Printed from: https://archive.cmf.org.uk/advocacy/pressrelease/?id=119
Published: 17th October 2012
21 October is Healthcare Sunday – a day for churches to encourage, support and pray for doctors, nurses and those working in healthcare.
An initiative of the Christian Medical Fellowship, Christian Nurses and Midwives, and Healthcare Christian Fellowship, it is hoped churches will mark Healthcare Sunday and make use of the resources that have been produced.
Dr Peter Saunders, Chief Executive of Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF), says: 'Many more people pass through our hospitals and GP surgeries than through our churches, and Christian doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers play a key role as Christ's hands and feet at the sharp end of society with the opportunity to touch people's lives at what can be their greatest time of need.
'They also face big ethical and moral pressures in a workplace which is often hostile to Christian faith and values. As ordinary Christian disciples facing these challenges and with their own personal, spiritual and emotional needs, they need our prayer and encouragement.'
Steve Fouch, General Secretary of Christian Nurses and Midwives, says: 'The nursing profession has deep roots in the Christian faith. We need to remind ourselves and those in our churches who work in the NHS of the Christian call to care, to encourage them that they are doing God's work in caring for the sick, the disabled and vulnerable, and to thank them for the work that they do.
'Healthcare Sunday is a chance for churches to thank, encourage and support health professionals in our churches.'
Ann Silvester, Regional Co-ordinator of the Healthcare Christian Fellowship, and founder of Healthcare Sunday, adds: 'Healthcare touches every member of our community in one way or another, often at our point of greatest need.
'Healthcare is a shared community responsibility and we believe a Sunday to focus on health is part of the answer to see the Church reclaim a place of influence in the health of society. Focused, believing prayer for this important sector of our society could bring about transformational change that will affect the whole of our nation. The whole Church, praying, is needed to see this happen and Healthcare Sunday is an opportunity to do just that.'
Click here to see a video presentation which will be shown in churches and small groups.
Click here to see the full collection of resources available from the CMF website, including a prayer, and other videos.
Steven Fouch (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9668
Alistair Thompson on 07970 162 225
Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) was founded in 1949 and is an interdenominational organisation with over 5,000 doctors, 900medical and nursing students and 300 nurses and midwives as members in all branches of medicine, nursing and midwifery. A registered charity, it is linked to over 100 similar bodies in other countries throughout the world.
CMF exists to unite Christian healthcare professionals to pursue the highest ethical standards in Christian and professional life and to increase faith in Christ and acceptance of his ethical teaching.
