Category Archives: Uncategorized

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

The First Non-Jew to be Baptised!

(My church email is not working!  Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)

Dear Friends,

This week we read the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch.  He is not even named in scripture, but he was the first non-Jew to be baptised in the Book of Acts.

In this age of political correctness he would be the ideal diversity candidate – not only Gentile, but also black, disabled, and from a sexual minority!!!  Actually, that is almost certainly why his story is recorded in the bible.  Non-Jews were excluded from the Temple and the people of God. Disabled people were excluded from the Temple and the people of God.  Sexual minorities were excluded from the Temple and the people of God.  (I will give chapter and verse in my sermon on Sunday!)

This man was chosen because the message of the New Testament is All are Welcome!  This doesn’t mean that all behaviour is welcome, that all actions are acceptable, but that all classes, all types, of people are welcome in the Kingdom of God!

Whoever you are, you are welcome.  Join us at All Saints this Sunday.

The readings for this Sunday will be from Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, and John 15:1-8, and we will be singing the hymns All People that on Earth do Dwell; Stand up stand up for Jesus; Called as partners in Christ’s service; and Great is Thy Faithfulness!

Use this link to join on Zoom on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Video of Last Sunday’s Service!

Video of Last Sunday’s Service is now available here!

All Saints Chiang Mai Mission

The trustees and I, at a recent online meeting

All Saints Chiang Mai Mission is a UK charity that supports the work of All Saints, Chiang Mai, and enables fund-raising and donations in the UK.  It is governed by five trustees and they generally meet via zoom three or four times a year.

Currently, we have three trustees who are resident in the UK, one who lives in Hungary, and one who lives in Thailand; four are UK citizens and one is American.

There will soon be a trustee vacancy and this may be where you can help!  It is not an onerous task and involves the attendance at a virtual meeting of around one and a half hours every few months.  You do not have to be UK resident although this would be useful.

If you love and support the work of All Saints, then this may be the way you can help from wherever you are in the world!  Please let me know if you might be interested or would like to suggest someone else who might be interested.


Chili Night – Continues!

Every Tuesday 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.


Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless you,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

(My church email is not working!  Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Gospel passage, Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd.  He says:

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.”

It is not the sheep that carry Jesus, but Jesus who carries and cares for the sheep!  Jesus is the one who saves us, who makes us whole.  We are his sheep!  

We can never doubt God’s love for us for Jesus gave up all for each and every person.

The readings for this Sunday will be from Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, and John 10:11-18, and we will be singing the hymns Hail the Day that sees Him Rise; The Lord’s my shepherd; and The King of love my Shepherd is!

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

Video of Last Sunday’s Service!

Video of Last Sunday’s Service is now available here!

Racha’s UK Visa

Good News!  Ratcha has her UK Visa!  She received her passport with the vital stamp on Thursday last week!  Thanks so much to all the people who wrote letters – they made all the difference!


Chili Night – Returns!

Chili Night resumes next Tuesday, 23rd April, at the usual time of 6 p.m.! 


Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless you,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Is that Jesus?

(My church email is not working!  Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)

Dear Friends,

“Man bites Dog!” is a much more interesting headline than “Dog bites Man!” – it’s much less common and points to a more unusual story!  So therefore the headline “Ghost eats Fish!” would attract attention where the words “man eats fish” is scarcely worth the paper it’s written on.

According to Luke’s account, when Jesus first appeared to his disciples after his resurrection they thought that he was a ghost.  To prove that he really was flesh and blood – just like them – he asked them for something to eat.  They gave him a piece of fish which he ate in their presence!

“Ghost eats Fish!” would be a good headline, but “Man rises from Dead!” is surely a better one, and that is the beginning of the message of Easter. 

Some of the information in this week’s email may seem discouraging, but life, and church life, has its natural ups and downs.  Whatever is happening we can be confident that God is with us and that Christ’s resurrection is evidence that all will be well!

Ghost eats Fish!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, and Luke 24:36b-48, and we will be singing the hymns Jesus Christ is Risen Today; Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks; All Heaven Declares; and Thine Be the Glory!

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

Video of Last Sunday’s Service!

Video of Last Sunday’s Service is now available here!

Father Peter – New Job

Father Peter has accepted the part-time post of Chaplain to Kingston College in Mitchelstown Co Cork, Ireland, and will probably take up the work in early June.   He will be ministering to the residents of the 30+ homes in the 18th Century independent living complex.

We will miss him greatly in both his public preaching ministry and his behind-the-scenes work on the Church Council and with the Youth Charity Foundation Child Protection Policy.

Please hold Peter and his family in your prayers!

Parkinson’s Disease

Many of you already know this, but for those who don’t, on Monday 1st April I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease!

I had an appointment with a neurologist at Sripat Hospital – the private wing of the Chiang Mai University hospital –  as I have been limping and have experienced decreased dexterity with my right hand.  She diagnosed Parkinson’s Disease.  I had an MRI scan and this helped to confirm the diagnosis.

Although there is currently no cure, it should respond well to treatment and I have already sensed some improvement after ten days on the medication.  There should be no immediate impact on my ability to perform my ministry at All Saints, but we will have to watch the situation.

This has obviously come as a great shock to me and especially to my mum!  I am feeling fine in myself and am responding well to the medication, but it is still very early days.

Mum, Ratcha, and I would greatly value your prayers.

God bless you and thanks for all your continuing love and support.

All Saints South



Things have changed since I had the initial idea for All Saints South.

Firstly, with the departure of Nat the possibility of a Thai congregation has ended for now.  

Secondly, although almost everyone was very enthusiastic about the idea, nobody other than Pastor Mark had definitely committed to attending the new church.  

Thirdly, with the planned departure of Father Peter, we would only have two priests instead of three.  

Fourthly, our finances are not as strong as they were previously.  This is partly due to the costs associated with the setting up of the All Saints Foundation, but also due to a drop in congregational giving.  

Finally, my Parkinson’s diagnosis means that things are a little more uncertain, so making major changes may not be wise at this time.

I am concerned that, as things currently stand, the establishment of a new congregation might lead to two priests in two locations struggling to maintain two buildings and congregations alone.

One of the reasons for establishing All Saints South was to enable Mark to further exercise his call to ministry, the second was to meet the need in the Hang Dong area.  While we still believe there is a need for a progressive church in the south of Chiang Mai, it might take some time to become established but, as always, all is in God’s hands!


Chili Night – Cancelled!!!! (For one week)

There will be no Chili Night next Tuesday, 16th April!  Chili Night will return on Tuesday 23rd April at the usual time of 6 p.m.!  This is because Mum and I are off to Angkor Wat in Cambodia!  We will just be away for Monday to Friday so will be at church on Sunday as usual!!!


Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless you,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Christ is Risen!

(My church email is not working!  Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)

Dear Friends,

He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!

Last Sunday we has a wonderful celebration of Easter Day with around sixty people in the church and around fifty joining the potluck lunch at the vicarage.  Our service included four confirmations – prefiguring Pentecost and the receiving of the Holy Spirit!

The promise of the resurrection is the promise of hope – not only that death is not the end, but that there is hope for life now, today!  God has blessed us in so many ways – not just with the knowledge of God’s love that extends to all, but with the joy of community as we live and worship together!

The Easter Season continues all the way to Pentecost, so let me take this opportunity again to wish you all a Happy Easter!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1-2:2, John 20:19-31, and we will be singing the hymns Alleluia! Sing to Jesus; The Day of Resurrection; Hail the Day that sees Him Rise; and All hail the power of Jesus’ name!Use this link to join on Zoom on Good Friday at 7 p.m. or Easter Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Video of our Good Friday and Easter Sunday Services!

Video of our Good Friday Service is now available here!
Video of our Easter Sunday Service is now available here!

Easter Sunday Highlights

Proclaiming the Resurrection


Lighting the Easter Candle


Proclaiming the Message in English and Thai


Preparing for Confirmation


Receive the Holy Spirit!


Preparing the Altar


Easter Clergy and Acolytes


Praising God Together!


Potluck at the Vicarage


Eating Together!


Easter Treats!


Drinks!


Painting Eggs!


Easter Goodbye!

Chili Night continues next week!

Every Tuesday 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.


Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless you,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

He is Risen Indeed!

(My church email is not working!  Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)

Dear Friends,

Christ is Risen!

Join us on this joyful morning as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus!

The readings for Easter Sunday will be from Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, and Matthew 28:1-10, and we will be singing the hymns Jesus Christ is Risen Today; Rise up Women; In Christ Alone; Christ is Alive; and Thine Be the Glory!

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

Easter Sunday Service – 10:30 a.m. Sunday 31st March

 A joyous Eucharist to proclaim Christ’s resurrection.  This will be followed by a potluck lunch and Easter Egg hunt. All are welcome to join us!

Easter Confirmations

Following our baptisms last Easter and All Saints Day, some of those baptised then, along with other members of All Saints, will be confirmed this Easter Sunday.  Join with us on their special day!

Christ is Risen!

God bless you,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

This Friday is Good Friday!

(My church email is not working!  Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)Dear Friends,

Greater love has no one than this – that they lay down their life for their friends!

We are now in the holiest time of the Christian year – Holy Week!  On Friday we will meditate together on that ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus – it has the power to change the world! 

Self-sacrifice not human sacrifice is what Good Friday is all about.  It wasn’t a vengeful God who demanded blood, but a vengeful people – a vengeful political and religious establishment!  It wasn’t God killing a man, but rather men trying to kill God.  Of course, they failed which is what we celebrate on Easter Sunday!

So, let us try to follow in the footsteps of Jesus – to act for others out of love, not fearing the consequences, but trusting in God!.

For Good Friday our Tenebrae Service will have readings from Matthew 26:17-29, Matthew 26:36-56, Mark 15:1-15, Mark 15:16-32, Matthew 27:45-54, Isaiah 52:13 – 53:5, and Matthew 27:62-66.  We will sing the hymns When I Survey the Wondrous Cross; O Sacred Head, Now Wounded; How deep the Father’s love for us; My Song is Love Unknown; Were You There When They Crucified My Lord; and O Love that Will Not Let Me Go!

The readings for Easter Sunday will be from Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, and Matthew 28:1-10, and we will be singing the hymns Jesus Christ is Risen Today; Rise up Women; In Christ Alone; Christ is Alive; and Thine Be the Glory!Use this link to join on Zoom on Good Friday at 7 p.m. or Easter Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Last Week’s Palm Sunday Service

Video of last week’s service is now available here!

Good Friday Service – 7:00 p.m. Friday 29th March



A solemn service to remember Jesus’ death on the cross.

Easter Sunday Service – 10:30 a.m. Sunday 31st March

 A joyous Eucharist to proclaim Christ’s resurrection.  This will be followed by a potluck lunch and Easter Egg hunt. All are welcome to join us!

Easter Confirmations

Following our baptisms last Easter and All Saints Day, some of those baptised then, along with other members of All Saints, will be confirmed this Easter Sunday.  Join with us on their special day!

Chili Night continues next week!

Every Tuesday 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.


Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless you,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

This Sunday is Palm Sunday!

(My church email is not working!  Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)

Dear Friends,

This week we celebrate Palm Sunday when Jesus rode in triumph into Jerusalem. 

Our parade this year will be a little smaller as the children from the Youth Charity Foundation are away so they won’t be waving palms with us.  However, as everyone loves a winner we’ll look at the popularity of fame and success!  But, is that the Christian way?

Pastor Mark will be leading our parade and worship this Sunday!

The scripture readings this week will be Matthew 21:1-11, Philippians 2:5-11, and Mark 14:1-9, and we will be singing the hymns Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest; All Glory, Laud and Honour; Hosanna, Loud Hosanna; Above All; and Ride On! Ride On in Majesty!

Use this link to join on Zoom on Sunday
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Last Week’s Service

Video highlights of last week’s service are now available here!

Palm Sunday Service – 10:30 am This Sunday



We will be singing the hymns All Glory Laud and Honour, Hosanna Loud Hosanna, and Ride On Ride On in Majesty, among others!  The service will begin with the Parading of the Palms.  

Good Friday Service – 7:00 p.m. Friday 29th March


A solemn service to remember Jesus’ death on the cross.

Easter Sunday Service – 10:30 a.m. Sunday 31st March

 A joyous Eucharist to proclaim Christ’s resurrection.  This will be followed by a potluck lunch and Easter Egg hunt.  Adam has a sign-up sheet to say what you’re bringing!

Easter Confirmations

Following our baptisms last Easter and All Saints Day, some of those baptised then, along with other members of All Saints, will be confirmed this Easter Sunday.

Ratcha’ Visa Application



Many thanks to everyone who has written letters or sent photos.  We have been overwhelmed with your love and support.  Ratcha will be submitting a new UK visa application next Tuesday!
 

Chili Night continues next week!

Every Tuesday 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.


Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless you,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Easter is Coming!

(My church email is not working!  Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)

Dear Friends,

Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

These are the words of Jesus in John chapter twelve. 

This week The Happiness Research Institute released the results from the Longest Study on Happiness.  One of the conclusions was that people who care for others first end up happier in the long-run.  “Putting yourself first” doesn’t work after all!

But Jesus’ words are even more challenging!  Lose your life?  Find out more this Sunday as Pastor Mark preaches on the passage!

The readings this week will be Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, and John 12:20-33, and we will be singing the hymns O Worship the King, Now the Green Blade rises, My Song is Love Unknown, and Lift High the Cross!

Use this link to join on Zoom on Sunday
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Last Week’s Service

Video highlights of last week’s service are now available here!

Palm Sunday Service – 10:30 am Sunday 24th March



We will be singing the hymns All Glory Laud and Honour, Hosanna Loud Hosanna, and Ride On Ride On in Majesty, among others!  The service will begin with the Parading of the Palms.  

Good Friday Service – 7:00 p.m. Friday 29th March



A solemn service to remember Jesus’ death on the cross.

Easter Sunday Service – 10:30 a.m. Sunday 31st March

 A joyous Eucharist to proclaim Christ’s resurrection.  This will be followed by a potluck lunch and Easter Egg hunt.

Easter Confirmations

Following our baptisms last Easter and All Saints Day, some of those baptised then, along with other members of All Saints, will be confirmed this Easter Sunday.

Chili Night continues next week!

Every Tuesday 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.


Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless you,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Lifting high the Cross at Candlemas

(My church email is not working!  Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)Dear Friends,

This week, our Old Testament Reading from the Book of Numbers tells the strange story of the Bronze Serpent. 

The Israelites were again complaining about the food as they wandered in the desert.  The text says “Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died.”  Once the people asked for forgiveness God gave the antidote:  “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.”  This is not the current recommendation for the treatment of a snake bite!!!

How do we understand this passage?  Does it teach us anything about what God is really like?  Well, Jesus interpreted the events allegorically saying “just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”  Does this help, or does it muddy the waters even further?

I will try to answer these questions, and maybe ask a few more, at All Saints this Sunday!

The readings this week will be Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, and John 3:14-21, and we will be singing the hymns When Morning Gilds the Skies; When I Survey the Wondrous Cross; O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go; and Oh for a thousand Tongues to Sing!

Use this link to join on Zoom on Sunday
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Last Week’s Service

Video highlights of last week’s service are now available here!

Easter Services 

Palm Sunday Service – 10:30 am Sunday 24th March



Good Friday Service     –   7:00 p.m. Friday 29th March
Easter Sunday Service – 10:30 a.m. Sunday 31st March

Easter Confirmations

Following our baptisms last Easter and All Saints Day, some of those baptised then, along with other members of All Saints, will be confirmed this Easter Sunday.

This joyous occasion will be followed by our Easter Potluck at the Vicarage!

Recording of Services



Each week we record the service so that we can make a video of the sermon available.  On special services we produce a video of the whole service.

It is quite understandable that, for various reasons, some people do not wish to be recorded or have their image shared on the church website, Facebook page, or weekly church email.

If you are one of those people who prefer not to be recorded, please sit on the back row of the church or down the side behind the organ.  This will ensure you remain out of shot.  People sitting in these seats will also not be shown when they come up to the altar to receive communion.

Please let me know if you have any questions.


Chili Night continues next week!

Every Tuesday 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 Father Iain know in advance if you can!)   All are welcome.  Food is served at 6 p.m.


Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless you,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

What do we need to do?

(My church email is not working!  Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)

Dear Friends,

Spring is a time for spring cleaning – and in the northern hemisphere Spring is about to begin!  In this week’s Gospel reading we read of Jesus cleansing the Temple – a practical and metaphorical driving out of corruption!

What do we need to cleanse from our lives?  What thing really needs to go?  And what about our church, what needs overhauling in the way we worship or how we interact with one another? All these questions may be addressed this Sunday at All Saints! 

The readings this week will be Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, and John 2:13-22, and we will be singing the hymns Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun; Make Me a Channel of your Peace; Lord Jesus Christ; and Lift High the Cross!

Use this link to join on Zoom on Sunday
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Last Week’s Service

Video of last week’s service is now available here!

Recording of Services



Each week we record the service so that we can make a video of the sermon available.  On special services we produce a video of the whole service.

It is quite understandable that, for various reasons, some people do not wish to be recorded or have their image shared on the church website, Facebook page, or weekly church email. If you are one of those people who prefer not to be recorded, please sit on the back row of the church or down the side behind the organ.  This will ensure you remain out of shot.  People sitting in these seats will also not be shown when they come up to the altar to receive communion.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 Annah & Annesh’s Last Sunday

Last Sunday was Annah and Annesh’s last Sunday at All Saints before they move to Mongolia.  We had an opportunity to give them God’s blessing and say goodbye after church!


Chili Night continues next week!

Every Tuesday 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 Father Iain know in advance if you can!)   All are welcome.  Food is served at 6 p.m.


Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless you,

Father Iain