New Head of Student Ministries
There is good news on student staffing. We are delighted to announce the appointment of Giles Cattermole as the new Head of the Department. A consultant in emergency medicine, he is currently working in Hong Kong, but will join us in London in January 2010. Giles has a long track record of supporting students on summer camps at home and abroad, as a church leader, and as Medical School Secretary in Cardiff, and has much to offer CMF. We will give him a full introduction in the Christmas edition.
New interns
In addition, we anticipate having two student interns join the office in September. They replace Will Taylor, who marries fellow student member, Daisy Acres, before returning to Newcastle medical school in August. He will be sorely missed for his dedication and good humour.
Need new members for NSC
The National Students' Committee will say goodbye to many of its reps this summer, and we are keen not just to recruit, but to disciple, mentor, equip and 'radicalise' the leaders of tomorrow. We have a unique training programme for Christian medics, and want to help them make the most of their student years - see Daniel 1:20.
Graduation services for new doctors
Graduation services are being planned in Aberdeen, Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow and London, to help new graduates remember that medicine is a vocation as well as a career (Ephesians 2:10).
Newcastle have also invited working doctors to rededicate their lives to 'the Great Physician', at a time of increasing change, uncertainty and opposition.
Summer missions
Many students are involved in a variety of summer missions. Members are supporting Christian medical camps in Armenia and for the first time, Azerbaijan.
New student staff worker for the North-East
We have just appointed Matt Lillicrap, and interview him here:
Who are you, and how did you end up in CMF News?
My name's Matt and I'm starting as the North-East CMF staff worker from August.
OK, but we want to know more than just your name - Who are you? What are your passions in life?
Well, I'm married to Anika and have an extremely cute 3-month old daughter called Charis. We live in Gateshead, but I'm originally from the Garden of England, Kent. As for my life's passions, God's wonderful gift of cricket has to get a mention! But what really excites me is people coming to know and love Jesus.
How did you come to be in the North-East?
Anika and I came to Newcastle to study medicine in 2001 and qualified in 2006. I've been working full time since, and am coming to the end of ST1 in Core Medical Training (2nd year SHO in old money). Anika has now side-stepped medicine for motherhood and is at home full time.
Can you tell us about your church involvement?
I'm part of Holy Trinity Gateshead (HTG), a church plant from Jesmond Parish Church in Newcastle. I've loved being part of it from the beginning, and seeing how God is working to grow his church. I've particularly valued the opportunity to be a Bible study leader and to preach occasionally.
So why are you becoming a CMF staff worker?
As a student, CMF was a great support to me, especially in teaching me how Jesus' lordship should shape me as a doctor. I pray that as a staff worker God would use me to help medical students work this out in their lives. I know that he will have lots more to teach me too.
That sounds great. How will you actually do this in the two days a week you have?
I'll be supporting the student CMF leaders as they run their groups, and seek to grow in godliness and understanding of biblical ethics. I also hope to encourage and equip them in their evangelism.
How can we be praying for you as you prepare for and start your new role?
- For wisdom to know how best to use the CMF time I have each week
- That I would get to know the students quickly and be an encouragement to them
- That I would be a godly example in my medical work.
Thank you.
Alex Bunn is Acting Head of Student Ministries
