National Junior Doctors' Conference
A new world is on its way,' Matthew Brailsford reminded Junior Doctors attending their annual conference (25-27 October). 'It is important to hold onto that in a world that is broken, with its disasters, terrorist attacks, poverty, disease and death.' Matthew, who is vicar from Hull, expounded themes from 1 Peter, a letter written to people whose ancestors had been uprooted, sent into exile and had never returned to their country of origin. So they always sensed being aliens where they lived.
Christians today are sojourners too, he said. We are not immune from the troubles besetting our world, but we are called nevertheless to be a people of hope, pointing to God's future. Nearly 100 Junior Doctors came for the event at the idyllic Hothorpe Hall in Leicestershire (25-27 October). Everyone enjoyed the usual great mix of worship, good food, fun and games, and teaching and seminars. Delegates commented on the 'relaxed atmosphere of the weekend', another said they benefitted by 'being challenged'. Audio recordings of Matthew's three talks are on the CMF website: cmf.li/1aUpswS
Irish students encouraged
There was a bumper attendance at the CMF Irish Students' Conference (15-17 November) at the Faith Mission Centre in Durrow, Co Laois. It was particularly encouraging to welcome students from Galway for the first time for a while. Main speakers were Laurence Crutchlow (Sermon on the Mount) and Matt Lillicrap (Ephesians) while seminars featured Matt Lillicrap (time management), Abi Crutchlow (psychiatry), and Tim Lewis (careers).
ICMDA World Congress
We hope a strong contingent of UK doctors and medical students will sign up for the 2014 World Congress of the International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA). It is to be held in Rotterdam 19-26 July; the theme is 'Serve, Share and Shine'
The 2014 Congress will sound a joyous note as ICMDA celebrates 50 years. It was back in 1963 that doctors from 16 different countries gathered in Amsterdam for the first ICMDA Congress. Who of them would have guessed that under God the network they founded would grow to over 70 national member organisations?
Living as we do in the relative comfort and safety of the UK and Ireland, it can be difficult to appreciate the challenges some of our brothers and sisters in other countries face. It's a huge encouragement for them to know they are not alone and there are like-minded Christian doctors and students from whom they can draw strength. Attending an ICMDA world or regional event creates vital connections and many of those who attend go home to take key roles in Christian witness in the profession.
The programme is packed with highly relevant lectures and seminars where topics include faith and science, the challenges of working crossculturally, sharing the Good News, career choices, preventing burn out, integrity in medicine, leadership, worklife balance, medical missions and a range of ethical issues. A Congress flyer is included in the current CMF mailing. Do plan to come and book soon to catch the 'early bird' rate. The organisers are arranging free accommodation with host families for those who wish to reduce costs.
World Congress Bursary Fund
Even if you can't come to the ICMDA World Congress yourself, then why not help someone else to go instead? Please prayerfully consider giving a generous gift to enable doctors and students from resource-poor countries to attend. We hope UK members will contribute at least £20,000. For details on how to give see the CMF website: cmf.li/1ieR3P1
Developing Health Course hits new high
This year we had an almost record-breaking attendance with 68 delegates, working in 11 different countries. We had a wonderful mixture of participants including doctors and nurses working overseas long-term, juniors hoping to go out after foundation training and seniors planning to go in retirement. A number of medical, nursing and midwifery students came as day visitors. We held a mission fair during the course with 16 mission agencies, Bible Colleges and support organisations exhibiting.
Next year's course runs from 29 June – 11 July, with the Mission Fair on the evening of 2 July.
New issue of DLS planned
The Doctor's Life Support has been a great resource for doctors and medical students worldwide over many years. CMF members often testify how particular daily readings have spoken into their circumstances in ways the original writer could never have foretold. Work is underway to produce a new edition of DLS and the plan is to launch the new book at the ICMDA World Congress in Rotterdam, 19-26 July 2014.
