All Saints' Chiang Mai

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Lest we Forget!

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

Dear Friends,
This weekend we mark Remembrance Day on Saturday 11th November, and Remembrance Sunday the following day.

Remembrance Day began as Armistice Day to mark the end of the First World War on the 11th November 1918 at 11 a.m. UK time.  (Midday Central European Time.)  Since then a minutes silence has been held each year on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.  At the end of the Second World War this became two minutes silence to commemorate the dead of the two world-wide conflicts. It has now become a time to remember all those killed in all subsequent wars and armed conflicts around the world, and to redouble our efforts to work for peace!

From the very beginning the two phrases associated with Remembrance Day are “Lest we forget” and “Never Again!”  In the light of the on-going conflicts in Ukraine, Myanmar, and Palestine, these words have never been so apt.  We pray for the end of hostilities and a just and lasting peace for all.

This year I have again been asked to officiate at the Remembrance Day observances at the Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery.  The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and will be followed by refreshments at the Gymkhana Club.  All are welcome! Our observation of Remembrance Sunday at All Saints, will follow the following day, again beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The bible readings for this Remembrance Sunday will be Isaiah 2:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and Luke 21:5-19, and we will be singing the hymns O God our help in Ages Past, Abide with Me, Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus, and The Day Thou gavest Lord is Ended!

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

Highlights of Last Week’s Service

Highlights of last week’s All Saints Day Service, including the baptisms of Kat and Kaew, are available here!


Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday



On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November we will remember victims of war and together declare “never again!”

On Saturday 11th, I will lead the Remembrance Day Observance at the Foreign Cemetery.  Please assemble at 10:30 a.m.  Directions to the Foreign Cemetery can be found here!

Then on Remembrance Sunday, we will gather at All Saints at 10:30 a.m. to remember victims of war and armed conflict around the world. The service will include two minutes silence at 11 a.m. and hymns will include The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended, and Abide with Me.  

At the Foreign Cemetery


Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil and Service
 


We hope this vigil will take place at Tha Phae Gate on the evening of Saturday 18th November.  More details to follow! 

The following morning, Sunday 19th November, we will mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance in our morning worship at All Saints!


The Best Christmas Choir Ever!



Our very own Paddy Davis plays a hapless pastor in this Christmas play!  See Paddy for details and tickets!


Advanced Notice – Festival of Christmas Carols!



This is our wonderful annual Christmas event.  Carol singing is led by the Lannacapella Choir and the All Saints Choristers, who will also perform their own pieces of Christmas music.  Readings will be given by various Consuls and other local dignitaries.


Events for your Diary

November 11th
    Remembrance Day at the Foreign Cemetery 
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
December 23rd
     Christmas Worship in Thai
December 24th
      Midnight Mass
December 25th
      Christmas Morning Eucharist


Chili Night continues!

Chili Night continues at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Come and join us at the vicarage on Tuesday 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

All Saints Last Sunday

POTLUCK THIS SUNDAY

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

Dear Friends,
This week we will celebrate All Saints Day – the patronal festival of our church.  We are called All Saints because all are welcome to be a part of us, and we include Buddhists and Muslims, as well as Christians, among our regular congregation.

This week we will see two adults baptised as they publicly declare their desire to follow the way of Jesus!  Both of them are Thai, and we will have our first Thai language service this Christmas!

All are welcome at All Saints – young and old, foreign and Thai, Christian and Muslim, Buddhist, and Atheist, gay and straight, trans and cis!  All are welcome to come and share the love of Jesus and the message of God’s love for all!

Some of our YCF choir will be with us this Sunday and after our celebratory service we will go to the vicarage to share a potluck lunch at the vicarage.  All are Welcome!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, and Matthew 5:1-12, and we will be singing the hymns For All the Saints, Bless the Lord Oh my Soul, Father, we love You, Sing with all the saints in glory, and O when the saints go marching in!  Our choir will be singing 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, “Write Nobody Off!”, is available here!


All Saints Day Celebration


Easter Sunday Baptisms

This Sunday, 5th November, we will be celebrating All Saints Day.  This will be a great day of celebration as we welcome our organist, Kaew, and church member, Kat, to be baptised!  We will also be joined by our choir from the Youth Charity Foundation.

Morning worship will be followed by a potluck at the vicarage.  All are welcome!


Vicarage Potluck time


Student Vacation Service



Many of the Maejo University students who attend All Saints will be away for the next few weeks as they have their midterm holidays.  At All Saints we had a special service on Tuesday morning, to mark the end of their first semester and the completion of exams.

It was mostly in Thai and provided a foretaste of our Thai Christmas service which will be held on Saturday 23rd December.


Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday



On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November we will remember victims of war and together declare “never again!”

On Saturday 11th, I will lead the Remembrance Day Observance at the Foreign Cemetery.  Please assemble at 10:30 a.m.  Directions to the Foreign Cemetery can be found here!

Then on Remembrance Sunday, we will gather at All Saints at 10:30 a.m. to remember victims of war and armed conflict around the world. The service will include two minutes silence at 11 a.m. and hymns will include The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended, and Abide with Me.  

At the Foreign Cemetery


Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil and Service
 


We hope this vigil will take place at Tha Phae Gate on the evening of Saturday 18th November.  More details to follow!  The following morning, Sunday 19th November, we will mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance in our morning worship at All Saints!


Advanced Notice – Festival of Christmas Carols!



This is our wonderful annual Christmas event.  Carol singing is led by the Lannacapella Choir and the All Saints Choristers, who will also perform their own pieces of Christmas music.  Readings will be given by various Consuls and other local dignitaries.


Events for your Diary

November 5th – Next Sunday
    All Saints Day Celebration and Potluck
November 11th
    Remembrance Day at the Foreign Cemetery 
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
December 23rd
     Christmas Worship in Thai
December 24th
      Midnight Mass
December 25th
      Christmas Morning Eucharist


Chili Night continues!

Chili Night continues at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Come and join us at the vicarage on Tuesday 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

A Jewish demonstrator supporting Palestine

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

Dear Friends,
I am feeling frustrated.  The Eighteenth Century philosopher, Edmund Burke, is reported to have said “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”  With the on-going bombing and siege in Gaza, I feel I am doing nothing!

War is always a terrible thing as we have seen in Ukraine, Myanmar, and Syria, but this time my own government is supporting the aggressor, the oppressive military superpower behind a fifty year illegal military occupation.  I hear stories from friends in the region who have lost family members.

We are called to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem”, and I am praying, but what more can we do?  The most urgent need is for a ceasefire, and then the real and meaningful delivery of food, water, medicine, and fuel.  We need to lobby our governments to do all they can to bring this about.

In three weeks’ time I will be leading the Remembrance Day Observance at the Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery, let us pray that by then the bombs and missiles will have stopped, hostages will have been released, and the almost impossible work of reconciliation will have begun.

The readings for this Sunday will be from Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, and Matthew 22:34-46, and we will be singing the hymns When Morning Gilds the Skies, In Christ there is no East or West, When I needed a Neighbour, and O God of Earth and Altar!

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, “Another Way is Possible!”, is available here!


All Saints Day Celebration


Easter Sunday Baptisms

On Sunday 5th November we will be celebrating All Saints Day.  This will be a great day of celebration as we welcome our organist, Kaew, and church member, Kat, to be baptised!  We will also be joined by our choir from the Youth Charity Foundation.

Morning worship will be followed by a potluck at the vicarage.  Please sign up this Sunday with what you can bring!


Vicarage Potluck time


Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday



On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November we will remember victims of war and together declare “never again!”

On Saturday 11th, I will lead the Remembrance Day Observance at the Foreign Cemetery.  Please assemble at 10:30 a.m.  Directions to the Foreign Cemetery can be found here!

Then on Remembrance Sunday, we will gather at All Saints at 10:30 a.m. to remember victims of war and armed conflict around the world. The service will include two minutes silence at 11 a.m. and hymns will include The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended, and Abide with Me.  

At the Foreign Cemetery


Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil and Service
 


We hope this vigil will take place at Tha Phae Gate on the evening of Saturday 18th November.  More details to follow! 

The following morning, Sunday 19th November, we will mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance in our morning worship at All Saints!


Advanced Notice – Festival of Christmas Carols!



This is our wonderful annual Christmas event.  Carol singing is led by the Lannacapella Choir and the All Saints Choristers, who will also perform their own pieces of Christmas music.  Readings will be given by various Consuls and other local dignitaries.


Events for your Diary

November 5th – Next Sunday
    All Saints Day Celebration and Potluck
November 11th
    Remembrance Day at the Foreign Cemetery 
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
December 23rd
     Christmas Worship in Thai
December 24th
      Midnight Mass
December 25th
      Christmas Morning Eucharist


Chili Night continues!

Chili Night continues at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Come and join us at the vicarage on Tuesday 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

Heads you win, tales you lose!

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

Dear Friends,
Nothing is certain except death and taxes – This famous quote about taxes originated with Benjamin Franklin in 1789. Over 200 years later, it still rings true.  Jesus was questioned about both.

In this week’s Gospel reading, we hear how the Pharisees sought to trap Jesus: “Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” they asked.  Jesus’ answer was amazing: “Show me the coin used for the tax.” he said.  And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’

Jesus avoided the Pharisees’ trick, but we are left with the question as to what is Caesar’s – what belongs to the world – and what is God’s – what answers to a higher standard!

Wonderful things are happening here at All Saints – I am very excited about the prospect of All Saints South and the possibility of a Thai service, too!  But in the wider world there is much to mourn, not least the terrible carnage in Gaza and ongoing conflicts in Myanmar and elsewhere.

We need the peace of the Prince of Peace more than ever!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Isaiah 45:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, and Matthew 22:15-22, and we will be singing the hymns Alleluia, Sing to Jesus; Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes?; Break Thou the Bread of Life; and In Christ alone my hope is Found!

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, “On the War in Gaza!”, is available here!


Planetarium Visit 


Last Friday twenty of us visited the planetarium located at the NARIT Astropark Observatory. We all has a wonderful time and most of us shared lunch together afterwards.  Many thanks for organising this event, Sandra!


Church Pool Day – last Saturday!

Last Saturday we had a great day out, swimming at the Centre of the Universe pool and then enjoying a delicious barbecue at the vicarage.  About 20 people went swimming, while 30 enjoyed the barbecue!

Thanks to Paddy and Adam for planning and barbecuing, to Denni and Barbara for preparing so much salad, and to the Maejo Students for washing-up and clearing everything away!


Watch the 15 second Barbecue Video here!

Lunch at the Pool!

Cooking away!

Eating together!

Everything came together in the most amazing way!  Thanks to everyone!


Events for your Diary

November 5th         
    All Saints Day Celebration and Potluck
November 11th
    Remembrance Day at the Foreign Cemetery 
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
December 23rd
     Christmas Worship in Thai
December 24th
      Midnight Mass
December 25th
      Christmas Morning Eucharist


Chili Night continues!

Chili Night continues at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Come and join us at the vicarage on Tuesday 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

Whose land is it anyway?

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

Dear Friends,
Last week, I wrote 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!”

Nobody disputes that Thailand belongs to the Thais, but as we have seen in horrendous scenes on our TV screens this week, the ownership of the Holy Land is very much contested.  The war between the Israeli state and Gaza enclave has already seen the deaths of thousands of innocent men, women, and children, as well as men on both sides fighting for “their country”.

Let us continue to hold the situation in our prayers, praying for peace and justice for all.

The readings for this Sunday will be from Isaiah 25:1, 4, 6, 9, Philippians 4:1-9, and Matthew 22:1-14, and we will be singing the hymns The God of Abraham Praise; What a Friend We Have in Jesus; Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart; and Thine Be the Glory!

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, “Write no one Off!”, is available here!


Baptisms and Confirmations

Do you want to be baptised or confirmed?  We may be offering the opportunity at our All Saints Day Celebration on Sunday 5th November!  (This has moved from the previous week so some baptismal candidates can attend.) Alternatively, we are also planning to again hold baptisms and confirmations on Easter Sunday next year!

If you are interested, let me know!


Planetarium Visit – Friday!

On Friday 13th October we plan to visit the planetarium located at the NARIT Astropark Observatory.  We meet at 10.30am, tickets cost 30B/child and 50B/adult.  The show is in English, starts at 11am and lasts 1 hour.  Directions to the NARIT Astropark Observatory can be found here!


Church Pool Day – this Saturday!

The Centre of the Universe Pool

On Saturday 14th October, we will go to the Centre of the Universe Pool for the day.  The cost to use the pool is THB 100 per person.  Meet at the pool at midday. We will buy lunch at the pool where most dishes are around THB 100.  Later we will share a barbecue at the vicarage, which is nearby.

There will be a sign-up sheet at church this Sunday.  Paddy and Adam are sorting the food for the barbecue and we will divide the cost between those attending.

Directions to the Centre of the Universe can be found here!


What do I do?

Hosting a Potluck

Someone asked me what I did with my time apart from the hour in church on Sunday.  Well, here’s the second part of outline of my week.  You can read the first part in last week’s email here!

Tuesday is my most consistent day in that each week it follows the same pattern.  Then on Wednesday I have to complete the weekly church email which goes out on Thursday morning.  The hymns and readings for the following Sunday and the video of the previous Sunday must already be chosen or edited, as links need to be included in Thursday’s message.  On Thursday afternoon, mum and I go to BigC and Macro to buy supplies for Chili Night.

The other weekly fixed events are the Sunday service and Friday night choir practice at YCF, and most weeks we try to have a clergy meeting where Mark, Peter, Gene, Christa, and I meet up.  The clergy meeting is a very moveable feast depending on who is in town and who is available. 

I also usually reserve Saturday morning for the actual writing down of my sermon if I am preaching that week.  This will be more frequent again when All Saints South is established.

The rest of my time varies from week to week.  There are always visits or phone calls to be made or encouraging emails to be written. 

Recently, a lot of my time has been taken up with the three levels of administration of All Saints: the All Saints Church Council, the All Saints Chiang Mai Mission UK charity, and the new All Saints Foundation here in Thailand.  The Church Council is now well established and we have our constitution and different policies in place so that is largely taking care of itself. 

ASCMM, on the other hand, is now in the process of codifying its policies and procedures and so that is currently taking up more time.  For example, ASCMM is a major funder of the Youth Charity Foundation, and as part of its remit it has requested a review of the YCF safeguarding policy.  This has been completed by Peter and we have met with YCF staff several times to agree the new procedures and regulations.

The All Saints Foundation is also keeping me busy and board members Khun Tasnee, Kaew, and Knot, and I are trying to open a foundation bank account.  This is a Thai government requirement as well as a practical necessity.  We have already spent four afternoons in the Kasikorn Bank at Central Festival, and will hopefully complete the process on a fifth visit next week!  Knot has been back and forwards to the tax office, and our lawyer will be back at the ampur office to correct a document next Monday!

(I began asking myself if all this bureaucracy was really worthwhile, as it takes the time of fourteen lay people in addition to the All Saints clergy, but as well as providing important supervision and accountability, it should in the future enable us to raise more money to support the work of All Saints.)

I have also recently being spending time building relationships with the clergy of St George’s, Pattaya, and St Paul’s, Bangkok, and keeping in touch with Archbishop Ron.

Outside the church, I try to join the Chiang Mai Walk and Talk hiking group at least once a month so that I have contacts with people in the wider community too!

I love my work and, although I would like to cut down on some of the computer work, I feel immensely privileged to be able to serve the people of All Saints and Chiang Mai fulltime.


All Saints Foundation Banking

This is still ongoing – it is proving very complex!  Thanks again to Tasnee and Knot from YCF, and our organist, Kaew, for all their hard work!


Church Council Meeting

We will hold our monthly meeting after church this Sunday.


Events for your Diary
October 13th – tomorrow!
    Planetarium Visit
October 14th – this Saturday!
    Church Pool Day
November 5th         
    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!

This week’s Chili Night turned in to a costume party!

Chili Night continues at the usual time of 6 p.m.  Come and join us at the vicarage on Tuesday 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

Whose land is it anyway?

Dear Friends,
I recently 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!

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 Whose Authority?”, is available here!


Baptisms and Confirmations

Do you want to be baptised or confirmed?  We plan to offer the opportunity at our All Saints Day Celebration on Sunday 5th November!  (This has moved from the previous week so some baptismal candidates can attend.)

If you are interested, let me know as soon as possible so we can start preparation classes!


What do I do?


At Chili Night on Tuesday

Someone asked me what I did with my time apart from the hour in church on Sunday.  Well, here’s an outline of my week:

Monday is my day off and I try to avoid church work for the day.  I usually manage to do so, apart from the occasional urgent email or phone call.

Tuesday is Chili Night, but first I begin planning for the next Sunday and tidying up from the last. 

My day usually begins with two or three hours producing the weekly bulletin, adding the bible readings, and choosing the hymns.  There is a Worship Leaders version, and a shorter Congregational version.  The shorter edition is not just to save paper but also to ensure that people look up and listen, rather than look down and read everything.  There is also a sheet for the Prayers of Intercession to be compiled, and I need to produce the music edition with the sheet music for our organist and those who want to sing parts.  Sometimes there needs to be separate choral and organ copies.

Producing the Bulletins

Perhaps you are thinking that it would save time, and paper, to use hymn books and service books, but we choose our hymns from a large variety of sources – UK, US, and other – and we shape our liturgy to fit our particular context.  Juggling books and page numbers can also be a barrier to children and non-native English speakers.  (Plus our chairs have nowhere to put books!)

If I am preaching the following Sunday, I then begin to think about my sermon.

My next task is usually editing the video from the previous Sunday.  If I am just including the sermon, then this can be done, including downloading video and audio files, editing, uploading to YouTube, and updating Facebook and the website, in around a couple of hours.  However, if I want to include the whole service, as I did for the Harvest Festival, the editing alone can take six hours!

Harvest Edit

I often ask myself if the videos are worth the effort, but for some people they are their only connection with the church, and often new people come to All Saints after looking at the website and watching a few sermons and services.

Then, it being Tuesday, I begin getting things ready for Chili Night.  Mum starts cooking in the morning and Paddy arrives at 3 p.m. to help.  At about the same time I will begin setting up the tables and getting out the plates, dishes, and cutlery, etc.  (If they haven’t got a class, the Maejo students arrive around 4 p.m. and help with this task!)

The Maejo Crew!

Chili Night itself begins at 6 p.m. and most people leave by eight!  Glyn is a great help with washing up and the “Maejo Crew” help to tidy away!

I was going to outline my week – but Tuesday seems long enough so I’ll write more next week!


Planetarium Visit – Next Friday!



On Friday 13th October we plan to visit the planetarium located at the NARIT Astropark Observatory.  We meet at 10.30am, tickets cost 30B/child and 50B/adult.  The show is in English, starts at 11am and lasts 1 hour. 

Directions to the NARIT Astropark Observatory can be found here!

Speak to Sandra to reserve seats.  Many thanks for organising this event, Sandra!


Church Pool Day

The Centre of the Universe Pool

On Saturday 14th October, we will go to the Centre of the Universe Pool for the day.  The cost to use the pool is THB 100 per person.  Meet at the pool at midday.

We will buy lunch at the pool where most dishes are around THB 100.  Later we will share a barbecue at the vicarage, which is nearby.

There will be a sign-up sheet at church this Sunday.  Paddy and Adam are sorting the food for the barbecue and we will divide the cost between those attending.

Directions to the Centre of the Universe can be found here!


All Saints Foundation Banking



This is still ongoing – it is proving very complex, and we may try a different bank!  Thanks again to Khun Tasnee and Khun Knot from YCF for all their hard work!


Events for your Diary

October 13th
    Planetarium Visit
October 14th 
    Church Pool Day
November 5th         
    All Saints Day Celebration and Potluck
November 12th      
    Remembrance Sunday
November 19th      
    Transgender Day of Remembrance Service
December 3rd        
    Advent Sunday
December 9th        
     Festival of Christmas Carols


Chili Night continues!


Some of the group this week!

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

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!

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

Last Week’s Harvest Service

We again held out Harvest Festival at the Youth Charity Foundation’s House of Hope!  We had a great worship service followed by an excellent potluck.  It was great to worship together!

The whole of last week’s Harvest Festival Thanksgiving Service can be seen here!  It includes the sermon, “I just Thank you Father, for making me, me!”, in English and Thai.

Preaching the Word – in English and Thai

Our Choir leading the Singing

Celebrating Communion

Calling forward

Sharing Communion

Presenting the new YCF Piano


All Saints Foundation Banking


We are still working on this – it is proving very complex.  Thanks to Khun Tasnee and Khun Knot from YCF for all their hard work!


Church Pool Day

The Center of the Universe Pool

On Saturday 14th October, we will go to the Center of the Universe Pool for the day.  We will buy lunch at the pool where most dishes are around THB 100.  Later we will share a barbecue at the vicarage, which is nearby.

The cost to use the pool is THB 100 per person.
More details to follow.


Events for your Diary

October 14th 
    Church Pool Day
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 this week!

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!

This week nine Maejo students missed their 10 p.m. curfew and had to spend the night at the vicarage!

Sleeping on the Floor and Sofas!


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 Rice of Life!

NO SERVICE AT ALL SAINTS THIS SUNDAY!
JOIN US AT YCF FOR OUR HARVEST FESTIVAL

Dear Friends,
Whilst the Lord’s Prayer contains the line “Give us this day our daily bread”, a popular greeting in Thailand is “Did you eat rice?”  Rice is the staple food in much of Asia and Jesus may have shared sticky rice has the last supper been in Thailand.  Here, the Bread of Life is the Rice of Life. It’s hard for most Thai farmers to make much money from growing rice, but rice will keep you alive whatever else you have to eat with it.

This Sunday we will again travel out to the Youth Charity Foundation for our Harvest Thanksgiving.  (Directions below!)  It is a time when we can all, rich and poor, give thanks for what we have.

The readings for this Sunday will be from Deuteronomy 8:7-18, Philippians 1:21-30, and Matthew 20:1-16, and we will be singing the hymns Come, Ye Thankful People, Come; Bless the Lord oh my soul; We Plow the Fields and Scatter; and Days of Elijah!  The Choir will be singing 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, “Don’t Stop Forgiving!”, can be seen here!

Harvest Festival – This Sunday 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.

Directions to YCF can be found here!

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


All Saints Foundation Banking


On Thursday afternoon Khun Tasnee, the YCF Director, and I will be going to the Kasikorn Bank at Central Festival in order to open a bank account for the All Saints Foundation.  We will also be meeting on Friday, along with Father Peter, to discuss the new YCF Child Protection Policy.

Please pray that both activities will proceed smoothly.


October Church Retreat – Change of Plan

The Center of the Universe Pool

Our church retreat at the RungNara Pool Villa Resort in Maejo proved to be too expensive for quite a few people so we have decided to have a day out instead.

On Saturday 14th October, we will go to the Center of the Universe Pool for the afternoon and then share a barbecue at the vicarage, which is nearby.

More details to follow.


Events for your Diary

September 24th – This Sunday!!!!
    Harvest Festival at the Youth Charity Foundation
October 14th 
    Church Day Out
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 this week!

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!


This week the Maejo students treated us to homemade Thai deserts!  They spent about two hours in the kitchen!

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 is 70 x 7 ?

Dear Friends,
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!

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, “All are Welcome?”, can be seen here!

Harvest Festival – Next Sunday 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.


St. Paul’s, Bangkok – Another New Church

Our friends at St. George’s, Pattaya, have planted a new church in Bangkok.  St. Paul’s held its first service last Sunday. Former attendees at All Saints who live in the Thai capital will be helping to support this new congregation which, like All Saints, will be liturgical and inclusive!  Please hold them in your prayers!

They will meet at The Work Loft Silom
281/19-23 3F-6F NST One Building
Soi Silom 1, Silom Rd, Bangrak
Bangkok, Thailand 10500
Right next to BTS Sala Daeng Station 5-min walk from MRT Silom. 

Click here for more information.


Events for your Diary
September 24th – Next Sunday!!!!
    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!


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

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!

Exciting things are happening!  All Saints has now achieved foundation status and we are exploring starting All Saints South!  Meanwhile, our friends at St. George’s, Pattaya, are beginning St. Paul’s, Bangkok, with their first service this Sunday.

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.

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, “Take up your Cross?”, 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!


All Saints Foundation Established

Great news!!!!  The All Saints Foundation has now been registered!  This means we will be able to open a bank account in the name of All Saints and rent our building in the name of the foundation.  It will provide an official basis for our multiplication to All Saints Central and All Saints South.

Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this happen!


Urgent Need in India



You may or may not know what is happening in Manipur right now to brothers and sisters, please read some of the links below for context into this life and death moment: 

Manipur Violence: What is Happening and Why

Indian Region Pushed to the Brink of Civil War

Manipur: Outrage After Women Paraded N@ked in Violence-Hit State

Thousands Protest Mob Assault of Women

Manipur Assault Video Emboldens Women to Speak Out



Some members of All Saints are partnering with the local Chennai fellowship to evacuate as many refugee families (mostly the women and children) as financially possible  from Manipur. They are currently hiding for their lives in the jungle and have lost everything – family members, houses, clothing, personal documents – literally everything is gone. Things have escalated over the last few days to the point where women and children are actively being targeted and harmed; many will not survive. 

The fellowship wants to take responsibility for these families – from urgent needs over the next 5-6 months (evacuation flights, emergency housing, food, etc.), to long-term equipping for a new life in Chennai (jobs, training, long term housing, etc.). The fellowship has relational connections to provide many of these things, but they need help funding flights and initial emergency housing.

National restrictions on foreign donations into the country make it very difficult for the local community to fund this project alone and make it nearly impossible for most international aid organizations to offer any assistance either.  However, we are uniquely situated legally because of our contacts. 

Our members invite you to help them support the local fellowship and serve our brothers and sisters in crisis while very few others can. They are anticipating that $12,000-$15,000 will evacuate and provide for a handful of first families. Time is absolutely vital, and they need to be able to evacuate these first families by the end of the month.



See me or any of the clergy to find out how you can help.


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.


St. Paul’s, Bangkok – Another New Church

Our friends at St. George’s, Pattaya, are planting a new church in Bangkok.  St. Paul’s will hold its first service this Sunday at 10 a.m.  All are welcome!

Former attendees at All Saints who live in the Thai capital will be helping to support this new congregation which, like All Saints, will be liturgical and inclusive!  Please hold them in your prayers!

They will meet at The Work Loft Silom
281/19-23 3F-6F NST One Building
Soi Silom 1, Silom Rd, Bangrak
Bangkok, Thailand 10500
Right next to BTS Sala Daeng Station 5-min walk from MRT Silom. 


Work Loft Meeting Room

Click here for more information.

The service will also be livestreamed on FACEBOOK: 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550737476551


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


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!  Paddy and I have flown down to Surat Thani 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