From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
Who has it and how should it be used?
Dear Friends,
In medieval times the doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings was popular – especially with kings! A king was seen as receiving authority from God and could do whatever he wanted – he was literally above the law!
But who has authority in our church, in our lives? As Christians we should give the answer “God”, but what does this mean in practical terms? How do we govern our church and our lives?
In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus’ authority is questioned by the chief priests and elders. His response seems to indicate that authority is given rather than claimed. Who and what do we give authority to?
The readings for this Sunday will be from Ezekiel 18:1-4, Philippians 2:1-13, and Matthew 21:23-32, and we will be singing the hymns At the Name of Jesus; A Mighty Fortress is Our God; Be Still for the Presence of the Lord; and Crown Him with Many Crowns!
We now use YouTube Live to livestream our service.
To watch our service live this Sunday please follow these steps:
1) Click on the link below, and this will take you to the All Saints Chiang Mai YouTube channel.
2) Then click on “All Saints Chiang Mai is Live” to watch the service
Use this link to join our Sunday service on YouTube Live!
Last Week’s Sermon
Please find this last week’s sermon and our catalogue of sermons on the All Saints YouTube Channel
.
Harvest Thanksgiving
On Sunday, the 4th of October, we will have our Harvest Thanksgiving in the church, followed by a potluck at the vicarage. Put the date in your diary and decide what you’re going to bring.
.
transACTIONrefuge Fund raising
Everyone Deserves Safety
Trans Action Refuge is a Trans and Queer led organization which All Saints helped found. They provide information, support and community to ease the relocation process for trans folks seeking safety. They have created a vibrant community where trans immigrants can thrive rather than just survive.
Trans Action Refuge has assisted nearly 30 Trans refugees resettle in Thailand in their first year of operation and provided information to dozens more. All of this has been done out of pocket by the team themselves and over 3,000 hours of time has been donated. They anticipate serving 150 refugees in the coming year as conditions continue to worsen.
We have set up a gofundme page for donations. You can donate here!
What can a small donation do?
Every dollar helps a trans person reach safety and find a community waiting for them. Give once, or become a monthly supporter to help us plan ahead. The U.S. Dollar amounts below show what your gift could be used for.
$5 – Buys lunch for a Transplant on their day of arrival: a warm welcome the moment they land.
$25 – cam provide a welcome packet for a Transplant when they arrive: snacks, a printed welcome guide, a local SIM card, and a few cozy comforts to make the first night feel like home.
$50 – Stocks a newly-arrived Transplant’s kitchen for their first week: groceries and household basics, so settling in doesn’t start with an empty fridge.
$100 – Keeps our support line answered for a month, so Seekers get real answers from real people, usually within 24 hours.
Larger donations can help us pay for our software, online presence and hire 2 full time staff members so that we can sustain our life saving work as it grows.
Wrath is organizing this fundraiser so Trans Action Refuge can sustain its mission and keep reaching people who need a path forward to safety.
Why is this needed? The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security states that it “…believes that the United States is squarely within the early to middle stages of a genocidal process against trans people, the goal of which is to completely erase transgender people not only from public life but also from existence in the U.S. and globally.”
There is an unprecedented level of attacks on Trans people; both around the world, physical and legal. From the UK to Argentina, to Slovakia to the U.S., their rights are being rapidly stripped away. They are losing the very bedrock of being seen as human – the right to ID that reflects who they are, safe access to bathrooms and gender affirming medical care.
The majority of Trans Action Refuges helpers have made the move themselves, so new transplants land squarely in community with others who understand their journey first hand. Helpers are there to Guide them through the visa process, and help them make it to Chiang Mai safely. This support does not end at arrival. Trans Action Refuge helps with transportation to and from the airport, finding housing and medical care, and making sure people have real support as they begin again with a fresh start in a new place, a new home. They even hold monthly social events to continue to grow and strengthen the community.
So, why Thailand? Thailand is known to have the highest public acceptance of trans people in the world. Trans people are a normal and integrated part of life in Thailand. Fellow trans people will be their teachers, doctors, store clerks, and hotel managers. Thailand is actively expanding LGBTQ+ rights, including passing marriage equality in 2025 and providing free non-surgical gender-affirming care for all Thai citizens in 2026. While it is still missing some of the important legal protections seen in other countries, there are robust plans for expanding protections in the near future, and trans-specific violence is rare.
That’s why we need your help.
Because this need continues over time, ongoing support makes a real difference. Trans Action Refuge keeps showing up for people after relocation too, helping with practical next steps like setting up internet and cell phone service, learning where to shop, and finding community so no one is abandoned once they get there. Recurring donations can help Trans Action Refuge continue this steady, hands-on support for each new arrival and for those still navigating the process. One-time donations are also deeply appreciated and can help with urgent relocation and arrival needs right away. Please donate if you can, and share this fundraiser with friends and family to help protect trans and non-binary people seeking safety and a chance to rebuild.
Click here for more information about Trans Action Refuge
.
Chili Night returns on 6th October!
Chili Night returns on Tuesday 6th October at 6pm! See you soon!
.
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,
Father Iain
All Saints' Chiang Mai 