January Newsletter

 Anglo-American-Belizean visitation to missions in central  Belize. Photo copyright Fr. Shaw Mudge, 2015.

A New Year.

My New Year’s resolution is this: to do everything to the glory of God, to be available to do what God wants me to do, in his way and his time. Fortunately, we have the forgiveness of sins in the Prayer Book as a fall back. But my aim, whether in the mission field or at home is to keep my eye on the prize, to walk where God calls me to go, to build up the Church. Every year is different.

That desire may take me to exotic places or across town. That might involve a short term stay or a long term stay. My goal is to build up the Church in God’s way and in his timing. In mission work, whether here or abroad, that means being flexible, having a sense of humor, being somewhat organized, and being open to the Holy Spirit.

So, what have I been doing lately? From the U.S. I have been advising folks in the        Belizean ordination process. I have been designing distance learning courses and teaching them. My Sundays involve helping out in area parishes needing clergy; my part has become more and more popular with folks here.

What does 2016 look like? It has started out differently than I had planned, but I forge ahead on each adventure, apparently (from what I hear) making a difference by what I do both here and Belize. In the past six months I have made a few hundred friends along the way. Glory to God!

At the current moment, I am waiting to hear back from folks as to what the next months will be like.

Your financial partnership with us and your prayer partnership with us have been important in making a difference, filling real needs, and are appreciated in support of these missionary ventures. Your continued investment is very important for the ongoing ministry.

Onward into 2016! I am enthused!

God bless you all, and thank you for your support, in Jesus’ Name,

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Mtr. Julie.
Examining Chaplain, Diocese of Belize.
SAMS missionaries.

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

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail of Sunday, 24 January 2016. 

My best wishes for your Happy Epiphany Season continue! As I write this it is snowing. May the snow end up being a delight and not a hinderance to God's plans for you this week.

I am attaching our monthly making a difference newsletter for January 2016 in both "docx" and "pdf" formats. 

This week:

A) The Parish Development and Stewardship distance learning course has begun!

B) Had more vocational consultations with interested parties in Belize.

C) Nearly finished creating the Old Testament Scriptures distance learning course. I like how this is turning out. I wish I had taken this course. My conclusion: after getting the basics down, if you want to learn something, teach it.

D) Continued to work on overall ministry plans for the next few months. 

Your prayers are requested for the following:

A) For the Parish Development and Stewardship course students, and students taking other courses (being distance learning, there are various students taking different courses all at the same time, though being adult learners with careers: each of the students generally has time to take one course at a time).

B) For the ongoing ministry with Belizeans, including in my role as Examining Chaplain.

C) For parish and ministry plans throughout 2016, that we follow the Holy Spirit's guidance.

D) For the printing of the Province of the West Indies Spanish Prayer Book in a timely manner, and for the next round of ordinations in Belize (possibly April, the plans are not set in place). The Diocese of Belize has moved to the RCL lectionary (not in the Prayer Book) in the last few months along with most of the Anglican Communion, including East Africa and England, so I am planning to look any further plans for the Prayer Book in this regard (publication may not be affected).

E) For safe and timely travel in the winter weather, and for good weather. 

F) For relatives and close family friends who continue to face major issues, for healing, for suitable arrangements for my mother. Regarding various issues: Some people have improved. Praise God! Some people have been diagnosed in the past few weeks as potentially life threatening (F. Y. I. not Hannah...). Ugh! Some people's situations are mysteries (not sure what is going on). And praise God for everyone who is healthy or only has minor issues!

Thank you for praying. I pray for you every day. Onward onto 2016!

God bless you. 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

Manchester, CT

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail of Sunday, 17 January 2016. 

Happy Epiphany Season! 

This week:

A) Nearly half-way through the creation of the Old Testament Scriptures course. I like how this is turning out.

B) Registrations have been coming in for the Parish Development and Stewardship course which begins this coming Saturday. Being a smaller diocese, there are not a lot people registered, but the ones that have registered are very important for the future of the Diocese.

C) Have been working on overall ministry strategic plans for the next few months. 

Your prayers are requested for the following:

A) For the distance learning Parish Development and Stewardship course that begins this coming Saturday.

B) For students and courses, and for my role as Examining Chaplain.

C) For parish and ministry plans throughout 2016.

D) For the printing of the Province of the West Indies Spanish Prayer Book in a timely manner, and for the next round of ordinations in Belize (looks like April).

E) For safe and timely travel in the winter weather. 

F) For relatives and close family friends who continue to face major issues, for healing, for suitable arrangements for my mother. 

Thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.

God bless you. 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail of Sunday, 3 January 2016. 

Happy New Year! Epiphany season begins later this week! Right now, for those keeping track, we are in Christmas season at "10 lords a-leaping", and counting.

This week:

A) Am touching up an existing course before launching into the creation of an Old Testament Scriptures course. 

B) It has been a busy week with various family members coming and going, including an unexpected visit from my mother (and in addition, in Ruth's case, a plane cancellation on the way out, so we had the special honor of a return engagement as well as an early morning drive to the airport on the next day.)

C) Julie had an anniversary of her ordination to the Presbyterate, January 1, at 1 pm: 1-1-1

Your prayers are requested for the following:

A) For the printing of the Province of the West Indies Spanish Prayer Book in a timely manner, and for the next round of ordinations in Belize.  

B) For the scheduling of my next trip to Belize.

C) For the distance learning Parish Development and Stewardship course that begins in three weeks; for the students who would be taking the course.

D) For the ministry in 2016 that would enable me to do that which the Holy Spirit may have in mind. For students and courses, and for my role as Examining Chaplain.

E) For safe and timely travel. 

G) For family members who continue to face major decisions, for healing, and for suitable arrangements for my mother. 

2016 is beginning with various ailments among certain family members, some on the rather serious side. Ugh. So, your prayers are asked for them, that they would be healed in God's time and in God's way. Since I have not asked their permission to mention their names in this context, I will just say "family members" and in a wider sense of "family".

H) For God's continued provision and protection, and Jesus' leading in that regard.

Thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.

God bless you. 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

Prayer Mail Dec 28

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail of Monday, 28 December 2015. 

We have had a good time: church services, family gatherings, et al over Christmas Day weekend.

I wish you a continued blessed Christmas Season, and in the midst of your seasonal festivities, a Happy New Year!

This week:

A)  We had a Learning Management System software upgrade without a hitch, for our distance learning program. There are two of these per year. 

B) I finished creating the Christian Ethics/Moral Theology distance learning course. 

C) Am touching up an existing course before launching into the Old Testament course. I like my courses. 

Your prayers are requested for the following:

A) For the printing of the Province of the West Indies Spanish Prayer Book in a timely manner, and for the next round of ordinations, tentatively in the works for later this year.  

B) For the scheduling and plans for my next trip to Belize. Discussions are slated to resume in January.

C) For the Parish Development and Stewardship course that begins near the end of January; for the students who would be taking the course.

D) For the financial support in 2016 that would enable me to do that which the Bishop of Belize and the Holy Spirit may have in mind. For the students and courses, and for my role as Examining Chaplain.

E) That I would me do what God would have me do to in 2016. There have been some interesting developments in the past few weeks.

F) For parish visitations, sermons, potential trips, and other matters over the next few months. For safe and timely travel. 

G) For family members who continue to face major decisions, including suitable arrangements for my mother. 

H) For seasonal get-togethers, plans, and logistics, including safe and timely travel. For family members' health related issues.  

I) For God's provision for all our needs.

Thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.

God bless you. 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

Manchester, CT

Prayer Mail Dec 20

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail of Sunday, 20 December 2015. 

Although the timing is a few days in advance of the actual event: Merry Christmas, everyone!

This week:

A) I am sharing a link to really awesome video about the history of the Anglican Cathedral in Belize City that came to my attention yesterday, from one of the clergy in Belize: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0taO3-MIpHE&app=desktop

I think the Bishop of Belize has narrated it. If not, it sounds like him.

B) I am just about finished creating the Christian Ethics/Moral Theology distance learning course. This will be an awesome course.

C) Due to a change in faculty this week, my final course design in the basic set of the distance learning program is coming up (which is the final remaining course in the program): Old Testament content. This course complements the Old Testament Context course which I already created. The whole program is four years of work. With distance learning adults, students are generally second career and have time for one course at a time, as they are able.

D) Lydia finished her fall semester at Manchester Community College; she was the proud artist of "Hercules and the nonjudgemental chicken" - a still life drawing. Her artistic skills have improved dramatically in one semester.

E) Julie just finished two courses in Ascetical theology at Nashotah House seminary. Some of her interests took her in the direction of Anglo-Saxon Spirituality, which was awesome in itself. I can't believe I am associated with all these talented and brilliant people. Julie has now finished the academic side of her chaplaincy certification process, and is perched to go forward with the next phase of the application process.

Your prayers are requested for the following:

A) For the printing of the Province of the West Indies Spanish Prayer Book in a timely manner.  

B) For the scheduling and plans for my next trip to Belize. Discussions are slated to resume after January 1.

C) For the financial support in 2016 that would enable me to do that which the Bishop of Belize and the Holy Spirit may have in mind. That I would me do what God would have me do to in 2016.

D) For parish visitations, sermons, potential trips, and other matters over the next few months. For safe and timely travel. 

E) For family members who continue to face major decisions, including suitable arrangements for my mother.  

F) For Christmas get-togethers, plans, and logistics, including safe and timely travel. For family members' health related issues.  

G) For God's provision for all our needs.

Thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.

God bless you. 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

December Newsletter

 All Saints’ parish, Belize City, C.A. on All Saints’ Day. 3 hour

 service with confirmations. Photo copyright Fr. Shaw Mudge, 2015.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

It has been a great year on the mission front. Many people have been keeping up with my travels as I go back and forth to Belize.

Thank you for your support. What we have accomplished this year is quite impressive, both from the U.S. and in Belize. Much of it may not be visible, but it is a good          foundation for my next trip in 2016.

There were about 1,000 students and faculty who benefitted from my presence in various Anglican schools this year.

The Spanish Prayer Book project got off the ground, and it looks like the printing will be done in 2016. I have been invited to the formal presentation of the work when it is

finally published.

Our number of participating students continues to be strong in the distance learning   program, both lay leaders and clergy         students.

Over the next few days, I plan to finish my contribution to the entire four year program of the distance learning curriculum.

I anticipate more ordinations in 2016, on the Bishop’s timetable.

And many, many answers to prayer and opportunities for ministry occurred. Too many to number, both in the U.S. and in Belize,  because of the way the current ministry is structured. We accomplished a lot together.

Your financial partnership with us and your prayer partnership with us are important making a difference, filling real needs, and are appreciated as support of these missionary ventures. Your continued investment is very important for the ongoing ministry.

Onward to 2016! I am enthused!

God bless you all, and thank you for your support, in Jesus’ Name,

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

Examining Chaplain, Diocese of Belize

SAMS missionaries.

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