national graduates' conference report

It feels like a long time since the National Graduates' Conference took place in Swanwick over the May holiday weekend. The main conference theme was On Wings Like Eagles and so it proved for many delegates. Hugh Thomson's Bible readings on Isaiah 36-40 provided a great source of encouragement and challenge. Attendee's feedback was uniform in appreciation of these sessions and you can listen to the full recordings in the Media section of our website.

There was also the usual range of topical seminars covering a wide range of practical issues, such as workplace evangelism, the stewardship of money and Christian practice in the new NHS. This practical feature of the conference is always popular and attracts wide participation. Feedback from seminar participants demonstrated high levels of interest and engagement in the discussions and suggestions for additional themes to be explored in future conferences.

Vicky Lavy and Ted Lankester directed our thoughts to the opportunities available to doctors and other healthcare professionals for service in resource-poor countries, some of which are otherwise closed to the gospel. Ted's lecture on opportunities to engage in global health work, included some vivid examples of successful projects in Asia and other parts of the world. Many found these sessions inspiring and were encouraged to look at the bigger picture. A summary of the lecture is available in Triple Helix.

Not that everything was work at the conference. The weather was excellent and the programme provided free periods that some used to go on an organised walk, sit outdoors and catch up with old friends, have ad hoc meetings or simply enjoy some private time to sit and read. The bar area was well patronised in the evenings, and everybody welcomed the chance to spend time in conversation with friends old and new, away from day to day duties and concerns. The conference centre staff were characteristically cheerful as they served us delicious and abundant meals three times a day. I am still trying to exercise away the extra pounds gained as a consequence!

Since I had only been in post for less than two months, this year's conference was also a great opportunity for me to meet so many of the members and to experience the encouragement of being in touch with the many facets of Christian medical service that are trademark of the Fellowship.

Pablo Fernandez is CMF Head of Graduate Ministries.

students

goodbyes and hellos

This summer we bid a very fond farewell to Matt Lillicrap, our staffworker based in Newcastle and to our three interns, Kerry Lim, Von Madanire and Liz McClenaghan. We are very thankful for all their work and partnership in the gospel, and we pray God would bless them as they continue to serve him in different ways.

We're always looking for people willing to work for CMF, either in a voluntary capacity as an intern or associate, or more formally as a staffworker. So please do pray as we seek to fill these gaps… and consider whether you might be the answer to that prayer! By God's grace, we look forward to Scott Stadalsky (staffworker) and Megan Kibbey (associate staffworker) joining us in Dundee in August. Please pray for them as they settle in, and build good relationships with the students and with others involved in student work there.

summer events

Please pray for our student events this summer. We have three teams planning to join medical student camps and conferences in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus in August and September; 29 August - 2 September is our own Summer School in Cumbria, a more in-depth study week (with lots of fun!) for about 20 students. And the week afterwards, we've been invited to join UCCF for student leader training at 'Forum', which is very exciting – a really good chance to develop relationships with Christian Union leaders.

Finally, please pray for our graduating members starting work as doctors in August, and for freshers coming to medical school in September/October. This is a crucial time for them!

international

who is my neighbour?

Have you been to our one-day workshop on medical mission? It's a day for those who are exploring possibilities in international work, and also for those who plan to stay put but want to support others. Our next workshop is in Newcastle on 12 November and we are taking bookings for 2012 – contact vicky.lavy@cmf.org.uk if you're interested.

STAT – Short Term, Able to Travel

Are you interested in serving overseas? The STAT list is a register of members who want to hear about short-term needs such as locums in mission hospitals, help with training or extra support in a crisis. We send intermittent email alerts to members on the STAT list – you might be the person to fill the gap, or might know someone who could. The list is growing – if you would like to be added to it, email vicky.lavy@cmf.org.uk Short and long term needs abroad are listed on the CMF website at www.cmf.org.uk/international

International Study Group

Do Christian organisations make a difference to health in the developing world? Does short term mission do more harm than good? What comes after the Millennium Development Goals? These are some of the questions that the newly-formed International Study Group is investigating. We aim to provide a Christian voice in the International Health arena. Contact vicky.lavy@cmf.org.uk to find out more.