Another new staff worker
We are delighted to announce that Audrey Chalmers has been appointed as a second CMF graduate staff worker. Audrey will be supporting graduates and regional teams all across Scotland, with some involvement in wider UK activities. She joins Charlotte Hattersley who, based in Hull, has already started as a graduate staff worker for junior doctors. Audrey answered a few questions:
What can you tell us about yourself?
I'm no longer in my 30's, have been happily married to George for 18 years, and we have two tall blonde children who take after their father! We live and work in Glasgow where I am a consultant anaesthetist with a special interest in intensive care. Previously I trained and worked as a GP Principal for a short time before returning to hospital practice. We are members of Kirkintilloch Baptist Church, where we often sit in the front row, but only because we are usually five minutes late!
What do you think of CMF today?
CMF aims centre on discipleship, evangelism, mission and values. It has a wide-ranging ministry in all these areas, but unlike many other 'pressure groups', there is a strong focus on support for individual doctors and others in the allied professions as they live out these aims daily. I think this lends a clear sense of purpose and legitimacy to the work. The organisation is firmly rooted in God's Word, and committed to its application in our professional and personal lives, which is great!
What appeals to you about this job?
I am excited about the prospect of encouraging CMF members to support and encourage each other in Christ. I feel very fortunate to work in a large department with caring and supportive colleagues. This became very relevant personally to me a few years ago, when I witnessed my father's cardiac arrest, attempted resuscitation, and death in the hospital where I was working. We take caring for our patients as the norm, but there is also a tremendous privilege in being able to care for our colleagues. It is really exciting to be able to explore ways of taking that support for colleagues beyond just 'being nice' to them, by bringing the God of all comfort into our working relationships. A strength of the job is that it allows me to continue in clinical practice, which should encourage me to practise what I preach!
What would you like to see happen in CMF Scotland?
CMF groups already meet regularly in a number of places. I hope to learn from these, facilitate new groups, and share resources and ideas between groups. I am keen to encourage mentoring beyond junior doctor years, with appropriate literature and training for mentors. It would be fantastic to see CMF viewed as a vital resource for growth in our Christian and professional lives, and to see Christians exerting a positive influence on the broader culture of healthcare. 'By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another' (John 13:35) sums up something of my vision.
Onto the front foot' and more!
'A real boost to faith and encouragement for everyday practice'
'A great time for meeting old friends and making new ones' 'Wonderful – heaven was near at times!'
'Hit the spot. Just what I needed to hear – encouraging and challenging'
'Thank you – I will come back!'
There were a record 271 participants at Swanwick in April. John Lennox gave challenging Bible readings from the book of Acts and in the Rendle Short Lecture Richard Vincent spoke on the Christian's role in medical education (see Triple Helix). There were excellent seminars and time to enjoy worship and relaxation together. If you've not yet been to our annual conference, do note the dates for next year: 29 April-1 May 2011
New Head of Graduate Ministries 2011
I retire at the end of March 2011 and CMF will soon be advertising for my successor. Please help to make this widely known, and if you would like to know more, please contact Peter Saunders or myself.
EA conference
Over 40 attended the East Anglia day conference: There is a season..? Surviving and thriving in the different stages of life. For the first time in some years the conference had a pastoral theme and Steve Midgley from Christ Church Cambridge gave the main Bible reading with follow up contributions from three CMF members in early, middle and later professional life – both heart-warming and challenging!
Growing vision for pastoral care
The pastoral care scheme for foundation doctors was restarted for F1s in 2009 and will expand to F2s this year. If you would like to be a carer, or be connected to a carer, please let me know. To meet the challenge of supporting all our members across the country we plan to recruit about 30 volunteers who will 'drop a day for CMF'. If you think this might be for you, please contact me.
CMF and the churches
We are convinced the Lord is calling CMF to be more actively involved with churches. This would involve appointing church reps to support CMF members and non-member doctors, providing resources for churches, and equipping members to minister to the churches in CMF's areas of expertise. We have held meetings in two large London churches, and hope to develop similar contacts countrywide.
