Contents

Cover stories

News & views

8    Your letters – on the pain of estrangement and articles you’ve enjoyed
22    Tastes good and does good – How chocolate is changing women’s lives
48    Book club – Recommended reads and an interview with Naomi Reed
51    Next month – Looking ahead to our March issue

Good advice

16    We are all more than our gender – Why a gender-neutral childhood can be good for our children
28    Could you be the perfect mother-in-law? Six important do’s and don’ts to remember
35    Are you being tested? – Our trials and challenges are stepping stones to spiritual maturity, says Joni Eareckson Tada

Real lives

10    Rev Dr Isabelle Hamley shares the privileges and challenges of being chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury
14    ‘My fight for justice’ – Michelle Diskin Bates describes how her world fell apart when her brother was accused and convicted of murdering Jill Dando
18    Coaching, mentoring or counselling? – Three women explain what worked for them
25    A spinster and proud of it! – Hopeful Girl thinks it’s time to reclaim this misunderstood word for unmarried women

Ideas and inspiration

39    Prepare for Lent – A selection of quotes, prayers and ideas to inspire you
45    Tried and tested – A new translation of the New Testament sheds fresh light on the key passages about women
46    Weekend – Things to see and do this month

Reflections

7    Open our hearts, Lord – Our prayer for the month
30    Who are you on the inside? – Can we change our core selves, asks Penelope Wilcock
32    A woman of integrity – What an ancient prophet can teach us today about speaking the truth in love
36    More than saying sorry – Why true repentance is vital if we want to grow
50    A real romance Why – Nick Page wants to ditch Valentine’s Day