Transfigured?

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Jesus Transfigured

Ash Wednesday Service – Next Week!

A Potluck will follow the service this Sunday.

Dear Friends,

Jesus was assigned human at birth when he was actually God inside – actually he was both, for the scriptures attest that Jesus was fully man and fully God – God with us!

Christ’s true nature was revealed at the transfiguration when the disciples caught a glimpse of Jesus’ true self!

Lent is almost upon us, we will celebrate “Pancake Sunday” this week, but on the Sunday before Lent the Gospel reading is always the story of Jesus’ transfiguration.  Before his all-too-human temptations and death on the cross are remembered, we remember Jesus shining with the glory of God!

That is what the Transfiguration is about – it is the revelation of who Jesus really is – the Son of God!  And Moses and Elijah appear to testify about this on behalf of the Law and the Prophets.

What about us?  How do we see Jesus?  And are we prepared to reveal who we really are too?  Do we even know who that is?  If we believe, then we are children of God, and that knowledge is at least a start!

The readings this week will be Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, and Matthew 17:1-9, and we will be singing the hymns Praise to the Lord, Transfiguration Hymn; You laid aside Your Majesty; and Christ be our Light!  Our choir will be singing Transfiguration and The Lord Bless You and Keep You.

Then on Wednesday we will have two services to mark Ash Wednesday: firstly a short service at 8:30 a.m. and then our usual Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m.  Both services will include the imposition of ashes.

At our 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday service we will sing the hymns Abide with Me, O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go, and The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended.

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!

Video of Last Week’s Sermon

Video of last week’s sermon is now available on the All Saints YouTube Channel

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Next Potluck – This Sunday



Our next potluck will be at the vicarage this Sunday.  This will be our Pancake Potluck heralding the beginning of Lent.  Our choir will be joining us for worship, but unfortunately cannot attend the potluck so we will plan the number of pancakes accordingly!
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All Saints Annual General Meeting – Last Sunday



This was held following the morning service last Sunday, 8th February.

The meeting received reports, approved the budget for 2026, and elected a new Church Council for the next year.   
Four people were elected for the elected positions on the Church Council.  They are:

Paddy Davis
Barbara Franklin
Elsa King
Charlotte Sensamaust

In addition, I, as vicar, remain an ex-officio member, and Christa Crawford will replace Mark Crawford in one of the two other clergy positions.  Helen Catton has been co-opted to fill the other clergy position in the absence of another clerical candidate.

In response to my vicar’s report, there was a discussion regarding the future of the All Saints Foundation:

This is now working smoothly due to the hard work of our administrator, Gai. However, it is not providing the solution we had hoped for.  Although it has enabled us to have a bank account in the name of All Saints, it has not increased our transparency or allowed us to obtain volunteer visas for our clergy.  It is costing around THB 200,000 a year to maintain which amounts to around 20% of our annual budget.  We are also struggling to fulfil the requirement to benefit “Thai people” other than in our work with YCF, and they are a separate foundation. 

Additionally, two of the foundation board members wish to resign and this could take 12 to 18 months to facilitate and find suitable willing replacements.

Considerable expense was incurred in setting up the foundation and many people, especially Khun Tasnee, invested  a great deal of time into the project.  However, continuing as we are is not viable.  The three options are:

1)    Continuing with a restructured foundation
and initiating a project to support Thai people.
2)    Putting the foundation into a “deep freeze”
so that it can be revived in the future.
3)    Closing the foundation.

Option One is possible but would involve more work and would continue to cost us THB 200,000 per year.  

It seems Option Two is not possible as the foundation can be closed down by the authorities if it is perceived as no longer active – and we would still need to provide monthly reports and accounts so the costs would still be significant for no purpose whatsoever.  

Option Three is a drastic step and should we want a foundation in the future we would again incur costs.   Some costs will also accrue from winding-up the organisation.

The new Church Council will consider the way forward at its next meeting and should they decide on Option Three we will have to call an Extraordinary General Meeting to ratify the decision and amend the All Saints Constitution accordingly.

Other points raised at the meeting:

– Suggestion for council going forward: Have quarterly reporting on church council
meetings email to congregants.

– Formalize or set boundaries for community outreach work to keep it sustainable
for All Saints Church leadership.

– AGM expressed great appreciation for the work of the outgoing Council Chair, Sarah Sensamaust.

– Community Responsibilities:
 Arthur and Phyllis continue as altar fabric people.
 Coffee and snack hosting: By month?
 Elsa: Volunteer Coordinator to organize the community ministries (altar guild,
potluck, coffee hosting, organize clean up after potluck, basket for donations
for people who don’t bring money)
 James will help document the processes and systems guide
 Chris and Christa to take potluck organization and shoulder tapping.
 Newsletters and/or weekly bulletin to include helpers, attendance, offering,
etc.

Finance and Budget reporting: Adam
– Do a better job advertising space for rent/fee (about 300/hour)
– Consider raising cost for existing group space rental (500/session)
– Budget accepted and approved for 2026.
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Ash Wednesday Service



On Wednesday we will have two services to mark Ash Wednesday: firstly a short service at 8:30 a.m. and then our usual Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m.  Both services will include the imposition of ashes. Christa will be leading this year’s service as mum and I have been invited to Chiang Rai to celebrate the Lahu New Year.  All Welcome!
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Tuesday Chili Night—One Week Break!

There will be no Chili Night next week, Tuesday 17th February.  It will return the following week on Tuesday 24th at 6 p.m.
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transACTIONrefuge Volunteer Orientation



On Saturday 21st February we will have a Volunteer Orientation meeting at the vicarage at 2 p.m.

Whether you have already volunteered to help new-comers to Chiang Mai, would like to do so, or just want to find out more, please come.

The meeting will explain what is needed and outline the do’s and don’t’s of helping.  It will also be a chance to get to know other volunteers.
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transACTIONrefuge Hike

We are planning a hike on Saturday 28th February.  More details to follow!  All welcome!

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 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)}}