New Publications

We have several new publications in the pipeline at varying stages of development. Michael Webb-Peploe is editing a new book titled Christian Distinctives in Medicine, which we plan to publish late this year. It is composed of thirty-five chapters and draws on the extensive archive of excellent material published previously by CMF We also plan to re-publish Cure for Life by Bernard Palmer shortly. Two thousand copies have been pre-sold thereby ensuring that the costs of the print run are covered even before CMF sales. Another member has been commissioned to write a sample chapter and to prepare chapter summaries for a new book entitled Hard questions about health and healing. Following receipt of this material, a decision will be taken regarding the publication of the book in 2003.

Dominic Beer is editing a new multi-author book on the 'Mad, Bad or Sad?' debate in psychiatry which will discuss the nature of evil and mental illness and is in advanced preparation. Work is also proceeding on producing a revised English edition of John Wyatt's book Matters of Life and Death. A French translation is already in existence, and work has already begun on a Russian translation.

Web site (www.cmf.org.uk)

The web site continues to attract a substantial number of hits (over 500,000 visitors thus far) and the hit rate is likely to increase further with the launch of the completely re-designed and more attractive web site shortly. A revised CD-ROM is being produced to include all of the additional material on the new web site. The Publications Committee has also agreed that a web site should be set up either as part of the CMF site or separately to highlight the resources for schools offered by CMF which have proved so popular, particularly by those pursuing A level religious studies.

CMF Bookpacks

300 students and doctors at the ICMDA World Congress will receive a 'gift pack' of CMF publications consisting of Matters of Life and Death, Christian Choices in Healthcare, the CMF CD-ROM, and back issues of Triple Helix and CMF Files. This will be a great boost particularly for those from developing countries or others where Christian medical literature is in short supply.

CMF Files in Schools

In autumn 2000 we sent complimentary copies of the first 10 CMF Files on medical ethics to the heads of Religious Studies in the UK's 2,000 largest secondary schools. These have been well received and well over a hundred schools have ordered copies of the CMF CD-ROM or other publications subsequently. We now plan to send the next 7 CMF Files to the same 2,000 schools and all 17 files to a further 1,000 schools. Issues of medical ethics come up frequently in school RS curricula and the CMF website has been one of the first ports of call. Having a CD-ROM in a school library means that our material is even more accessible and that more students and teachers will be reading it.

Publications Fund needs support

With all of these new projects, and the fact that we haven't specifically appealed for some time, the CMF publications fund is currently at low ebb. If you would like to help to top it up, so that we can continue with more projects like those on this page, then please feel welcome!