Shepherding!!!!

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Feed – all – my Sheep

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus says to Peter “Feed my sheep!”  Jesus was a carpenter, not a shepherd.  He wasn’t talking about actual sheep, but the people entrusted to his care. 

We all have sheep to feed – some are part of our natural families, some friends – both new and old, and some are those who are part of our church family!  

Elsewhere, Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd and talks about having “other sheep, not of this sheepfold”.  He was probably talking about the Gentiles, but we also have “other sheep” to watch over – those who are marginalised and on the edge of our society.  One group are migrants, another are trans people.  At All Saints we are reaching out to both!

Pastor Mark, and others, continue to take assistance to the Myanmar border, while others assist within that war-torn country.  Christa and I, and others, are heading-up transACTIONrefuge, seeking to share a safe-space for trans people fleeing persecution in the US and elsewhere.  These are all sheep we are called upon to feed!

On the 25th May – only just over three weeks away – we will take part in Chiang Mai Pride.  Pride marches have become fun events, a time of celebration for all the family supported by large corporate sponsors and government agencies, but they began as protest marches where participants were spat-upon by passersby and harassed by the police.  With the rolling-back of LGBTQ rights in many parts of the world, this need to protest has returned just as many of the corporate sponsors have departed and governments have turned hostile.  LGBTQ people are “sheep” strongly in need of feeding with acceptance, affirmation, and solidarity.

All Saints stands firmly in solidarity with those on the margins – we will feed these sheep!

Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be Acts 9:1-20, Revelation 5:11-14, and John 21:1-19, and we will be singing the hymns Jesus Christ is Risen Today; Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks; In Christ alone my hope is Found; and All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!

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

Last Week’s Service!

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

Pride in Chiang Mai

This year Chiang Mai Pride takes place on Sunday 25th May.  All Saints will have a special service that morning and then will take part in the parade, marching behind our “Christians at Pride” banner.  We will also have our campervan-booth at the Thapae Gate where the march will end.

Maejo Pride is on 29th June and All Saints will be involved there too!

Inclusive Church Conference

At the end of May, Christa and I will be attending this first international event gathering community leaders and allies in East and Southeast Asia.  It will focus on building an ongoing support network for communities, exploring opportunities to facilitate resources sharing, learning from stories and ministry experiences, and witnessing God’s love and unity in Christ.  This will give us the opportunity to reach out to other inclusive Christians and churches in Asia, and perhaps help to raise support for some of All Saint’s work in Chiang Mai

We have obtained the Thai resident discount so it is costing THB 2,000 each rather than $150, and we are also sponsoring a Thai pastors conference fee.  Flights are also around THB 2,000 return. If anyone would like to contribute to the costs of our participation, please see Christa or me, or speak to Adam, who is our new church treasurer!

Urgent – Church Finances!



All Saints now has a working Foundation, which is a firm footing for the future, and we came through the flood due to the generous giving of members and friends.  But… we have a problem: we need a weekly collection each Sunday of around THB 10,000 to cover our regular outgoings, but the regular offering is usually around THB 3,000 – and half of that comes from two people!  Last week’s offering was THB 4,231.  

Generally, we need each adult present to give an average of THB 500 per week.  Of course, some people have very little money, so others need to give more!

There is a biblical tradition of giving a tithe – 10% of your income to God!  Jesus calls us to give all!  Please consider your weekly income – work out how much a tenth is, and then reflect on what you are giving to All Saints.  We are not asking for 10%, but are you giving only 1%, 2%, or 3% – do you spend more on a meal out, than you give to support all the good things that All Saints is doing?

I’m sure we have been at fault in failing to share the needs of All Saints clearly – but our bank balance has been falling steadily since Covid.  We will struggle to pay the rent and salary bill next month unless our income increases.  Most of our offering goes to cover the salaries of our Congregational Pastor, our Organist, our Administrator, and our Cleaner – they are all part-time, but each one provides a vital function in the life of our church!

Please consider your giving – you can give more beginning next Sunday, or you can give each week and right now in the following ways:

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

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



If you have a UK bank account, you can donate via the All Saints Chiang Mai Mission UK account:

Bank: Coop Bank
Account Name:  All Saints Chiang Mai Mission
Account Number: 65877142
Sort Code:  08-92-99

Or other international donors can give via PayPal to the IainBaxterMinistry UK account using a debit or credit card.

One-off donations will be gratefully received, but most of all we need you to consider your regular weekly giving.

Thanks and God bless you!


Chili Night is Back!

See you again next Tuesday, 6th May!  Once again everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the 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.

Please make a donation on THB 100 per person!

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online – and now you can use 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 and Happy Easter,

Vicar Iain _{^{(he/they/she)}}