Ghost eats Fish!

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Is that Jesus?

(My church email is not working!  Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)

Dear Friends,

“Man bites Dog!” is a much more interesting headline than “Dog bites Man!” – it’s much less common and points to a more unusual story!  So therefore the headline “Ghost eats Fish!” would attract attention where the words “man eats fish” is scarcely worth the paper it’s written on.

According to Luke’s account, when Jesus first appeared to his disciples after his resurrection they thought that he was a ghost.  To prove that he really was flesh and blood – just like them – he asked them for something to eat.  They gave him a piece of fish which he ate in their presence!

“Ghost eats Fish!” would be a good headline, but “Man rises from Dead!” is surely a better one, and that is the beginning of the message of Easter. 

Some of the information in this week’s email may seem discouraging, but life, and church life, has its natural ups and downs.  Whatever is happening we can be confident that God is with us and that Christ’s resurrection is evidence that all will be well!

Ghost eats Fish!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, and Luke 24:36b-48, and we will be singing the hymns Jesus Christ is Risen Today; Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks; All Heaven Declares; and Thine Be the Glory!

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

Video of Last Sunday’s Service!

Video of Last Sunday’s Service is now available here!

Father Peter – New Job

Father Peter has accepted the part-time post of Chaplain to Kingston College in Mitchelstown Co Cork, Ireland, and will probably take up the work in early June.   He will be ministering to the residents of the 30+ homes in the 18th Century independent living complex.

We will miss him greatly in both his public preaching ministry and his behind-the-scenes work on the Church Council and with the Youth Charity Foundation Child Protection Policy.

Please hold Peter and his family in your prayers!

Parkinson’s Disease

Many of you already know this, but for those who don’t, on Monday 1st April I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease!

I had an appointment with a neurologist at Sripat Hospital – the private wing of the Chiang Mai University hospital –  as I have been limping and have experienced decreased dexterity with my right hand.  She diagnosed Parkinson’s Disease.  I had an MRI scan and this helped to confirm the diagnosis.

Although there is currently no cure, it should respond well to treatment and I have already sensed some improvement after ten days on the medication.  There should be no immediate impact on my ability to perform my ministry at All Saints, but we will have to watch the situation.

This has obviously come as a great shock to me and especially to my mum!  I am feeling fine in myself and am responding well to the medication, but it is still very early days.

Mum, Ratcha, and I would greatly value your prayers.

God bless you and thanks for all your continuing love and support.

All Saints South



Things have changed since I had the initial idea for All Saints South.

Firstly, with the departure of Nat the possibility of a Thai congregation has ended for now.  

Secondly, although almost everyone was very enthusiastic about the idea, nobody other than Pastor Mark had definitely committed to attending the new church.  

Thirdly, with the planned departure of Father Peter, we would only have two priests instead of three.  

Fourthly, our finances are not as strong as they were previously.  This is partly due to the costs associated with the setting up of the All Saints Foundation, but also due to a drop in congregational giving.  

Finally, my Parkinson’s diagnosis means that things are a little more uncertain, so making major changes may not be wise at this time.

I am concerned that, as things currently stand, the establishment of a new congregation might lead to two priests in two locations struggling to maintain two buildings and congregations alone.

One of the reasons for establishing All Saints South was to enable Mark to further exercise his call to ministry, the second was to meet the need in the Hang Dong area.  While we still believe there is a need for a progressive church in the south of Chiang Mai, it might take some time to become established but, as always, all is in God’s hands!


Chili Night – Cancelled!!!! (For one week)

There will be no Chili Night next Tuesday, 16th April!  Chili Night will return on Tuesday 23rd April at the usual time of 6 p.m.!  This is because Mum and I are off to Angkor Wat in Cambodia!  We will just be away for Monday to Friday so will be at church on Sunday as usual!!!


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 you,

Father Iain