Muslim world beckons

A big sense of excitement and anticipation about our times – things are happening. 'Let's catch the wave!'

So said one delegate who attended the 'Medicine and the Muslim World' conference, held at Johnson House on 30 November 2013. CMF was co-host alongside Interserve, AWM and Frontiers, agencies which, combined, work in over 50 countries.

There are 1.6 billion Muslims around the world, making Islam the second biggest faith. While many associate Islam with countries in the Middle East or North Africa, nearly two-thirds (62%) of Muslims live in the Asia-Pacific region, according to US-based Pew Research analysis. In fact, more Muslims live in India and Pakistan (344 million combined) than in the entire Middle East–North Africa region (317 million).

Attendees heard about the huge world of opportunity that exists for Christian doctors and other healthcare professionals to serve Christ in Muslim settings: through traditional mission agencies but also a plethora of academic and NGO posts as well as private clinics.

In March CMF CEO Peter Saunders spoke on Christianity and Islam at a public event at University College London sponsored by the CMF group. Pray that seeds sown among Muslim students will bear fruit.

East Anglia focus on leadership

Leadership in the NHS was the theme for a high-quality, 'helpful and timely' conference for members from East Anglia region (Addenbrooke's, 8 March). Members everywhere report stresses, from the need to work in an increasingly complex NHS but with diminishing resources. Several commented they were greatly encouraged by original and highly practical biblical insights on servant-leadership.

Future plans for East Anglia region include home meetings two or three times a year for food, fellowship and Bible study. There is determination to help people from across the generations to meet one another. This is in addition to an annual Christmas Carol Service and a future regional conference. Speakers included Peter Saunders (Bible reading), David Pitches (servant leadership) and Howard Lyons (marketing the NHS internationally).

Outgoing

Peter Finch (St. Thomas') to Zimbabwe
Christine Kiire (Oxford) to Malawi
Philip Meager (Liverpool) to Thailand
Tina Maddison (Birmingham) to Thailand
Dina Robertson (King's College London) to China

Homecoming

Becky Hammond (Norwich) from Somaliland
Kieran & Sarah Dinwoodie (Glasgow) from Uganda
Valerie Inchley (Liverpool) from Nepal
Simon (Guy's) & Jane Daniell (Cambridge)from Kenya
William & Patricia Turner (Cardiff) from Ghana

Obituaries

Andre Stockley (q Guy's, 1945) CMF notified 17 December 2013.

Katherine Hill (q Dublin, 1947) worked at the forefront of preventative medicine in underprivileged areas of Sheffield for many years.
Died 17 January 2014.

Bernard McCullough (q The Middlesex, 1962) a missionary doctor in DR Congo for 13 years and a GP in Eastbourne for 22 years.
Died 15 February 2014.

Olive Todd (q UCL, 1947) died 12 January 2013.
CMF notified 12 March 2014.

Dates for your diary

April
9 Paediatrics Breakfast The ICC, Birmingham
25-27 CMF National Conference Yarnfield Park, Staffordshire
30 Rheumatology Breakfast ACC Liverpool

May
9-11 Junior Doctors' Retreat Abernethy Ardeonaig Outdoor Centre, Scotland
17 Saline Solution NCF Scotland, Glasgow
21 Ophthalmology Breakfast The ICC, Birmingham

June – July
29-11 Developing Health Course Oak Hill College, London

July
19-26 XVth ICMDA World Congress Rotterdam, Netherlands

September
13 Careers Day Conference CMF, London

CMF Staff Vacancy

CMF is looking for a Public Policy Researcher. Based at CMF's office in central London, this new part-time role (two days a week) is to assist the Head of Public Policy and the Chief Executive in CMF's public policy work. The successful applicant will have a degree-level qualification, preferably with some medical and/or scientific experience or qualification. Experience of bioethics and some understanding of policy, media and Parliament would be highly beneficial. Closing date is 7 April. For further details and an application form please email recruitment@cmf.org.uk

London students reading group

John Wyatt is working with the CMF Student Team to organise a London-based student reading group. Over the years CMF has been at the cutting edge of promoting awareness on ethical issues and part of the programme will be a carry-over from John's involvement with the annual KLICE conference on ethical themes. Alongside the need for grounding each generation of students in ethics, CMF is discerning a need to offer 'thought-leaders' training, to raise up a future generation of Christian medics who can be of influence at the cutting edge of ideas and education. Membership is by invitation. If you are interested contact Giles Cattermole: giles.cattermole@cmf.org.uk