A Ministry of CMDA for Medical Wives

 Rochester, MN, USA

 "Standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side" Phil. 1:27

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Since it’s beginning in 1988, Side By Side has been such a blessing in the lives of so many women through the years.  The bond that we share as women who are married to physicians and dentists is unique and the fellowship we share at Side By Side is dear.  And what we have been so blessed by, we have longed to share.

In 2003, a group of women joined together in an effort to do just that.  They began actively seeking ways to promote Side By Side to a national audience in hopes that other women would want to start chapters of Side By Side in their own communities.  But try as we might, we could not get anything off the ground.

In 2005, we joined forces with the Christian Medical Dental Association (CMDA).  And will you believe it¼CMDA had been praying for a ministry just like ours - whose goal was to minister to medical spouses – for about three years.  Isn’t God awesome? 

Through CMDA, we have gained access to international exposure and networking and have been privileged to meet with people from around the world.  It came as no surprise to us to find that there is a true desire for the type of fellowship and support that we experience at Side By Side. However, we were honestly astounded by the success of this new endeavor. And just this past year alone, we have seen God start chapters in many cities around the country with a current total of 25 throughout the regions of this country. In June we met women who desire to bring this ministry to Canada and Ukraine. It has been an amazing ride!

Along the way, we chose the name Side by Side.  The name fits our purposes well.  We are standing side by side our husbands, striving side by side our sisters and walking with our Lord.  “Standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side¼” Philippians 1:27.

Perhaps your husband will be finishing up his training in the near future and you will be leaving our Side By Side fellowship.  If so, we would like to encourage you to pray about starting a chapter in your new community.  Even if you have never even thought about doing this before, God may be whispering to you that this is His plan!  Above all, rest assured that you would not be doing this legwork alone.  We’ll provide you with materials, training and one on one support!  Plus – through CMDA, we are able to put you in contact with others in your new community who would be willing to partner with you!  We will really work with you to get your chapter going!

Please pray about it.  We can help train you to do this while you are here in Rochester.  But please let someone know that you are prayerfully considering it. Satan loves to discourage us and detour us from God’s will. We will want to join you in prayer and encourage you along the way. 

Now, if you aren’t leaving Rochester, MN perhaps you know someone else who would love to get involved in this ministry in another city?  Please help us spread the word!  We have chapters in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Saginaw, Michigan, Indianapolis, Indiana, Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Charleston South Carolina, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville, Florida, Richmond, Virginia, Augusta and Atlanta, Georgia, Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, Minneapolis, Minnesota, San Antonio and Dallas, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona, Bend, Oregon, and Fresno, California.  God is so good!!!

Whew!  And this fall, we are hoping to start in Grand Haven, Michigan, Blacksburg Virginia, Wausau, Wisconsin, Springfield, Illinois, Baltimore, Maryland, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Greensboro, North Carolina. God is so good!!!

Email us with questions about how to start a chapter or just learn what’s happening in the rest of the country.  You can also sign up for our monthly devotion e-newsletter, On the Side, which you don’t want to miss!

So as the 2007-2008 year gets underway, we look forward to getting to know each of you!  We are so thrilled you are a part Side by Side-Rochester!  God bless you!

To see more about Side by Side visit this link : http://www.cmda.org/sidebyside

Robin Morgenthaler (Chairperson, living in Rochester, MN)

Avery Wolff (Vice Chair, living in Columbus, GA)

Jeanne Lindsay (Central Region, living in Eau Claire, WI)

Heidi Sems (Northeast Region, living in Rochester, MN)

Ceresa Caudill (Southeast Region, living in Rochester, MN)

Laura Thomas (Western Region, living in Rochester, MN)

 Send mail to sbs.webmaster@gmail.com with questions or comments about this web site.
 Last modified: 10/31/08