From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
Last Week’s Harvest Offering
Dear Friends,
Last Sunday we had a wonderful celebration of harvest at All Saints when we gave thanks for God’s great provision, but those of us who are rich often forget to say thankyou, and it is the poor and marginalised – the people on the edge – who express their gratitude! So it is in this week’s Gospel reading.
This Sunday we will read from Luke chapter seventeen where Jesus heals a group of ten lepers. However, the only who returns to thank Jesus is a Samaritan. He is the one who expresses his gratitude and Jesus commends him saying ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’ The story of the Syro-Phonecian woman and the Roman Centurion are similar stories where it is the foreigner who is commended for their faith!
How do we reach out to the people on the margins of our society? Our work with the Youth Charity Foundation, refugees from Myanmar, and transACTIONrefuge are three of the ways we do this at All Saints.
Another way we can share our abundance, and give thanks to God, is by giving away the things which we do not need or no longer use! Sarah Sensamaust has volunteered to run a virtual garage sale on behalf of All Saints! We can turn our surplus possessions into money to build God’s kingdom and help those in need. (See below for details!)
Whatever we do, we are called to serve those in need!
The scripture readings for this Sunday will be from 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, and Luke 17:11-19, and we will be singing the hymns Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise; Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart; O Christ the Healer; and Great is Thy Faithfulness!
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YouTube Live
We now use YouTube Live to livestream our service.
To watch our service live this Sunday please follow these steps:
1) Click on the link below, and this will take you to the All Saints Chiang Mai YouTube channel.
2) Then click on “All Saints Chiang Mai is Live” to watch the service
Use this link to join our Sunday service on YouTube Live!
Last Week’s Service!
Video of last Sunday’s service is available on the All Saints YouTube channel!
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Virtual Garage Sale
A Garage Sale is a North American tradition where people empty-out their unwanted possessions (often stored in a garage) and put them for sale in their yard. In England we have “car boot sales” for a similar purpose.
The disadvantage of a traditional garage sale is that you need somewhere to store all the stuff and people may have things to dispose of at different times! Hence… a Virtual Garage Sale!
This is how it will work:
1) Bring your item to church, or the MCC Office, or send Sarah a photo and description if that’s easier!
2) Sarah will advertise the item online.
3) People can buy the item online and then collect or have it sent by Grab delivery.
Hopefully, we will raise much needed money for church funds!
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Hair Raising
Over the last few weeks some of you will have seen me sporting extra hair! I haven’t gone mad, but after thirty years of the same non-hairstyle I am ready for a change. Such is the prejudice about “wearing a wig” that it has taken a great deal of courage to do so! (While Pastor Mark has happily had green hair and now a pony-tale or man-bun!)
I think it makes me look younger – and it certainly makes me look different – but whether or not it does or not, I like the change. (And it’s my head! Lol!) All Saints likes to proclaim that “All are Welcome” and by being who we are and modeling the way we want to be seen, we open that door wider for those who are unsure of their welcome if they come as their true selves.
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Behind the scenes at ASCMM and transACTIONrefuge
I have submitted the 2024 Annual Report for All Saints Chiang Mai Mission to the UK Charity Commission. ASCMM is a UK register charity which handles funds from the UK for All Saints and the Youth Charity Foundation. We have seven hardworking trustees who oversee the work and perform this valuable, though unseen, task! Thank you for all your hard work!
Meanwhile, transACTIONrefuge continues to reach out with valuable information and assistance to hundreds of trans individuals and families who are considering fleeing their homes to find a place of greater safety. We have recently found a possible source of grant funding and are beginning our application. Please pray for this work!
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Chili Night
Chili Night continues this Tuesday! Every week 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 THB 100 donation.
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,
Vicar Iain (he/they/she)
All Saints' Chiang Mai 