To receive the Mudges' prayer mails and newsletters, or to contact them by email for any reason, please send a message to Shaw or Julie, which goes directly to them, through the Diocesan clerical directory webpages for priests.

Friday, October 31, 2014

Scripture Prayer

From Philippians 2: 12-16

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.  Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

We thank You Lord, that it is You who works in Father Shaw.  You give him the will for his mission work and you enable him to carry it out.  He is your child, blameless and innocent because of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, Our Lord.  Let him continue to shine as a light in the world, holding fast to the word of life and proclaiming it to all whom he teaches.
Bless Father Shaw as he prepares for and delivers his talk on mission work at the Diocese of Albany’s Mission Conference this Saturday.  Guide him in all that he does for You in the next week.  Help him as he schedules his next trip to Belize.  Strengthen him as he finishes up the course on Anglicanism and develops other new curriculum.  And we ask for financial provision and for all other needs of the Mudge family and the people they minister to.  All for your glory, Lord.  Amen.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday October 28.

The week has been filled with various stages of the next courses of the online program and preparing for the Diocese of Albany missionary presentation: “Becoming a 3rd culture citizen: reentry adjustment” (long and short term missionary reentry, back into the U.S.). 

Julie had a good birthday.

Prayer requests:
 
1) Preparation of the next people/person to be ordained Deacon (early 2015).

2) For God's timing of my visits to Belize in 2015, for my work in the U.S. for the Diocese of Belize, and for my work while in Belize.  

3) For contributions and parish visitations in  2015.

4) For the Diocese of Albany Mission Workshop that is coming up on Saturday; that I would say what the Holy Spirit would lead me to say.

5) For Lydia's mission work in Honduras (beginning early January).

6) For God's provision for all our needs both here and abroad.

God bless you,

Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia
I pray for you every day.

 
Making Disciples Who Make a Difference. 

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Scripture Prayer

Psalm 30: 11-12
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
That my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Lord, we thank You for all those times that you have turned mourning into dancing, suffering into gladness.  We lift up our voices to praise You and give You thanks forever.

We thank You for all that You are doing for the Mudges: for Father Shaw and his ministry in Belize; for Mother Julie and her hospital ministry in Connecticut;  and for Lydia and her upcoming mission in Honduras; and for Hannah and the Oaks of Righteousness in Troy NY.

We thank You for all that Father Shaw accomplished in Belize, for the four new deacons and for all that occurred at the Synod.   Lord, bless the 15 year plan that was developed and may all parts of it be your plan for the church in Belize. 


Lord, continue to guide and strengthen and bless Father Shaw and his family as they work to expand your kingdom in so many different ways and in so many different places.  Amen.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday October 21.

I arrived safely back from Belize.

The week has been filled with the next steps in the ministry in Belize.

Prayer requests:

1) That proposals from Synod be implemented over the next 15 years, in God's timing and in God's way (in the areas of fellowship, outreach, youth, Commission on Ministry, and Stewardship/Finance), and especially prayer for my part in this.

2) For the winding down of the Anglican History course (What God has been doing in Anglicanism), and preparing for the next courses.

3) That the Transitional Deacons move forward in the Holy Spirit towards ordination to the Presbyterate (in about another year). 

4) Preparation of the next people/person to be ordained Deacon (early 2015).

5) For God's timing of my visits to Belize in 2015, for my work in the U.S. for the Diocese of Belize, and for my work while in Belize. I can't tell you enough how much your prayers are really making things happen.

6) For parish visitations in the U.S.

7) For the Diocese of Albany Mission Workshop that is coming up in about two weeks; that I would say what the Holy Spirit would lead me to say.

8) For Lydia's mission work in Honduras (beginning in less than two months).

9) For God's provision for all our needs both here and abroad.

10) Julie has a birthday this week, and I pray that her next year be exceedingly fruitful.

God bless you,

Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia
I pray for you every day.
 
Making Disciples Who Make a Difference. 

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Newsletter


!Diocesan Synod, Anglican Diocese of Belize; photo taken by Fr. 
  Shaw Mudge, Examining Chaplain. (c) 2014.


Mudge Missionary Newsletter.  October 2014. 

"We wish to thank Fr. Shaw Mudge, Examining Chaplain, for his innumerable trips to Belize that helped make this possible." That was the sentiment underlying the public announcements as well as the subtext for both the ordinations in September and the break- out sessions at the diocesan Synod in October in Belize. ! What did I do? I made progress, one step at a time. There are now 4 new deacons in the Diocese of Belize, the largest number of ordinations to have taken place at one time in living memory in Belize because of our efforts. 4 transitional deacons who are slated to become priests in another year! I also helped plan and organize a break-out session at the Diocesan Synod that provided invaluable input to help the Commission on Ministry chart its course ahead. Bishop Philip was extremely gratified with the responses from the participants. The Diocese of Belize now has the beginnings of a map towards clergy recruitment between now and 2029 as part of a strategic plan to meet the parish needs in the Diocese of Belize! Those are two major highlights. And there is more in the works. The work is ongoing, day by day, 365 days of each year, wherever my base of operations is located. The Diocese of Belize has months and years of work ahead, and Bishop Philip would like me to be at his side, helping him to make it possible. 

Ordinations in the Diocese of Belize; photo taken by Fr. Shaw Mudge, the Bishop's Chaplain for the service. (c) 2014. !  
God bless you, Shaw, and on behalf of Julie. ! Support.! ! Please pray and continue to make checks out to: "SAMS". Put "Shaw and Julie Mudge" in the memo, to support what we are doing. Your continued support makes the work in Belize possible.   Mailing address:  SAMS, P. O. Box 399,  Ambridge, PA 15003-0399.  Or on-line, at http://goo.gl/nll8ut

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Prayer Mail

Dear partners in prayer,
 
This is our prayer mail for October 13.
 
It has been another busy week, and Synod was a success. Among my contributions was leading a break-out session on potential planning steps for the Commission on Ministry in Belize over the next 10 to 15 years. Now, implementation of the next steps.
 
Prayer requests:
 
1) Continue to pray for the Mudges, especially for me on the remainder of this trip, planning for the next trip, parish visitations in the U.S., the Anglican course which is underway, and that I would be a fruitful servant for the Kingdom of God. 
 
2) Pray for the upcoming Albany mission workshop presentation on November 1, on re-entering the home environment. 
 
3) Pray for a speedy sale of our dwelling in the Albany area. Keep praying for God's buyer.
 
God bless you.
 
In Christ,
 Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia. 
I pray for you, everyday. Your prayers are making a difference. Thank you.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Scripture Prayer

Psalm 105: 1-4

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
Make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
Tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
Seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
His miracles and the judgments he uttered.

Lord, we pray this psalm for Father Shaw and his family. We give thanks to You as we call upon your name.  We sing praises to You and are thankful that You have made it possible for Father Shaw to make known your deeds among the peoples of Belize and that he tells of your wondrous works and brings glory to your name.  We pray for the people of Belize.  Let their hearts seek You and rejoice.  May they seek You and your strength; may they seek You continually.  Thank You for all your wondrous works, for your miracles and righteous judgments.

Lord, we thank You for all the good works that Father Shaw has been doing in Belize during these two weeks.  Thank You for your Holy Spirit and the guidance and encouragement that You have given him.  Continue to be with him as he oversees the Synod session on ministry development over the next 10-15 years.  And grant him safe and timely travel back to the U.S. on October 13.

We also persevere in our prayers for the whole Mudge family, for the Anglican course which is underway, and for every task that You give to the Mudges.  May they be faithful servants for your kingdom.

Lord, we also pray for financial provision and for a speedy sale of the Mudge home near Albany.

We praise You Lord for all your wondrous works!  Amen.



Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Prayer Mail Oct 8

Dear partners in prayer,

I am writing this on Monday.

It has been a busy week, and we are in the midst of preparing for Synod presentations later in the week. I will be overseeing the break-out session on ministry development over the next 10 to 15 years in the Diocese of Belize.

To free up the Bishop's schedule, I plan to be celebrating two Holy Eucharists, one tomorrow and one on Wednesday.

This past week focused on ordinations, and the service at the Cathedral on Monday was awesome. Could have been 400 to 500 people there. I was credited with having helped make it possible because of my innumerable trips to Belize. I also served as the Bishop's Chaplain.

On Sunday, last week, I represented SAMS at the installation of SAMS missionary Fr. David Alenskis at St. Andrew's in San Ignacio, and then traveled with the Bishop to St. HIlda's in Santa Helena where the Bishop consecrated the church bell, and I celebrated Holy Communion.

My hosts have been very gracious, and I praise God for them all. I have sensed your prayers at work.
 
Prayer requests:
 
1) Continue to pray for the Mudges especially for me on this trip, parish visitations in the U.S., the Anglican course which is underway, and that I would be a fruitful servant for the Kingdom of God. 

2) Pray for Julie and Lydia while I am away. 
 
3) Pray for the upcoming Albany mission workshop presentation on November 1, on re-entering the home environment. 
 
4) Pray for a speedy sale of our dwelling in the Albany area. Keep praying for God's buyer.

 
God bless you.
 
In Christ,
 
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia. 
I pray for you, everyday. Your prayers are making a difference. Thank you.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Prayer Mail Sept 30

Dear partners in prayer,

I am writing this on September 28, with prayers for September 30.
 
I have arrived in Belize, and co-led a retreat with Bishop Philip about 4 miles from the Guatemalan border, for people being ordained deacons on Monday. Today, I represented SAMS at the installation of David Alenskis, as Rector of St. Andrew's in San Ignacio, and then we proceeded to St. Hilda's in Santa Helena where I played a part in the consecration of the church bell and celebrated Holy Communion at the Sunday service. I am now in Belize City. Later today, the ordination rehearsal. Tomorrow, the ordinations in Belize City.

When holding a retreat in the jungle part of Belize, it is always heartwarming to know what to do when possibly encountering the local wildlife while walking around out here. It is the rainy season. Scorpions, usually dry season. Not much to worry about at the moment. Vipers (very deadly) and Boa constrictors (just likely to ignore you). Let them do their job and they won't bother you. Tarantulas, not in the immediate area, not the deadly type, but like scorpions can pack a whallop. Stinging ants. Not much one can do about them. But a surprising lack of mosquitoes, so concern about Dengue fever and Malaria are minimal. So far, so good.
 
Prayer requests:
 
1) Continue to pray for the Mudges especially for me on this trip, parish visitations in the U.S., the Anglican course which is underway, and that I would be a fruitful servant for the Kingdom of God. 

2) Pray for Julie and Lydia while I am away. We seem to have a rash of things happening, that I would rather not have happen. Have to get a new computer, for example. My 2008 casing took a hit in my travel to Belize. It still works, but it is on its last legs.
 
3) Pray for the upcoming Albany mission workshop presentation on November 1, on re-entering the home environment. 
 
4) Pray for a speedy sale of our dwelling in the Albany area. Keep praying for God's buyer.

 
God bless you.
 
In Christ,
 
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia.