Autumn conferences

Autumn is traditionally the time when CMF holds most of its regional conferences for graduate members; and again this autumn our conferences reflect the wide range of activities in which members are involved.

This year's Psychiatry Day Conference is on the theme 'Christianity and serious mental illness'. It examines such themes as:

• Is there any connection between mystical experience and psychosis?
• Is demonic influence relevant to mental illness?
• What should the church be doing for people with psychosis?

The theme of the Northern Weekend Conference is 'The Meaning of Success'. Society judges success by how much money one earns or what one does for a living or how powerful one is. But how should a Christian respond in the face of such values? Jim Hayhurst in his book The Right Mountain – Lessons from Everest on the Real Meaning of Success would have us believe that success is 'the achievement of one's life's goal without compromising one's life's values'. Paul in his letter to the Philippians discusses the value of ambition (desire to succeed) and in particular points out the importance of placing Jesus at the centre (aiming to glorify God) rather than self-centred ambition which is aimed at our own glory. (Philippians 3:3)

The Oxford Day Conference is titled 'Medicine: Still a vocation?' For the Christian doctor, in addition to our secular vocation is the Christian 'calling' to serve Christ and 'make him known'. It can be hard to fulfil this role within the present health service with its changes and frustrations. On a similar theme the Scottish Conference 'Depending on God' asks if we really depend on God rather than trying to live the Christian life in our own strength.

The Midlands Day Conference this year focuses on how we can best relate to colleagues and patients from Muslim backgrounds. There is a real opportunity for Christians to reach out to show the love of Christ in the current environment when there is such obvious tension within the Muslim community and so much uncertainty with the ongoing violence in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile the Saline Solution roadshow continues with a further five day conferences around the country this autumn along with further conferences run by CMF staff in India, the Netherlands and for nurses in England.

Information about Local Groups for graduates, juniors and students are available on the CMF website at www.cmf.org.uk/fellowship

We hope you can enjoy come to at least one of these events to be rested and refreshed , gain from the fellowship, encouragement and teaching, and meet afresh with God. If you are unable to come then you could also benefit from tapes available from the CMF Office. Full details of all conferences are available on the CMF website at www.cmf.org/events/ and dates and venues are listed on page eight of CMF News.