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Friday, August 31, 2012

Scripture Prayer

Psalm 149:1

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.

The Reverend Dr. Shaw Mudge begins the Orientation course for Belize students with the Scripture above. The first on-line class session is scheduled for tomorrow, September 1 at 11:00 A.M. New York time. Please cover this session which will last about 1 hour 15 minutes with prayer. We pray that all computers work as intended and that this program gets off to a good start. May all of Father Shaw’s work bring glory to You, Lord. May the students learn what You want and may they ever grow in You. Praise the Lord!

Monday, August 27, 2012

Prayer Mail

Dear partners in prayer,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.

This week's update:

1) Hannah has arrived back with photos and movie clips from her Uganda trip. Awesome. The photos and videos seem very similar in some ways to Julie and my short term mission trip to Uganda in February.

2a) Regarding the Belize online campus:

Course materials are in place on the Web sites. Thanks to Bill Schrull's efforts, software and hardware pieces are in place. Course content is on-schedule for the Fall courses ("Fall semester" is really "semester 1" as you get closer to the equator; there is not an "Autumn.") Students are discovering the sites.

2b) Our first time together as a class is this coming Saturday at 9 am Belize time (which is Mountain Time in the US at this time of year); I am discovering the advantages of some of the dictation software in the new operating system on my computer.

2c) This week Jeanne Gizara has been helping me proof-read materials, some of which could be used for the other online campuses. She has been very helpful.

3a) Regarding the Albany online campus:

"Albany" is a catch-all site for people who wish to take online courses in the Diocese of Albany and elsewhere. Bill Schrull has put live Moodle site in place for the Albany campus, and I am now beginning to put the overall course structure in place. The goal is to have the first course or so available at the turn of the year.

3b) The Albany campus library is up and going - feel free to browse it; it is the same library on the OATC website as is used for the Belize campus ("OATC" is my theological program name: "Online Anglican Theological College"). https://sites.google.com/site/onlineanglicancampus/

4) By the time you read this, Lydia may be back on campus for her Fall semester.

5) Praise God that I survived the upgrades of my both Web browser and operating system this week. The future had seemed pretty grim, initially, when things did not go well. I came to know some tech support people really well. They were great.

Prayer requests:

1) For the students taking the Fall online courses; there is a fluctuation among the non-Commission on Ministry students. But there are a good number of Commission on Ministry students. First chat class begins on Saturday; 11 am East Coast time.

2) For course development of the on-line programs for Belize, Albany, and W. Tanganyika.

3) For Lydia as she adjusts to college this week. She seems to be excited about both that and about the fact that she has a birthday coming up this week.

4) For the goals of each of us, that we would be the ministers whom Jesus has called us to be.

5) For plans to visit Belize City in October, during the Diocesan Synod. Bishop Philip would like me to talk about the on-line program at the Synod for the Diocese of Belize (Central America).

6) For plans to visit the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania in December/January, to work out on-line plans for Kasulu Bible College (East Africa).

God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. Your prayers are very important for us, and I pray for you every day.

In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
SAMS missionaries, as well as missionaries of the Diocese of Albany
Serving globally.













Newsletter

Greetings!

As I write this, Lydia is about to return to college for her sophomore year, and the Belize on-line campus is about to get underway.

Belize. Over the past few weeks, I have been in regular contact with the diocesan office in Belize, several times a week, and sometimes, several times a day for a number of reasons.

Among the topics: I have been asked to attend the Diocesan Synod in October so that I may explain and promote the online program.

Administrative pieces have been falling into place. The structures of the first two courses have been finished and course content has been developed. The first course is an Orientation program designed to familiarize students with the online program, beginning September 1.

Pray that Jesus would use these courses to his glory that lives may be transformed for the Kingdom of God by what the students learn.

Educational Software: our Moodle 2.3 live site is up and going for the Belize campus, and the live site has been put in place for the Albany campus.

Website: administrative parts, Moodle portals (for Albany and Belize campuses), and the library (open to anyone) are in place at:  https://sites.google.com/site/onlineanglicancampus/

Tanzania: The President of Kasulu Bible College has alerted students that I am developing online courses for them. I plan a trip to Kasulu Bible College to outline specific plans, about the turn of the year.

Diocese of Albany: This campus is a "catch-all" campus for online students in the Diocese of Albany and elsewhere who are not in the Belize or Kasulu Bible College programs. Course development has just begun, and I hope to offer the first course or so about the turn of the year.

Julie and I had the pleasure of serving with Bp. Bill and Karen Love, Tom and Jeanne Gizara, and the other team members of the Couples Cursillo weekend at the SLC last week. Fantastic team and fantastic candidates.

Our upcoming visits.
September 9: Trinity Church, Granville
September 30: St. Paul's, Brookfield, CT.

Ways to support us.

Your prayers and financial support make the online educational ministry happen. Thank you.

Please make checks out to: "SAMS", and put "Mudge" in the memo space. The mailing address is: SAMS, P. O. Box 399, Ambridge, PA 15003-0399.

God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Global missionaries of SAMS and Albany.

Shaw and Julie in Belize July 2012. The Lord Bishop Philip Wright's photo is behind them on the wall. He is never too far from their thoughts. Please join them in praying for his work.





Saturday, August 25, 2012

Scripture Prayer

John 6:51

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.

Jesus, we thank You for the gift of salvation and for eternal life in Heaven. Thank You for dying on the cross for us and for the grace that You give us as we accept You into every corner of our lives. Thank You for spiritual nourishment and refreshing.

Lord, we pray that the online education that the Mudges are developing will also be nourishment for those that enroll in their courses. May Father Shaw and Mother Julie be providing to their seminary students the solid food that is necessary for a life of ministry.

We pray for your blessing this week as students in Belize begin to look at the materials that are being developed. We pray against computer bugs and ask for inspiration on how to fix them when they occur.

And Lord, we ask for your protection and guidance for Lydia as she goes back to college at the end of this week. Bless the whole Mudge family, Lord: for Father Shaw’s mother who had a pacemaker put in last week, and for Hannah and Ruth as well. You know their needs Lord. They are in good hands! Amen.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Prayer Mail

Dear praying partners,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.

This week's update:

1) Regarding Cursillo: we had a great Cursillo weekend. It was a great team; we have a great bishop; it was a great group of candidates; the music was awesome; and there was a special quality to the weekend because it was a couples' weekend. I thought my beloved did an outstanding job.

2a) Regarding Belize:
Course materials go live this coming Saturday, for students to preview. They can do this for a week before we actually begin the orientation course on 1 September. The Biblical Interpretation I course materials are moving towards completion; the course is from late September to December.

2b) Regarding Albany:
More people are expressing interest in similar courses for Albany. We are making the first steps in that direction. And there are people in the Diocese of Albany who are offering their expertise to help with program development. Thank you to everyone.

Prayer requests:

1) For the participants of the Cursillo Couples weekend this week, and how they move forward. Ultreya for this group is coming up at Church of the Messiah in Glens Falls on September 8. Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to touch lives through us all in a mighty way, and for spiritual protection in the days after the weekend.

2) For the preparations for the Fall online courses; the Orientation Course begins on September 1st, and prayers for Albany and W. Tanganyika course development plans.

3) For future parish visits. We are entertaining requests for parish visits in late September, and also October, November, and December.

4) For Lydia as she prepares for her return to college in about a week and a half.

5) For Hannah in Uganda. We continue to hear brief but great reports. She returns on Wednesday.

6) For my mom: she had a pacemaker put in during the Cursillo weekend. She seems fine, but my brother has been through a lot on what he thought was going to be an uneventful vacation.

7) There is a lot of spiritual static this morning. Pray that my computer's functioning would return to normal.

God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. Your prayers are very important for us, and I pray for you every day.

In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
SAMS missionaries, as well as missionaries of the Diocese of Albany
Serving globally.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Scripture Prayer

From Luke 1: 46-49

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He who is mighty has done great things, and holy is his name.

Lord, we thank You for these words from your mother, Mary. May they be the ideal upon which all our ministry depends, the mission work of Father Shaw and Mother Julie and the work of all of the intercessors as well. May all of our lives magnify You, Lord, and may our spirits be joyful as we contemplate all the wonderful gifts that You have bestowed upon us. May we always give thanks for the great things that You have done, and may our worship be holy in your name.

Lord, we pray for a faith growing and spirit-filling Cursillo weekend. We pray for the talks and the music and the fellowship. May your love be received and reflected back to all the team and candidates. We pray for the Anglican theology on-line curriculum that Father Shaw is developing. And we pray for safety and blessings for Hannah in her travels in Uganda and her trip home. Be with Lydia as the summer draws to a close, and she starts her second year in college.

Thank You Lord for all the blessings You send. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost."  Amen.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Prayer Mail

Dear praying partners,

This is our weekly public prayer mail.

This week's update:

1) Regarding Cursillo: we had a great teaming meeting on Saturday; the presenters are top notch; the music team is a very good one. The Couples weekend begins on Thursday.

2) Regarding Belize:
I have continued to work on the structure for the Fall courses, covering the months of September through December, as well as developing another important administrative document for the Diocese of Belize.

I have contacted and begun enrolling the 20+ prospective Anglican students in the various programs.

This week we received the news, as per the Diocesan Office in Belize, that additionally, there may be a few Methodists in Belize who may be enrolling in the courses.

3) We had a great time today at both services at Calvary Church in Burnt Hills.

Prayer requests:

1) For the Cursillo Couples weekend this week. Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to touch lives through us in a mighty way.

2) For the preparations for the Fall courses; the Orientation Course begins on September 1st.

3) For future parish visits. We are entertaining requests for parish visits in late September, and also October, November, and December.

4) For Lydia as she prepares for her return to college at the end of August.

5) For Hannah in Uganda. We hear great reports.

God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. Your prayers are very important for us, and I pray for you every day.

In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
SAMS missionaries, as well as missionaries of the Diocese of Albany
Serving globally.



Thursday, August 9, 2012

Scripture Prayer

Ephesians 5: 1-2

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Lord, we thank You for the ministry of Father Shaw and Mother Julie. In all ministry, your Son Jesus Christ is the perfect model. As Christ gave himself to be a fragrant offering and sacrifice, the Mudges are always giving themselves to their work. Thank You, Lord, that You are always with them, sending them blessings and inspiration every step along the way. Thank You for the love that You give to all of us, your beloved children. Thank You for showing Shaw and Julie how to share that love with so many others.

We pray for the visit to Calvary Church in Burnt Hills this Sunday; for the Cursillo teaming this Saturday and the weekend itself starting on August 16; for further steps in implementing the on-line theology courses; for Hannah in her short term mission to Uganda; for Lydia as she starts to get ready to go back to college.

Thank You, Lord, for your loving care. Amen.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Prayer Mail

Dear praying partners,

This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's update:

1) Julie and Lydia are back. Hannah has started on a short term mission trip to Uganda.

2) Regarding Belize:

a) I have started constructing course G100A, the three week online orientation course, to be in place on August 25. I should have the basic structure finished on Monday or Tuesday, and then to begin working on the the 12 part Biblical Interpretation I course, to be in place by September 8.

b) In addition, I have done considerable work on the 16 part G101 course, the Theological Preparation course; some more work is needed to get the main pieces in place by September 1st.

3) Regarding Tanzania: I received word today that Kasulu Bible College has already been passing the word that I will be part of their program.

4) We had a great time today at both services at St. Matthew's in Latham.

Prayer requests:

1) We will be at Calvary Church in Burnt Hills, next week. Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to touch lives through us in a mighty way.

2) For the preparations for the September courses, and for our September and October plans.

3) For future parish visits.

4) For Lydia as she concludes her summer plans before returning to college.

5) For our roles in the upcoming Cursillo Couples Weekend, August 16-19, and the  teaming meeting before then.

God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. Your prayers are very important for us, and I pray for you every day.

In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
SAMS missionaries, as well as missionaries of the Diocese of Albany
Serving globally.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Scripture Prayer

Acts 2: 1-4

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Father God, we are so in need of Your Holy Spirit. We get bogged down in this earthly life, what with sickness and the loss of loved ones and just plain worry about ourselves and our families. So we ask for a continual replenishing of Your Holy Spirit, especially for Father Shaw and Mother Julie, but for all the intercessors as well. Come Holy Spirit., come with all your power. Amen.

We pray especially for Julie as she grieves the passing of her mom. We pray for the start of the on-line courses and that all runs smoothly as participants begin to use the Moogle program. We pray for the expansion of the program to all of the churches in the West Indies and in Tanzania and beyond. Keep Hannah safe as she does some short term mission work in Uganda. And Lord we thank You for financial provision for the Mudges. May they never have to worry because of their trust in You.  Amen.