Monthly Archives: September 2026

Whose Land?

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai


Whose land is it anyway?

Dear Friends,

I am writing this to you from England in the last week of my trip away. Of course England means the “land of the Angles” and right now there’s a lot of political discussion about who belongs here and who doesn’t. That’s a topic for another day, but a few years ago I heard of a conversation between a foreigner and a Thai.  The foreigner was complaining that it was ridiculous that they couldn’t buy a house in Thailand.  The Thai responded that the clue is in the name: “It’s called Thailand,” she said, “not Foreignland.  Land can only belong to Thais!”

Psalm 24 says “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.”  The earth is Godsland, God’s kingdom!  That is the message of our Old Testament and Gospel readings this week.  The Kingdom of God was being usurped by its existing tenants, the Pharisees and Sadducees, and they even rejected the authority of the Son of the Kingdom!

Do we really let God have God’s way in the world?  Do we ask, in every situation from migration to climate change, to how we treat our neighbour, what would Jesus do?  This is the challenge of the Christian life!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Isaiah 5:1-7, Philippians 3:4-14, and Matthew 21:33-46, and we will be singing the hymns Morning has Broken; Beauty for Brokenness; O Lord, the Clouds are Gathering; and To God be the Glory!


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 Sermon



Please find this last week’s sermon and our catalogue of sermons on the  All Saints YouTube Channel


Harvest Thanksgiving



Next Sunday, the 4th of October, I’ll be back in Chiang Mai and we will have our Harvest Thanksgiving in the church, followed by a potluck at the vicarage. Put the date in your diary and decide what you’re going to bring. 


Travels Ending



I will be back with you in Chiang Mai on Sunday 4th October. I’ve been away for almost two months. It’s been a good two months helping Ratcha find a place in Paris, spending time in France and Switzerland, and then time in England with my mum, visiting old friends and my church in Sheffield. It’s also been quite a tough time. My Parkinson’s disease is not getting any better, and I’m finding it quite difficult to drive long distances. I think this will be the last long trip I’ll be doing. I suspected it might be before the start, but I’m really excited about getting back to Thailand. I’ve got lots of plans for things I want to do at All Saints. I’m sure, together, things will go forward in a great way. 

Please pray for Ratcha as she adjusts to studying in France and having everything in French. Pray for me and Mum as we return to Chiang Mai and settle back into life together there. 

Thanks for all your support and allowing me to have this time of travel and rest. It’s not been very restful, actually, but it has been a useful time of travel and reflection. 


Coming Soon – Chili Night returns on 6th October!

Chili Night returns on Tuesday 6th October at 6pm!   See you soon!


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,

Father Iain

Authority!

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai


Who has it and how should it be used?

Dear Friends,

In medieval times the doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings was popular – especially with kings!  A king was seen as receiving authority from God and could do whatever he wanted – he was literally above the law!

But who has authority in our church, in our lives?  As Christians we should give the answer “God”, but what does this mean in practical terms?  How do we govern our church and our lives?

In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus’ authority is questioned by the chief priests and elders.  His response seems to indicate that authority is given rather than claimed.  Who and what do we give authority to?

The readings for this Sunday will be from Ezekiel 18:1-4, Philippians 2:1-13, and Matthew 21:23-32, and we will be singing the hymns At the Name of Jesus; A Mighty Fortress is Our God; Be Still for the Presence of the Lord; and Crown Him with Many Crowns!

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 Sermon



Please find this last week’s sermon and our catalogue of sermons on the  All Saints YouTube Channel

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Harvest Thanksgiving



On Sunday, the 4th of October, we will have our Harvest Thanksgiving in the church, followed by a potluck at the vicarage. Put the date in your diary and decide what you’re going to bring. 

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transACTIONrefuge Fund raising

Support Trans Action Refuge campaign photo, 1 of 4

Everyone Deserves Safety

Trans Action Refuge is a Trans and Queer led organization which All Saints helped found. They provide information, support and community to ease the relocation process for trans folks seeking safety. They have created a vibrant community where trans immigrants can thrive rather than just survive.
Trans Action Refuge has assisted nearly 30 Trans refugees resettle in Thailand in their first year of operation and provided information to dozens more. All of this has been done out of pocket by the team themselves and over 3,000 hours of time has been donated. They anticipate serving 150 refugees in the coming year as conditions continue to worsen.

We have set up a gofundme page for donations.  You can donate here!

What can a small donation do?

Every dollar helps a trans person reach safety and find a community waiting for them. Give once, or become a monthly supporter to help us plan ahead. The U.S. Dollar amounts below show what your gift could be used for.

$5 – Buys lunch for a Transplant on their day of arrival: a warm welcome the moment they land.
$25 – cam provide a welcome packet for a Transplant when they arrive: snacks, a printed welcome guide, a local SIM card, and a few cozy comforts to make the first night feel like home.
$50 – Stocks a newly-arrived Transplant’s kitchen for their first week: groceries and household basics, so settling in doesn’t start with an empty fridge.
$100 – Keeps our support line answered for a month, so Seekers get real answers from real people, usually within 24 hours.

Larger donations can help us pay for our software, online presence and hire 2 full time staff members so that we can sustain our life saving work as it grows.

Wrath is organizing this fundraiser so Trans Action Refuge can sustain its mission and keep reaching people who need a path forward to safety.

Why is this needed? The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security states that it “…believes that the United States is squarely within the early to middle stages of a genocidal process against trans people, the goal of which is to completely erase transgender people not only from public life but also from existence in the U.S. and globally.”
There is an unprecedented level of attacks on Trans people; both around the world, physical and legal. From the UK to Argentina, to Slovakia to the U.S., their rights are being rapidly stripped away. They are losing the very bedrock of being seen as human – the right to ID that reflects who they are, safe access to bathrooms and gender affirming medical care.

The majority of Trans Action Refuges helpers have made the move themselves, so new transplants land squarely in community with others who understand their journey first hand. Helpers are there to Guide them through the visa process, and help them make it to Chiang Mai safely. This support does not end at arrival. Trans Action Refuge helps with transportation to and from the airport, finding housing and medical care, and making sure people have real support as they begin again with a fresh start in a new place, a new home. They even hold monthly social events to continue to grow and strengthen the community.
So, why Thailand? Thailand is known to have the highest public acceptance of trans people in the world. Trans people are a normal and integrated part of life in Thailand. Fellow trans people will be their teachers, doctors, store clerks, and hotel managers. Thailand is actively expanding LGBTQ+ rights, including passing marriage equality in 2025 and providing free non-surgical gender-affirming care for all Thai citizens in 2026. While it is still missing some of the important legal protections seen in other countries, there are robust plans for expanding protections in the near future, and trans-specific violence is rare.

That’s why we need your help.

Because this need continues over time, ongoing support makes a real difference. Trans Action Refuge keeps showing up for people after relocation too, helping with practical next steps like setting up internet and cell phone service, learning where to shop, and finding community so no one is abandoned once they get there. Recurring donations can help Trans Action Refuge continue this steady, hands-on support for each new arrival and for those still navigating the process. One-time donations are also deeply appreciated and can help with urgent relocation and arrival needs right away. Please donate if you can, and share this fundraiser with friends and family to help protect trans and non-binary people seeking safety and a chance to rebuild.

Click here for more information about Trans Action Refuge

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Chili Night returns on 6th October!

Chili Night returns on Tuesday 6th October at 6pm!   See you soon!

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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,

Father Iain

Math Class!

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

What is 70 x 7?

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus says:

Jesus was asked how many times we should forgive our brothers and sisters.  Was seven times enough?  His answer was seventy times seven!

So the answer to 70 x 7 is not 490 in Jesus’ maths, it is how many times we should forgive!  Have you ever forgiven someone 490 times and stopped at 491?  I doubt it, I’m sure we would lose count first and that is the point.  We are to forgive without keeping count, it is the key to the Gospel and the centre of our life together!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Genesis 50:15-21, Romans 14:1-12, and Matthew 18:21-35, and we will be singing the hymns Praise to the Lord, the Almighty; The Servant King; Will you come and Follow Me?; and Born in Song!

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 Sermon



Please find this last week’s sermon and our catalogue of sermons on the  All Saints YouTube Channel


Last Sunday’s Potluck



 Thanks to Adam and Sarah for hosting a great potluck last Sunday.


No Chili Night until October!

No Chili Night until October!   We are taking a break during my travels but will return in the autumn. 


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,

Father Iain

Freedom!

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

What is freedom in Christ?

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus says:

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

What does this mean?  Well, there are many interpretations, but at one level at least it confirms our ministry to set people free, to proclaim liberty to the captives!

That is what we seek to do at All Saints.  You are free to be who God made you to be whatever your race, gender, or sexuality!

God is good, but elsewhere Christians are suffering.  You can read about the situation in India and how you can help below.  We are one body – and when one part suffers, all suffer!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Exodus 12:1-3, 7-14, Romans 13:8-14, and Matthew 18:15-20, and we will be singing the hymns All People that on Earth do Dwell; Blest Be the Tie That Binds; Jesu, Jesu, Fill us with Your Love; and Called as Partners in Christ’s Service.

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 Sermon



Please find this last week’s sermon and our catalogue of sermons on the  All Saints YouTube Channel


Next Potluck@MCC



On Wednesday September 9th at 6 pm we will be hosting a Mexican themed potluck. Confirm if you are coming by letting us know what you plan to bring. 


My Travels


Parked for the night below Dover Castle


I have safely arrived in England and I will meet mum at the airport later today.  Ratcha is settled in her room in Paris and she is sharing an apartment with Thai people and has already made some friends.

All is well.


Ratcha at the Sorbonne



No Chili Night until October!

No Chili Night until October!   We are taking a break during my travels but will return in the autumn. 


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,

Father Iain