From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
Good Friday – For God so loved the World!
Dear Friends,
This Friday we remember how Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice – showing that God’s love has no limits! Then on Sunday we will celebrate the joy of the resurrection.
Jesus came to reconcile us to God and to one another – to bring healing and wholeness and life in all its fullness. This will be the theme of our worship on Easter Sunday! We should be a happy, rejoicing people, even in the midst of challenge and suffering!
We have the hope that things will get better and we work for that day!
For Good Friday our Tenebrae Service will have readings from Matthew 26:17-29, Matthew 26:36-56, Mark 15:1-15, Mark 15:16-32, Matthew 27:45-54, Isaiah 52:13 – 53:5, and Matthew 27:62-66. We will sing the hymns When I Survey the Wondrous Cross; O Sacred Head, Now Wounded; How deep the Father’s love for us; My Song is Love Unknown; Were You There When They Crucified My Lord; and O Love that Will Not Let Me Go!
The readings for Easter Sunday will be from Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, and John 20:1-18, and we will be singing the hymns Jesus Christ is Risen Today; The Day of Resurrection; Christ is Alive; and Thine Be the Glory!
Use this link to join on Zoom on Good Friday at 7 p.m. or Easter Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 548 801 501
Last Week’s Palm Sunday Service!
Video of last Sunday’s service is available on the All Saints YouTube channel!
Easter Dates
The Easter season is upon us!
Good Friday Service 18th April 7:00 pm
– a solemn Tenabrae Service where we hear seven scripture readings of Jesus last day leading to the crucifixion and sing seven Good Friday hymns. After each reading a candle is extinguished signifying the retreat into darkness.
Easter Sunday Service 20th April 10:30 am
Our joyous Eucharist celebrating the joy of the resurrection.
– followed by potluck and Easter Egg hunt
transACTIONrefuge
The work of transACTIONrefuge has begun! Last Thursday a group of eight people gathered for dinner to discuss how we can help trans refugees who are coming from America to Thailand. This is not theoretical, they are already here and we are already giving practical help and assistance and, above all, making people feel welcome. If you would like to join the support group, let me know!
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.
Meanwhile, yesterday the UK Supreme Court ruled that the definition of “woman” and “man” only applies to “biological women” and “biological men”. This immediately allows the exclusion of transwomen from the appropriate hospital wards, prisons, domestic abuse refuges, and many other places. A whole series of new court cases will now be pursued by those wishing to erase trans people from public life.
All Saints has always Proclaimed “All are Welcome”, and trans and gay people have been involved in its leadership from the outset. transACTIONrefuge is helping trans people and their families navigate the pitfalls of moving to an unfamiliar country and we hope to work with trusted Thai LGBT-friendly businesses and organizations including the LinQ Foundation and the Thanthayar Foundation to make sure that their geographical transition is as smooth as possible!
Hopeful things will soon get better and this project will no longer be needed, but if things remain as they are, or get worse, we will continue to help.
You can read more on our dedicated transACTIONrefuge Facebook Page.
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 and Happy Easter,
Vicar Iain (he/they/she)
All Saints' Chiang Mai 