Last Prayer Mail

Dear friends,

This coming week, a chapter is closing on our lives at this end, and I plan on this being the final prayer mail related to our mission work. Of course, we could always use your prayers in the times ahead as you happen to think of us.

The following is based on my final note to people involved in the distance learning program, sent Saturday:

Distance learning update for Saturday, 24 September 2016: 

Good day!  

1) This is planned as my last weekly distance learning update before my attention will be focused in other ministry directions, with a few exceptions. Aside from individualized emails, for any future distance learning updates please look to the announcement section of the distance learning Web site. 

1a) As one of my remaining connections, I am currently revising the Christian Doctrine/Christian Theology course to be a Christian Doctrine/Christian Theology course with an Anglican perspective, instead of an additional course focusing specifically on Anglican Doctrine/Anglican Theology. It may be finished in a few weeks.

1b) When I have finished that project, another of my remaining connections that I am planning will be to work with the Main Administrator to turn the current notes and slides from the individual courses into Kindle-based documents that can be downloaded from the Internet. 

2) One of our students is nearing the very end of the final course in the program.  

3) These courses will be open for the rest of 2016. Beginning in 2017, I plan to be the Benefactor of the course Web site, to keep it open for all of 2017 and for as much as I can beyond, but I won't know for sure how this will work until January 2017. 

4) Three people have stepped up as my replacements in the following capacities:

Main Administrator. 

Curriculum Design Director.

Dean of the Faculty.

This has been a full week in other aspects of ministry and in family life as well. 

Prayers: 

 

1) For guidance on the path ahead are appreciated, including a smooth transition, and also for people in Belize in the wake of my departure.  

2) For the transition of the Diocese of Belize Web site to the creation of a new one in due course.  

3) For the publication of the Spanish Prayer Book, scheduled for this month, but I have not heard anything about it. 

4) For the parishes and other matters that we are involved with. Julie continues as a hospital chaplain. I continue as an Interim Rector. Lydia continues as a student. 

And mission work? As you can see from the above, there is a small bit to do yet. In the near term, Julie and I both continue as Associate Missionaries with SAMS, probably for as long as we have a missionary connection of some sort with Belize, unless something changes.

My prayer for you, this week, is that you would be open to what the Holy Spirit is guiding you to do and say.

  

God bless you, in Jesus' Name,

 

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Rev. Julie and Lydi

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our prayer mail for Monday, 19 September 2016. 

This is our penultimate prayermail/update. Next week will be our final week. 

This week has been another full week.

On the missions front:

Regarding the distance learning program with Belize, I have arranged for the program to continue via a Main Administrator for technical matters, a Course Design Director, and a Dean of the Faculty (coordinator of the faculty). I plan to continue in the roll of Benefactor for the time being, and continue as Director of the diocesan seminary until my replacement is named. One of the upcoming projects to be undertaken by the Course Design Director is a confirmation curriculum for the diocese, all things being the same.

The future Course Design Director completed a course this week, would complete the entire curriculum at the end of the current and final course that the person is taking. I plan my handoff of the remaining parts of the program to take place when this person has finished the final course, and soon. That means: some information will be passed along, some training to go, my being available for questions, and so forth.

I also made a recommendation for someone interested in Holy Orders (diaconate). 

This week in hindsight: phenomenal, and answered prayers for actually potentially expanding the program. To paraphrase what someone has said: I enabled the program to take off, and now it has wings. The timing was good for doing this. 

     

It was a full week in other aspects of ministry and in family life as well.

Prayers: 

1) Prayers for guidance on the path ahead are still appreciated, including a smooth transition, and also for people in Belize in the wake of my departure.  

2) For the transition of the Diocese of Belize Web site to the creation of a new one.  

3) For the publication of the Spanish Prayer Book, most likely this month. 

I continue to pray for you, every day.

  

God bless you,

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Rev. Julie.

Newsletter

Mudge Making a Difference Newsletter. September 2016.

Thank you!

On October 1st, both Julie and I will have become Associate Missionaries with SAMS. This is to say that after 7 years of mission work, neither of us will be employee missionaries of SAMS.

We will continue to turn our attention to other ministry, with two possible exceptions, below:

1) From the U.S., I may still be involved with Belizean long distance learning ministry in some way.

2) The diocesan office in Belize may need my as- sistance briefly from the U.S., to move items from the current diocesan Web site that I designed, to a new one.

Our mission work has been built upon an extensive foundation of our previous work and experiences. Looking ahead, our mission work provides a founda- tion upon which our future endeavors will be based.

Because of your continued prayers and financial support, you have made it possible for us to do what we have done.

So, thank you for having enabled us to do what Jesus has called us to do, by supporting us through SAMS.

We and SAMS could not have done what we have accomplished without you.

Best wishes, and God bless you.

In Jesus,

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Mtr. Julie and Lydia.  

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

 

This is our prayer mail for Monday, 12 September 2016. I am attaching our September newsletter.

It has been a full week. As I close down my larger participation in connection with Belize over the next three weeks, I am finding that I may have an ongoing limited role from the U.S. for a bit longer.  

Prayers: 

 

1) Prayers for guidance on the path ahead are still appreciated, including a smooth transition, and also for people in Belize in the wake of my departure.  We are thinking of prayers for the immediate future, as well as for longer term: perhaps at some point after Lydia graduates. It is an adventure, every step of the way.

2) For the transition of the Diocese of Belize Web site to the creation of a new one.  

3) For the publication of the Spanish Prayer Book, most likely this month. 

4) To discern what Jesus may be saying in terms of a ministry prayer support team beyond October 1st, as our adventure in ministry continues in a new direction. 

I continue to pray for you, every day.

  

God bless you,

 

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Rev. Julie.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

 

This is our prayer mail for Sunday, 4 September 2016, the first day of the week, Labor Day weekend.   

It has been quite a week, working on final matters regarding Belize before the October 1 transition date to Associate Missionary status, and for other areas of ministry as well. 

Lydia had a great birthday.

The countdown continues....

Prayers: 

 

1) Prayers for guidance on the path ahead are still appreciated, including a smooth transition. We have some plans in the works, and also for people in Belize in the wake of my departure. I think everything is in really good shape, as the timing was good. There are a few loose ends. 

2) For the wrapping up of the distance learning program. This will be on-going after October 1 for one student, and I anticipate to the end of the year.

3) For the transition of the Diocese of Belize Web site from the temporary one that I have been maintaining, to the creation of a new one (I will be on-call to help out with this transition possibly even for months after October 1st). The Web site up as a subject the week before last, I believe.

4) For the publication of the Spanish Prayer Book, most likely in September. 

5) For the Holy Spirit's guidance as to what to say in our final monthly newsletter.

6) To discern what Jesus may be saying in terms of a ministry prayer support team beyond October 1st, as our adventure in ministry continues in a new direction.

Thank you for being faithful with us through the years. We have been thankful for your prayers.  

I continue to pray for you, every day.

  

God bless you,

 

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Rev. Julie.

Special Prayer Mail

Dear friends,

Lately we have been asking you all to pray for discernment, yet not with any preconceived agenda in mind. At long last and in the past day or so, it has become really clear to Julie and myself that the way forward that God has in mind is for us to become Associate Missionaries with SAMS. Sometimes the answers are about timing.

What does this transition mean? 

In terms of Belize et al, we are moving in new directions and away from missionary work (official change date is October 1st, and because there is a fair amount to do, please keep your financial support and prayer support coming our way through September). 

In addition, we are planning to continue as canonically resident clergy in the Diocese of Albany, and we plan to continue with our other avenues of ministry which started out simply as ways to supplement our mission work and which have developed a life of their own. 

It means:

1) Prayer support would be appreciated as long as we keep the prayermails going. 

2) The following are anticipated matters related to Belize that may continue after October 1st:

2a) I may need to keep the distance learning Web site open for another year for any residual courses if a student may need to take to finish up, and for anyone else who might be taking courses. One of our supporters pays annually to keep the site open - thank you. In terms of distance learning at this point it is more:

 i) my monitoring the student's progress, 

ii) my issuing certificates of completion for the student's two remaining courses, and 

iii) my issuing a certificate for the student's having completed the overall program.

2b) If the Bishop of Belize needs an officially designated person as Examining Chaplain and/or Director of ATI, I may need to keep my name there as a placeholder, so that there is some continuity, until he finds my replacement. Most of my work might be by email or Skype. He may want to be thinking about replacements in time for Diocesan Synod this year, in October. 

2c) Shut down what I can of my temporary Diocese of Belize Web site as soon as I hear from the Diocesan Secretary that the new permanent site is set up. I have begun transitioning in that direction this past week. The Diocesan Secretary in Belize told me this week that at long last (since 2014) they finally have a way forward for a diocesan Web site.

2d) I might keep a title such as "Director of the ATI Distance Learning Program" until the Web site closes down, so that one of the students has a way forward. 

2e) I may make a trip for the unveiling of the Spanish CPWI Prayer Book if there is one. The Prayer Book is scheduled to be printed in September. 

You have been very faithful supporters, both in prayer and financially. We can't thank you enough. We have enjoyed your company since we began our odessy in 2008, through our adventures together in Peru, East Africa, and what God has had in mind for us in Belize.

4) We (all of us - you included) have made a tremendous difference wherever we have been. I plan to keep the prayermails and monthly newsletter up and going through September.  

5) Each of you has been important to us. In particular, Torre got me started on this prayer mail idea. Jeanne has been faithful in getting the word out. Tom Gizara has been our advocate. Bill Schrull has been our faithful tech support person. And you have been faithful. The cast of helpers has been thousands more. And thousands of people have affected/will be affected by what we have been doing in one way or another, on at least three continents.  

6) We have many friends because of our mission work. You are one of them.

7) I also appreciate all that my family has been through on our behalf through it all, especially Julie and Lydia, as well as the help that we have had from all our family members in their supporting roles.

Next prayermail will be coming out next week. Now, we pray for the transition and what lies ahead.

Best wishes, and may God bless you in your endeavors. 

I continue to pray for you, every day.

In Jesus' Name,

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie, 

In Connecticut

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our prayer mail for 22 August 2016.  The Olympics are drawing to a close. Bolt continues to be a big name in the Caribbean.

This week: 

Rewriting a theology course continues.

I received a report that the Spanish version of the CPWI Prayer Book may be published within the next three weeks!

Prayers: 

1) Prayers for guidance on the path ahead, for whatever the Holy Spirit has in mind, and however his provision may take place. Clear discernment as to the appropriate path would be appreciated. 

2) My next trip to Belize is scheduled to coincide with the diocesan synod in October. Pray for the tickets and arrangements, as there has been recent dramatics change in airline availability and schedules since our most recent trip at the end of July. I plan to begin working on these arrangement in about a week and a half. The Bishop of Belize returns to Belize about the same time.

3) For the publication of the Spanish Prayer Book.

4) For the easing of tensions between Guatemala and Belize.  

5) For the clean up in Belize in the wake of Hurricane Earl.

I pray for you every day.

  

Are we making a difference? Absolutely. You are part of our team.

God bless you,

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Rev. Julie.

Back in Connecticut

August Newsletter

Recovering.

As I write this, the country of Belize is recovering from Hurricane Earl. The Church in Belize is not a wealthy diocese, and that is one reason why the Church depends on people like myself to help, people who are funded by SAMS, which in turn is funded by people like yourself. So, when a major storm like Earl comes by and costs about $13000 to make a rectory habitable again, the cost is really high for the congregation and the diocese. For the bigger picture:

Similar to what I have mentioned elsewhere:

The Bishop's residence in Belize, some of the diocesan office complex, and at least two rectories that I know of were hit and suffered damage, all in Belize City near the water. One of the rectories belonged to the leading cleric of the Cathedral. Another of the rectories belonged to the Rector of St. Mary the Virgin. 

In addition to structural damage, there was also the concern about biological matter floating in the water through the streets and into homes, as well as potential for disease to spread. And while the water has subsided, unless the structural damage is repaired, especially the walls surrounding buildings, there is also a concern about potential break-ins and theft. 

I am passing along information that I asked of the diocesan office in Belize for anyone wanting to help, in response to those wishing to do something: 

Dear Fr. Shaw,

Cheques or international postal orders may be made payable to Anglican Diocese of Belize.

And mailed to Cecile Reyes or Bp. Philip Wright

Anglican Diocese of Belize

P.O.Box 535

Belize City

Belize, C. A.

I have information for wire transfers, as needed. Please pray that God would provide those who can help.

Both we and the Church in Belize depend on the generosity of people like you. Our ministry is unique, meeting unique and important needs. For us, it means becoming bi-vocational tentmakers like Paul, and yet the SAMS family is what makes it possible. Giving to us also helps SAMS. Our form of ministry is strategically more to the advantage of spreading the Gospel in a way that would not have been possible in more traditional missionary assignments. We have the flexibility to do what is needed, as needed by Bishop Philip.

Thank you for enabling us to do what Jesus has called us to do by supporting our ministry through SAMS. We and SAMS could not do it without you.

In Jesus,

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Mtr. Julie.

SAMS missionaries with the Diocese of Belize.

Support.

Please pray for us. And for our ministry, make checks out to: "SAMS". Put "Shaw and Julie Mudge" in the memo. Thank you.

Mailing address:

SAMS,

P. O. Box 399,

Ambridge, PA 15003-0399. 

Diocesan Office complex, Belize City, C.A.

in the wake of

Hurricane Earl, August 2016. Photo provided by the diocesan office.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our prayer mail for 16 August 2016.  

Clean up continues in Belize.

This week: 

We are finishing vacation today (Monday, the 15th), During the week, we have kept in touch with Belize. 

The Bishop's residence in Belize, some of the diocesan office complex, and at least two rectories that I know of were hit and suffered damage, all in Belize City near the water. One of the rectories belonged to the Dean of the Cathedral. Another of the rectories belonged to the Rector of St. Mary the Virgin. 

In addition to structural damage, there was also the concern about biological matter floating in the water through the streets and into homes, as well as potential for disease to spread. And while the water has subsided, unless the structural damage is repaired, especially the walls surrounding buildings, there is also a concern about potential theft. 

I am passing along information that I asked of the diocesan office in Belize for anyone wanting to help, in response to those wishing to do something: 

Dear Fr. Shaw,

Cheques or international postal orders may be made payable to Anglican Diocese of Belize.

And mailed to  Cecile Reyes or Bishop Philip Wright

Anglican Diocese of Belize

P.O.Box 535

Belize City

Belize, C. A.

I have information on wire transfers if that would be helpful.  

I am passing along two representative photos that have been sent to me from the diocesan office.

Prayers: 

1) Prayers for guidance on the path ahead, for whatever the Holy Spirit has in mind. Clear discernment as to the 

appropriate path would be appreciated. 

2) For the publication of the Spanish Prayer Book.

3) For the easing of tensions between Guatemala and Belize. The tensions seem to have settled into a fact of day to day life.

4) For the clean up in Belize in the wake of Hurricane Earl.

I pray for you every day.

  

Are we making a difference? Absolutely. You are part of our team.

God bless you,

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Rev. Julie.

In transition from Downeast Maine to Connecticut

Making Disciples Who Make a Difference. 

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For our previous "Mudge Making a Difference" newsletters and prayer mails, click: HERE.

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Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our prayer mail for 7 August 2016.  Bom dia! The summer Olympics are underway in Brazil (though it is winter time in Rio....). I visited Rio on a business trip in December 1973, some of it brings back memories.

This week: 

This week we battled a virus. We are not sure what kind of virus, but I was about two days behind Julie at the start and as we approach the end. We are OK, and our strength is just about fully back. Next week we are on vacation with family.

It is also vacation time in Belize, so things are in a lull, there. I have been working on course material, but at a measured pace. A student started another course.

Prayers: 

1) Prayers for guidance on the path ahead, for whatever the Holy Spirit has in mind. Clear discernment as to the 

appropriate path would be appreciated. 

There are plans in the works, associated with three different dioceses in different parts of the Anglican Communion at the moment.

2) For the publication of the Spanish Prayer Book.

3) For the easing of tensions between Guatemala and Belize. The tensions seem to have settled into a fact of day to day life.

I pray for you every day.

  

Are we making a difference? Absolutely. You are part of our team.

God bless you,

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Rev. Julie.

Back from Belize. 

I am preparing for the next trip.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

 

This is our prayer mail for 17 July 2016. Attached is our July newsletter.

This week: 

1) The final editorial revisions of the Province of the West Indies Prayer Book revision have been completed. We are another step closer to publication.

2) WiFi Modem failure this week, though issues had been increasing over perhaps over several weeks. Swapped it this morning. Things look good now. Hazard of the profession. Onwards!

3) Pre-ordination retreat plans continue to be developed for the mission trip that involves Julie and myself this time, to Belize, this week. My 14th trip to Belize since 2012.

4) Distance learning course revision work in progress as I look towards the possible expansion of our program. 

5) Heard from the Bishop of the Diocese of Western Tanganyika this week. Provided the funds and trip time slot are available, a trip might be set up for 2017. That would be helping out in three different sections of the globe, next year. 

6) And closer to home, my distance learning preaching materials are proving helpful in workshop format to licensed lay preachers in the U.S. I provide workshops and related certificates as desired.

Prayers: 

 

1) Prayers for guidance on the path ahead, for whatever the Holy Spirit has in mind. Clear discernment as to the 

appropriate path would be appreciated.

 

2) For the three deacons to be ordained priests in Belize in little over a week. It will be an historic moment in the history of the Diocese. I am pleased to have played a part in helping to make it happen. Prayer also for the pre-ordination retreat that I will be leading, and for safe and timely travel for Julie and myself.

3) For the publication of the Spanish Prayer Book.

 

4) For the easing of tensions between Guatemala and Belize. 

 

I pray for you every day.

  

Are we making a difference? Absolutely. You are part of that.

 

God bless you,

 

Fr. Shaw

Manchester

 

Making Disciples Who Make a Differen