Category Archives: Uncategorized

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Emperor Penguins near the South Pole

Dear Friends,
Exciting things may be about to happen at All Saints!

We have seen strong growth in attendance this summer and have three active priests and two deacons!  Both Mark and Peter would like to do more, but one weekly service does not provide the opportunity.  We also have a large number of contacts in the Hang Dong area who might attend more frequently if there was a closer congregation.

I have therefore suggested the possibility of establishing a new congregation, which Mark would lead, in the Hang Dong area.  I have discussed this with Mark, Peter, Gene, and Christa, along with the Church Council, and they are all enthusiastic about the idea.

My initial thought is that All Saints Central would move its service time to 11 a.m. and All Saints South would meet at 9:30 a.m.  This would enable one person to lead both services if other leaders were away, and would mean that I could preach and preside at least once a month at All Saints South, and Mark could preach and preside at least once a month at All Saints Central.  Peter is also very happy to work with both congregations as needed.

All Saints Central?

Initially we would use the same bulletin, website, emails, etc, and we would hold potlucks and other events together including our Festival of Carols, Harvest Festival, etc. Many details need to be fleshed out before we can proceed – not least a venue and budget – but discussions can begin.  It is important to emphasise that we are not proposing to “divide” or “split” but that we are planning to “multiply”.

This Sunday’s Gospel reading is about following Jesus!  This is the exciting adventure we are on at All Saints!

You can watch the announcement from last Sunday here!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Jeremiah 15:19-21, Romans 12:9-21, and Matthew 16:21-28, and we will be singing the hymns Lift High the Cross; I have decided to follow Jesus; Seek Ye First; and Go forth and tell!

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

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon, “Signs of Life”, can be seen here!

Harvest Festival – 24th September


We will again be holding out Harvest Festival at the Youth Charity Foundation’s House of Hope!

The service will begin at 11 am, so we will meet at 10am at All Saints for those who can give or need a lift out to YCF.  This will also be a change to formally present YCF with the new piano we have bought them.

Please bring food to share along with the food that YCF will also provide!


October Church Retreat


Our next church retreat will be from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th October.  It will again be held at the RungNara Pool Villa Resort in Maejo. There are a limited number or rooms available, so please sign up on Sunday if you are planning to come.


Visit to Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Church


Last Saturday Deacon Nat and I, along with a group of students from Maejo University, met with Father Paul Grit Srisumoro, Rector of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Church.  It was a great joy to worship together in the orthodox rite. Father Paul and his wife sang the sacred liturgy in English and Thai.


Events for your Diary
September 24th (Change of Date!)    
    Harvest Festival at the Youth Charity Foundation
October 13th-15th  
    Church Retreat
October 29th          
    All Saints Day Celebration and Potluck
November 12th      
    Remembrance Sunday
November 18th      
    Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil
November 19th      
    Transgender Day of Remembrance Service
December 3rd        
    Advent Sunday
December 9th        
     Festival of Christmas Carols


Chili Night continues!

Some of the group!

Chili Night continues at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Last week we had another good attendance.  Come and join us at the vicarage as we share chili followed by ice cream!


Campervan News!


Thanks to everyone who has been asking!  My campervan is finally fixed – we hope!  Paddy and I will fly down next week to drive The Elephant back to Chiang Mai.

Please pray that we have a safe and uneventful journey!

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,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

We are one body with many parts!

Dear Friends,
In this week’s New Testament reading Paul writes that just as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 

That is who we are – not just a random group of people, but one body, united in Christ.  As we grow and multiply, we must remember that we are still one body, whether young or old, Thai or farang, male, female, or non-binary, straight or LGBT.  We are one in Christ Jesus.

The readings for this Sunday will be from Isaiah 51:4-6, Romans 12:1-8, and Matthew 16:13-20, and we will be singing the hymns Oh for a thousand Tongues to Sing; Bind Us Together, Lord; One Bread, One Body; and I, the Lord of Sea and Sky!

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

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon, “We need to learn how to Fly!”, can be seen here!

Church Council Meeting



Last Sunday the Church Council held its regular monthly meeting.  We discussed the exciting level of attendance at All Saints, and the development of a new child safeguarding policy for the Youth Charity Foundation. Other important issues and ideas were discussed of which more will be said this Sunday.  We also confirmed the events calendar which can be seen below.

The Council members are Sarah Sensamaust, who is the Chair, Paddy Davis, Hannah Alexander-Herrick, Shasta Sickinger, and Father Iain, Pastor Mark, and Father Peter.  Please ask them if you want to know more about what the Council does.

Events for your Diary
September 24th    Harvest Festival at the Youth Charity Foundation
October 13th-15th      Church Retreat
October 29th              All Saints Day Celebration and Potluck
November 12th          Remembrance Sunday
November 18th        Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil
November 19th         Transgender Day of Remembrance Service
December 3rd            Advent Sunday
December 9th         Festival of Christmas Carols

The World Cup

Last Sunday twelve of us gathered at the vicarage to watch the final of the women’s football world cup.  It was a fun time of fellowship!


Chili Night Continues!

Some of the group!

Chili Night continues at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Last week we had another good attendance.  Come and join us at the vicarage as we share chili followed by ice cream! 

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,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

How do we get spiritually pure?

Dear Friends,
In Jesus’ day the Pharisees were greatly concerned with being spiritually pure, rather like the Taliban in modern-day Afghanistan with their “Ministry of Vice and Virtue!” But Christians can be just as purity-focused and become obsessed with purity or lack of it – usually in other people! Perhaps even the concept of purity is a mistake for everything is a mixture of shades of good and bad.

How should we handle this?  Can we be too good?  Find out more this Sunday.

The readings for this Sunday will be from Isaiah 56:1, 6-8, Romans 11:1-2, 29-32, and Matthew 15:10-28, and we will be singing the hymns All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name; Take My Life and Let it Be; Make Me a Channel of your Peace; and How Great Thou Art!

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

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon in English and Thai, “Get out of the Boat!” can be seen here!

Hannah’s Concert – This Saturday



This coming Saturday there will be a free concert in support of Hannah Xiong, a truly gifted yet humble singer from a Hmong village near Nan, who is finally able to continue her studies in Classical Vocal Performance at the prestigious University of Chengdu in China.

Many of you may remember her, as she sang for two years with the Lannacapella choir (of which Maureen, Paddy, and Chris are members) at our Festival of Carols.  Hannah will mainly be singing show tunes from Boadway musicals, but will also join Lannacapella in singing two songs. 

The venue is the Chiang Mai Art and Music School, located here:  There is limited seating and although admission is free we advise ticket reservation to insure a seat. (Write to  ( silvaleihome@gmail.com for reservations). A donation box will be available for any support you might wish to give Hannah to finance her studies.


YCF Keyboard – Target Reached!!!!


Thank you to everyone who has given!!!!!!

Every Friday night Mum and I, and our organist, Kaew, go up to YCF for our weekly choir practice.  Two years ago Bill Moeller bequeathed his digital piano to the orphanage, but it is now too old to be economically repaired.

We have been collecting to get them a new piano or keyboard.  This will cost around THB 24,000.  We have now raised THB 12,000, and someone has offered to match the donations received, so we have reached our target!  Thanks to all who have given so generously!


Chili Night continues!

Some of the group!

Chili Night continues at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Last week we had another good attendance.  Come and join us at the vicarage as we share chili followed by ice cream! 

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,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

How do we increase our trust in God?

Dear Friends,
In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus comes to the disciples walking on the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee.   Peter’s response was to declare “If it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus.

But when Peter noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’  

Are we ready to jump out of the boat and trust God?  Even if the sea is stormy?  How much faith do we have?  We will discuss this and more at All Saints this week.

The readings for this Sunday will be from 1 Kings 19:9-18, Romans 9:5-15, and Matthew 14:22-33, and we will be singing the hymns Praise my Soul the King of Heaven; The Lord’s My Shepherd; Rise up Women; and The Church’s One Foundation!  The children from the Youth Charity Foundation, who form our choir, will sing Still!

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

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon, “What do You Need?” can be seen here!

Potluck – Last Week!



Our welcome back potluck was held at the vicarage last Sunday!  Lots of people, and lots of food was shared at this rain-induced indoor gathering.


YCF Keyboard



Every Friday night Mum and I, and our organist, Kaew, go up to YCF for our weekly choir practice.  Two years ago Bill Moeller bequeathed his digital piano to the orphanage, but it is now too old to be economically repaired. We would like to get them a new piano or keyboard and will be collecting to buy them a new instrument.  This will cost around THB 24,000.  We have raised THB 5,000 so far, and someone has offered to match the donations received, so we need to collect another THB 7,000!

If you have a keyboard or piano that you would like to donate, or if you can make a donation towards the cost, please see me or Kaew, or our treasurer, Arthur.


Chili Night continues!

Some of the group!

Chili Night continues at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Last week we had another record attendance with 28 people eating 2kg of Chili!  Come and join us at the vicarage as we share chili followed by ice cream! 

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,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Just some of this week’s Chili Night crowd!

POTLUCK THIS SUNDAY

Dear Friends,
This Tuesday we had twenty-five people at Chili Night – a record attendance, and with seven regulars missing!  Mum had to cook two lots of chili, and Paddy has been drafted in as assistance cook!  We needed two loads of rice, and even went through three bags of ice!

It is therefore appropriate that not only do we have a potluck this Sunday, but that the Gospel reading is the Feeding of the Five Thousand! Attendance at All Saints has also been up during June and July with the usual summer dip failing to materialise!  How do we feed such a large and diverse people?  Physically it is easy, spiritually it’s more of challenge!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Isaiah 55:1-5, Romans 9:1-5, and Matthew 14:13-21, and we will be singing the hymns Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun;  For the Bread Which You Have Broken; Let us Break Bread Together; and A Mighty Fortress is our God!

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

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon “Barbie Land or Kingdom of God?” can be seen here!

Potluck – This Week!

Our welcome back potluck will be at the vicarage this Sunday, 6th August!  Bring lots of food to share!

All Saints at the Movies!

Eleven of us enjoyed watching Barbie last Thursday night! 


 I was in the box, but Christa refused to be boxed!

YCF Keyboard

Every Friday night Mum and I, and our organist, Kaew, go up to YCF for our weekly choir practice.  Two years ago Bill Moeller bequeathed his digital piano to the orphanage, but it is now too old to be economically repaired.

We would like to get them a new piano or keyboard and will be collecting to buy them a new or good second-hand instrument.  This will probably cost around THB 20,000. If you have a keyboard or piano that you would like to donate, or if you can make a donation towards the cost, please see me or Kaew, or our treasurer, Arthur.

Chili Night continues!

Some of the group!

Chili Night continues at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Come and join us at the vicarage as we share chili followed by ice cream! 

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,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,
Tonight a group of us from All Saints are off to the movies to see Barbie!  Without giving too much away, the film is all about who rules the world, men or women, and to what end.

As Christians we look for the coming of the Kingdom of God – a place where all can live with equality, peace, and justice – and this week’s bible readings are all about the kingdom!  What will we find, what is the kingdom like, and what is our vision of the Kingdom of God?

The readings for this Sunday will be from 1 Kings 3:5-12, Romans 8:26-39, and Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, and we will be singing the hymns God, Whose Almighty Word; Holy Wisdom, Lamp of Learning; Dear Lord and Father of Mankind; Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah!

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

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon “Are you Wheat or Weeds?” can be seen here!

Barbie – Movie Night



We will be going to the 7 p.m. showing of Barbie at the Maya Cinema this Thursday!  Meet at the box office at 6:45 p.m. to join us for this fun event!

To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken. From Oscar-nominated writer/director Greta Gerwig (“Little Women,” “Lady Bird”) comes “Barbie,” starring Oscar-nominees Margot Robbie (“Bombshell,” “I, Tonya”) and Ryan Gosling (“La La Land,” “Half Nelson”) as Barbie and Ken.

Pink clothes are advised but not compulsory!  


Potluck – Next Week!



Our next potluck will be our welcome back potluck on Sunday 6th August!  See Phyllis about what to bring!


YCF Keyboard



Every Friday night Mum and I, and our organist, Kaew, go up to YCF for our weekly choir practice.  Two years ago Bill Moeller bequeathed his digital piano to the orphanage, but it is now too old to be economically repaired.

We would like to get them a new piano or keyboard and will be collecting to buy them a new or good second-hand instrument.  This will probably cost around THB 20,000. If you have a keyboard or piano that you would like to donate, or if you can make a donation towards the cost, please see me or Kaew, or our treasurer, Arthur.


Chili Night continues!

Some of the group!

Chili Night continues at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Come and join us at the vicarage as we share chili followed by ice cream! 

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,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Little Weed from the Flower Pot Men

Dear Friends,
Flower Pot Men was a British programme for young children produced by BBC Television. It was first transmitted in 1952, and repeated regularly for more than twenty years. One of the main characters was Little Weed, a wise counsellor to the often foolish flower pot men, Bill and Ben.

But in this week’s parable Jesus talks about separating the wheat and the weeds in the Kingdom of God.  The weeds are to be burned and the wheat gathered in.  Who are the weeds and who are the wheat?  Or is this not what it means?

Find out this Sunday!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Isaiah 44:6-8, Romans 8:12-17, and Matthew 13:24-30, and we will be singing the hymns Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise; All for Jesus; Lord Jesus Christ (Living Lord); and Tell Out My Soul!

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

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon “The World, the Flesh, and the Devil”, can be seen here!

IN MEMORIUM

Elena Kelly 21.12.1955 – 15.07.2023

It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of our dear friend, Elena Kelly.  She passed away in the US last Saturday having suffered with worsening dementia for four years.  Elena worshipped and ministered at All Saints from 2014-2019 and many were inspired by her preaching and her love of life. 



She was an ordained pastor and graduate of Bob Jones University, going on to found a church in Denver, Colorado, where she was the only pastor prepared to perform funerals for the many victims of the AIDS pandemic of the 1980s.



In late life she also explored Hinduism, Buddhism, and Paganism, and had an inspiring ministry to the gay and trans community.  She was loved by many people around the world!

She will be greatly missed.  But, if there is a God in heaven, Elena will be with her!


Chili Night returns next week!

Some of the group!

Chili Night will return next Tuesday, July 25th, at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Come and join us at the vicarage as we share chili followed by ice cream! 

Potluck – Advance Notice!

Our next potluck will be our welcome back potluck on Sunday 6th August!

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,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

What does this mean?

Dear Friends,
In this week’s New Testament Reading, Paul writes:

Walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

But what does Paul mean by the flesh?  My sister-in-law is a vegetarian – she avoids eating meat, which is what the word flesh literally means, but is this what Paul is talking about?  For centuries many Christians have primarily associated the flesh with sex and sexuality, but is this really the correct understanding?

Find out more this Sunday.

The readings for this Sunday will be from Isaiah 55:10-13, Romans 8:1-11, and Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, and we will be singing the hymns O Worship the King; Spirit of God, Unseen as The Wind; Still, and Great is Thy Faithfulness!

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

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon “Are You Weary?”, can be seen here!

No Chili Night next week!

Some of the group!

There will be no Chili Night next Tuesday, 18th July. 
It will return the following week on Tuesday July 25th at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Come and join us at the vicarage as we share chili followed by ice cream! 

Potluck – Advance Notice!

Our next potluck will be our welcome back potluck on Sunday 6th August!

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,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Can we be “all things to all men?”

Dear Friends,
This week’s Gospel passage contains some strange lines.  Jesus condemns the people for being like children who cry:

“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
   we wailed, and you did not mourn.”

Basically, he condemns them for never being satisfied.  He continues:

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” 

In other words, John was too austere and strait-laced for them, and Jesus was too ebullient and relaxed.  Either way, they were criticized and condemned! Do we do this to one another at All Saints?  Are we critical and judgemental of one another?  I don’t think so, I hope not, but we have to beware that we don’t fall into that trap which can so easily await us!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Zechariah 9:9-12, Romans 7:15-25, and Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, and we will be singing the hymns All People that on Earth do Dwell; Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart; Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks; and All My Hope on God Is Founded!

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

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon “The God of Abraham Praise?”, can be seen here!

Chili Night – Video

Gene and Kong!

Chili Night returned on Tuesday, 4th July!  After eating our fill of chili, rice, macaroni cheese, and ice-cream, we had the opportunity to watch Gene and Kong’s wedding video together. 

Watching the wedding together!

Chili Night will continue next Tuesday at 6 pm.


Potluck – Advance Notice!



Our next potluck will be our welcome back potluck on Sunday 6th August!
 

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,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac

Dear Friends,
In our Old Testament reading this week, we will hear of God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering.  In the text, Abraham is commended for obeying and the killing is only averted when God relinquishes the order. Even then, God doesn’t use the moment to teach Abraham that human sacrifice is wrong, but rather praises him for his obedience saying “Now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son.”

How do we understand such passages?  Does God really desire human sacrifice?  This is not just an academic question – this week we have seen a trial begin in Nigeria of a “Christian” leader accused of instructing his followers to starve themselves and their children to death so they can “go to be with Jesus!” How do we understand the bible and handle such texts? This will be the subject of my sermon this week.

The readings for this Sunday will be from Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, and we will be singing the hymns The God of Abraham Praise; Dear Lord and Father of Mankind; Christ is the World’s Light; and Go forth and tell!

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

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon by Deacon Christa Crawford, “Parallel Promises!”, can be seen here!

Katie – Farewell!

Last Sunday was Katie’s last Sunday at All Saints.  She has served as a council member, organised our retreats, and just a general lively member of the church.  She will be greatly missed! We said goodbye with a blessing in the church and a cake.  It was a great joy that former member Rebecca Burkholder was visiting and was able to participate in the sending out!

Chili Night – Video

Gene and Kong!

Chili Night will return next Tuesday, 4th July!  After eating our fill of chili, rice, macaroni cheese, and ice-cream, we will have the opportunity to watch Gene and Kong’s wedding video together.  It lasts about thirty minutes.
 

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,

Father Iain