how CMF members connect

You may still be wondering what CMF is all about? Well, a great way to connect and be encouraged by others is in a local CMF group.

Church? CU? CMF?

A CMF group is not a church, nor is it the same as a Christian Union (CU). We think it's vital that all Christian nursing and midwifery students are committed to their local church and their CUs. CMF is complementary to church and CU, not an alternative. So, try not to clash and avoid meeting on the same evening as CU or regular church activities. The aims and activities of a CU are very similar to some of CMF's aims, especially praying for and reaching your friends with the gospel. But CMF is also explicitly focused on integrating your faith with your vocation.

CMF is for life

Nursing and midwifery are vocational; nearly all of us will go on to be nurses and midwives long after we graduate. Becoming Christian healthcare professionals is a career-long process, and it's essential to understand and practise our vocation in a Christian way from the very beginning.

The nursing and midwifery side of CMF is much newer than the established medical part of the fellowship, so we are still growing in terms of new members and established student groups. It's exciting to see God growing something fresh and how appreciated the fellowship is for nurses and midwives. And if there isn't yet a group near you, please consider being part of the answer and helping start one!

how does it work?

Most groups meet monthly and have a varied programme, including sharing and prayer or looking at a biblical perspective on key topics in healthcare. CMF produces many resources to help with this, including sharing faith with patients, beginning of life, ethical decisions, avoiding burnout, and keeping compassion alive as a nurse or midwife.

We also are in the process of developing links with qualified nurse and midwife members in different regions to create opportunities to meet or receive mentoring and support.

We hope this has given you a feel of what can happen locally. Please email us at nursesandmidwives@cmf.org.uk and let us know where you are based, and we'll seek to connect you with others near you.

As Christian nurses or midwives, we are given particular opportunities to serve God's kingdom that few others have. We need to take this seriously and ask how our careers can be used most effectively for his glory. CMF is here to help you in this, building a movement of healthcare professionals passionate for the glory of God in and through our vocations.