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
All Saints' Chiang Mai 