Christmas Newsletter

Vision.

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One of our missionary goals is to help Bishop Philip of Belize implement his diocesan vision of the work for the Kingdom of God, a task he has assigned to Shaw in various ways over recent months.

Among the ways he is doing this are: 1) as an advisor to Bishop Philip, 2) helping people with the ordination process, 3) as a retreat leader for the diocesan clergy and staff, and 4) in my role as Director of the ATI online program (the ATI online program is the theological college of the Diocese of Belize).

Because Belize is a pastoral size diocese, "how many" people go through the ordination process is not as important as "who" is going through the ordination process. The process is based on diocesan need, great or small, and every candidate has an important potential contribution to make to mission and ministry in the Diocese of Belize.

In the ATI program, itself, we have been assisted by people on the ground in Belize, and people elsewhere in the world. If you have seen the acknowledgements page of our public Web site, you will have noticed a list of about 25 or so individuals and dioceses who have helped make this possible, pro bono. We share a common vision.

But we are also curious about how many people might be taking advantage of what we have to offer on our public Web site. So, about a week ago, we added a counter to that Web site and discovered that 23 unique visitors have been taking a look at the theological library Web site just this week, with 86 hits on the Web site from those 23 visitors. That is very encouraging.

 

You play a part in making this vision for the Kingdom of God happen, as well. We can't thank you enough for your part through prayer, financial support, and/or in other ways.

 

And, looking ahead, 2014 should be another year of adventure. 

 

Ways to support us.

Your prayers and financial partnering with us help make this ministry happen.  

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.

https://secureq.net/Donations/SAMS/3397

Merry Christmas, and in Jesus' Name, God bless you,

Missionary in Belize. December photo of Fr. Shaw Mudge, taken by Rudolph Gladden of the diocesan office in Belize.

The Revs. Shaw and Julie Mudge Missionaries of SAMS and Albany. 

Prayer Mail Dec 9

Dear partners in prayer,

This week's selective overview: 

1) The trip to Belize was awesome. Words can not really describe it, and thank you for praying. Bishop Philip and I led a retreat for the Diocesan Clergy and then, we led a retreat for the Diocesan staff. The retreats were designed to help the diocese to move forward and make the necessary changes needed, according to God's vision for the Diocese. 

2) The reading that I prepared for Trinity School for Ministry's Advent Devotional (December 3) has been well received by people nearby and by missionaries overseas.

3) I kept track of the number of people using our public Internet theological Web site this week (Google site, including library of theologically related links). Over the first 5 days that I kept track, there were 17 individual users and about 63 hits from those users, accessing the Web site around the world. It was the first time that I kept track.

Prayer requests:

1) Pray for upcoming visits to Belize in January, March, May, and October, as well as the monthly vocational meetings and other matters as they arise.

2) Pray for wisdom as we move forward as a diocesan team, attempting to implement Bishop Philip's vision for change in the Diocese of Belize. Pray that people would continue to be inspired by the retreats that were held is week, and motivated to follow and support what the Holy Spirit is doing.

3) Please pray for my role as Examining Chaplain for people in the ordination process and the ordination process itself, that the Holy Trinity would accomplish what He would like done. Pray that we would be alert to spotting people whom the Holy Spirit would consider appropriate candidates for ordained ministry in the Diocese of Belize.

4) Continuing prayer in good times and lean times, that the Holy Spirit would guide: faculty, family, finances, plans, programs, and dioceses.   

5) Pray for additional upcoming parish visits in the U.S. and for the mission day presentations in March.

In Christ,

Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ 

I pray for you, everyday.

 

Scripture Prayer Dec 5

2Peter 3:18

 

But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Father God, we thank You for Father Shaw Mudge and his work with theological education in Belize.  We pray that his teaching and his missionary activities leads to many people growing tin grace and knowledge of your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We pray for special blessings on the clergy retreat that Father Shaw is helping Bishop Philip with.  May lives be touched and may your Holy Spirit be guiding all activities.  And we ask for travel mercies as Father Shaw comes home again,  Thank You.  Amen.

Prayer Mail

Dear partners in prayer,
Welcome to Advent! 

By the time people receive this on 2 December, I anticipate being on my way to Belize again.

This week's selective overview: 

1) Our Thanksgiving was good in its own way, though we missed our family members in Illinois. Hope yours was good.
 

2) I have been leading services over the past few days, as well as working on course matters and preparing with Julie for family gatherings at the end of December.
 

3) For a relatively low cost per month, I have worked out a new telecommunications network arrangement with Julie for when I travel internationally and not near a computer.  

 

4) The problems that may be associated with the new Yahoo security measure changes may be clearing up. I am still getting some email arrival delays, but more emails seem to be arriving in a much more timely manner. 

 

Prayer requests:

 

1) Pray for my visit in the Diocese of Belize this week. Pray for our family members while I am away.

 

1a) Pray that lives would be touched at the clergy retreat that Bishop Philip and I are leading.

 

1b) Pray for the planning of additional upcoming visits: end of January and first week in Lent.

 

1c) Please pray for my role as Examining Chaplain for people in the ordination process and the ordination process itself, that the Holy Trinity would accomplish what He would like done. 

 

2) Continuing prayer in good times and lean times, that the Holy Spirit would guide: faculty, family, finances, plans, programs, and dioceses. 

 

3) Prayer for additional upcoming parish visits and the presentation at the mission day in March.

 

In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ 

I pray for you, everyday.

Prayer Mail November 26

 

Dear partners in prayer, This is our weekly public prayer mail.   This week's selective overview:  1) I had a great time at the Diocese of Albany retreat this week. The Spiritual Life Center now has a considerable amount of new paving (various roads were paved during the retreat). 2) In the midst of the week, I discovered that Bp. Philip of Belize and I will be leading the retreat for the clergy in the Diocese of Belize, next week. I have been preparing. 3) A great parish visit in the Diocese of Connecticut this week.   Prayer requests: 1) Pray that I would listen to the Holy Spirit while I am with Bishop Philip in the Diocese of Belize next week. 2) Prayer that the Holy Spirit would move powerfully at services on Thanksgiving and this coming Sunday which I will be leading, in the U.S. 3) Pray for the upcoming visits to Belize: 1st week in Advent, end of January visit, 1 week in Lent. Please pray for my role as Examining Chaplain for people in the ordination process and the ordination process itself, that the Holy Spirit would accomplish in Belize what he would like done.  4) Continuing prayer in good times and lean times for the online program: faculty, family, finances, plans, students, and courses.   5) Prayer for additional upcoming parish visits and the presentation at the Diocese of Connecticut mission day in March. In Christ, Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+  I pray for you, every day.

jeannegizara@aol.com

Scripture Prayer Nov 23

Psalm 105: 1-4

 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;

     Make known his deeds among the people!

Sing to him, sing praises to him;

     Tell all the people of 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!

 

Lord, we seek your strength for Father Shaw Mudge and may he feel your presence continually.  Be with him as he prepares to go back to Belize.  May his travels be safe and timely.  Guide him as he prepares to lead part of the clergy retreat.

 

During this week leading up to our feast of thanksgiving, we give special thanks to You, Lord, for all that You have done for the Mudge Mission.  Thank You for the students in Belize.  May Father Shaw’s work lead to many more people knowing your deeds, your wondrous works.  Glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  May many more souls seek You and rejoice.

 

We offer up a special prayer for Lydia as she searches for employment and for Mother Julie in all her endeavors as well. 

 

We give thanks to You, Lord, with grateful hearts.  Amen

Prayer Mail

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

This week's selective overview: 

1) I plan to be attending the clergy retreat in Belize at the beginning of December, and Bishop Philip sent me a notice (that I saw yesterday) that he is looking forward to my leading part of it. I learn many things by email. 

2) I redesigned the online curriculum this past week, adjusting for the way matters unfolded on my trip to Belize at the end of October. Also, our third additional online faculty member has begun officially to prepare for teaching in 2014.

 

Prayer requests:

1) Pray that I would listen to the Holy Spirit while I am at the clergy retreat in the Diocese of Albany this week.

2) Pray for the upcoming visits to Belize: 1st week in Advent, end of January visit, 1 week in Lent. Please pray for my role as Examining Chaplain for people in the ordination process and the ordination process itself, that the Holy Spirit would accomplish in Belize what he would like done. 

 

3) I am praying about an upcoming visit to Tanzania. Your prayers about timing and content of that visit would be appreciated. I am getting a better idea on the course of action to take.

4) Continuing prayer in good times and lean times for the online program: faculty, family, finances, plans, students, and courses.  

 

5) Prayer for upcoming parish visits and the presentation at the Diocese of Connecticut mission day in March.

6) Prayer for Lydia in her job search. 

In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ 

I pray for you, everyday.