Prayer Mail

Dear Friends, 

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday 18 August 2015. Attached is our newsletter for August 2015.

Thanksgivings for our continuing online seminary education program for Belize. We have just completed 3 years worth of courses, and we have one more year to go before the full number of 19 courses is complete. At the end of October 2016, ideally all courses would be available in a 24/7 format of some kind, with possible textbook, workbook, audio, and/or video alternatives in the works after that point, to meet continuing need.

Among the highlights of this past week: 

1) Finished preparing the Preaching course (begins in October). The course will be a combination of preaching theory, reading-hearing-seeing sermons, and sermon critique of student sermons by a sermon committee of the student's choice. On to the next course, either Old Testament content or General Church history, depending on circumstances regarding the faculty.

2) Had an awesome time preparing for supply work at St. Paul's in Brookfield, CT, while the rector is on sabbatical. We have not even started yet, and the Holy Spirit has been very active. Praise God!

3) Our god-daughter and her husband had their marriage blessed by the Pope, in Rome, on their honeymoon. Photos were on FaceBook, so it must be true.

Prayers:

1) Prayer for the continuing online seminary education program in Belize that all would be done to God's glory, for our ministry fruitfulness and for the students, faculty, parish clergy, Commission on Ministry members, and diocesan staff involved. 

I heard today that one of the faculty may not be able to teach in January; so we may either have to rearrange the curricula next year, or I simply step in and teach (create the course, first). Your prayers for wisdom would be appreciated.

2) For the Pastoral Ministry course which begins in less than two weeks.

3) Prayer for the plans I am trying to line up for the October trip to Belize, with a key aspect being a Spiritual Director of the Cursillo weekend there (held every two years).

4) For the ongoing Belizean projects of the Prayer Book printing and theological library plans.  

5) Pray that I would listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit on what to say and do in the next several months, especially at St. Paul's in Brookfield.

6) Please keep various family members in prayer about: relationships, events and appointments, decisions to make, educational goals, gainful employment, and fruitful ministry. Lydia resumes her college courses in a few weeks. Julie is finishing one Nashotah House hybrid course, just in time for the next one, as well as doing everything else she does.

Your prayers are very important. I am praying for you every day.

God bless you, 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends, 

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday 9 August 2015. 

Sunday was "Diocesan Day" for the Anglican Church in Belize. Every parish gathered at St. Ann's in Belmopan followed by an afternoon of fun and fellowship. 

Among the highlights of this past week: 

1) Spent a considerable amount of time tracking down good sermon examples this week for my online preaching course for Belize. I know a lot of great preachers. Have been reviewing written sermons, oral sermons, and video sermons. Totally awesome experience.

2) Was working on preparation for parish supply work for both the Albany diocese and The Episcopal Church in Connecticut (current name used in the Connecticut diocese). 

3) Had a great time at St. James' in Lake George, NY, on Sunday. Julie had a great time at St. Mary's in Manchester, CT, on Sunday. Last week, we both took time out and simply attended Church in Kentucky with Hannah and Lydia; I like our family, and when we can do things together, that is awesome.

Prayers:

1) For the ongoing Belizean projects of: course development, the Prayer Book printing, theological library plans, and text book production plans.  

2) Pray that I would listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit on what to say and do in the next several months as I visit churches, and in preparation for my next anticipated trip in October at the time of the Cursillo Weekend in the Belmopan area. Also, for wisdom in my daily contacts with people in Belize.

3) Please keep various family members in prayer about: relationships, events and appointments, decisions to make, educational goals, gainful employment, and fruitful ministry.

Your prayers are very important. I am praying for you every day.

God bless you, 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends, 

This is our public prayer mail for Sunday 2 August 2015. 

Among the highlights of this past week: 

a) I have finished the preparation for one course, and begun preparation for another course, and added another adjunct faculty member (in Belize) to supplement our overall online program. 

b) This week, I updated my Diocese of Belize informational Web page, including the latest postings from the "Anglican News" (diocesan newspaper). This site is intended to be bare-bones in order to meet the needs of Anglican Internet users throughout Belize and interested parties abroad (about 2400 people have dropped the site by since it was created). 

[The Diocese also has a FaceBook page which is named for the diocesan Synod with which it was originally associated. The name association with the Synod lives on...] 

If you are interested in a current overall status of ministry needs and hopes in Belize, check out:

https://www.sites.google.com/site/dioceseofbelizecpwi/news 

c) Am also working on preparation for parish supply work in both the Albany diocese and The Episcopal Church in Connecticut (current name used in the Connecticut diocese) during August.

Prayers:

1) For the ongoing Belizean projects of: course development, the Prayer Book printing, theological library plans, and text book production plans.  

2) Pray that I would listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit on what to say and do in the next several months as I visit churches, and in preparation for my next anticipated trip in October at the time of the Cursillo Weekend in the Belmopan area. Also, for wisdom in my daily contacts with people in Belize.

3) Please keep various family members in prayer about: relationships, events and appointments, decisions to make, educational goals, gainful employment, and fruitful ministry.

Your prayers are very important. I am praying for you every day.

God bless you, 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends, 

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday 28 July 2015. 

Among the highlights of this past week: 

1) I continue to prepare for my next online live course for Belize students: to begin on August 29, at the same time, I have been doing supply work at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Darien, Connecticut since I arrived back from Belize. 

2) The organization of the ATI library in Belmopan, Belize, is about to enter its next phase.

3) Julie finished the course at Nashotah House his week and is visiting Ruth, again.

Prayers:

1) For the ongoing Belizean projects of: ATI course development, the Prayer Book printing, the ATI library plans, and text book plans.   

2) Pray that I would listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit on what to say and do in the next several months as I visit churches, and in preparation for my next anticipated trip in October at the time of the Cursillo Weekend in the Belmopan area.

3) Please keep various family members in prayer about: relationships, events and appointments, decisions to make, educational goals, gainful employment, and fruitful ministry.

4) Our goddaughter is getting married in Kentucky on Saturday. Go Caitlin!

5) I am celebrating a birthday this week.

Your prayers are very important. I am praying for you every day.

God bless you, 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends, 

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday 21 July 2015. 

Among the highlights of this past week: 

1) I continue to prepare for my next live course: "Pastoral Ministry", to begin in late August. Students have begun to register.

2) Julie is taking a course at Nashotah House his week and visiting Ruth, our eldest daughter, along the way.

Prayers:

1) For the ongoing Belizean projects of: ATI course development, the Prayer Book printing, the ATI library plans, and text book plans.   

2) Pray that I would listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit on what to say and do in the next several months as I visit churches, and in preparation for my next anticipated trip in October at the time of the Cursillo Weekend in the Belmopan area.

3) Please keep various family members in prayer about: relationships, events and appointments, decisions to make, educational goals, gainful employment, and fruitful ministry.

Your prayers are very important. I am praying for you every day.

God bless you, 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends, 

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday 14 July 2015. 

I hope your summer is going well.

Among the highlights of this past week or so: 

1) Two students each finished a different 24/7 online course, and another student registered for a 24/7 course (a course that is different from the other two). I have quite a few 24/7 online courses operating simultaneously. There are about 10 or 11 students in total who are registered.  

2) I have been designing and preparing my next live course: "Pastoral Ministry", due to begin in late August.

Prayers:

1) For the ongoing Belizean projects of: ATI course development, the Prayer Book printing, the ATI library plans, and text book plans.   

2) Pray that I would listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit on what to say and do in the next several months as I visit churches, and in preparation for my next anticipated trip in October at the time of the Cursillo Weekend in the Belmopan area.

3) Please keep various family members in prayer about: relationships, events and appointments, decisions to make, educational goals, gainful employment, and fruitful ministry.

Your prayers are very important. I am praying for you every day.

God bless you, 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,  

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday 7 July 2015. 

Among the highlights of this past week: 

I have arrived back in the United States after a fulfilling trip. 

As so much transpired, it is a bit of a challenge to summarize the trip. I miss both my new and my continuing friends, whether they be students, faculty and staff, parishioners, people in the ordination process, Lay Ministers, clergy, ex-pats, the diocesan office staff, people I met along the way, neighbors, in government, in business or other enterprises, in education, and more; no matter what language(s) they may speak: whether Mayan, Garifuna, Belizean Kriol, Plautdietsch, English, or Spanish. 

My friends range in age from about 1st grade (or younger) to at least age 90 (or older), across two parishes, 3 schools, and among the folks in the various towns such as Belize City, Belmopan, Georgeville, Central Farm, Santa Elena, San Ignacio, and more, and in all walks of life. I met many brilliant people. I was honored to get to know them better.

Perhaps the note from Bishop Philip is as good a summary as any:

Dear Dr Mudge,

....Many thanks for the time you have spent with us this time around - especially for your pastoral oversight of the faithful at St Andrew's, San Ignacio, and the mission churches attached to it.  From all accounts your ministry has been well received.  On their behalf, I certainly want to also express the diocese's gratitude for your unwavering commitment to the work of the diocese.

Now, I continue with course development work and planning for the next trip in October, as well as other plans along the way. There is more to do. 

Prayers:

1) For the ongoing Belizean projects of: ATI course development, the Prayer Book printing, and ATI library organization and extension. 

2) Pray that I would listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit on what to say and do in the next several months as I visit churches, and in preparation for my next anticipated trip in October at the time of the Cursillo Weekend in the Belmopan area.

3) Please keep various family members in prayer about: relationships, events and appointments, decisions to make, educational goals, gainful employment, and fruitful ministry.

Your prayers are very important. I am praying for you every day.

God bless you, 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.