This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent! Christmas is almost here! Our Festival of Christmas Carols is only just over a week away and then it will soon be Christmas Day! Please volunteer to help on Saturday 20th and sign-up for the lunch on Thursday 25th saying what can bring!!!!
Christmas is a time of hope – hope for a better world – even Christmas movies envision a kinder, gentler, way of being human – and the message of the gospel is Peace on Earth and goodwill to all!
In this week’s Gospel Reading we will hear of the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary. Her response to God’s unusual plan is “yes!” How will we respond to God’s call on our lives this Christmas?
The bible readings for the Third Sunday of Advent will be Micah 5:2-5, Romans 16:25-27, and Luke 1:26-37, and we will be singing the Advent hymns O Come, O come Emmanuel; Song of Mary; Sing We the King Who is Coming to Reign; and Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending!
YouTube Live We now use YouTube Live to livestream our service.
To watch our service live this Sunday please follow these steps:
Please invite your friends! Volunteers are needed for setting up, ushering, catering, etc. Please speak to Christa on Sunday.
.
Christmas Lunch – 25th December
Every year we share Christmas lunch together at the vicarage! Please sign up THIS WEEK to indicate how many people are coming and also to say what you can bring.
.
Events Coming Up – Advent & Christmas!
Sunday 7th December Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday 14th December Third Sunday of Advent
Saturday 20th December Festival of Christmas Carols
Sunday 21st December Fourth Sunday of Advent
Wednesday 24th December Midnight Mass
Thursday 25th December Christmas Day
Sunday 28th December
transACTIONefuge “Holiday Euphoria” @ the Vicarage
Tuesday 30th December Christmas at the Youth Charity Foundation
Wednesday 31st December New Year’s Eve at the Vicarage
.
Chili Night
Chili Night is on holiday! We will be taking a break until Tuesday 6th January 2026! See you then!
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online – and now you can use our QR code!. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that God is mighty and we are in God’s hands!
What do you think of angels? Do you believe in them? Have you ever seen one? At All Saints over the first three weeks of Advent we will be looking at the angels that appeared in the stories of Jesus’ birth.
So what, in the Bible, is the job of angels? They are messengers from God. They often come to tell people what will happen, in fact often to prophesy the birth of children. The first appearance was way back in the Old Testament when the Angel of the Lord appears to Abraham and prophesied that he will have a son.
And then last week we looked at the angel appearing to Zachariah saying that he will have a son, this week we will see the angel appearing to Joseph, saying that he will have a son, and then next week we will see the angel appear to Mary, telling her of the birth of Jesus. And then of course, we will hear of the angels appearing to the Shepherds, telling them that a baby has been born in Bethlehem.
Angels play a big part in the Christmas story, but they all carry the same message: Good News to all!
The bible readings for the Second Sunday of Advent will be Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, and Matthew 1:18-25, and we will be singing the carols The Angel Gabriel; Of the Father’s Love Begotten; Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus; and Angels we have heard on high!
YouTube Live We now use YouTube Live to livestream our service.
To watch our service live this Sunday please follow these steps:
Sunday 30th November was Advent Sunday and the All Saints Choir led our worship. The service was followed by decorating the church and a potluck at the vicarage, where we finished decorating the Christmas trees and decorated ginger cookies.
Please put this on your calendar. Volunteers are needed for setting up, ushering, catering, etc.
.
Christmas Lunch – 25th December
Every year we share Christmas lunch together at the vicarage! Please sign up to indicate how many people are coming and also to say what you can bring.
.
Events Coming Up – Advent & Christmas!
Sunday 7th December Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday 14th December Third Sunday of Advent
Saturday 20th December Festival of Christmas Carols
Sunday 21st December Fourth Sunday of Advent
Wednesday 24th December Midnight Mass
Thursday 25th December Christmas Day
Tuesday 30th December Christmas at the Youth Charity Foundation
Wednesday 31st December New Year’s Eve at the Vicarage
Chili Night
Chili Night is on holiday! We will be taking a break until Tuesday 6th January 2026! See you then!
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online – and now you can use our QR code!. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that God is mighty and we are in God’s hands!
Court buildings are often adorned with statues of Lady Justice. She is shown blindfolded to indicate that Justice is dispensed without fear or favor, to the rich and poor, powerful and ordinary people. But in truth, justice is very often biased in favor of the powerful and the rich. I often think that justice rather than being blind is deaf. Instead of looking favorably upon the rich, Lady Justice turns a deaf ear to the poor.
In this week’s Gospel reading Jesus tells the parable of the unjust judge. It is only because a powerless widow will not give up hassling the judge that he eventually agrees to give her justice. This is the same situation in the world today, in situations of injustice it is important that we don’t remain silent, that we don’t quietly accept the situation, but that we continue to speak out. Jesus knew this 2000 years ago and it is the same today. As we see injustice around the world, we cannot remain silent we must speak, for this is our calling as Christians to declare God’s justice and peace to the world.
The scripture readings for this Sunday will be from Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, and Luke 18:1-8, and we will be singing the hymns Stand up stand up for Jesus; Beauty for Brokenness; Lord, we make this cry for freedom; and Let Us Build a House!
YouTube Live
We now use YouTube Live to livestream our service.
To watch our service live this Sunday please follow these steps:
The World Council of Reformed Churches is in town for their 27th General Council. The WCRC is a worldwide community made up of many member churches such as the ELCA, PCUSA, and UCC, in the States, and the Church of Scotland and United Reform Church in the UK, The Church of Christ in Thailand is a member and is hosting this year’s council.
On Wednesday night a group of All Saints’ Church Council members and clergy, met with Pastor Diego from the University Christian Church of San Diego, California, at Barbara’s house. Diego is a delegate at the conference, and All Saints hopes to develop a relationship with his church. He will be at All Saints on Sunday and we will all have chance to talk with him over coffee and at lunch at Green O’Clock.
Dinner at Barbara’s House
On Sunday we will also be welcoming other LGBT conference members to worship with us at All Saints, including Mike Schuenemeyer of Rainbow Pilgrims. It should be a great service!
Rainbow Pilgrims are also organising a meet-up at the Empress Hotel on Sunday Night at 7:30 p.m. (More details to come!)
.
transACTIONrefuge Events
For the last couple of months, transACTIONrefuge has been hosting Q&A sessions on Zoom, for trans people considering relocating to Chiang Mai. If you are living in Chiang Mai and would like to join the call to answer questions about living in Thailand, email transACTIONrefuge@proton.me for the link. (You don’t have to be trans yourself!) The next two Q&As are at 8 am on Monday 20th and 9pm on Sunday 26th (Thai time!)
Also, if you’d like to get to know some of the transACTIONrefuge team – and other trans people living in Chiang Mai – then join us at Sapphic Riot on Wednesday 29th October from 7 pm onwards! (Costumes/Fancy Dress optional!)
More information at transACTIONrefuge.com
.
Events Coming Up – November / December
Sunday 2nd November Celebration of All Saints Day (Followed by Potluck)
Sunday 9th November Remembrance Sunday
Tuesday 11th November Remembrance Day
Sunday 16th November Normal Sunday!!!!!
Thursday 20th November Transgender Day of Remembrance
Sunday 23rd November Transgender Day of Remembrance Service
Sunday 30th November Advent Sunday (Followed by Potluck)
Sunday 7th December Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday 14th December Third Sunday of Advent
Saturday 20th December Festival of Christmas Carols
Sunday 21st December Fourth Sunday of Advent
Wednesday 24th December Midnight Mass
Thursday 25th December Christmas Day
.
All Saints Day Celebration
All Saints Day
On Sunday 2nd November we will be celebrating All Saints Day. This will be a great day of celebration as we welcome our choir from the Youth Charity Foundation.
Morning worship will be followed by a potluck at the vicarage.
.
Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday
On Sunday 9th and Tuesday 11th November we will remember victims of war and together declare “never again!”
Sunday 9th November is 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.
On Tuesday 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!
.
Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil and Service
We hope this vigil will take place at Tha Phae Gate on the evening of Thursday 20th November. More details to follow!
Then on Sunday 23rd November, we will mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance in our morning worship at All Saints!
.
Virtual Garage Sale
A Garage Sale is a North American tradition where people empty-out their unwanted possessions (often stored in a garage) and put them for sale in their yard. In England we have “car boot sales” for a similar purpose.
The disadvantage of a traditional garage sale is that you need somewhere to store all the stuff and people may have things to dispose of at different times! Hence… a Virtual Garage Sale!
This is how it will work:
1) Bring your item to church, or the MCC Office, or send Sarah a photo and description if that’s easier! 2) Sarah will advertise the item online. 3) People can buy the item online and then collect or have it sent by Grab delivery.
Hopefully, we will raise much needed money for church funds!
.
Chili Night
Chili Night continues this Tuesday! Every week everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the Vicarage. Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided. Just come along! (But let me know in advance if you can!) All are welcome. Food is served at 6 p.m.
Please make a THB 100 donation.
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online – and now you can use our QR code!. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that God is mighty and we are in God’s hands!
God bless you,
Vicar Iain (he/they/she)
All Saints seeks to be a church that is welcome to all, whether rich or poor, Thai or farang, black or white, gay, lesbian, transgender, or straight, old or young, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, or Jew. We aim to declare the inclusive love of Jesus Christ, and demonstrate his radical call to discipleship in our lives.
Once again Christmas is upon us! As I write this, we have just finished wrapping the Christmas presents for the children of the Youth Charity Foundation. We give them the gifts on 28th January!
Christmas is a time for giving, and a time for giving thanks! We must be thankful for all the good things we have, and for our friends and families!
But Christmas can also be a stressful time! Please hold one another in your prayers – especially for those preparing to host around 40 people for Christmas lunch!
Most of all, Christmas is a time for welcoming Christ back into our lives again, of being thankful for God’s love, and being renewed in the strength that brings!
We have three services this Christmas – and a fourth at the Youth Charity Foundation – join us if you can!
They are:
Sunday 22nd December 10:30 am Fourth Sunday of Advent Service Tuesday 24th December 11:30 pm Midnight Mass Wednesday 25th December 10:30 am Christmas Morning Eucharist (Followed by Christmas Lunch) Saturday 28th December 5:00 pm Christmas meal & worship at YCF
Video of the service for the Third Sunday of Advent is available on the All Saints YouTube channel and that of the Fourth Sunday will be available soon!
Every year All Saints buys Christmas presents for the Children of the Youth Charity Foundation. This year we met together on Wednesday to wrap them all! Thanks to all who volunteered to help!
We will give the presents to the children at YCF on Saturday 28th December.
Christmas Lunch Setup
Volunteers needed to set up the tables, chairs, plates, glasses, and cutlery, etc. We will meet on Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24th, at 2 p.m. at the vicarage. Come if you can!
Midnight Mass and Christmas Morning Eucharist
Join us at 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24th December, for Midnight Mass, and at 10:30 a.m. on Christmas Day for our Morning Eucharist.
Christmas Lunch – 25th December
Every year we share Christmas lunch together at the vicarage – nobody need be alone! You should have already signed up to indicate how many people are coming and also to say what you can bring.
Youth Charity Foundation Christmas – Saturday 28th December
Everyone is invited to the Youth Charity Foundation to share dinner, worship together, and give the children their Christmas presents.
Dinner is at 5 p.m. followed by worship. Events should end around 8 p.m.
All Saints Book Group
Book Group is on hold until the new year! We meet on Tuesday afternoons. Time and location TBD. Contact Christa if you would like to join us as we continue our journey together through the book, Living Resistance.
Chili Night
Chili Night is on holiday. It will return on 21st January!
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online – and now you can us our QR code!. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
Christmas is almost upon us! We begin our celebration of the Christmas Season this Saturday at Thammapratheep Church with the All Saints’ Festival of Christmas Carols. Both our choirs, Lannacappella and the All Saints Choristers from YCF, are better than ever before, and it will be a real musical treat as we gather to sing together.
Bring your friends and neighbours and let all enjoy this time of celebration. Tickets are not needed for admission, but you can get tickets and posters to print or share below.
Merry Christmas – one and all!
The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, and Matthew 1:18-25, and we will be singing the hymns The Angel Gabriel; Of the Father’s Love Begotten; Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent; and Angels we have heard on high!
Saturday 14th December: Festival of Christmas Carols Tuesday 24th December: Midnight Mass Wednesday 25th December: Christmas Morning Eucharist Christmas Lunch at the Vicarage Saturday 28th December: Christmas at the Youth Charity Foundation
Next Tuesday we will eat our Chili while watching and singing along with The Sound of Music! Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided. Just come along! (But let me know in advance if you can!) All are welcome. Food is served at 6 p.m.
Please make a donation on THB 100 per person!
This will be the last Chili Night until Tuesday 21st January 2025.
Every year All Saints buys Christmas presents for the Children of the Youth Charity Foundation. This year we will meet together at the vicarage at 2 pm on Wednesday 18th to wrap the presents. Why not come and join us in this fun activity?
We will give the presents to the children at YCF on Saturday 28th December.
Midnight Mass and Christmas Morning Eucharist
Join us at 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24th December, for Midnight Mass, and at 10:30 a.m. on Christmas Day for our Morning Eucharist.
Christmas Lunch – 25th December
Every year we share Christmas lunch together at the vicarage – nobody need be alone! Please sign up to indicate how many people are coming and also to say what you can bring. This Sunday is the last week for regular sign-up!
Youth Charity Foundation Christmas – Saturday 28th December
Everyone is invited to the Youth Charity Foundation to share dinner, worship together, and give the children their Christmas presents.
Dinner is at 5 p.m. followed by worship. Events should end around 8 p.m.
All Saints Book Group
Book Group is on hold until the new year! We meet on Tuesday afternoons. Time and location TBD. Contact Christa if you would like to join us as we continue our journey together through the book, Living Resistance.
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online – and now you can us our QR code!. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
CHRISTMAS SNACKS POTLUCK THIS SUNDAY Dear Friends,
This Sunday is Advent Sunday – the first day of the Church year! It is a day when we anticipate the coming of Jesus at Christmas and begin to prepare our hearts for the Christ-Child! Christmas is about then and it is about now: the coming of Christ in Bethlehem two thousand years ago, and the coming of Christ into our hearts, and into our world, today.
The most famous Advent hymn is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, it is a prayer for the coming of Jesus. The coming of Jesus is needed even more in this world of growing conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere!
Last year I added a verse to the Advent hymn which is a prayer for Palestine:
O come, O come, O Saviour of mine And ransom captive Palestine O bring thy peace, set all men free Who dwell betwixt the River and the Sea.
This year I have adapted the first verse as a prayer for Israel:
O come, O come, Emmanuel Bring peace to warring Israel That fights in righteous anger and fear Until the Son of God appear.
The chorus is a prayer also:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, And set all people free.
As we approach Christmas, we pray for peace and reconciliation between all people.
The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, and Luke 21:25-36, and we will be singing the hymns O Come, O come Emmanuel; Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus; and Joy to the World!
Saturday 30th November: Vicarage Christmas Tree Decorating Sunday 1st December: Advent Sunday & Gingerbread Tea Party Saturday 14th December: Festival of Christmas Carols Tuesday 24th December: Midnight Mass Wednesday 25th December: Christmas Morning Eucharist Christmas Lunch at the Vicarage Saturday 28th December: Christmas at the Youth Charity Foundation
Vicarage Decoration – This Saturday!
Eleven people joined the decorating party on Tuesday and we put up the five Christmas trees. Pizza was provided!
You are now invited this Saturday, 30th November, at 6 p.m. to join the Youth Charity Foundation children in decorating the vicarage Christmas trees.
This Sunday – Advent Sunday – Barbara’s Gingerbread Tea Party
Making gingerbreads at Barbara’s
This Sunday, 1st December, our service will be followed by decorating the church and then a Christmas snack potluck lunch and Gingerbread Tea Party at Barbara’s home. Bring savory snacks to share!
The Hangman
Barbara writes:
Father Iain I forgot to tell the church about the reprise of our Gate Theater thrilling courtroom drama where the audience decides the verdict. It’s this week weds to sat. Nov 27-30. Can you help me spread the word to the All Saints gang? Hope you can make it!
It’s a story of a woman who fought for her life and safety by breaking the law. Very relevant to today!
Please mention that Erin, a new All Saints friend who came to church Sunday and who read the US and Mexico transgender names, is also in the play. She and I are jury members!!! I hope church members can come to support her too!
Volunteers are needed for setting up, ushering, catering, etc.
Christmas Lunch – 25th December
Every year we share Christmas lunch together at the vicarage – nobody need be alone! Please sign up to indicate how many people are coming and also to say what you can bring.
All Saints Book Group
Book Group is back from hiatus! We meet on Tuesday afternoons. Time and location TBD. Contact Christa if you would like to join us as we continue our journey together through the book, Living Resistance.
Chili Night returns next Week!
Every Tuesday everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the Vicarage. Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided. Just come along! (But let me know in advance if you can!) All are welcome. Food is served at 6 p.m.
Please make a donation on THB 100 per person!
Weekly Offering to All Saints You can still donate in person or online – and now you can us our QR code!. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands! God bless you,
All Saints' Chiang Mai 