the CMF podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This week, Sally and Ben discuss the recently released film, ‘ Wicked’, and in particular, the film’s counter-cultural emphasis on friendship. They also survey the latest news on the Assisted Dying Bill and how they're thinking about it now that it has passed its second reading.

 References:

In the show, Ben and Sally mention that the Bill passed with a majority of 55 MPs – that means that just 28 MPs would need to shift from a 'yes' to a 'no' vote (or abstain) to see this defeated at the third reading. The article below shows that some MPs who voted 'yes' (more than 28) did so while stating public concerns. They could switch their vote if their concerns cannot be addressed by the committee stage:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/assisted-dying-mps-vote-bill-b2656510.html

Transforming Friendship: Investing in the Next Generation- Lessons from John Stott and others, book by John Wyatt

https://ivpbooks.com/transforming-friendship 

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In this episode, Drs Felicia Wong and Grace Petkovic explore the significance of menstruation from a theological perspective. They delve into the hormonal cycle,  discuss societal taboos, and the negative narratives often associated with menstruation. 

Fur further reading:

• In the Flow by Alisa Vitti 

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In the final talk of the CMF National Conference, Dan Strange covers the theme 'Idol comments'. Listen now!

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Alice is a palliative care specialist. In a speciality that has always focused on touch, close personal interaction and open access visiting, COVID-19 and social distancing measures have totally changed the way that she is caring for the dying and the bereaved. It is taking a toll on her team as well as on dying patients and their families. As she goes into these difficult situations, how does her faith equip her to respond in such a time as this?

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Mental health is a big issue in the current crisis. Today we talk to Hans, a psychiatrist from Switzerland. Uncertainties about the illness, its effects on us and our loved ones, on our livelihoods, on everyday life, can all lead to anxiety and isolation. How can we cope with these strains on our mental health? Are there positive challenges and opportunities to be discovered in these situations? 

You can find out more about ICMDA at https://icmda.net and at our COVID-19 blogs at https://cmf.li/COVID19blogs

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What about those who aren't on the COVID-19 frontline?

Steve works at CMF and is a consultant neuro-rehabilitation specialist. He was due to go into partial retirement just as the lockdown began, and found himself at home with no clinical role and watching his colleagues putting their lives on the line to care for patients. How has this affected him? What is he doing now, and how are the non-COVID patients he sees dealing with the situation? It's not just some health workers who feel sidelined. And, in the midst of all of this, what does Steve hear God saying?

You can read Steve's blog Sidelined? Or waiting for God’s time to serve?

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Tom is a senior consultant in pain medicine, specialising in portable devices that help manage chronic pain. Although he practised for many years in the US, he is now working in the UK. How is COVID-19 having an impact on his work? How does he see his faith equipping him to meet the needs of his patients?

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Lee is a neonatologist, working with very premature babies who need intensive support in the first weeks of life. He recently volunteered to work at the London Nightingale Hospital, working with adults on ventilators with COVID-19. He supports more junior staff who are less experienced in nursing ventilated patients. How does he reconcile his Christian faith with the suffering he sees as a result of COVID-19?

Remember to #ClapandPray with us on social media on Thursdays from 20:10  (8:10 pm) UTC+1

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Rachael is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Manchester. Before the pandemic she was halfway through her neurology placement, but since COVID-19 interrupted her studies, she has been volunteering at the hospital, helping out in practical ways supporting clinical staff. With her studies suspended and the coming months looking really uncertain, how is her faith helping to keep her focused and grounded.

You can read more about CMF's student ministry at https://www.cmf.org.uk/students/

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Chelsea is a paediatric critical care nurse who has been re-deployed to an adult ICU caring for COVID-19 patients. What is it like moving from child to adult intensive care? What is it like working twelve-hour shifts in PPE with the most seriously ill COVID-19 patients? How is she processing all she has had to deal with over the last few weeks?

You can read more about CMF's nursing and midwifery ministry at https://www.cmf.org.uk/nurses/

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