CMF Ministry plans for 2009
A PowerPoint giving an overview of CMF's ministry plans and budget for 2009 is on the CMF website
Subscriptions and Direct Debits
Over the next few weeks you will get a letter announcing a subscription increase from the beginning of 2009. Details and explanations will be in that letter, tailored for your particular situation. The good news is that we now have a Direct Debit facility. We encourage you to take this up, to make life easier for you and the office and to reduce costs. Please take the few minutes necessary to complete that process.
Online book sales
The CMF bookstore can now take payments online, either through CMF's new secure system or, particularly if you are already registered with them, through Google Checkout. Please look though the new Publications Catalogue in your recent mailing or check the website and then order online. And do introduce family, friends and colleagues to our books and periodicals.
Zimbabwe appeal launched
As we thank donors for their generous response to the CMF Autumn Appeal we are joining ICMDA to raise money to bring medical relief through church-based Christian doctors and nurses to cholera patients in the disastrous Zimbabwe outbreak. See latest news for the history of the epidemic and the Christian response, the Press Release and our Appeal . £6 will save a life!
Head of Student Ministries still needed
With Mark Pickering due to leave in February, we have still had no applicants. Please pray and promote this urgent need.
Euthanasia and PAS
December has been incredibly busy. Scottish MSP Margo MacDonald had her own Panorama to plug her proposed PAS bill; SKY showed the controversial documentary of MND patient Craig Ewert's death at Dignitas; Lord Joffe has indicated he would like to bring another bill back to Westminster; the DPP declined to prosecute the parents who arguably assisted Daniel James' suicide at Dignitas; Evan Harris MP came 5th in the ballot for Private Members' bills; and Lord Warner has signalled his attention to hijack the government's Coroners and Justice Bill, announced in the Queen's Speech, to amend the law to allow assisted suicide. Meanwhile the PM Gordon Brown has expressed his personal opposition to a change in the law.
CMF opposes these pressures mainly through our membership of the Care Not Killing coalition but CMF staff alone did 22 major radio and TV broadcasts this month. The CCFON Media Centre is always a good place for keeping up with media coverage.
December conferences
Our last two conferences of the year took place in parallel at Hothorpe Hall and were well attended by juniors, and regional secretaries and member representatives. All were 'encouraged by being together and stirred to persevere'.
Office closure
The office will be closed from 3pm on Christmas Eve until 9am on Monday 5 January 2009.
Christmas
As we wish you rest and refreshment this Christmas and New Year, let us remember and rejoice that
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14)
