From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
Gene and Kong – Married at Last in the US!
Dear Friends,
Weddings are wonderful and joyful events. On Tuesday I had the pleasure to officiate at the wedding of the young couple who some of you met at church last Sunday, and this week’s Gospel reading records Jesus’ attendance at the Wedding in Cana.
But marriage is much more than an excuse for a big party, it carries a host of duties and responsibilities along with protections and privileges. Some of you will remember David and Shem, an American-Filipino couple who were members of our church and who were married in All Saints. However, as they could not be legally married in Thailand, when David went into hospital and was put on a ventilator, Shem had no say in his treatment, and when David died, Shem had no say in what happened to David’s body, the funeral arrangements, or anything else. This was all in the power of David’s “next of kin”, a distant niece in America. Fortunately, she was happy to follow David and Shem’s wishes and David’s funeral service was held here at All Saints. If she had not been, Shem could have been excluded entirely.
Two couples in our congregation, Gene and Kong, and David and Kim, had to travel abroad to be married to ensure they could receive the protections of any married couple. With the coming of equal marriage to Thailand, things will be so much easier for both Thai and foreign couples.
The Bible tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. While the coming of equal marriage is reason for rejoicing in Thailand, in the UK and US the rights and legal protections of trans people are been taken away. We are called to stand with the marginalised and persecuted and that is what we at All Saints will try to do!
Finally, let us pray for peace in the Holy Land. I hope that by the time you are reading this email, a ceasefire may have been agreed in Gaza.
The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, and John 2:1-11, and we will be singing the hymns All Creatures of our God and King; Stand up stand up for Jesus; Beauty for Brokenness; and Born in Song!
Use this link to join on Zoom on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 548 801 501
Last Sunday’s Service!
Videos of last Sunday’s service is available on the All Saints YouTube channel!
Equal Marriage Celebration
The Chiang Mai Pride Team invites us to make history and celebrate the first day of the Marriage Equality Law.
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Date: Thursday January 23, 2025
Venue: Mueang District Office, Chiang Mai Province
I will be there from 8 a.m. with the campervan. What should we do to show All Saints’ support? We could give out drinks, or pieces of cake, or something. Let me know what you think!
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Event Schedule:
8:30 AM: Wedding procession heads to the District Office
9:00 AM: Official marriage registrations for LGBTQIAN+ couples
10:30 AM: Post-registration celebrations:
Special performances
Historic cake-cutting ceremony
Bouquet toss symbolizing love
Inspirational speeches
Participation of government officials:
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Chiang Mai Governor
Mueang District Chief
Chiang Mai Mayor
11:30 AM:
Declaration celebrating Marriage Equality in Thailand
Helping Seth
Barbara, a long-term member of All Saints writes:
My son Seth (aka Mintra Jack) has ALMOST enough money for his new socket for his prosthetic leg. He’s just about $300 short — Thanks to generous and wonderful friends who’ve helped so far. Details and reasons are all below, in his own words.
Hello everybody, this is Jack. I’m living in Thailand now. My mom lives here too, but I live independently and support myself because I’m an adult now. Everything is good here for me, except that there is no system for me to fix my US prosthetic leg. I got an amazing electronic knee in California about 5 years ago, and it is really good for me, but now I need a new socket for it (that is the upper part of the leg, which changes as your body grows).
Unfortunately, the Thai government prosthetic service only makes sockets for basic, mechanical knees. So I have a temporary mechanical leg now. It is OK, but it buckles often, so I sometimes trip, and it makes walking hard and slow. With my electronic knee, I could walk normally, go up and down stairs, ride bikes, and play sports. My life was much more active.
To get a new socket for my electronic knee, I have to go to a private prosthetist in Bangkok or Chiang Rai and pay 35,000 to 50,000 Thai baht (about $1,000 to $1,500 US.) So far I have saved 11,000 Thai baht (about $320) for this, but I really want to get back on my electronic knee faster, so that I can get my active life back. Can you support me? Any small amount will help. Thank you in advance.
The link to the gofundme page is here where you can donate in US dollars, or see Barbara to make a donation in Thai baht. Thanks for your help!
All Saints Book Group
Book Group is still on hold! We meet on Tuesday afternoons. Time and location TBD. Contact Christa if you would like to join us as we continue our journey together through the book, Living Resistance.
Chili Night
Chili Night will return next Tuesday, 21st January!
Every Tuesday everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the New Vicarage. Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided. Just come along! (But let me know in advance if you can!) All are welcome. Food is served at 6 p.m.
Weekly Offering to All Saints
You can still donate in person or online – and now you can us our QR code!. 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
All Saints' Chiang Mai 