All Saints' Chiang Mai

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

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Deacon Christa will be preaching this Sunday!

Dear Friends,
In our Old Testament reading this week, we will hear part of the story of Ishmael, the son of Hagar and Abraham.  He was a child of God’s promise too, just as was Isaac, the son of Sarah and Abraham.  Christa will unpick these parallel promises this Sunday, and ask what we can learn from them.

Another notable women of God will be leaving us this Sunday as Katie departs for the States, and we will be praying for her as she goes.  Last week we also said goodbye to Josie who has worshipped with us for a number of years.

Saying farewell to Josie last Sunday!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1-11, and Matthew 10:24-39, and we will be singing the hymns Praise with joy the world’s creator; God of the Women; Rise up Women; and Christ, Be Our Light!

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 Pastor Mark Crawford, “What is too difficult?”, can be seen here!

Katie – Farewell!

This Sunday, 25th June, is 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 will say goodbye with a blessing in the church and a cake at our Green O’Clock lunch.

Chili Night – Video

Gene and Kong!

Chili Night will return on 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!

Also, please pray for Gene who had one cataract removed yesterday and will be operated on for the second today.


My Return



The engine fell out of my campervan last Friday and so Ratcha and I flew back to Chiang Mai on Sunday night.  “The Elephant” is now in the MG garage in Surat Thani and we are waiting for news!
 

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 model Jesus to the world?

Dear Friends,
In this week’s Gospel reading Jesus sends out the twelve disciples to participate in his work: 

“As you go proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons…”

We are all called to do the same, to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God and to act in a way which shows its arrival!

Last month, members of All Saints took part in the pride festival and march.  Half of those who took part were not gay or trans, but took part as Christians declaring God’s love for all.

A recent survey put the UK and US as 28th and 30th, out of 30 countries polled, for their attitudes to, and acceptance of, trans people.  Health care has just been withdrawn for trans children in England, schools will soon be instructed not to honour students’ preferred names or pronouns, and transwomen have lost the right to be recognised as women.  Many states in the US have brought in similar provisions.

Meanwhile, in Uganda “persistent” homosexual offenders can face the death penalty, and even supporting LGBT rights or renting property to a gay person can result in ten years in jail. Faced with these situations, we can only ask “What would Jesus do?”

May we together proclaim the Kingdom of God, a kingdom of love and affirmation where all feel loved and secure.

The readings for this Sunday will be from Genesis 18:1-15, Romans 5:1-8, and Matthew 9:35-10:15, and we will be singing the hymns Let All the World in Every Corner Sing; Brother, Sister, Let me Serve You; Lord, I want to be a Christian; 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 by Father Peter Tarleton, “All Connected!”, can be seen here!

Chili Night 

Some of the group!

Chili Night is on vacation!  It will return on Tuesday 4th July!  
 

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

Father Peter will be preaching this Sunday!

Dear Friends,
Many of us are away for the summer – I am writing this from Krabi – but Father Peter will be preaching this Sunday and Pastor Mark will be presiding at the Eucharist.  Not only this, but Deacon Gene will be back this week, too! Last Sunday Katie preached, and if you missed it then listen below – it’s worth listening to!  She will be leaving us to further her studies in the States and will be greatly missed!

This week’s scriptures look at faith: the Old and New Testament readings concentrate on Abraham, while our Gospel reading tells of the calling of Matthew and the faith of a hemorrhaging woman and a bereaved synagogue leader.

What about our faith?  What does it challenge us to do and how do we respond?

The readings for this Sunday will be from Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, and Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, and we will be singing the hymns The God of Abraham Praise; Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart; You laid aside Your Majesty; and When we walk with the Lord!

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 Katie Wierenga, “Love Your Neighbour”, can be seen here!

Chili Night 

Some of the group!

Chili Night is on vacation!  It will return on Tuesday 4th July!  
 

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

All Saints’ people marching last Sunday!

Dear Friends,
I am very proud of the people of All Saints.  Many people, both gay and straight, marched and staffed the All Saints’ booth at last Sunday’s Pride Festival.

Special thanks to Pastor Mark, Deacon Christa, and the Sensamaust family, for coordinating our contribution.  And congratulations to Deacon Nat of the St Mary Independent Catholic Mission, who attends All Saints, who performed the same-sex marriage blessing.

Pastor Mark on the Main Stage

Same-Sex Blessing

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday.  The Trinity symbolizes and reveals God’s unity in diversity.  God has created a wonderful rainbow of genders and sexualities in God’s people.  As we acknowledge and welcome one another, we can rejoice in all God has made.

The readings for Trinity Sunday will be from Isaiah 40:12-17, 27-31, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, and Matthew 28:16-20, and we will be singing the hymns Holy, Holy, Holy; Father we love you; Mothering God; 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 for Pentecost Sunday, “Let God out of the Box”, can be seen here!

Pattaya Ordination

Assembled Bishops, Priests, and Acolytes

It was a great joy for me to participate in the ordination of Lloyd Hobbard-Mitchell at St George’s, Pattaya, last Sunday.

Please hold Lloyd in your prayers.

Laying on of hands!

Chili Night 

Some of the group!

Chili Night is on vacation!  It will return on Tuesday 4th July!  
 

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

The Holy Spirit poured our for All People!

Dear Friends,

The Day of Pentecost, which we celebrate this Sunday, is when the Holy Spirit was poured out on all people – as prophesied by the prophet Joel:

In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

This outpouring was marked by the diversity of people gathered on that first Pentecost.  The crowd included “Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs!”

On Pentecost afternoon, All Saints will take part in the annual Pride March and the gathering which will follow.  This year the organizers are keen to not only highlight the diversity of LGBTQ+ people, but the many ethnicities and genders who will be gathered together.

All Saints will march in the parade and have a booth at Tha Phae Gate to share the message that God loves everyone, and that God longs to pour out God’s Spirit on all!

The readings for Pentecost Sunday will be from Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3-13, and John 20:19-23, and we will be singing the hymns Come Down, O Love Divine; Spirit of God, Unseen as the Wind; O Breath of Life, Come Sweeping Through Us; and O God of Burning, Cleansing Flame!

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 for our Celebration of the Ascension, “Has He Gone?”, can be seen here!

Chiang Mai Pride – This Sunday, 28th May 2023!

All Saints will have a booth at Tha Phae Gate and will be marching in the parade!

Lots of people, including me, will be away that weekend so if you are in Chiang Mai, please talk to Mark about how you can help.  This will be a great opportunity to show how we at All Saints care for and welcome all people!

Chiang Mai Pride 2023 will celebrate Pride Month 2023, as the first province in Thailand, with the concept Beyond Gender: Pride United: Celebrating Diversity, Embracing Unity on Sunday, May 28, 2023.

The parade will begin assembling at 5 p.m. at the Buddha Sathan, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and will march to the Tha Phae Gate.

At Tha Phae Gate there will be the same activities as the temple fair, including performances, music, gender talks, weddings for LGBT couples, booths, open-air movie screenings, and more.

Pattaya Ordination

Lloyd Hobbard-Mitchell

Unfortunately, I shall miss the Chiang Mai Pride celebrations as I have been invited to attend the ordination of Lloyd Hobbard-Mitchell at St. George’s, Pattaya.

Please hold Lloyd in your prayers!

The Youth Charity Foundation

Worship Time!

Last week, Mum, Nat, and I, had the joy of attending the YCF Back to School Worship Time.  They have nineteen new children this year, so please hold them in your prayers!

Some of the older boys help in the work!

They have also finished the complete reroofing and renovation of the House of Hope main building.  It looks very smart!

My Trip

I shall be away from Friday 26th May until Saturday 24th June.  Ratcha and I will be visiting southern Thailand, while mum is in the UK for most of June.  Please pray that we will have safe travels!

Pastor Mark and Father Peter will be leading worship in my absence.

Chili Night 

Some of the group!

Chili Night is on vacation!  It will return on Tuesday 4th July!  
 

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