Tag Archives: faith

Wilderness!

Posted on 07/03/2025 | Leave a comment

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)

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Transfiguration!

Posted on 27/02/2025 | Leave a comment

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Jesus Revealed!  

POTLUCK THIS SUNDAY!

Dear Friends,

This Sunday our bible readings focus on the Transfiguration when Jesus was revealed in shining glory.  What is our vision of Jesus like?  A holy God, a close friend and brother, a distant figure of history?

Our vision probably includes all three images and many more, and will vary over time, but how do we approach God, how do we relate to the divine?  Mark will be preaching this Sunday, as we contemplate the holiness of God!

Our service will be followed by our annual pancake potluck!

Then on Wednesday we will have two services to mark Ash Wednesday: firstly a short service at 8:30 a.m. and then our usual Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m.  Both services will include the imposition of ashes.

The readings for this Sunday will be Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, and Luke 9:28-43, and we will be singing the hymns Praise my Soul the God of Heaven, Transfiguration Hymn, You laid aside Your Majesty, and When we walk with the Lord!

At our 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday service we will sing the hymns Abide with Me, O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go, and The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended.

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! 



Pancake Potluck – This 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 Services



Morning Observance – 8:30 am

This will be a short half hour service with imposition of ashes.

Evening Service – 7 p.m. 

The service will include hymns, and the Eucharist, in addition to the imposition of ashes.  

Join us for these solemn events marking the beginning of Lent.  All Welcome!


Baby Shower – Sunday 9th March



Where some of us are from there is a tradition of having a baby shower when a new baby is on the way.  A baby shower is a kind of party where the parent is showered with well wishes, gifts and attention.  Chris and I are in the process of planning a baby shower for Annah and Anish and their little one on behalf of ASCM.  We are planning it for the afternoon of Sunday, March 9th.  Two weeks from today.   Staying true to All Saints byline:  “All are Welcome” – young / old, all genders, all nationalities.  It will be hosted at our house after the Green O’Clock lunch.  

 I mentioned showering the parents with gifts.  There are various options.

1.      Annah and Anish have registered at Amazon and you could sponsor a gift there.  The link will be in the next email from Father Iaian.  Amazon: Baby Registry  I looked at the registry and there are a wide range of items including lovely Christian board books.  Also:  Don’t worry if the gift doesn’t arrive in time for the party.  You can always give it later.

2.      Chris and I are also collecting cash which we will put together in an envelope and give to the parents at the party.  Your name will included in the envelope (but not how much you gave.)  Any currency will be accepted – Thai Baht, US dollars, Indian Rupees, Euros, crypto – again, all are welcome.  

3.      A third option is to go on your own and make or buy something that you think new parents would love, wrap it and give it at the party.

It isn’t often that we get a new baby, so we are excited about this!


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

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Is it Biblical?

Posted on 20/02/2025 | Leave a comment

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

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Choir Day

Posted on 14/02/2025 | Leave a comment

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Come hear them sing at All Saints!


Dear Friends,

At a time when many of us are feeling down about the situation in the world, and particularly in the US, the voice of children can give us hope.  We will have two chances to hear the All Saints Choristers sing this Sunday – first in our morning worship and then in their afternoon concert!   

In Sunday’s service our Gospel reading is part of the Beatitudes as recorded in Luke:

‘Blessed are you who are poor,
   for yours is the kingdom of God.
‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
   for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
   for you will laugh.
‘Blessed are you when people hate you,
  and when they exclude you, revile you,
  and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 
  Rejoice on that day and leap for joy,
  for surely your reward is great in heaven;
  for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
‘But woe to you who are rich,
   for you have received your consolation.
‘Woe to you who are full now,
   for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
   for you will mourn and weep.
‘Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
 
In God’s upside down kingdom there is hope in the midst of despair and light in the midst of darkness.   Every angelic appearance in the Gospels heralding the birth of Jesus, began with the phrase “Do not be afraid!”  We need to be ready, with our eyes open, but we can also be people of joy!

The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Jeremiah 17:5-1, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, and Luke 6:17-26, and we will be singing the hymns Praise to the Lord, the Almighty; The Lord’s My Shepherd; Be Still for the Presence of the Lord; and When in our Music God is Glorified!  The All Saints Choristers will be singing Alleluia, Still, and The Lord Bless You and Keep You.

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!  Elsa speaks of the need for stewardship of out time, talents, and treasure!


This Sunday!  Children’s Concert – 16th February!



This Sunday at 2 p.m. the All Saints Choristers from YCF will be giving a short concert.  This will be held at All Saints.  Some of the piano students of Kaew our organist will also be performing.  It should be a great event!  There will be a collection in aid of the choir.




Thammapratheep Church 30th Anniversary Celebration



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 on Sunday 23rd February.  All are welcome to attend and members over the age of 16 will be able to vote.

Nominations are now closed and 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.


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

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God Calling!

Posted on 06/02/2025 | Leave a comment

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Is God calling you?


Dear Friends,

God has a calling on each of our lives but how is God calling you?

Father Gene has followed a call to the diaconate and then the priesthood, and he will be presiding at the Eucharist this Sunday.  Elsa has followed a call to preach, and she will be preaching this Sunday on how God calls each of us to respond to God’s call both financially and otherwise.

Pastor Mark and Mother Pauli (Christa) have both felt a call to priestly ministry, and this week their call has led them to a conference in Hua Hin on people trafficking – seeking how to serve the most vulnerable in our world.  

(This week, I am “called” to a wedding which has unavoidably moved to 10am on Sunday and so will be late to worship – but thank God we have a great company of capable people to lead our service!)

But how is God calling you?  Of course, God is not really an old white man on a cloud, and God’s calling is rarely as clear as a phone call, but what do you feel you should do with your life to help those around you?  In the words of one of this week’s hymns, we can all ask:  

Jesus, what can I give, 
what can I bring
To so faithful a Friend, 
to so loving a King?

This is what we seek to answer as we live and worship together!

The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Isaiah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, and Luke 5:1-11, and we will be singing the hymns Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty; Jesus calls us! o’er the tumult; I will offer up my life; and Tell Out My Soul!

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!




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

Nominations are now closed and 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.


Coming Soon!  Children’s Concert – 16th February!



On Sunday 16th February at 2 p.m. the All Saints Choristers from YCF will be giving a short concert.  This will be held at All Saints.  Some of the piano students of Kaew our organist will also be performing.  It should be a great event!   There will be a collection in aid of the choir.


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.


Could you be a Deacon?

If you feel you might be called . . . 

All Saints has developed a program for individuals contemplating entering the ordained life as deacons. If you are interested in understanding what this entails or the process involved, please consult a member of the clergy. 


All Saints Book Group

Book Group is still on hold!  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 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

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Merry Christmas!

Posted on 23/12/2024 | Leave a comment

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Christmas is Coming!

Dear Friends,

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

May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

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 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!

The All Saints Festival of Christmas Carols
 

Worshipping Together

The video of the whole wonderful event is available here!  And you can watch the All Saints Choristers sing O Holy Night and the Carol of the Bells!

The All Saints Choristers

The Lannacappella Choir

Combined Choirs

Angel Voices

Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this such a great event!


Christmas at All Saints



Why not invite a friend? 

Click here to download the poster to share!


Present Wrapping at the Vicarage


Wrapping the Gifts

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!

Merry Christmas,
God bless you,

Father Iain

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O Come Emmanuel

Posted on 28/11/2024 | Leave a comment

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Join us as we celebrate Advent Sunday!

 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!

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

Video of Last Sunday’s Service!

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

Events Coming Up

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!


The All Saints Festival of Christmas Carols
 

Saturday 14th December.  7:00 p.m.
Thammapratheep Church, Thanuspong Road (Next to Expat Auto)
 
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,

Father Iain

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Transgender Day of Remembrance!

Posted on 22/11/2024 | Leave a comment

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Join us as we mark this important day!


Dear Friends,

This week we will mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance, and then next week the church year begins again with Advent Sunday!

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is an important day as we need to be reminded that being trans, or indeed gay, can sometimes be a death sentence.  Happily, though, this is not usually the case and most trans people live as fulfilled and happy lives as everybody else – possibly even more fulfilled because they are able to be their true selves.

There are several trans or nonbinary people at All Saints – though you may not know who they are – the important thing is that all people feel welcome and nobody feels that they have to fit in to that particular “box”.  God has created a wonderful and diverse world and we should rejoice in all that God has made!

The bible readings for this Sunday will be Jeremiah 23:1-6, Galatians 3:23-29, and John 18.33–37, and we will be singing the hymns Stand up stand up for Jesus; Lord, we make this cry for freedom; Beauty for Brokenness; and Let Us Build a House!

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

Video of Last Sunday’s Ordination Service!

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

Ordinations at All Saints

Congratulations to our new priests: Father Gene and Mother Pauli!

Events Coming Up

Tuesday 26th December:        Vicarage Christmas Decoration Party
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

Transgender Day of Remembrance

This Sunday, 24th November, we will mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance in our morning worship at All Saints!  This is a very moving service when we remember those who in the last year have been killed for being trans.  

Our new priests will be leading the service, with Mother Pauli preaching and Father Gene presiding at the Eucharist.

Church Council Meeting



There will be a Church Council meeting following this Sunday’s service.


Vicarage Decoration



You are invited to join the decorating party on Tuesday 26th December at 5 p.m.  We will be putting up the five Christmas trees and installing all the lights.  Pizza will be provided!  No Chili Night this week!

Then again you are invited on Saturday 30th November at 6 p.m. to join the Youth Charity Foundation children in decorating the vicarage Christmas trees.


Advent Sunday – Barbara’s Gingerbread Tea Party

Making gingerbreads at Barbara’s

On 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.  


The All Saints Festival of Christmas Carols
 

Saturday 14th December.  7:00 p.m.
Thammapratheep Church, Thanuspong Road (Next to Expat Auto)
 
Volunteers are needed for setting up, ushering, catering, etc.
 

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.

No Chili Night this Week!

No Chili Night this week – instead come to decorate the vicarage for Christmas!


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,

Father Iain

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Ordinations!

Posted on 14/11/2024 | Leave a comment

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Join us for the ordinations of Christa and Gene!

POTLUCK THIS SUNDAY


Dear Friends,

This Sunday, I will have the great joy of ordaining our two deacons, Rev. Dr. Christa Crawford and Rev. Dr. Gene Bourquin, to the priesthood.  Both are highly qualified individuals in their academic achievements, personal qualities, and spiritual lives.  They will see a continuity in their current ministries, but also a new beginning in their journeys of faith and service to God and God’s people. 

There is an old church tradition of taking a new name at important spiritual junctures, such as baptism, confirmation, or ordination, and this is also a tradition in Thai Buddhist culture.  In Christian tradition people may chose the name of a saint or that of a godly role-model.  They may retain their old name for everyday use but be known as Sister This or Father That, in their ministry life.  

Gene has chosen to be simply known as Father Gene, but Christa has chosen the name Mother Pauli as she seeks to reflect the life and ministry of the Episcopal priest and civil rights advocate, Pauli Murray.  Pauli Murray was the first African-American woman to be ordained as a priest in The Episcopal Church.  You can read about Pauli Murray’s fascinating life here!  Christa will still be known as Christa in everyday life!

I will also now be known as Bishop Alex – when Mark was the only additional priest at All Saints, the use of the term bishop seemed inappropriate, but as there will now be four of us I will use the term in formal situations.  I have chosen the name Alex as it is non-gendered.  (You can use they/them pronouns for me, but I will still happily accept he/him or indeed she/her.)  You can call me Alex or Iain.

Ordination is about service not power.  A priest is a leader, but even more a servant of the people of God.  As Christians, we all seek to serve one another, and as priests Christa and Gene will seek to minister and be of service to all.  Gene will continue to reach out to and advocate for those with disabilities, and Christa will continue to minister to those within and damaged by the conservative evangelical part of the church.  Both will reach out to the marginalized.  Together we will seek to minister through word and sacrament, and lead through action and example.

The bible readings for this Ordination Sunday will be Isaiah 58:6-9, Acts 8:26-40, and Luke 4:14-21, and we will be singing the hymns The Church’s One Foundation; I, the Lord of Sea and Sky; Rise up Women; and Lift High the Cross!

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

Video of Last Sunday’s Remembrance Sunday Service!

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

Events Coming Up

Sunday 17th November:        Christa’s and Gene’s Ordination Service
Sunday 24th November:        Transgender Day of Remembrance
Sunday 1st December:           Advent Sunday
Saturday 14th December:      Festival of Christmas Carols
Tuesday 24th December:       Midnight Mass
Wednesday 25th December:  Christmas Morning Eucharist

Potluck this Sunday!

There will be a potluck lunch following this Sunday’s service.  This will give a chance to talk to and congratulate Father Gene and Mother Pauli following their ordinations.

Bring food to share – all are welcome!

Transgender Day of Remembrance

On Sunday 24th November, we will mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance in our morning worship at All Saints!  This is a very moving service when we remember those who in the last year have been killed for being trans.  

Our new priests will be leading the service, with Mother Pauli preaching and Father Gene presiding at the Eucharist.

Church Council Meeting



There will be a church council meeting on Sunday 24th November following the morning service.


All Saints Book Group

Book Group is back from hiatus! We meet on Tuesday afternoons, starting 19 November. 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 Continues!

Chili Night 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.

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,

Father Iain

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All Saints Day!

Posted on 31/10/2024 | Leave a comment

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Worship back in the church again this Sunday!

Dear Friends,

It has been another exhausting week, and we are all still in flood-recovery mode.  I am very conscious of the many people in our community who have lost so much, and very grateful to those who have given to allow us to resume our ministry at All Saints!

Are you angry with your partner, parent, children, school, employer, friends, or church?  This may well be a natural reaction to stress and trauma, now that the initial survival period is over.  Bare this is mind, and cut each other a little slack at this time!!!  Forgiveness is a very necessary Christian virtue!

One thing that helped me to arise from the slough of despond was the singing of our wonderful All Saints Choristers!  They led our worship last Sunday and they sang like never before!!!  We are truly blessed to have them!  You can listen to their reprise of The Lord Bless You and Keep You below!

We have a busy month ahead, with All Saints Day, Remembrance Sunday, Ordination Sunday, and Transgender Day of Remembrance Sunday.  And then we will be into Advent!  But God is good, and we can give thanks and pray for our world together!

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; For all the Saints who’ve Shown your Love; The saints of God! their conflict past; Sing with all the saints in glory; and O when the saints go marching in!

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

Video of Last Sunday’s Service!

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

Choir Intensive

The Choir with their Choir Intensive Certificates!

This took place at the Youth Charity Foundation from Wednesday to Friday last week.  Keith Dale is a choir director from the UK who has travelled to Thailand to lead the three-day workshop.  Many thanks to Keith, Kaew, Peter, Paddy, and Claudine, for making this possible. 

Watch the children singing The Lord Bless You and Keep You after the service on Sunday.

Assembling the Chairs

The new chairs arrived yesterday – I assembled one of them!  We have forty-nine more to put together!!!  If you are free tomorrow (Friday) at 11 am, please come to the church and lend a hand – and bring a Philips screwdriver if you have one!

Events Coming Up

Sunday 3rd November:          All Saints Day
Sunday 10th November:        Remembrance Sunday
Sunday 17th November:        Christa’s and Gene’s Ordination Service
Sunday 24th November:        Transgender Day of Remembrance
Sunday 1st December:           Advent Sunday
Saturday 14th December:      Festival of Christmas Carols
Tuesday 24th December:       Midnight Mass
Wednesday 25th December:  Christmas Morning Eucharist

Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday

Sunday 10th 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.  We will remember victims of war and together declare “never again!”

Monday 11th should have been the Remembrance Day Observance at the Foreign Cemetery, but due to the extensive flood damage this has had to be cancelled this year.

Gene’s and Christa’s Ordination Service

On Sunday 17th November we will have the joy of joining in the service of ordination to the priesthood of our deacons Christa Crawford and Gene Bourquin.  This will take place as part of our regular Sunday service.

The service will be followed by a potluck at the vicarage!

Transgender Day of Remembrance

On Sunday 24th November, we will mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance in our morning worship at All Saints!  This is a very moving service when we remember those who in the last year have been killed for being trans.

All Saints Flood Appeal

The Church as we found it on the morning of Monday 9th October!

You can still donate if you haven’t already done so.

If you have a Thai bank account you can transfer THB 760 (or an amount of your choosing) by scanning the QR code.
ธนาคารกรุงศรี สมัครผลิตภัณฑ์ทางการเงินของ KMA | แรบบิท แคร์
The payment is into the old church account which is in my name, but I do not have access to this account.  The account can only be accessed with the authorization of two Church Council members and is fully secure.
 
Alternatively you can transfer money directly to the All Saints Foundation Bank Account as follows:
เราคือผู้เชี่ยวชาญด้านการเดินทางไปทุกประเทศทั่วโลก - ช่องทางการชำระเงิน
Bank:                     Kasikorn Bank
Account Name:      All Saints Foundation
Account Number:  170-3-79007-7
SWIFT code:          KASITHBK

Or if you are in the UK you can send your donation via the All Saints Chiang Mai Mission account:

Charity Finance Group | Co-operative Bank
Bank:                      The Coop Bank
Name:                     All Saints Chiang Mai Mission
Sort Code:              089299
Account Number:    65877142

You can also donate using your debit/credit card via my UK PayPal Account! (But this incurs higher charges!)

 Donate by PayPal to the IainBaxterMinistry UK account.

PayPal for Payment Pages – Trust Payments
Donate via PayPal here!


All Saints Book Group

Will not be meeting this week.

Chili Night Continues!

Chili Night 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.

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,

Father Iain

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