From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
A Jewish demonstrator supporting Palestine
(My church email is not working! Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)
Dear Friends,
I am feeling frustrated. The Eighteenth Century philosopher, Edmund Burke, is reported to have said “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” With the on-going bombing and siege in Gaza, I feel I am doing nothing!
War is always a terrible thing as we have seen in Ukraine, Myanmar, and Syria, but this time my own government is supporting the aggressor, the oppressive military superpower behind a fifty year illegal military occupation. I hear stories from friends in the region who have lost family members.
We are called to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem”, and I am praying, but what more can we do? The most urgent need is for a ceasefire, and then the real and meaningful delivery of food, water, medicine, and fuel. We need to lobby our governments to do all they can to bring this about.
In three weeks’ time I will be leading the Remembrance Day Observance at the Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery, let us pray that by then the bombs and missiles will have stopped, hostages will have been released, and the almost impossible work of reconciliation will have begun.
The readings for this Sunday will be from Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, and Matthew 22:34-46, and we will be singing the hymns When Morning Gilds the Skies, In Christ there is no East or West, When I needed a Neighbour, and O God of Earth and Altar!
Use this link to join on Zoom this Sunday at 10:30 am
Meeting ID: 548 801 501
Last Week’s Sermon
Last week’s sermon, “Another Way is Possible!”, is available here!
All Saints Day Celebration
Easter Sunday Baptisms
On Sunday 5th November we will be celebrating All Saints Day. This will be a great day of celebration as we welcome our organist, Kaew, and church member, Kat, to be baptised! We will also be joined by our choir from the Youth Charity Foundation.
Morning worship will be followed by a potluck at the vicarage. Please sign up this Sunday with what you can bring!
Vicarage Potluck time
Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday
On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November we will remember victims of war and together declare “never again!”
On Saturday 11th, I will lead the Remembrance Day Observance at the Foreign Cemetery. Please assemble at 10:30 a.m. Directions to the Foreign Cemetery can be found here!
Then on Remembrance Sunday, we will gather at All Saints at 10:30 a.m. to remember victims of war and armed conflict around the world. The service will include two minutes silence at 11 a.m. and hymns will include The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended, and Abide with Me.
At the Foreign Cemetery
Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil and Service
We hope this vigil will take place at Tha Phae Gate on the evening of Saturday 18th November. More details to follow!
The following morning, Sunday 19th November, we will mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance in our morning worship at All Saints!
Advanced Notice – Festival of Christmas Carols!
This is our wonderful annual Christmas event. Carol singing is led by the Lannacapella Choir and the All Saints Choristers, who will also perform their own pieces of Christmas music. Readings will be given by various Consuls and other local dignitaries.
Events for your Diary
November 5th – Next Sunday
All Saints Day Celebration and Potluck
November 11th
Remembrance Day at the Foreign Cemetery
November 12th
Remembrance Sunday
November 18th
Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil
November 19th
Transgender Day of Remembrance Service
December 3rd
Advent Sunday
December 9th
Festival of Christmas Carols
December 23rd
Christmas Worship in Thai
December 24th
Midnight Mass
December 25th
Christmas Morning Eucharist
Chili Night continues!
Chili Night continues at the usual time of 6 p.m. Come and join us at the vicarage on Tuesday as we share chili followed by ice cream!
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 