording them on video for later editing and uploading.  This takes four to five hours each week, and due to other activities over the Advent and Christmas period I have not been able to keep up with all the services and sermons that need editing.We are planning to buy some equipment to greatly improve our livestreaming and so we can upload the service immediately.

Let me have your feedback!  Do you watch the sermons/services if you have missed them?  Let me know.  We want to know that this would be of value to people!

Next Potluck – 20th February!

This will be our annual pancake potluck as we anticipate the beginning of Lent.  Hopefully, some of the YCF children will be able to join us.

Watch this space for more details!

New Home Groups – Starting Soon!

All Saints Chiang Mai will soon be starting Home Groups based on the teachings, videos, and book by Brene Brown on vulnerability. 

Vulnerability has been proven to improve creativity and enjoyment of life.  We will be embarking on an adventure together!  These groups will be open to whoever wants to learn more about vulnerability in a safe and supportive community.  An opportunity to invite friends who do not attend All Saints and even those who never imagine themselves setting foot in a church.  

Our time together will include a meal, video or other learning activity, and time for discussion.  The groups will meet for approximately 1 ½ hours per week.  

Please click on the survey below so we can find the best days and time to launch these new Home Groups.  Thank you!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9N3SG36

Annual General Meeting 2022 – 27th February

Our AGM will be held on Sunday 27th February following the morning service, in accordance with the provisions of our 2021 Constitution. 

Nominations are now closed and four people have been nominated for the four elected positions on the Church Council.  They are:

Chris Tananone
Hannah Alexander-Herrick
Katie Wierenga
Sarah Sensamaust

The AGM will not last very long.  There will be a Vicar’s Report, and a Financial Report from Arthur Mann, our Treasurer.  The congregation will then be asked to approve the budget for 2020 and elect the new Church Council. Please be there and be involved if you can – it is your church!


Chili Night 

A few of the group!

Chili Night at the vicarage continues on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.

Every week, mum and I are hosting this open-house, offering chili con carne and rice followed by ice cream.  Anyone can come  – you don’t have to let us know, just turn up.  (Although advanced notice is useful so we can prepare enough chili!) All are welcome – not just All Saints people.  Tell your friends, spread the word!

Prayer Meeting

We have a weekly online prayer meeting.  Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.  

Use this link to join the prayer!

Weekly Offering to All Saints
You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Fishing on Galilee!

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells his fishermen- disciples that they will fish for people!  In other places Jesus talks about the harvest in a similar way. We are all called to gather people in to God’s kingdom – not so that we can save people from eternal damnation, Jesus has already done that for all – but so people can know the blessing of God’s healing now.

Very often we fail to reflect the values of God’s kingdom – our own past hurts and disappointments can make us doubt our own worth, and insecurities flow to the surface – but we have the assurance that God loves us and that we are safe in God’s hands.  This should enable us to be generous with our money, our time, and indeed risk are very lives.

Jesus calls us reach out, and this we must do.  But we must also reach in, to love one another and even love ourselves. So let us take courage, and invite people into God’s wonderful presence and blessing.

The bible readings for this Sunday will be Isaiah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, and Luke 5:1-11, and we will be singing the hymns Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty, Jesus calls us o’er the tumult, I will offer up my life, and Tell Out My Soul!

Use this link to join this Sunday on Zoom at 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Covid at the Youth Charity Foundation

Khun Tasnee, the director of YCF, contacted me on Monday to say that there were eight suspected cases of covid-19 at the orphanage. Happily, only one case has actually been confirmed so far and she is in the hospital, but YCF is now in isolation and the children are again unable to go to school.

If it were not for my food poisoning last Thursday, Kaew, Mum, and I, would have been at YCF for choir on Friday, and the children would have been at All Saints on Sunday.  Then we all would have had to be self-isolating.

Please hold them all in your prayers at this stressful time, and especially the fourteen year old girl who is in hospital.

Videos of Sermons and Services

We are currently livestreaming all our services on Zoom as well as recording them on video for later editing and uploading.  This takes four to five hours each week, and due to other activities over the Advent and Christmas period I have not been able to keep up with all the services and sermons that need editing.

We are planning to buy some equipment to greatly improve our livestreaming and so we can upload the service immediately. Let me have your feedback!  Do you watch the sermons/services if you have missed them?  Let me know.  We want to know that this would be of value to people!

Next Potluck – 20th February!

This will be our annual pancake potluck as we anticipate the beginning of Lent.  Hopefully, some of the YCF children will be able to join us.

Watch this space for more details!

New Home Groups – Starting Soon!

 All Saints Chiang Mai will soon be starting Home Groups based on the teachings, videos, and book by Brene Brown on vulnerability. 

Vulnerability has been proven to improve creativity and enjoyment of life.  We will be embarking on an adventure together!  These groups will be open to whoever wants to learn more about vulnerability in a safe and supportive community.  An opportunity to invite friends who do not attend All Saints and even those who never imagine themselves setting foot in a church.  

Our time together will include a meal, video or other learning activity, and time for discussion.  The groups will meet for approximately 1 ½ hours per week.  

Please click on the survey below so we can find the best days and time to launch these new Home Groups.  Thank you! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9N3SG36

Annual General Meeting 2022 – 27th February

Our AGM will be held on Sunday 27th February following the morning service, in accordance with the provisions of our 2021 Constitution.  Nominations are now closed and four people have been nominated for the four elected positions on the Church Council.  They are:

Chris Tananone
Hannah Alexander-Herrick
Katie Wierenga
Sarah Sensamaust

The AGM will not last very long.  There will be a Vicar’s Report, and a Financial Report from Arthur Mann, our Treasurer.  The congregation will then be asked to approve the budget for 2020 and elect the new Church Council. 

Please be there and be involved if you can – it is your church!


Chili Night 

A few of the group!

Chili Night at the vicarage continues on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.

Every week, mum and I are hosting this open-house, offering chili con carne and rice followed by ice cream.  Anyone can come  – you don’t have to let us know, just turn up.  (Although advanced notice is useful so we can prepare enough chili!) All are welcome – not just All Saints people.  Tell your friends, spread the word!

Prayer Meeting

We have a weekly online prayer meeting.  Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.  

Use this link to join the prayer!

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless,

Father Iain