Tag Archives: christianity

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Feed – all – my Sheep

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus says to Peter “Feed my sheep!”  Jesus was a carpenter, not a shepherd.  He wasn’t talking about actual sheep, but the people entrusted to his care. 

We all have sheep to feed – some are part of our natural families, some friends – both new and old, and some are those who are part of our church family!  

Elsewhere, Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd and talks about having “other sheep, not of this sheepfold”.  He was probably talking about the Gentiles, but we also have “other sheep” to watch over – those who are marginalised and on the edge of our society.  One group are migrants, another are trans people.  At All Saints we are reaching out to both!

Pastor Mark, and others, continue to take assistance to the Myanmar border, while others assist within that war-torn country.  Christa and I, and others, are heading-up transACTIONrefuge, seeking to share a safe-space for trans people fleeing persecution in the US and elsewhere.  These are all sheep we are called upon to feed!

On the 25th May – only just over three weeks away – we will take part in Chiang Mai Pride.  Pride marches have become fun events, a time of celebration for all the family supported by large corporate sponsors and government agencies, but they began as protest marches where participants were spat-upon by passersby and harassed by the police.  With the rolling-back of LGBTQ rights in many parts of the world, this need to protest has returned just as many of the corporate sponsors have departed and governments have turned hostile.  LGBTQ people are “sheep” strongly in need of feeding with acceptance, affirmation, and solidarity.

All Saints stands firmly in solidarity with those on the margins – we will feed these sheep!

Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be Acts 9:1-20, Revelation 5:11-14, and John 21:1-19, and we will be singing the hymns Jesus Christ is Risen Today; Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks; In Christ alone my hope is Found; and All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!

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

Last Week’s Service!

Video of last Sunday’s service is available on the All Saints YouTube channel! 

Pride in Chiang Mai

This year Chiang Mai Pride takes place on Sunday 25th May.  All Saints will have a special service that morning and then will take part in the parade, marching behind our “Christians at Pride” banner.  We will also have our campervan-booth at the Thapae Gate where the march will end.

Maejo Pride is on 29th June and All Saints will be involved there too!

Inclusive Church Conference

At the end of May, Christa and I will be attending this first international event gathering community leaders and allies in East and Southeast Asia.  It will focus on building an ongoing support network for communities, exploring opportunities to facilitate resources sharing, learning from stories and ministry experiences, and witnessing God’s love and unity in Christ.  This will give us the opportunity to reach out to other inclusive Christians and churches in Asia, and perhaps help to raise support for some of All Saint’s work in Chiang Mai

We have obtained the Thai resident discount so it is costing THB 2,000 each rather than $150, and we are also sponsoring a Thai pastors conference fee.  Flights are also around THB 2,000 return. If anyone would like to contribute to the costs of our participation, please see Christa or me, or speak to Adam, who is our new church treasurer!

Urgent – Church Finances!



All Saints now has a working Foundation, which is a firm footing for the future, and we came through the flood due to the generous giving of members and friends.  But… we have a problem: we need a weekly collection each Sunday of around THB 10,000 to cover our regular outgoings, but the regular offering is usually around THB 3,000 – and half of that comes from two people!  Last week’s offering was THB 4,231.  

Generally, we need each adult present to give an average of THB 500 per week.  Of course, some people have very little money, so others need to give more!

There is a biblical tradition of giving a tithe – 10% of your income to God!  Jesus calls us to give all!  Please consider your weekly income – work out how much a tenth is, and then reflect on what you are giving to All Saints.  We are not asking for 10%, but are you giving only 1%, 2%, or 3% – do you spend more on a meal out, than you give to support all the good things that All Saints is doing?

I’m sure we have been at fault in failing to share the needs of All Saints clearly – but our bank balance has been falling steadily since Covid.  We will struggle to pay the rent and salary bill next month unless our income increases.  Most of our offering goes to cover the salaries of our Congregational Pastor, our Organist, our Administrator, and our Cleaner – they are all part-time, but each one provides a vital function in the life of our church!

Please consider your giving – you can give more beginning next Sunday, or you can give each week and right now in the following ways:

You can donate via the All Saints Foundation:

Bank:                      Kasikorn Bank
Account Name:      All Saints Foundation
Account Number:  170-3-79007-7
SWIFT code:          KASITHBK

You can use the QR code for the church account in my name.



If you have a UK bank account, you can donate via the All Saints Chiang Mai Mission UK account:

Bank: Coop Bank
Account Name:  All Saints Chiang Mai Mission
Account Number: 65877142
Sort Code:  08-92-99

Or other international donors can give via PayPal to the IainBaxterMinistry UK account using a debit or credit card.

One-off donations will be gratefully received, but most of all we need you to consider your regular weekly giving.

Thanks and God bless you!


Chili Night is Back!

See you again next Tuesday, 6th May!  Once again 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 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 and Happy Easter,

Vicar Iain _{^{(he/they/she)}}

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Devastation in Myanmar

Dear Friends,

We seem to be living in a time of earthquake, flood, war, and pestilence – Myanmar has been suffering from all four over the last couple of years.  In the face of such calamity there may seem little we can do, but we can do something.  At All Saints we are collecting clothes for the people who make it to the Thai border zone and collecting money to help those at close to the earthquake’s epicenter.  

In another unrelated project, we are also reaching out to help trans people suffering increasing persecution.

But in this week’s Gospel reading we read of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet and wiping them with her hair.  That was a weird thing to do!!!!  Jesus was a guest in her home, so it’s not as if she wouldn’t have been able to find a towel to wipe his feet dry and, as in Thailand, feet were considered very low and unclean, whereas the head was to be honoured!  But, it’s all about honouring and celebrating relationship – worshipping almost!  And Judas is the one who decries the waste!

In this time of suffering of many kinds, we are creating art at All Saints in our Stations of the Cross workshop.  A waste of time and money, or a celebration of beauty, an offering of our talents in contemplation of what is good in the world?  It is a declaration that Christ’s suffering on the cross was not a waste, a mighty declaration that the truth, that love, is worth dying for – and worth fighting for!

The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4-14, and John 12:1-8, and we will be singing the hymns O Worship the King, Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart, I will offer up my life, and When in our Music God is Glorified!

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

Last Sunday’s Service!

Video of last Sunday’s service is available on the All Saints YouTube channel! 

Earthquake Assistance

All Saints has a long history of supporting those working with the people of Myanmar.  Following the recent earthquake, an already dire situation has become even more desperate.  

We are now collecting clothes for displaced people on either side of the Thai/Burmese border.  We can also forward money to two churches we have links with – one in Tachileik and one in Mandalay, close to the epicentre of the quake.

There will be a special offering on Sunday or you can donate via the All Saints Foundation:

Bank:                      Kasikorn Bank
Account Name:      All Saints Foundation
Account Number:  170-3-79007-7
SWIFT code:          KASITHBK

Alternatively you can use the QR code for the church account in my name.

In both cases, please email our Foundation Administrator, Gai, on ratree4316@gmail.com to specify that your donation is for the Earthquake Appeal.

Clothes can also be left by the backdoor of All Saints. 

Thanks for anything you can give.

transACTIONrefuge

Last Sunday’s Church Council meeting approved a new project for All Saints: transACTIONrefuge.  With the immediate needs in neighbouring Myanmar, this issue may seem less of a priority, but even as we do all we can to help the victims of last week’s earthquake, we can reach out to others too!

The situation for trans people in the US is deteriorating rapidly with bans from sports and the military, withdrawing of healthcare and removal of legal protections, loss of employment, and risk of physical attack.  Most people will stay and try to cope where they are, while others may move to other states, but for some the only safe and acceptable solution may be to leave.

All Saints has always Proclaimed “All are Welcome”, and trans and gay people have been involved in its leadership from the outset.  transACTIONrefuge aims to help trans people and their families navigate the pitfalls of moving to an unfamiliar country – giving help with visas, accommodation, healthcare, jobs, and daily living.  We will be working with trusted Thai LGBT-friendly businesses and organizations including the LinQ Foundation and the Thanthayar Foundation as to make sure that their geographical transition is as smooth as possible!

Hopeful things will soon get better and this project won’t be needed, but if things remain as they are, or get worse, we will be ready to help.

You can read more on our dedicated transACTIONrefuge Facebook Page.

Stations of the Cross – This Saturday!



Join us for an Interactive Contemplative Stations of the Cross experience!

All are invited to create a representation of a key event leading to Jesus’ crucifixion through whatever media you prefer: drawing, knitting, painting, collage, anything visual.

Sign up with Christa on Sunday to pick one of the 14 key events for your depiction or message her to see which events are left.

The 14 “stations” we are marking are:

1  Jesus in the Garden
2  Judas betrays Jesus
3  Jesus before the Sanhedrin
4  Peter denies Jesus
5  Peter before Pilate
6  The Crown of Thornes
7  The Cross
8   Simon carries the Cross
9   The Women at the Cross
10  Jesus is Crucified
11  The Thief on the Cross
12  Jesus’ Mother
13  Jesus dies on the Cross
14  Jesus is placed in the Tomb

(At the time of writing the stations in italics are already taken and the ones in bold are still available.  Contact Christa to make your choice!)

Then join us for a half-day retreat where we’ll contemplate our depictions of each event together. This Saturday, 5 April, 9:00-12:30 at All Saints. 

No artistic skill is required. All are invited to participate in making a creation, and/or attending the retreat, and/or enjoying the creations displayed on Sundays throughout the remainder of the Lenten season to prepare us for Good Friday and Easter Morning!


Easter Dates



Dates for your diary!
 
Stations Work    5th April 2025
Palm Sunday   13th April 2025
Good Friday     18th April 2025
Easter Sunday 20th April 2025
 

Chili Night is taking a Break!

Chili Night will be taking a break until May as so many people are out of town!

See you again on Tuesday 6th May!

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 God is mighty and we are in God’s hands!

God bless you,

Vicar Iain _{^{(he/they/she)}}

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

First Century Pharisees

Dear Friends,

We are accustomed to putting Pharisees in the “bad guys” box and Samaritans in the “good guys” category.  This would have surprised the people of first century Palestine as they would have surely seen the Pharisees as the righteous ones.

But there were some good Pharisees and we can include those in this week’s Gospel passage who went to warn Jesus, as he made his way to Jerusalem, that Herod wanted to kill him.

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” 

Luke 13:31-32

Well, Jesus got that one wrong – or more likely the translation is faulty – for many prophets, before and since, have been killed outside Jerusalem: two that spring immediately to mind are Archbishop Oscar Romero, gunned down at the altar in San Salvador, and Martin Luther King, shot dead on the balcony of a motel room in Memphis, Tennessee.

A prophet is often one who speaks out against injustice, and right now many prophetic voices are needed around the world.  Speaking out is not without risk: according to The Guardian, the US state department will use artificial intelligence to revoke visas of foreign students who it perceives as supporters of Hamas. Basically, protesting against the genocidal policies of Israel, for which it’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has been issued with an arrest warrant for “crimes against humanity” and “war crimes” may now lead to arrest, deportation, and worse.  Furthermore “American students will be permanently expelled or … arrested.”  This issue is just the beginning! (More details in Freedom of Speech Under Threat below)

So… what would Jesus do?  He kept going, travelling on to Jerusalem where his fate awaited him.  We too should not remain silent, but we should count the cost – just as Jesus did!

The readings for this Sunday will be Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17-4:1, and Luke 13:31-35, and we will be singing the hymns Let All the World in Every Corner Sing; Make Me a Channel of your Peace; When I needed a Neighbour; and Now Thank We All Our God!

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

Last Sunday’s Service!

Video of last Sunday’s service is available on the All Saints YouTube channel! 

Baby Shower – Last Sunday


 
Last week a group of us gathered at Arthur and Phyliss’ house for a baby shower for Annah and Aneesh’s baby.  A good time was had by all!


Chiang Rai Church Dedication

This weekend Mum and I, will be journeying up to Chiang Rai with the children of the Youth Charity Foundation.  This is for the service of dedication of a new church where our choir will also be singing!

Please pray that all goes well and good relationships are formed!


Easter Dates



Dates for your diary!
 
Palm Sunday   13th April 2025
Good Friday     18th April 2025
Easter Sunday 20th April 2025
 

Chiang Mai Pride – Sunday 25th May



The date for the Chiang Mai Pride 2025 has been announced.  It will be on the afternoon of Sunday 25th May.  All Saints will have a presence as usual.  Maybe we’ll do something special this year!


Freedom of Speech Under Threat!



Apologies if you think this is too political, but I am reminded of the quote that all that is needed for evil to triumph is for good people to remain silent.  This article highlights the targeting of pro-Palestinian students, but other people with other issues are at risk too.

From the “Alt National Park Service”:

The rebirth of McCarthyism is unfolding as the government moves to silence dissent in the name of power. 

The Trump administration is pressuring universities across 60 college campuses to arrest students engaged in peaceful protests, invoking broad legal provisions to justify crackdowns on dissent. This campaign bears striking similarities to McCarthyism, where fear and intimidation were used to silence political opposition. Just as McCarthy’s era saw government officials and private institutions pressured to root out supposed communists, today’s universities are being urged to identify and detain students based on their political beliefs rather than any criminal wrongdoing.

The administration is leveraging a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, which grants the president authority to expel noncitizens if their presence is deemed to have “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” This provision, originally designed during the Cold War, is now being used to target international students and activists without due process. Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and pro-Palestinian activist, was recently arrested by ICE under this justification despite facing no formal charges.

In addition to targeting individuals, the administration is threatening to withdraw federal funding from universities that allow what it deems “illegal protests.” Columbia University, for example, recently had $400 million in federal grants and contracts revoked due to alleged inaction against antisemitic harassment on campus. These efforts parallel McCarthy-era tactics, where institutions were coerced into enforcing ideological conformity or risked losing financial and political support.

Both McCarthyism and the current crackdown reveal how the government can manipulate existing laws to suppress dissent, creating a chilling effect on free speech. The reliance on vague accusations and institutional pressure highlights a disturbing pattern: using fear as a tool to erode fundamental civil liberties. This marks one of the most significant threats to free expression in modern U.S. history. The question is, how far will this go?

Those of us who are not American should not be complacent either – where America leads, others may follow, and with the global reach of American tech companies we are already being affected whether we know it or not.


Chili Night Continues!

Chili Night will continue next Tuesday!

Every Tuesday everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the Vicarage.  Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided.  Just come along!  (But let me know in advance if you can!)   All are welcome.  Food is served at 6 p.m.

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online – 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 God is mighty and we are in God’s hands!
God bless you,

Vicar Iain ^{_{(he/they/she)}}

From Vicar Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Alone and Tested!

Dear Friends,

For those of us who embrace a progressive agenda, these last few weeks have been something of a wilderness experience – particularly for those of us from the United States.  We are perhaps consumed with the fear that a time of testing is coming for us, just as it has for so many who have lost jobs, position, and livelihood.  Mark’s sermon last Sunday encouraging us to do three things was very timely.  He urged us 1) not to be afraid, 2) to seek to imitate Christ, and 3) to forgive one another.

This Sunday, I will be reflecting on the wilderness experience and asking how each of us can take a stand.  Most of all, we need to stand in solidarity with the marginalised – particularly those suffering from active persecution. 

Just as Jesus was tested in the wilderness, we may also have our “I am Sparticus” moment, when we are called upon to stand up and be counted.

The readings for this Sunday will be Deuteronomy 26.1–11, Romans 10.8b–13, and Luke 4.1–13, and we will be singing the hymns When I Survey the Wondrous Cross; Forty Days and Forty Nights; For the Bread Which You Have Broken; and God is Love!

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

Last Sunday’s Service!

Video of last Sunday’s service is available on the All Saints YouTube channel! 

Baby Shower – This Sunday


 
It is a North American tradition to “shower” the new parents with gifts and good wishes for their baby.  Why not join us at the Baby Shower for Annah and Aneesh’s baby this Sunday, March 9, from 1 – 2:30 pm at Arthur and Phyllis Mann’s house? (Click link for location)  We will walk as a group from Green O’Clock or you can meet us there.

In lieu of a gift, you can give a gift of cash to either Phyllis or Chris and we will present them with an envelope.  Or you can purchase a gift from  Amazon: Baby Registry 

All are welcome!

Chiang Rai Church Dedication

On the weekend of 14th-16th March, Mum, Paddy, and I, will be journeying up to Chiang Rai with the children of the Youth Charity Foundation.  This is for the service of dedication of a new church where our choir will also be singing!

Please pray that all goes well and good relationships are formed!


Chili Night Continues!

Chili Night will continue next Tuesday!

Every Tuesday everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the Vicarage.  Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided.  Just come along!  (But let me know in advance if you can!)   All are welcome.  Food is served at 6 p.m.

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online – 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 God is mighty and we are in God’s hands!

God bless you,

Vicar Iain ^{_{(he/they/she)}}

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

“Good News for Lobsters!”

Dear Friends,

Leviticus 11 says “Of all the creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams you may eat any that have fins and scales. But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales—whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water— you must not eat their meat.”  So the Bible is Good News for lobsters!  Or is it?  Later, in Acts, we read that God has changed his mind – or do we?

How do we read the Bible and really understand what it is saying to us?  Gene will be preaching on this topic this Sunday.

We have a busy schedule at All Saints.  Last week we had the wonderful Music Students Recital concert with the All Saints Choristers from the Youth Charity Foundation – links to the video below!  Then this Sunday we have our Annual General Meeting following morning worship – please join us if you can!  The following Sunday, end March, we have our annual Pancake Potluck!

The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Genesis 2:4-25, Revelation 4, and Luke 8:22-25, and we will be singing the hymns Before the Throne of God Above; Christ is the World’s Light; Give me Jesus; and Christ, Be Our Light!

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

Last Sunday’s Service!

Video of last Sunday’s service is available on the All Saints YouTube channel! 

Last Sunday!  Children’s Concert!



Last Sunday the All Saints Choristers from YCF took part in a short concert.  This was held at All Saints and some of the piano students of Kaew our organist also performed.  It was a great event!   

You can watch video of the performance here!






Thammapratheep Church 30th Anniversary Celebration – This Saturday!



Thammapratheep Church (where we hold our annual Festival of Carols) has invited All Saints to its 30th anniversary celebration to be held on Saturday, February 22nd, at 10 am at the church. There will be a worship service followed by a luncheon.   All are welcome – this is our chance to say thankyou to a church that has supported us for many years.





This will be held following the morning service this Sunday, 23rd February.  All are welcome to attend and members over the age of 16 will be able to vote.

Four people have been nominated for the four elected positions on the Church Council.  They are:

Sarah Sensamaust 
Paddy Davis
Barbara Franklin
Elsa King

The meeting will receive reports, approve the budget for 2025, and elect a new Church Council for the next year.


Pancake Potluck – Sunday 2nd March



Our next potluck will be on Sunday 2nd March.  This will be our yearly Pancake Potluck to mark the approach of Lent!  Pancakes will be provided – please bring sweet and savoury toppings to share!


Ash Wednesday Service



This will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday 5th March including the imposition of ashes.  Join us for this solemn service marking the beginning of Lent.  All Welcome!


All Saints Finances

Sarah Sensamaust, our Church Council Chair, writes:

God is a wonderful provider who has provided well for All Saints over the years through the giving of God’s people. We saw the generosity of this support following last year’s flood.

However, despite all the programs and activities All Saints is able to provide, we have been operating at a deficit for the last three years, and weekly giving has dropped from around eight thousand to around four thousand. The financial cushion that we had accumulated is gone.

Father Iain’s stipend is basically covered by money from the UK charity, All Saints Chiang Mai Mission, but everything else, including Pastor Mark’s partial stipend, our organist and cleaner’s salaries, and our building rent and utilities, are paid for from the weekly offering.

More details will be given at our Annual General Meeting on 23rd February.  At this time, we are asking you to prayerfully consider giving to All Saints so we can continue to be the church community where All Are Welcome.


Chili Night Continues!

Chili Night will continue next Tuesday!

Every Tuesday everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the Vicarage.  Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided.  Just come along!  (But let me know in advance if you can!)   All are welcome.  Food is served at 6 p.m.

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online – 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 God is mighty and we are in God’s hands!

God bless you,

Father Iain