Monthly Archives: April 2025

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Devastation in Myanmar

Dear Friends,

We seem to be living in a time of earthquake, flood, war, and pestilence – Myanmar has been suffering from all four over the last couple of years.  In the face of such calamity there may seem little we can do, but we can do something.  At All Saints we are collecting clothes for the people who make it to the Thai border zone and collecting money to help those at close to the earthquake’s epicenter.  

In another unrelated project, we are also reaching out to help trans people suffering increasing persecution.

But in this week’s Gospel reading we read of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet and wiping them with her hair.  That was a weird thing to do!!!!  Jesus was a guest in her home, so it’s not as if she wouldn’t have been able to find a towel to wipe his feet dry and, as in Thailand, feet were considered very low and unclean, whereas the head was to be honoured!  But, it’s all about honouring and celebrating relationship – worshipping almost!  And Judas is the one who decries the waste!

In this time of suffering of many kinds, we are creating art at All Saints in our Stations of the Cross workshop.  A waste of time and money, or a celebration of beauty, an offering of our talents in contemplation of what is good in the world?  It is a declaration that Christ’s suffering on the cross was not a waste, a mighty declaration that the truth, that love, is worth dying for – and worth fighting for!

The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4-14, and John 12:1-8, and we will be singing the hymns O Worship the King, Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart, I will offer up my life, and When in our Music God is Glorified!

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

Last Sunday’s Service!

Video of last Sunday’s service is available on the All Saints YouTube channel! 

Earthquake Assistance

All Saints has a long history of supporting those working with the people of Myanmar.  Following the recent earthquake, an already dire situation has become even more desperate.  

We are now collecting clothes for displaced people on either side of the Thai/Burmese border.  We can also forward money to two churches we have links with – one in Tachileik and one in Mandalay, close to the epicentre of the quake.

There will be a special offering on Sunday or you can donate via the All Saints Foundation:

Bank:                      Kasikorn Bank
Account Name:      All Saints Foundation
Account Number:  170-3-79007-7
SWIFT code:          KASITHBK

Alternatively you can use the QR code for the church account in my name.

In both cases, please email our Foundation Administrator, Gai, on ratree4316@gmail.com to specify that your donation is for the Earthquake Appeal.

Clothes can also be left by the backdoor of All Saints. 

Thanks for anything you can give.

transACTIONrefuge

Last Sunday’s Church Council meeting approved a new project for All Saints: transACTIONrefuge.  With the immediate needs in neighbouring Myanmar, this issue may seem less of a priority, but even as we do all we can to help the victims of last week’s earthquake, we can reach out to others too!

The situation for trans people in the US is deteriorating rapidly with bans from sports and the military, withdrawing of healthcare and removal of legal protections, loss of employment, and risk of physical attack.  Most people will stay and try to cope where they are, while others may move to other states, but for some the only safe and acceptable solution may be to leave.

All Saints has always Proclaimed “All are Welcome”, and trans and gay people have been involved in its leadership from the outset.  transACTIONrefuge aims to help trans people and their families navigate the pitfalls of moving to an unfamiliar country – giving help with visas, accommodation, healthcare, jobs, and daily living.  We will be working with trusted Thai LGBT-friendly businesses and organizations including the LinQ Foundation and the Thanthayar Foundation as to make sure that their geographical transition is as smooth as possible!

Hopeful things will soon get better and this project won’t be needed, but if things remain as they are, or get worse, we will be ready to help.

You can read more on our dedicated transACTIONrefuge Facebook Page.

Stations of the Cross – This Saturday!



Join us for an Interactive Contemplative Stations of the Cross experience!

All are invited to create a representation of a key event leading to Jesus’ crucifixion through whatever media you prefer: drawing, knitting, painting, collage, anything visual.

Sign up with Christa on Sunday to pick one of the 14 key events for your depiction or message her to see which events are left.

The 14 “stations” we are marking are:

1  Jesus in the Garden
2  Judas betrays Jesus
3  Jesus before the Sanhedrin
4  Peter denies Jesus
5  Peter before Pilate
6  The Crown of Thornes
7  The Cross
8   Simon carries the Cross
9   The Women at the Cross
10  Jesus is Crucified
11  The Thief on the Cross
12  Jesus’ Mother
13  Jesus dies on the Cross
14  Jesus is placed in the Tomb

(At the time of writing the stations in italics are already taken and the ones in bold are still available.  Contact Christa to make your choice!)

Then join us for a half-day retreat where we’ll contemplate our depictions of each event together. This Saturday, 5 April, 9:00-12:30 at All Saints. 

No artistic skill is required. All are invited to participate in making a creation, and/or attending the retreat, and/or enjoying the creations displayed on Sundays throughout the remainder of the Lenten season to prepare us for Good Friday and Easter Morning!


Easter Dates



Dates for your diary!
 
Stations Work    5th April 2025
Palm Sunday   13th April 2025
Good Friday     18th April 2025
Easter Sunday 20th April 2025
 

Chili Night is taking a Break!

Chili Night will be taking a break until May as so many people are out of town!

See you again on Tuesday 6th May!

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 God is mighty and we are in God’s hands!

God bless you,

Vicar Iain _{^{(he/they/she)}}