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Letter from the Editor: ‘God gave us the command to take a Sabbath rest’
I’m sure I’m not the only one whose social life gets an upgrade in the summer. During the warmer months, I am the sender and recipient of what seems like hundreds of invitations to go here, there and everywhere.
‘God gave me a prophetic word that I would be salt and light in the dark place of the media’
TV presenter, Tearfund ambassador and now author Gemma Hunt talks to our editor Doll Fisher, about how her career has developed
Whatever age you are, God is not finished with you
Carolyn Castleberry Hux shares the story behind her book, Women at Halftime
WA Bookclub with Claire Musters: This month I’m reading…
I Guess I Haven’t Learned that Yet by Shauna Niequist (Zondervan, 978-0310355595)
Five things I have learned about… loneliness
Cathy Madavan shares shares helpful insights about those times when we can all feel isolated
A lesson from sunflowers
Walking through a field on a warm August evening, my eye caught sight of a glimmer of colour. There, standing tall but alone in the middle of the field, was the glorious bright yellow head of a sunflower. It seemed confident and not at all out of place among the dreary brown vegetation. Its bright, sun-filled face beamed at the world beyond
OUR GIFT TO YOU THIS CHRISTMAS
WINTER WARMER
Read Premier Woman Alive to your heart’s content. Find out how you can access our winter warming special offer, and get 3 months’ unlimited online reading plus 3 issues of the magazine.
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Martha and Mary: learning to simplify
Elaine Storkey unpacks the story of the two sisters, and shows us that the traditional interpretation doesn’t give us the full picture
‘Being pregnant with an eating disorder can feel like a minefield’
Award-winning mental health advocate, author, speaker and founder of #DumpTheScales, Hope Virgo developed anorexia as a teenager. Here she shares how it impacted her recent pregnancy
Reading the Bible in a year
Alex Noel challenged herself to read every part of the Bible – and found her life changed as a result
Signs & Wonders in everyday life
Stories of God’s intervention
‘I was left vulnerable to abuse’
Pat Brooker, 82, shares her story of growing up in Fiji, Singapore and Malaysia, and how she found healing from childhood abuse through forgiveness as an adult
Celebrating 40 years of Woman Alive!
‘It’s so exciting to be heading up a brand with such rich history and potential’
Signs & Wonders in everyday life
Stories of God’s intervention
What causes bloating?
Your health questions answered by our resident GP, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé
Shining a light on Black British history
Lola Jaye wrote her new book The Attic Child during the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, in 2020. Here’s what she told us about how the story unfolded
The Baby Whisperer
Sue Gray describes how she became a doula and why she is passionate about helping mothers and newborns
‘No matter what we’ve been through I’ve never lost hope’
Colleen Haynes Sheehy married a man with a disability, against her family’s advice. Sadly he passed away, but she went on to marry another man with the same disease
God, me and ADHD
Margaret Reed Roberts was diagnosed in her late 40s. Here she describes the unsettling journey it has taken her on
Five things I have learned about… reading the Bible
Cathy Madavan gives us some helpful advice on how to approach God’s word
'I love Jesus and Gucci'
We discovered Tina RoseLawless via her Instagram account (@TinaRoseLawless). Enchanted by the photos of Tina in high-end fashion, her beaded creations and colourful style, our editor Tola-Doll Fisher was curious to find out more about the woman behind what is fast becoming a signature brand
A Prayer for The Queen’s Jubilee
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee means big celebrations for many of us this month –loved ones and neighbourhoods coming together, family gatherings and street parties, rejoicing and commemorating this special occasion of 70 years of the reign of Her Majesty the Queen.
Understanding the menopause
As she personally juggles perimenopause with work, family life and church leadership, Claire Musters reports on a conference organised by the Kyria Network to help women understand what still - despite the media coverage it has been given in recent years - appears to be a taboo subject
Traditions are important…but don’t fret when things don’t go as planned
Veronica Zundel believes we need both a smattering of special moments and the more mundane in our lives
God's miraculous provision and calling to Scotland
Your stories of God’s intervention
My mother aborted me
Melissa Ohden, wife and mother to two girls, is a pro-life advocate, author and speaker. She gives us a glimpse into her experience of discovering she survived an abortion, and her resulting quest for truth
Married at 66!
Annie Kidd shares how God has drawn her closer to him throughout her life experiences – and gave her an unexpected gift later in life
Lucy Grimble: From struggling with self-doubt to leading thousands in worship
Devon-based Lucy Grimble has led worship at venues as large as Wembley Arena and The Royal Albert Hall and her fourth album, Between the Shadow and the Sun, was released in October. Here she speaks with Jemimah Wright about how she moved from being a private worshipper to leading others
Jesus the entertainer
Elaine Storkey looks at the skilful way Jesus told stories that drew people in, but ultimately challenged them
‘I can get you a six-pack, but I’m far more interested in getting you into heaven!’
Coach Estelle Wallace partners with Jesus to teach people to approach their wellness holistically
Girls’ Brigade: A 130-year legacy
As it celebrates this momentous birthday, we take a closer look at the history of the Girls’ Brigade
Five things I have learned about… the art of celebration
Cathy Madavan encourages us to look beyond the usual Christmas trappings, to reflect on what we can be grateful for every day
‘Enough is enough’ for gun and knife violence
Broken-hearted by the death of Elianne Andam, Marcia Dixon gives a passionate call to us to engage with the issue of gun and knife violence
Well-known Christians reflections on Christmas
Here is a taster of a new book full of reflections, carols, poems and prayers for the festive season!
Eating disorders don’t take a break at Christmas
Hope Virgo urges us to take time among the festivities of the season to be more mindful of those around us and the struggles they may have
Redeeming mixed-sex relationships
Bobbi Kumari believes that this generation has an opportunity to redeem mixed-sex relationships so that they become pure and honouring
Celebrating the hope we have this Christmas
A message from Doll
Celebrating Christmas
Sinead Mcleod shares a thought and a prayer for Christmas
This month I’m reading… The Gifts of Christmas
Hosted by Claire Musters
Finding the light in the midst of so much darkness
A message from Doll
Standing up for faith in politics
Previously leader of the Liberal Democrats and currently the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron is host of the ‘A Mucky Business’ podcast, which delves into politics through the eyes of Christians. He recently interviewed Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who narrowly missed out on her SNP leadership bid to Hamza Yusuf earlier this year. Having experienced a similar backlash, Tim recognises her defeat as an attack on her Christian faith, which dominated the headlines during the leadership campaign. She shares how she dealt with that storm and comments on whether there is now an impassable ceiling for Christians in politics
WA Book Club: This month I’m reading…The Bride by Joy Margetts
Hosted by Claire Musters. This month I’m reading…The Bride by Joy Margetts (Instant Apostle, 978-1912726752)
Amplifying the voices of abused Ugandan women
From being a World Vision-sponsored child, living in poverty to gaining a theology certificate at Oxford University, Racheal Mutesi speaks with Jemimah Wright about her passion to be a voice for the horrendously abused women in her community
The blessing of serving
Marcia Dixon highlights the servant heartedness of many women in the black Christian Church
Trusting God’s sovereignty in singleness
Bobbi Kumari encourages us to think differently about our status – and sexuality
There is no biblical justification for persecuting women
Elaine Storkey unpacks an Old Testament example of disturbing patriarchal violence, before revealing how the New Testament highlights the high value God places on women
Stop the persecution of women
Words are visceral and help explain the often unfathomable, because what is left unsaid and unnamed becomes corrosive and toxic. Ignoring uncomfortable truths breathes life into polarisation and discord, fuelling persecution, intimidation, racism and sexual violence. These razor-sharp, brutal realities damage society and tragically destroy countless lives.
Walking free of shame and stigma in pregnancy and beyond
Hope Virgo asserts that parents suffering from mental ill-health really need the Church to step up and provide support
Five things I have learned about…humility
Cathy Madavan gives us some great ideas to actively cultivate more humility in our lives
Mission & burnout
Author Ann-Louise Graham looks at how we can stay in ministry without going under
'God gave me friends' and other testimonies...
Signs & Wonders in everyday life
Life after adultery and divorce
Beryl Moore, 87, had a dramatic conversion in her 40s after adultery and divorce, and subsequently leading a renewal and healing centre in Kent
‘Do men hate women? Or do they just fear us greatly?’
Veronica Zundel looks at the mistreatment of women round the world, and ponders the origins of such abuse
Furniture, food and friendship
Lucinda Croft spoke with Alex Noel about how God led her to set up The Wholesome Warehouse, a charity that tackles the needs of the most vulnerable in West Sussex
Deconstructing faith is trending – but hold on to your Bibles
Author, worship leader and respected apologetics speaker, Alisa Childers addresses the topic of deconstruction head on, giving us insight into her upcoming book, The Deconstruction of Christianity
“Without Faith it is impossible to please Him”
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Without treatment, children like Shanice are at risk of a lifetime of blindness.
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Embrace a Faith-Filled Christmas with Premier Christian Marketplace
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‘I have seen God work miracles through the natural ingredients’
Jemimah Wright spoke to Sotonye Odugbemi about the origins of her business, Daughters of Botany, as well as her deep-rooted faith
‘Who really wants to be “evangelised” (and without an anaesthetic)?!’
Veronica Zundel challenges us to check we are fulfilling God’s full mission mandate
From Hollywood to Jesus
Speaker and author Cynthia Garrett was the first African-American woman to front a network late night show – Later with Cynthia Garrett. She now hosts The Sessions with Cynthia Garrett on TBN. She spoke with Jemimah Wright about her dramatic journey to real faith in Jesus
The animated gospel
Rita Mbanga, a producer with Sunrise Animation Studios, talks about growing up in a politically turbulent Zimbabwe and why freedom of speech and authentic storytelling is in her blood
‘We too are commissioned to continue Jesus’ mission’
Elaine Storkey looks at two biblical passages in which God commissioned people – and shows us that we are called to the same mission today
Walking with Jesus through complex grief
Sarah Portal has faced significant losses since an early age, including friends and family members.
Living out your life mission
Within every hope and flicker of a dream is a core value bursting with love, true brilliance and wonder; it is ever ready to shine. It is our values and talents, both God-given, that when combined create our unique yet powerful purpose; one we would be wise to follow.
From beauty therapist to vicar
Rev Kaye Gardiner spoke with Becky Hunter-Kelm about her journey from beauty therapist to vicar
A word for the Sainsbury's delivery guy
Your stories of God’s intervention
Let’s not be afraid of our sexuality
Bobbi Kumari encourages us to be confident in the way we have been made as women, and to embrace our gender roles
It’s time to start having uncomfortable conversations about mental health
Hope Virgo has some advice on reaching out to people in practical ways so that we fulfil God’s commandment to love everyone
It’s time for something new
A message from Doll
God has called women into every sphere of influence
Marcia Dixon explores how the black Pentecostal Church has encouraged women to step into all the roles God has for them
Five things I have learned about…sharing my faith
Cathy Madavan encourages us all to find winsome ways to share the good news with those around us
Book Club - Say Goodbye to Anxiety
This month I’m reading…
Kate Bottley - a curator of faith
Rev Kate Bottley spoke with Catherine Larner about getting older, being on TV, writing a book, and the freedom of wearing a dog collar
Acts 435 - helping donors step into the gap for those with nowhere else to turn
Acts 435 is an online giving charity that enables individuals to donate directly to the specific needs of those in local communities around the UK, through a network of local churches and charities.
Presenting the best full-text Bible for Children
Good News Bible – Children’s Rainbow Edition
Yes, another podcast (but you’ll love this one!)
A message from Doll
Jesus first, Olympics second
Our editor, Tola-Doll Fisher, spoke to Olympic athlete Abigail Irozuru about her drive, sense of identity, faith, culture and personal struggles with body image
Mama got faith!
Author, podcast host and founder of award-winning teen girls platform Girl Got Faith, Emma Borquaye, wife of rapper ‘Guvna B’ speaks with Jane Knoop about the highs and lows of motherhood, and the realities of being married to a famous rapper
Behind the scenes: offering debt help in the cost of living crisis
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Book Club - Unashamed by Tracy Williamson
Hosted by Claire Musters
Awake to the world around us
Recently my son’s school held an eco-themed week, where the children were encouraged to walk to and from school each day while keeping a record of the nature they spotted on their travels as well as picking up litter. The growing awareness that we are in the midst of the most challenging battle of our times is irrefutable.
Five things I have learned about…recycling
Cathy Madavan shares what she has learned about budgeting and finding your value in more than just what you earn
God heard my cry and moved us to Scotland
In August 2021 I was absolutely frazzled and God encouraged and challenged me to both seek his way and walk in it (Jeremiah 6:16). My husband and I needed to get away and during a last-minute Google search for accommodation, Dunoon in Scotland came up. We booked, borrowed my dad’s car and went.
Faith and Tik Tok
Premier Gospel’s Cassandra Maria spoke to actor, presenter, comedian and social media sensation Coco Sarel about her rise to fame and her faith in God
God’s creative work is outstanding, but we are failing to look after it
Elaine Storkey looks at what the Bible says about God’s love of creation, his ownership of it and what our responsibility towards it should be
'Gals' that brunch
Tiffany Accardi is the founder of the worldwide women’s community movement Gals That Brunch, which involves 100,000 women, spans six continents, 12 countries, 150 cities and 35 states – and is constantly growing! She spoke to Becky Hunter-Kelm about her difficult childhood, her career and ministry journey, and her heart for placing the lonely in family
The transforming power of abiding in God’s love
Bobbi Kumari encourages us all to spend time with our Father, learning his ways. It is as we do this that we can begin to truly believe in – and experience – his deep love for us and walk into the freedom of being fully transparent before him
‘I was face to face with a former IRA terrorist’
For decades Sara-Louise Martin lived with loss and battled with unforgiveness related to her father’s death. Then, in the summer of 2022, she was faced with a challenging opportunity to step into freedom and healing
Support for single mums
Marcia Dixon charts the complicated history the black Pentecostal Church has had with lone parents
Help for those struggling with addiction
Rev Sharon Murphy has been driven by a 20-year mission to minister to people living on the margins – especially young people impacted by alcohol and drugs
Do genetics hold the key?
Hope Virgo explores the link between genetics and mental health issues, and how advances in research are helping our understanding
God has plans for the future of earth – so should we
Veronica Zundel asserts that it is time to take God’s mandate to look after the world and all that it is in seriously
Milestones
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We don’t like talking about it but…
A message from Doll
Is there space for faith in politics?
Alicia Edmund is head of public policy at the Evangelical Alliance. She spoke with Jemimah Wright about her journey to faith and her passion for seeing God’s values outworked within the political arena and society at large
Five things I have learned about…financial planning
Cathy Madavan shares what she has learned about budgeting and finding your value in more than just what you earn
The unique ministry of a ‘Big Fat Greek Mother’
Becky Hunter-Kelm spoke with actor, writer, speaker, comedian and mum of three, Olga Thompson about her dramatic encounter with God, a breakdown during early motherhood and how she lives out her faith in the comedy and entertainment space
Memorizing Scripture
Hosted by CLAIRE MUSTERS
What it means to be on mission for Jesus
Elaine Storkey reflects on the legacy of a faithful friend – as well as Jesus’ instructions to his followers – to share principles we can all live by
Embracing doubt
When the simple Pentecostal faith she inherited cracked under pressure, Dr Selina Stone’s faith evolved into a spacious, generous theology. She spoke with Jane Knoop about how this has changed her life
‘I became the first white woman ever to be ordained in northern Uganda’
Emmy Wilson, 70, has lived an extraordinary life, treating AIDS patients as a nurse in the 80s and taking Alpha into prisons around the world
Are we spending more than we earn?
Elizabeth Mackenzie BA(Hons) ACIB DipPFS spoke with Jemimah Wright about how she became an independent financial advisor and the advice she has for us during the cost of living crisis
‘I spent thousands on therapy because I wasn’t thin enough for support from the NHS’
Hope Virgo lifts the lid on the spiralling costs for those trying to get help for mental health issues
From atheist to Christian author and other miracle stories
I was an atheist, living my life my way and getting nowhere fast. I was disabled, in chronic pain and was depressed. I finally had enough and called out to Jesus to heal me or take me, as I’d had enough of life and wanted the pain to end. Jesus ...
‘I’m glad that the prosperity gospel is on its way out’
Marcia Dixon charts the history of the black Pentecostal Church’s relationship with money
‘Mothers have been so devalued’
Actress and singer-songwriter Jessica Oyelowo spoke with Muyiwa Olarewaju, head of Premier Gospel, about stepping away from the limelight to support her family, the struggle for her identity – and why she wanted to honour motherhood in her latest album
Why I teach people about sexuality
Bobbi Kumari explains that it isn’t for purity or holiness that God called us, but to experience true intimacy
In praise of Greenbelt (for anyone who isn’t quite sure about it)
Veronica Zundel shares her memories of the slightly alternative and often criticised Christian festival, which turns 50 this year
The priceless love of God
A thought and prayer for August
Waiting for love
Jemimah Wright met and married her husband in six months, after years of waiting, aged 44.
Understanding the Gospels
Elaine Storkey shares how she approached writing her latest book, Meeting God in Matthew (SPCK). In doing so, she provides tips for readers’ own close study of the Bible.
This month I’m reading…The Body Revelation
July Woman Alive book club with Claire Musters.
Five things I have learned about…reading
Cathy Madavan is a self-confessed bookaholic, but here she explains why reading can be good for all of us.
5 Ways to Say ‘I’m Sorry’ by the man who brought us the 5 Love Languages
Premier’s Inspirational Breakfast host Esther Higham spoke to Dr Gary Chapman, author of the New York Times bestselling The 5 Love Languages® series, about his latest book The 5 Apology Languages.
Are women too strong for their own good?
Woman Alive editor, Tola-Doll Fisher, spoke to Monique Thomas about her debut book Pressure Off and the important messages she has for women in the Church.
‘Does reading bring us closer to God?’
Prayer and reflection
The Woman Alive podcast is coming this summer!
A message from Doll
What kind of parent would plan out their children’s lives in every detail from the get-go?
Reflecting on a recent holiday, Veronica Zundel considers how it mirrored life’s unexpected turns.
Healing miracle at Luton airport!
Your stories of God’s intervention.
Strongholds of the mind
Bobbi Kumari explains how the demonic can gain access to our lives through our negative thinking.
From suicidal to life coach
Elizabeth Elliot, 74, shares her story of God’s healing from an emotional breakdown.
Faith of a mustard seed
A Christian Bookshop in Marlborough started 30 years ago from a women’s Bible study group.
‘If you can’t write, read’
Marcia Dixon says the black Church has hugely benefitted from the people who lift the lid on taboo subjects by telling their stories.
Debunking the myth of the “summer body”
Mental health campaigner Hope Virgo unpacks why we are seeking too much value from our physical bodies and what we can do about it.
Yes, it’s probably going to rain this summer…
A message from Doll
Every day is an adventure
Prayer and reflection
Fancy going on holiday for next to nothing?
As the cost of living rockets many of us simply don’t have the spare cash to book a holiday. That is where the genius of Christian House and Church Swap (CHACS) comes in. Now celebrating its 20th year, founder Vivienne Wills-Crisp tells us how it all started – and how you can reap the benefits!
The truth about sex
Caitlin and Cole Zick of Moral Revolution spoke with Jemimah Wright about the importance of sharing the truth on sex with young people, and how to have better conversations about God’s design for sexuality
June Woman Alive Book Club
This month I’m reading…
‘This is what home should feel like’
Interior designer Alix Wagner spoke to our editor, Tola-Doll Fisher about creating safe homes and the reality of furniture poverty
Does Jesus really want us to give away all we have?
Elaine Storkey challenges the usual interpretation of the New Testament story of the widow’s offering, and reveals what we can learn from it today
We sold everything to live on a boat
Melanie Gush tells her story of adventure with God: selling her family’s home to move on a boat with her husband and three teenage girls
Joanna Gaines on telling our stories…
In this book extract, New York Times bestselling author Joanna Gaines on how she learned to break free from years of hiding her true self, and continues to challenge untruths she has believed
Travel has helped me develop a greater understanding of my faith and family
Marcia Dixon shares her own personal experiences of travelling the world, including her first trip to Jamaica, her country of origin, and the different expressions of church
Fighting fast fashion is every Christian’s responsibility
Stella Faith founded Moda Etik in Istanbul, one of the biggest fashion hubs in the world, as a brand and community to challenge the greed in the industry and to re-engage Christian women with fashion
Slowing down can help to change the course of the climate crisis
Environmental campaigner Hannah Eves is the policy coordinator for A Rocha UK, Britain’s only Christian conservation charity. Here she shares her belief that we are intimately connected with God, his earth and each other
Five things I have learned about…how to ‘travel light’
A recent house move forced Cathy Madavan to be ruthless with her belongings. Here she shares what she has learned about our tendency to hoard
Eating disorders don’t take a holiday
Hope Virgo, author, campaigner and advocate, shares candidly about the extra pressures and difficulties those with eating disorders have to navigate when they travel
My teenage son came back to God
Your stories of God’s intervention
Why’s everyone naked on TV all the time? A Christian perspective on the au naturel telly trend
As Channel 4 release another show about nudity, writer Lauren Windle asks if they are really reaching their goal of normalising different body types
What is faith?
Veronica Zundel unpacks how we each exercise faith every day, and the importance of evidence in the absence of proof
Her miracle moment, at last
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Donate and make dreams come this Christian Aid Week
Your gift this Christian Aid Week will help make dreams come true for vulnerable families like Esther’s in Malawi.
A message from Doll: A Coronation celebration!
As I write, the song ‘New season’ by Israel Houghton & New Breed is playing on Premier Gospel radio. It seems particularly appropriate since the sun is shining outside in the centre of a bright blue sky; a sight for sore eyes after a long and wet winter coupled with ...
Would it surprise you to learn 65 per cent of British black Caribbean women are single?
Marcia Dixon’s new book highlights the huge gender imbalance in the black Church, affecting a catch-all group of millennial, middle-aged and mature women who wish to be married
Women have never held power in patriarchal societies but we can still effect significant change
Elaine Storkey unpacks the biblical story of Esther’s to reveal her courage in risking her own security to preserve the lives of others
Testimonies: No rain on my wedding day...
Signs & Wonders in everyday life. Your stories of God’s intervention
Suffering is a natural part of life
As well as sharing her passion for writing, WA’s much-loved Veronica Zundel talks honestly about the deep valleys in her life – including her brother’s death, caring for a child with special needs and facing cancer twice
Parents, do not despair - there is hope for our young people!
Alongside all the current crises they are facing – mental health challenges, societal pressures, and an epidemic of faith deconstruction that is leading some to walk away from Jesus – Liz Bewley is convinced that the Holy Spirit is moving
My husband was addicted to porn for 20 years
My husband lied to me for 20 years but God told me to give him another chance
Landscape Artist of the Year says, ‘I feel truly alive when I paint’
Susanna MacInnes got to the semi-finals of the 2023 Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year. She spoke to Jemimah Wright about her creative journey
Five things I have learned about…embracing the ordinary
Cathy Madavan encourages us to celebrate each day, and to savour the small moments as well as the big
God gave us a building for £1!
Victoria Armstrong is the founder of the Oasis Centre in Gorton, Manchester. When she first moved there as a student, she could never have imagined the vision God would give her
A prayer of thanks – and hope
The flowers of May are the Lily of the Valley, which symbolises the return of happiness, alongside the Hawthorn, which means hope – how apt as we look forward to the longer, warmer days of summer. In Matthew 6:28–31, a simple and profound idea is presented: “And why do you ...
I put God at the centre of my birth experience
Kierra Blaser shares her story of learning to ‘co-labour’ with God, and started the Kingdom Childbirth Class to prepare women both physically and spiritually for birth
‘How can we make space and time to listen to God when we are always doing at least two things at once?’
Veronica Zundel looks at the lost art of ‘monotasking’ and how important it is for our relationship with God
Coronation Special: ‘The coronation is inescapably Christian’
Many of us will be watching King Charles III’s coronation on Saturday 6 May at Westminster Abbey in London, but what does it all mean? Author Catherine Butcher explains the Christian symbolism at the heart of the event
Coronation Special: How to be a queen
As this magazine reaches your doormats, the anticipation of King Charles III coronation on 6 May will be reaching fever pitch. The last coronation of a king, Charles’ grandfather, George VI was nearly a century ago, on 12 May 1937.
‘Any sex outside of God is unsafe’
Bobbi Kumari reveals the physical repercussions of intimacy without boundaries, focusing on sexually transmitted diseases
Can the Bible be represented visually using every word?
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God told me to give up my career
Your stories of God’s intervention
God provided us with furniture
Your stories of God’s intervention
Why I left the Pussycat Dolls
When Kaya Jones joined the Pussycat Dolls in the early 2000s, she dreamt of being the US equivalent of the chart-topping Spice Girls and their dedication to Girl Power! Sadly, her experience of the music industry looked very different. Cassandra Maria, from Premier Gospel, found out what it’s really like to be in of the biggest girl groups in the world – and how God called Kaya out of that world to sing for him
What are the ‘little foxes’ in your life?
A message from Doll
This spring, why not try forest bathing?
Sophie Mei Lan steps out of her comfort zone to spend some quality time in nature
‘There is no Christian position on transgender’
Veronica Zundel tackles this polarising debate head on
The priest from Pakistan
A Christian in a Muslim majority country, Amelia Jacob, 71, had an arranged marriage and moved to England, later becoming one of the first female priests in the Church of England
‘Sick people matter’
Elaine Storkey looks at how the Gospel writers highlighted Jesus’ compassion towards the sick, focusing in on two specific healings noted uniquely by doctor Luke
This month I’m reading…Cuckoo in the Nest by Fran Hill
Welcome to our monthly Woman Alive Bookclub where we review and discuss some amazing books. Bookclub is hosted by Claire Musters
Sex bonds us together like glue
Bobbi Kumari explains the incredible bonding process that happens during sex, and shows how ungodly soul ties and relationship break ups can affect us deeply
Serving single
Natasha Tordoff, 30, grew up in the UK but moved to her mother’s native country, Papua New Guinea, to serve with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in 2021
Easter with Wintershall: Taking Jesus’ story to where people are
Thirty years on from the first staged play of The Passion of Jesus, Tola-Doll Fisher spoke with Charlotte de Klee, trustee and producer of Wintershall, the world-famous organisation responsible for staging award-winning productions that focus on the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus
Good health is not just a prayer away
Black people are more prone to certain illnesses and Marcia Dixon recognises that being a Christian cushioned her from this information and the seriousness of some health conditions
‘My son got five siblings – one for every year he prayed!’
After Carrie Jones had her first child, it was nine years until she had another successful pregnancy. She never imagined she would give birth to quintuplets – thanks to the determined prayers of her eldest
I grew up on a housing estate but that didn’t stop me becoming a vicar
Rev Tracy Marlow, lead evangelist at St Helier’s Centre of Mission, explains why she feels God handpicked her to take his hope to such a deprived neighbourhood
Five things I have learned about…living within my limits
Having recently experienced a period of huge change, Cathy Madavan encourages each of us to live with more margin in our lives
A prayer for health
Witnessing my mum suffer from ill-health was a challenging experience. I prayed for her recovery many times. She remained cheerful and strong in spirit throughout her illness and I feel blessed to have witnessed her courage and grace.
Lives transformed
Conflict and hunger are impacting many in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the World Food Programme (WFP), 26.4 million people are projected to become acutely food insecure between January - June 2023, while 5.7 million people are internally displaced. 2.8 million children are acutely malnourished.
I’ve been married to an unbeliever for 30 years
Sheila Dougal shares what God has taught her about being what some may call, “unequally yoked”
We have accepted sexual disorder as normality for too long
Bobbi Kumari shares candidly her own personal experience of struggling with sexual disorder and why she passionately believes that any sex outside of a godly context will have devastating consequences
God restored me after my husband walked away
Restoration after my husband left me
WA Book club: All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore
Book Club hosted by Claire Musters
I gave birth with the help of the Holy Spirit
In 2015 I felt God tell me that I was going to have a girl, she was to be called Keziah Rose Grace and she was going to be born in Armenia (where we had just moved to). A year later I got pregnant, but had a miscarriage when the ...
Fitness and faith help my neurodivergent brain
Sophie Mei Lan struggled to understand herself until she was diagnosed. Today, she describes how exercise enables her to truly thrive as the person God has designed her to be
Our children were born to heroin addicts
A reader shares her and her husband Jeremy’s journey of adoption and what it showed them about the heart of God
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Celebrating International Women's Day: Four black Christian leaders you need to know about
Marcia Dixon is convinced of the power of role models; here she tells us about those who have positively influenced her and many others
‘I struggle as a Christian mum’
Hope Bonarcher threw herself into motherhood, trying to do everything perfectly. But, as she became more and more exhausted, God began to teach her a better way
Isn’t it time the world listened to women?
In her own unique way, Veronica Zundel celebrates women, but anguishes over the unequal way we can be treated
Bible Study: Have you ever heard of the female apostle?
Elaine Storkey reveals there were many notable female leaders recognised by Paul, and even an apostle: Junia
Five things I have learned about…female friends
While it took her a while to develop close friendships with women, Cathy Madavan shares why she believes they are invaluable
‘We prayed, but we didn’t get a miracle’
Esther Scholes speaks candidly about how she navigated the deaths of her son and then husband
The gospel is liberating for everyone – women included
WA columnist Elaine Storkey, 78, on coming to faith, motherhood, feminism – and her biggest life lesson
Your church would pay more for a plumber than for your creative skills (which could win souls if not fix a leaky tap)
Josie Gamble is the founder and director of Christian Creative Network (CCN) and Christian Creative Directory (CCD) and in 2022 made The Telegraph and NatWest Top 100 Female Entrepreneur list. Tola-Doll Fisher sat down with her to discuss the creative gap between the UK Church and the world, and how Josie plans to fix it
Prayer & Reflection: Experiencing God’s guidance
It’s often said a problem shared is a problem solved, and who better to share concerns with than God? Through prayer and meditation, I have found much solace. In Joshua 1:9, we are encouraged to heed God’s commandment: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, ...
Unpacking the strong black woman stereotype
Marcia Dixon explains the Christian narrative within this term and reflects on why many are rejecting it today
The Church is obsessed with leadership
Veronica Zundel asserts that the majority who hanker after the position of leadership may well have misunderstood what it actually is
'The Holy Spirit saved my baby’s life' and other testimonies
Your stories of God’s intervention
Prayer & Reflection: Led by God’s love…together
Sinead Mcleod’s reflection and prayer for February
Moving from self-hatred to self-love after sexual assault
Sophie Mei Lan struggled with self-hatred for years after her ordeal, which opened her up to further abuse. She finally started loving herself – and has recently found someone who loves her unconditionally too
Everyone knows you need to be married to plant a church...right?
Dr Tania Harris on how God told her clearly to not let her singleness stop her from doing all that he had called her to do
'I was single when God told me to speak out about Kingdom marriage'
For ten years, Anja Gibson has prophesied about marriage, decreeing the centrality of Christ and the couple as the pillar for the restoration of the earth. Eventually, in 2020, following a cascade of God-ordained circumstances, Anja entered into her own kingdom marriage
Interracial marriage and mission
English native Catherine Jinadu, 84, defied her family’s wishes by marrying Paul, a Nigerian. They became missionaries and church planters and continue to see God moving miraculously
Yetunde Hofmann is on a mission to help women break the glass ceiling
After a fast-paced career in FTSE 100 and global companies, Yetunde Hofmann was told there was no place for love in business, but has been led by her faith to embrace it as a leadership model.
Finding hope in walking
Having hit rock bottom through her own deep loss, Faye Smith spent time in a Christian psychotherapeutic community and was also reminded of the healing nature of walking. Today, she provides guided walks for other women struggling with grief – or simply needing to reconnect with life
God has a heart for children
The Bible is full of stories about children, which shows us how important they are to God. Elaine Storkey believes the way Jesus interacted with children gives us a blueprint to follow today too
God celebrates sex!
God wants us to enjoy mind-blowing, exciting sex, says Bobbi Kumari. And each time a married couple has sex, they are reflecting God’s covenant with his people
Five things I have learned about…leadership (the hard way!)
With her usual disarming honesty, Cathy Madavan shares about the ups and downs of being a leader
Is egg freezing biblical?
Two women in their 40s share their experience of freezing their eggs
Book Club with Bishop Jill Duff
This month I’m reading…
Women’s conferences and events
coming up in the first half of 2023…
Why should we care about the Black Church?
In our brand-new series, Marcia Dixon MBE, reveals the history of the Pentecostal movement in the UK
What type of Christian are you?
Veronica Zundel has created an intriguing way of classifying Christians, and challenges you to think about what description reflects you best
Why I need God and medication
Sophie Mei Lan begins her new series on mental health by sharing vulnerably how finding her own suicide letter was a stark reminder that she needed help again
God gave me a vision and somehow I ended up running a luxury accessories business!
Josephine Lafe went from a market stall trader to producing premium leather handbags
The power of the name of Jesus... and other testimonies
Your stories of God’s intervention in every day life
How I learned to help my daughter deal with anxiety
Lucy Pieterse writes about the two women who equipped her with the tools to walk her seven-year-old through mental health issues
Lessons on sexuality: ‘Goodbye, Garden of Eden’
In the first of our series of extracts from Bobbi Kumari’s book Sacred Sexuality, she unpacks the moment perfect sexuality was tarnished
Prayer and fasting is the backbone behind this ministry
Joanne O’Connor is the CEO of Junction 42, a Christian charity that works in prisons and communities across north-east England and central Scotland, supporting people throughout the journey of custody and rehabilitation
The death of my daughter led me back to faith
Louise Malcolm, 82, was born in Jamaica and raised going to church, but faith did not become real to her until after the death of her young daughter
Five things I have learned about… women’s events
Cathy Madavan sniggered her way through the first event she attended that was focused on women, but today is full of praise for those done well. Here she shares the benefits she has enjoyed when meeting with a room full of other women
Book Club
Hosted by Claire Musters who interviews Hilary Taylor on her debut novel ’Sea Defences’
Adopting embryos
A cancer diagnosis at the age of 28 could have shattered the vision Triona Benton had for her future. But she continued to cling to God, trusting that somehow she would have the children she longed for
Prayer & Reflection: A time for rest and renewal
Sinead McLeod shares a thought and prayer, living with a sense of hope
A spiritual new year
Elaine Storkey shares the deeper, biblical significance of embracing a new beginning
Don’t join a gym, don’t become a vegan; here’s how to spend the first month of the year
Hands up, who loves January? I’m guessing not many of us, unless you happen to be a ‘January baby’, in which case you might enjoy your birthday but be frustrated that most people seem too full and fatigued to celebrate with you. (Apologies to my two friends born in January, ...
A coach for growth
Iona Ledwidge shares how her passion to help others led her to become a coach for Christian charity Resurgo
Evangelism Through Fostering
Jenny Falcón Otero is a Church Army Evangelist and the Pioneer Evangelist for the Gwent Valleys Centre of Mission in Wales
We have NEW columnists joining us in 2023…
Here is an intro to each of them…
Walking with The Chosen
Katherine Warnock, head of original content for the award-winning, multi-episode webisode drama The Chosen talks to Stephanie Pena about walking with God in obedience and experiencing his transformational power
WA Bookclub: This month I’m reading…
Hosted by Claire Musters
Visited by angels
Elaine Storkey takes a closer look at two vital angelic visitations in the Christmas story
Psychosis kept me wide awake for 96 hours
Writer and journalist Ruth Sax was recovering from COVID when she had a mental health setback that landed her in hospital
The story of six-year-old TikTok sensation ‘Along Came Abby’
Our deputy editor Jemimah Wright was fascinated by Abby’s social media account and even more interested to find out the family had a faith. She reached out to Abby’s mum to find out how this tiny influencer got so big
Stories of supernatural provision
Your stories of God’s intervention
‘I was high on drugs but could not stop talking about God’
Author, speaker, designer and teacher, Bobbi Kumari talks to our editor, Tola-Doll Fisher, about her Hindu upbringing and what she describes as ten years of pure hedonism, on her journey to knowing and accepting Jesus
Posada: Celebrating the nativity journey
Katrina Robinson shares how she discovered the Latin American Advent tradition and provides tips on how to organise your own Posada
Meeting The Teddy Bear Ladies
Julie and Amanda, also affectionally known as The Teddy Bear Ladies, are firm favourites on BBC1’s hit TV programme The Repair Shop, having been a part of the team since it started in 2017. You only have to watch them work their magic repairing bears and toys, combined with their unique bond to see why…
‘It’s nearly Christmas again and I still haven’t washed the Christmas tablecloth’
With her usual disarming honesty, Veronica Zundel challenges her own perception of what 2022 has been like
‘God places such value on women, that he lived within one for nine months’
As nutritionist Clare Backhouse ends her series, she reflects on the messages we receive about our bodies, and encourages us to take care of ourselves well
‘God loved me and met me in the darkest place of my life’
Jasmin Jones was aiming for a career as a professional tennis player until she was struck down with a back injury
Jesus appeared to me in a dream
Born into a Muslim family in the Middle East, author Tessa Afshar lost hope for the future after her divorce…until she had a dream
Is it safe to have sex when I’m on my period?
Your health questions answered by our resident GP, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé
Five things I have learned about… surviving Christmas
While many can feel overwhelmed by the festive season, Cathy Madavan gives us some great suggestions for how we can both embrace and enjoy Christmas this year.
A prayer for Christmas
Maxine Hallett reflects on Christmas, and gives us a prayer for the season.
I didn't celebrate Christmas, now I love it
Doll’s welcome to the December issue.
Healed of long COVID after a spiritual curse lifted
Stories of God’s intervention
Will the average Christian woman please stand up?
Veronica Zundel has been a columnist for this magazine since 1982. Now, in what she calls her ‘autumn years’, she considers what has changed – or not - for Christian women
Rebuilding Syria
Samara Levy first introduced us to the charity God stirred her to set up, which serves the Middle East with medical and humanitarian help, in July 2021. She is now back, sharing the stark reality of life for Syrians and challenging us all to contemplate the true cost of forgiveness
Dear GP: I’m self-conscious about my arms, what can I do?
Your health questions answered by our resident GP, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé
‘Juliette lived briefly, but she truly has a story’
Aude Lombard shares the story of losing her daughter at 36 weeks, and how God provided comfort and a transforming perspective
Chocolate helping prisoners
Joyce Murray shares the story of Grace Chocolates, a luxury confectionery brand handmade by women who have been touched by the criminal justice system in Scotland
Mikhaila Peterson: from psychedelics to faith
The daughter of psychologist Jordan Peterson can be as controversial as her father, but says Christianity has transformed her life
‘I was abused and I had to forgive my father for what he had done to me’
Mary Joy, 77, lived in a constant state of fear and anxiety and struggled with depression and anger. It was only when God healed her of the trauma of childhood abuse, and she learned to practice forgiveness and walk in step with his promises, that she was set free
God never promised we wouldn’t suffer
At the age of 13 Jade Reynolds was diagnosed with a debilitating disease. She tells her story, and explains how she has managed to stay strong in her faith
Fall down seven times, stand up eight
A message from Doll
Five things I have learned about… procrastination
A self-professed procrastinator, Cathy Madavan shares the things that help her get things done
‘If I ever touch you again, your God is going to kill me’
Georgia Coy carried the brokenness of her childhood into her marriage, and continued a cycle of sexual destruction until she eventually found faith after
an affair
Could mouth-taping help you get to sleep?
Nutritionist Clare Backhouse shares some tips on improving our bedtime routines
New historical fiction from Woman Alive’s deputy editor!
This month I’m reading…
Rosemary Conley; ‘My life was a total mess …I needed divine help’
She may be one of the UK’s most successful diet and fitness experts but in this book extract, Rosemary reveals how she reached out to God in the midst of failure and ill-health
Sharing Hope through Pain
Michelle Lloyd is an Evangelist-in-Training, that is, she is on a journey to becoming a commissioned Evangelist for Church Army. CA’s training is three-years of practical mission training alongside learning theology. She is also the Pioneer Evangelist at Church Army’s Cross Hands Centre of Mission, also known as Impact 242. Cross Hands is a small town in south-west Wales.
Famileo – the printed family newspaper that strengthens family ties
Digital apps have revolutionised the way we communicate with one another, and one pioneering company has used this technology to bring younger and older generations together – by creating a family newspaper.
Remembering the Queen
Reflection and prayer with Maxine Hallett
Our Queen
Readers share memories of, and tributes to, Her Majesty
In rooms with kings and rulers
Tola-Doll Fisher spoke to prophet and art curator Oyindamola Fakeye about her lifelong passions, which have led her to meeting our new king
Honouring the Queen – and praying for our new king
A message from Doll
‘God told me to go to the UK as I would meet my husband there’
Anna Tindal-Robinson was in her early 40s when she felt God say that she would be married within the year. At that stage she wasn’t even dating anyone, so the prospect seemed crazy. But in faith, she trusted; not in the hope of a husband, but in the one who had spoken the promise. And within the year, she was walking down the aisle
The Queen, the Church and the gospel
Elaine Storkey explains Her Majesty’s role as ‘head’ of the Church of England, and reflects on how diligently she undertook it
Book club
This month I’m reading…
It scared her, so she said yes
Colourful, distinctive and bold, Lorinda Lloyd’s earrings and pendants are a statement of unique beauty and a testament to God’s transformational power for many women who wear them, including Lorinda herself
‘The Queen led our country through the best of times, the worst of times and the changing of times’
Marilyn Monroe lookalike Suzie Kennedy reflects on the huge impact the Queen’s presence had on each of their lives
Signs & Wonders in everyday life
Your stories of God’s intervention
‘God restored my marriage’
Jacqui White, 71, shares her experience of meeting the Queen, and the miraculous transformation she has seen in her own family
Tackling anxiety
Nutritionist Clare Backhouse looks at the causes of anxiety and explains how good nutrition can be part of the solution
Should I be worried about bleeding?
Your health questions answered by our resident GP, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé
A devoted servant
Veronica Zundel shares her memory of seeing the Queen up close, and provides a unique take on Her Majesty’s years on the throne
A message from the editor: “God told me you’re my wife”
“God told me you’re my wife” is a joke that has been doing the rounds on social media for what seems like forever. But when we do hear from God - and listen - what happens next is pretty powerful
Prayer & Reflection: Welcoming in a new season
September is the start of a new season; autumn is upon us and, while we are still enjoying the warmth of the sun, nights are drawing in, gardens are starting to lose their summer blooms and the dark, rich autumnal colours are slowly creeping in.
Shopping to save lives
Faced by the unimaginable suffering of hundreds of thousands of Romanian children, Jane Nicholson MBE founded the charity FARA. Here she shares the story of how it developed
Five things I have learned about… empty nesting
With two grown-up daughters, Cathy Madavan shares advice and wisdom on navigating the huge transition that occurs as children leave home
In Business: The power of a story
Tarnya Coley, founder of TC Publishing, shares how she went from overworked and stressed to empowering others to write and publish their own books
WA Bookclub: This month I’m reading…
A Place at the Table: Faith, hope and hospitality by Miranda Harris and Jo Swinney
My rainbow baby: Pregnancy after stillbirth
Premier’s deputy station director, Damilola Okeke, shares her story of coming to faith, forging her career and the promise from God that she clung to after the devastating stillbirth of her daughter
The ten virgins: The importance of being prepared
Elaine Storkey explains who the ‘foolish virgins’ were and why their story is still so relevant to us today
Can you be an intellectual and believe in God at the same time?
Speaker, author, neuroscientist and apologist Sharon Dirckx shares her own journey to faith and explains why she believes we are more than just our brains
Not just a fad, organic farming is important for our diet
Nutritionist Clare Backhouse explains how nature preserves the very ground we farm on
Ask the doctor: Should my child have the flu vaccine?
Your health questions answered by our resident GP, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé
Life Lessons: ‘Never give up, it’s never too late and you are never on your own’
After caring for her sick mother, Lizzie Barker led a life of adventure in the Middle East, before studying at Bible school and working for the Billy Graham Foundation. She shares her life lessons
Testimonies: Signs & Wonders in everyday life
Stories of God’s intervention
For the love of food
Veronica Zundel reflects on her recent enjoyment of Austrian cuisine, and encourages us to celebrate the sense of community surrounding mealtimes
God is still speaking to us today
With a PhD in the theology and practice of hearing God’s voice, author Tania Harris asserts that he is still speaking to us in the same way he did to those in the New Testament
Shauna Niequist: The books that have changed my life
Life is in the Transitionsby Bruce Feiler
Publisher recommendation
Ruth Leigh is an incredibly talented writer – and in Isabella M Smugge has created the picture-perfect character for our Instagram age
Putting truth on walls
Perry-May Britton runs Perry-May, an online business selling faith-inspired prints, clothing and journals to help connect people to God and spark conversation
‘When I am kind to people, I feel better’
Veronica Zundel confesses to having moments when she feels like lashing out – and suspects she is not alone
What causes the dark circles under my eyes?
Your health questions answered by our resident GP, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé
‘The best place for young children isn’t nursery. It’s at home’
Retired head teacher Angie Jones challenges Christian parents to check whether their priorities are based on God’s principles or our consumer-driven culture.
Going on holiday this year? Here’s why God’s rest is best
In a world that is always switched ‘on’, nutritionist Clare Backhouse urges us all to learn to unplug regularly
A sunshine state of mind
A message from Doll
‘Let’s acknowledge our emotions – but also weigh them up’
Veronica Zundel argues that we can put too much emphasis on feelings
‘How can I reduce excess saliva?’
Your health questions answered by our resident GP, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé
‘I spent too many years wishing that I was like somebody else’
Nicki Copeland, who runs Instant Apostle publishers, shares her struggle with low self-esteem, and how following God has led her to places she never expected
What does a healthy home look like?
Nutritionist Clare Backhouse explains that there are some microscopic bugs living inside of us that are incredibly useful
I’m singing my testimony
Mandisa Lynn Hundley’s award-winning singing career began on the fifth season of American Idol, where she finished in the top ten. She spoke to Damilola Okeke about the challenging seasons in her life and how they have impacted both her faith and music
‘The home is where life happens’
Jeannine Wiedmer spoke to Becky Hunter-Kelm about her passion to provide a safe place for young people, and the miraculous provision of their Youth Community Home
From Mara to Naomi: What’s in a name?
Elaine Storkey unpacks this story in the book of Ruth, encouraging us to not only be open about our struggles but also to the possibility of God’s restoration
‘My husband came out as transgender’
In the spring of 2015, Pam Jones’s husband of 24 years wrote her a letter explaining that they wanted to be known as Chrissie. Their rugged alpha male persona had been a mask, an act of performative masculinity to protect their true self, which was, and always had been, intrinsically feminine
Changing the world one pizza at a time
Award-winning entrepreneur Bridget Callaghan is the founder of Well Kneaded, a London-based pizzeria and social enterprise bringing connection and restoration. Here she explains how it all started
Five things I have learned about…life balance
Cathy Madavan shares the methods that have helped her avoid paralysis from too much choice
Tattoos for Jesus?
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is a global mission organisation started in 1960 that today reaches out in more than 180 countries through training, mercy ministries and evangelism.There are many church partnerships working in recognisable mission activities such as teaching, food and clothing provision and evangelistic outreach. But what about a coffee and tattoo studio in the middle of London?
‘God still speaks to his people’
Pastor and prophet Preethy Kurian told Jemimah Wright the incredible story of how God called her, and how she believes revival is coming to the UK
Signs & Wonders in everyday life
Stories of God’s intervention
July Book Club
Before I turn to the book I have been reading, I want to begin by saying what a privilege it is to be hosting the book club.
Publisher recommendation
Liturgies for Hope by Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore
This month I’m reading…
Potiphar’s Wife by Mesu Andrews (Waterbrook Press, 978-0593193761)
Seeing afresh through the eyes of a child
July sees the end of the academic year – a relief to students finishing their exams but possibly daunting to children starting new schools in September
Editor's Letter: Fashion + Faith?
Media and fashion industries have always idolised the young. When I started at Woman Alive I said I wanted more women on the cover who looked like they had a life before I was born. We’ve achieved that, and I love seeing the diversity of age – and also ethnicity ...
What does a healthy home look like?
Nutritionist Clare Backhouse looks at how environmental factors can affect our wellbeing
Bible Study: A representative for all faithful women of God
Elaine Storkey opens up the story of the mother of the Sons of Zebedee, showing how costly following Jesus would have been for her
Woman Alive Book Club
This month I’m relinquishing…
‘I am an ordinary woman, with a simple dream from God’
Funmi Adewara is the founder and CEO of Mobihealth. Here she describes her journey to starting the multi-award-winning digital healthcare provider, which is saving lives in the global south
A celebration of gospel
Cassandra Maria is a presenter, producer and content creator for Premier Gospel. The radio show is hosting the Premier Gospel Awards on 18 June in London and Tola-Doll Fisherasked Cassandra some questions about herself, as well as the much-loved gospel show
In praise of the ordinary
It is time to honour those who faithfully serve God behind the scenes, says Veronica Zundel
Prayer and Reflection: Making room for Jesus
May is a good month for decluttering our cupboards and refreshing our wardrobes. I have fond memories as a child of my grandmother’s house, windows flung open as the warm, late spring breeze danced and glistened with particles of dust while cupboards were cleaned and wardrobes filled with summer clothes.
Editor’s Letter: Don’t settle for second-hand creativity!
I laughed out loud when I read Veronica Zundel’s column this issue. I admit, the Wordle game craze has passed me by, but I can relate to her frustration when Christians try to make ‘sanitary’ versions of mainstream products, events or ideas. Veronica’s article got me thinking about this magazine ...
‘I have never experienced a relationship like this’
Vicki Keir shares her story of failed marriages – including discovering abuse in her home – and the faithful God who has given her hope and joy again
We don’t need a ‘Christian alternative’ to Wordle
Veronica Zundel says it’s time to stop creating a ‘safe’ version of every cultural phenomenon
‘Singing has helped me with fear and anxiety’
Singer Elle Limebear talked to Jemimah Wright about being the daughter of Delirious? front man Martin Smith and her own call to the music industry
Five things I have learned about… walking wisely
Cathy Madavan reminds us to slow down, plan ahead and keep connected to Jesus as well as those he has placed in our lives to cheer us on
May 2022 Book Club
This month Amy Boucher Pye is reading…
Struggling to read the Bible? There’s a game for that!
Alice Bond’s passion for communicating the Bible found a new outlet, which God had given her in a dream: Biblios, the Bible in a box
Tamar: God can redeem any story
Widowed twice, sent home in disgrace, prostituted to her own father-in-law, this woman from Jesus’ genealogy lived a life full of shame at the hands of men, and yet Elaine Storkey reveals how the grace and blessing of God was on her life
May 2022 Book Club - You recommend…
This is a powerful testimony of the amazing journey of an ordinary woman set apart for such a time as this. Through the power of the Holy Spirit she has accomplished more than she ever hoped or imagined (a ministry that is still alive today), in one of the UK’s ...
Finding Jesus at festivals this summer
Christian festivals are not just about big numbers. These events are spiritual refilling stations where we lose ourselves in worship and teaching. Here, we take a peek behind the scenes of Creation Fest and David’s Tent
‘I dealt with racism every day’
Rejected from church because of her skin colour, unsupported by her father for being a woman, and surviving a suicide attempt has not stopped grandmother, Babi Dixon, 70, from seeing God at work in her life
What’s the connection between diet and eczema?
Your health questions answered by our resident GP, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé
Cravings vs Hunger - what's the difference?
Nutritionist Clare Backhouse shows us what we can do to ensure our bodies receive what they truly need
Women have always been central to the story of Christianity
Professors Joan Taylor and Helen Bond talk about the women they discovered when researching early Christianity, and the book that contains their findings, Women Remembered
Signs & Wonders in everyday life - May 2022
Stories of God’s intervention
WA Community - May 2022
Here are the latest news, views and ideas from the Woman Alive community
God’s ways are not our ways
New York Times bestselling author Ann Voskamp is also a farmer’s wife and mum of seven. Seeing her sister killed in front of her eyes gave her unimaginable trauma. Here she speaks about the beauty and pain of life and how her writing draws her closer to the healing power of God
WA Community - April 2022
Here are the latest news, views and ideas from the Woman Alive community
Normalising Christians in fiction
I’ll be honest, April isn’t my favourite month because by now I’ve been enjoying spring but I’m more than ready for summer to show its face! So, while I’m waiting, I’ve been making a list of the books I’m going to read when I finally get a chance to lie ...
The impact of the cross
I wear a cross around my neck and often find myself touching it gently throughout the day, as a thought pops into my mind that I want to share with God. Other times I reach for the cross just to catch my breath, pausing in the middle of a busy ...
In conversation with a modern-day prophet
Emma Stark spoke to Jemimah Wright about being a prophet, and why she is passionate about the Church re-engaging with the Holy Spirit
My passion came from putting my children first
After Nicole Blake’s second child – who is autistic – was born, she couldn’t find adequate childcare to allow her to return to work as a social worker. So, she opened her own nursery and has been serving families in the Southwark borough of London ever since
Churches, don’t ditch the technology
In our rush to get back to ‘normal’, are we leaving behind the most vulnerable once again? Veronica Zundel asks
April 2022 Book Club
This month Amy Boucher Pye is reading…
Is there still a place for Christian Unions in schools?
Christian Unions are seen by some as legalistic, boring and irrelevant but CU leaders Chaplain Rev Alice Monaghan and English teacher Violet Taylor argue passionately that they need to continue
Five things I have learned about… life balance
Cathy Madavan shares the things that can make our lives more fruitful and fulfilling
April 2022 Book Club - You recommend…
Inspired by a recent book club post, I treated myself, with the luxury of a long weekend, to reading another of Sue Russell’s brilliant books, A Shed in a Cucumber Field (the title is in the Bible – who’d have thought it!). It’s been so good for the mind and ...
Who says you have to pick friends your own age?
Alli Blair and Carley Serwat found an intergenerational connection enriched their lives in a way they could never have imagined…
Jezebel – how evil was she really?
Elaine Storkey unpacks Jezebel’s background, revealing that idolatry was her major downfall
‘The need to find love is universal’
Catherine Larner spoke to Lizzie Damilola Blackburn about breaking into commercial fiction with a Christian protagonist
Creating safe spaces for women
God told Kelleigh Wooderson-Hudson to give up her job and start the charity Life Essence Housing. Here, she explains what she has learned about obedience
I was terrified of giving birth!
Ali Lawrence struggled with tokophobia for years but found that God will make a way even when it seems impossible
Signs & Wonders in everyday life - April 2022
Stories of God’s intervention
Do you actually enjoy your food?
Nutritionist Clare Backhouse encourages us to slow down to eat, with tips to aid digestion
Everything you need to know about pitching an article for the Woman Alive comment section
We LOVE hearing from new (and familiar) writers with ideas that can feature in our opinion section. Lauren Windle, Woman Alive’s opinion section lead, explains exactly how to pitch your piece and what to do when you get commissioned.
‘I don’t want IVF; I don’t want to help God’
Your health questions answered by our resident GP, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé
Editor’s Letter: Celebrating women
When I got a message from Suzie Kennedy on Instagram about my book, I did a double take. Not only was I surprised that this clearly well-connected person with the coveted verification status was contacting me, I was also stunned by her incredible resemblance to Marilyn Monroe. That was six ...
Prayer & Reflection: Spring at last!
Walking along a familiar path I stopped and breathed in the air around me, my senses suddenly becoming awakened by the newness of the spring day. I realised how thankful I was that God had carried me through the dark and dreary winter months.
‘Being Marilyn Monroe saved me during years of abuse’
Suzie Kennedy is an internationally renowned Marilyn Monroe lookalike who has flown all over the world to sing ‘Happy birthday’, attend parties and has featured in adverts and films alongside Hollywood stars. However, for over a period of almost 20 years, she was living under the dark shadow of sexual and domestic abuse
The “invisible” women
In a culture that idolises youth, Claire Musters investigates the experiences of women who are past the age of 50
Bible Study on Lent: Jesus’ example in the wilderness
Elaine Storkey on how Lent reminds us to recognise the power of evil and to take sin seriously
Five things I have learned about… learning
What is it the Bible says about being like little children?* You may no longer be in school but here’s why Cathy Madavan thinks we should all consider trying something new
There is power in forgiveness
For the final feature in her series on living free, Candy Ellie lays bare the far-reaching impact of stress-induced emotion
'I was sold on the black market as a baby'
When Jane Blasio discovered she had been sold at birth – along with 200 others – she decided to help others piece together the missing pieces of their past
'God told me I had to forgive my mother'
Kemi Koleoso’s mum left when she was a child and her father remarried a woman who didn’t care for his children. She speaks with Claire Musters about the trauma she carried throughout her teenage years and encountering God in the midst of it all
Spreading hope in the House of Lords
Baroness Caroline Cox, 84 has been a nurse, social scientist, and now a humanitarian. She shares some reflections about of her life of service with Jemimah Wright
A Romeo and Juliet love story
Ram and Sunita Gidoomal are from different castes (class systems), which meant those around them felt their relationship simply couldn’t work. They proved everyone wrong
‘Every diet I have tried has failed. What now?’
Your health questions answered by our resident GP, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé
March 2022 Book Club - You recommend…
For 2022, I’m re-reading this book of daily reflections. It seems perfect for me right now, as Simon Guillebaud seems to be speaking right into the issues I’m dealing with. I whizzed through the book last summer for the Woman Alive book bingo challenge, but now I’m reading it through ...
March 2022 Book Club
This month Amy Boucher Pye is reading…
The women behind Woman Alive
Premier Christian Communications acquired Woman Alive at the end of 2019 and as the platform has grown so has the team responsible for it. Here is some behind the scenes info on those who put together the content for this Christian female-first brand
Struggling with your period?
Nutritionist Clare Backhouse explains how to harness your hormonal cycle
Signs & Wonders in everyday life - March 2022
Stories of God’s intervention
When did parenting become a competitive sport?
In the month celebrating Mother’s Day, Veronica Zundel says it is time to stop competitive mothering
The cross-generational sisterhood
Ruth Clemence explains why we should look outside our peer groups for friendships with other women
WA Community - March 2022
Here are the latest news, views and ideas from the Woman Alive community
Changing the narrative on love in the Church
Last year we did a big issue on singleness in the Church (February 2021). Statistics show that the Church is mostly made up of married people (60 per cent, compared to less than half in wider society). Furthermore, research shows that young people are most likely to leave the Church ...
You are never alone
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, romance is in the air. It is everywhere around us – in advertisements, retail shops and in the eyes of every couple passing by on the street. While this is beautiful to see, it can make some people feel alone and abandoned.
Let’s fly the flag for ‘old love’…
Veronica Zundel refuses to run after the thrill of the ‘new’, but values hard-won, deepening relationships
‘I was reminded about being single every day at church’
Lauren Windle caught up with Christianity’s poster girl for single women, Carrie Lloyd, to ask how she feels about love, life and relationships ten years on from the start of her ministry
Five things I have learned about… worry
Cathy Madavan gives us practical ideas for how to deal with an anxious mind
‘I’m 45 – could I still conceive naturally?’
Your health questions answered by our resident GP, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé
Rescuing our sex lives
Relationships writer Sheila Wray Gregoire busts the myths that so many Christians have about intimacy
Hagar: Trafficking and sex slavery
Elaine Storkey looks at the story of this biblical character and highlights what we can learn from her life
Love as a driving force
The Lady’s Mine is New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers’ first novel for four years. Claire Musters finds out about the romantic fiction she wrote during lockdown
The house that God built
Clare Thompson leads the vibrant, social-action focused LoveBristol organisation with her husband Greg. She told Clare Blake why she loves living in a Christian community house
February 2022 Book Club - You recommend…
This book reminded me of the writings of Julian of Norwich, the anchorite nun who lived in Norwich. Keren’s writing is beautiful in the mystic tradition. Each thought is usually only a page or two so the book lends itself to being read when you don’t have a long time ...
February 2022 Book Club
This month Amy Boucher Pye is reading…
Whose job is it to fill my love tank?
In the second part of her mini-series, Candy Ellie explains what can affect our ability to recognise and retain love in a healthy way
Love your gut!
Nutritionist Clare Backhouse helps us learn to care for our bodies in a new way
Married at 54: ‘I was willing to wait’
TV anchor Wendy Griffith dedicated a book to her future husband when she was still very much single. She explains how she discovered that ultimately, God is the best matchmaker
Signs & Wonders in everyday life - February 2022
Stories of God’s intervention
‘I was drawn into the subculture of alternative spirituality’
After years searching for hope within the occult, Talitha Colchester shares her story of finding Christ and his peace
WA Community - February 2022
Feedback from the Woman Alive community
Whether it’s good news or bad, knowing the future won’t make 2022 any easier… Jesus will
As we welcome in a new year, and all the good and bad that may hold, Woman Alive’s editor Tola-Doll Fisher reassures us that even if trouble is ahead, we have all we need in Christ
Love on a bicycle
Two newly married couples, Dawn and Tim Laundon and Matt and Coco Morley, told Clare Blake what they learned on their life-changing cycling trips
‘Singled Out in a Couple’s World’
Christa Smith spoke to Jemimah Wright about her new book, which aims to break the stigma of singleness
Looking to the year ahead
A stencil on my wall reads: “HOPE makes all things work and FAITH makes all things possible.” It is a constant reminder to me that there is only one way to turn my helplessness into hopefulness – by fixing my eyes on the Lord, breathing him in and inviting him ...
Five things I have learned about… setting goals
Cathy Madavan shares how she plans ahead in order to embrace a new season
January 2022 Book Club - You recommend…
I read this book while I was bringing up our kids. It really helped me to meet God daily on a deeper level through listening to him using ancient Christian practices like lectio divina. It also got me thinking practically about my role within our family and what I needed ...
January 2022 Book Club
This month Amy Boucher Pye is reading…
Living with long COVID
We have all been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are still suffering its effects months after contracting the virus. Respiratory nurse and lecturer Debbie Duncan shares what is has been like for herself and others coping with long COVID
Let’s stop telling everyone to be more resilient
Veronica Zundel questions whether we should all be running after resilience in every circumstance
Strange wisdom for 2022?
Elaine Storkey gives us four lessons from the perplexing book of Ecclesiastes
New year, same you?
Candy Ellie kicks off her new, three-part series by looking at how we can create long-term change
Running the good race
Ali Lawrence spoke to Liz Yelling about her journey from the Olympics Games to faith in Jesus
Our Queen: 70 years of faith and service
As we enter the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Catherine Butcher shares her discoveries about the Queen’s faith and invites us to join in with this year’s celebrations
Nurturing ourselves at bedtime
Nutritionist Clare Backhouse explains how we can get better sleep
‘I’m a virgin, do I need a smear test?’
Your health questions answered by our resident GP, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé
Our adopted daughter wasn’t waiting for us, but we chose her long before she was born
Lucinda Smith learned a lesson about her own relationship with God in the process of bringing an abandoned baby into her family
Signs & Wonders in everyday life - January 2022
Stories of God’s intervention
WA Community - January 2022
Here are the latest news, views and ideas from the Woman Alive community
Laughing children, hot chocolate and a snoring dog on a lazy Sunday afternoon…
Maxine Hallett reflects on her journey towards God, and the sanctuary she now calls home
Editor's letter: Would you open your home to a stranger?
We asked our writers to talk about ‘home’ this issue and tell us what it means to them. I’d love to know what it means to you too.
A prayer of thanks for our homes
A reader’s prayer by Julia Rudyard
Signs & Wonders in everyday life - December 2021
Stories of God’s intervention through the power of prayer
Cathy Madavan: Five things I have learned about… generosity
Cathy Madavan shows us how the five love languages provide a great guide to generosity
You can thrive during menopause!
Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé rounds off our special three-part series on the menopause
December Book Club
This month Amy Boucher Pye is reading…
December Book Club - Readers recommend…
Richard Wurmbrand was imprisoned twice for being a Christian. This book is an education into human evil; how he suffered is staggering. It’s a series of sermons that he composed “on the verge of insanity”. Yet his answer to the inhumanity and his powerlessness is his belief in the promises ...
My life in a convent
When you hear the word ‘nun’ what do you think of? Sister Act or Julie Andrews in the iconic Sound of Music? If these are your benchmarks the reality may well disappoint. However, there are many delightful insights to discover about the religious life. Caroline Leighton spent some time as a postulant in a religious community and lifts the lid on what it was like
‘Pornography has been normalised in our culture’
Catherine Etherington, the Head of Recovery for the UK-based Naked Truth Project, talks about their mission to free lives from the damaging impact of sexual addictions
In Business: Your body is a temple
Templespa owner and co-founder, Liz Warom, reveals how she and her husband started their business, and how faith is at the centre of all they do
Home is...a place to belong
Elaine Storkey unpacks what the Bible says about the significance of our homes
‘I had made peace with dying, but the thought of being crippled was harder’
After 15 years of a progressively debilitating illness, John Mark Comer’s wife, Tammy, was supernaturally healed from a curse last year. She talked to Jemimah Wright about her journey
‘We all need a place where they have to let us in’
Veronica Zundel unpacks her responses to the places she has lived over the years, and reflects on where our true home lies
Working through suffering without losing faith in God
Having lost precious children to miscarriage and a daughter, Libby, at birth, Katherine Gantlett shares how she stopped trying to escape the winter seasons of her life, and learned to walk with him authentically and honestly
Life Lessons: Following God’s call all around the world
Marti Green, 77, and her husband set up Youth With A Mission in England, and helped train thousands of young people to share the gospel
WA Community - December 2021
Here are the latest news, views and ideas from the Woman Alive community
Liz Earle: Our leaders should do more to prioritise women’s health
Macaila Britton talks to Liz Earle MBE, wellbeing brand founder, about her experience in the industry and what still needs to change
Cancer, chemotherapy and confident hope in God
This is my first editorial in a while as I received an aggressive cancer diagnosis back in March. Having always identified as a strong, independent woman, this year has been hugely challenging but I am so grateful for the absolute onslaught of prayers from the Woman Alive community while I ...
Poem for Remembrance Day
A reader poem
Signs & Wonders in everyday life - November 2021
Stories of God’s intervention
Bamboozled by Jesus
Cassandra Nelson from Premier Gospel caught up with actress and comedian Yvonne Orji about her new book, dating while celibate and the rise to fame
How do I respond as a Christian if my enemy wants to kill me?
Ella Bartelsian of Yerevan International Church, Armenia, spoke to Clare Blake about how God is breaking through to a defeated nation
‘My garden brought me hope’
Rachel Bearn shares how being close to creation helped bring her back into relationship with God.
November Book Club - Readers recommend…
I accepted this book from a neighbour, thinking: “Well, if it’s too heart-wrenching, I don’t have to read it.” And it wasn’t. Although it was desperately sad, the author didn’t dwell on the horrors. Heather Morris was asked to write Lale Sokolov’s story when he was an old man because ...
November Book Club
This month Amy Boucher Pye is reading…
‘We play a significant role in far too many wars’
Elaine Storkey reminds us of that we should seek the peace that Jesus gives, for all of us
One woman’s fight against FGM
Ann-Marie Wilson talked to Clare Blake about a chance meeting that led her to found 28 Too Many, a charity with a mission to end the shocking practice of female genital mutilation
How did my grandparents survive the war?
Maxine Hallett reflects on the desperation and determination of her ancestors
Married for the first time at 65
Trained opera singer, Ginny Miller, 72, had a dramatic encounter with God when she was 19. She lived by faith in a Christian community, and worked in pastoral care and counselling, before meeting her husband
‘I lost interest in sex’
Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé continues our series on the menopause by highlighting the common symptoms and their impact on our lives
Buy this book and you might save someone's life
Bedbound poet Jenny Rowbory refuses to be defined by her broken body. Instead she is raising money for a life-changing operation through her anthology We Are the Winter People
Tackling the horrors of child trafficking
Children as young as four are being trafficked into Ghana’s fishing industry – Anita Budu of International Justice Mission says she will not rest until they are free
Five things I have learned about… being a peacemaker
Cathy Madavan shares what she strives to do in all her relationships to cultivate unity and peace
‘I’ve always been a pacifist’
Veronica Zundel reflects on whether war is ever just, and encourages us to live out our ideals today
WA Community - November 2021
Here are the latest news, views and ideas from the Woman Alive community
October Book Club - You recommend…
Book reviews from Woman Alive readers
Five things I have learned about… processing the past
Seasoned author Cathy Madavan suggests that, whatever our history, we can learn from it and move on
What it means to be black British
TV and radio personality Diane Louise Jordan talked to Jeannette McCarthy about her new project The Making of Black Britain
Signs & Wonders in everyday life - October 2021
Stories of God’s intervention in our daily life
‘Where are the women?’
Veronica Zundel reminds us of the women in history easily forgotten, and says we need to hear more about those who spread the gospel too
I love history
Acting Editor, Jemimah Wright on the October issue, and her love of history…
Women as God intended
Author Michele Guinness tells Clare Blake that women have come a long way, but we still do not enjoy true equality
October Book Club
Amy Boucher Pye on what she is reading this month….
Who interprets history?
Elaine Storkey shows us why history is vital, through the story of Stephen
Clues from the past
Maxine Hallett grew up not going to church but, looking back at her family history, is inspired by her great grandfather
‘More than a business; it’s a place of ministry’
Small business owner Samantha Rigg-David talked to Jeanette McCarthy about how God led her to open Nuff Naturals
‘You can’t stop the menopause, but you can improve the experience’
During World Menopause Month, Dr Olúṣẹ̀yẹ Àríkàwé kicks off our three-part series on the menopause, explaining how we can prepare physically, psychologically and spiritually
Reaching out to women in prostitution
From childhood loss to founding the Beloved charity reaching out to those in prostitution, Rosie Hopley shares her life’s journey through deep lows and great joy
‘The default is white British, and everything else is different and other’
Author Chine McDonald spoke to Rachel Pearce about her new book, God Is Not A White Man: And Other Revelations
A new kind of healing
Nutritionist Clare Backhouse explains the ways we can receive healing through prayer, medicine and understanding our own body’s unique needs
’I wrestled with feeling like God had abandoned me’
Jo Fothergill spoke to Jeanette McCarthy about her experience of living with depression, and how her faith has sustained her
WA Community - October 2021
Here are the latest news, views and ideas from the Woman Alive community
Physical and mental struggles led to a new ministry
Diane Regan shares with Clare Blake how the pain her family has walked through birthed the charity Kintsugi Hope
Body confidence cards encourage users to reflect on their identity
When Denise Sanderson-Estcourt gave up her regular, ‘safe’ job to become an image consultant, some people – Denise included – felt it was a risky move. But God has brought some incredible confidence-building material out of this decision, and there is plenty more to come
WA Community - September 2021
Here are the latest news, views and ideas from the Woman Alive community
‘Identity politics’
Veronica Zundel suggests that identity gives meaning to our lives, but it is dangerous to make it a source of pride
It’s not every day you find a Christian designer behind a lingerie brand’
Jackie Michel spoke to Rachel Pearce about her vision to clothe the female form beautifully
Adopting my girl
Sharon Bricker, 73, was mum to three boys, but she always dreamed of having a daughter. After a hysterectomy due to ill health, she wondered how it would ever happen
‘As God’s daughter I know that I am a work in progress’
‘As God’s daughter I know that I am a work in progress’’God has helped me embrace the identity of the person he knew from the moment he created me’Maxine Hallett shares how she found her identity in Christ, and how she prays her children will too
From atheism to faith
Three women from the world of science explain how they came to embrace Christian faith
Five things I have learned about… being yourself
Seasoned author Cathy Madavan explains how she has come to accept who she is – and how we can do the same
'Christian identity is always linked with Jesus’ identity’
Elaine Storkey explains that our security lies in our relationship with the God who made us and knows us
September Book Club - You recommend…
Gamble is the visionary behind the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, a structure in the making dedicated to showcasing answered prayer as a testament to God’s goodness. While collating prayers for the wall, Gamble was struck by the importance and necessity of remembering God’s work in our lives. This gave ...
September Book Club
This month I’m reading…
Katie Piper: ‘I found comfort in my local church'
In 2008, Katie survived an acid attack and during her recovery set up The Katie Piper Foundation. She spoke to Claire Musters about how she coped with trauma and the impact on her outward appearance, how her newfound faith helped her come to terms with what happened and how a positive mindset helps her every day
Signs & Wonders in everyday life - September 2021
Stories of God’s intervention
Joyce Meyer: ‘God showed me I had never truly received his love’
After years of trying to love others and failing, Joyce Meyer learned that her main problem was that she didn’t love herself. She shares how God helped her step free from the comparison trap and embrace who she truly is
When I don’t know who I am
Reader prayer - September 2021
My new identity
Editorial from September 2021
Learning from my Muslim friends
Rachel Pieh Jones has lived among Muslims in both Somaliland and Djibouti. Here she tells Jemimah Wright how much they have taught her about faith
Why don’t we talk about periods?
Rachel Jones believes that this is a subject that has been neglected by Christians for far too long
Gaming: It’s not a battle you need to win
We can celebrate the positives that gaming holds for young people
What has lockdown done to our children?
Claire Musters, mum to two teenagers, considers how we can all – whether parents/carers or not - support young people this summer and beyond
‘I’m staying home this summer’
Editorial from July 2021
Spiritual journalling
Maxine Hallett encourages us to record how we are feeling, what we are learning and the prayers that God is answering
Invited on a journey of discovery
Elizabeth Neep, commissioning editor at SPCK, explains the idea behind new spiritual formation imprint, Form
Book Club birthday!
To celebrate the Woman Alive Book Club’s 15th birthday, Claire Musters caught up with its founder Amy Boucher Pye
Woman Alive Book Club
Join the Woman Alive Book Club
‘Books are the windows through which the soul looks out’*
Editorial from August 2021
Learning to live more responsibly
Environmentalist and theologian Ruth Valerio speaks to Jemimah Wright about the moment she recognised God’s call to care for the whole of creation – and how it changed the course of her life
'I was rejected from church as a single mum'
Shovorne Adams was judged for being a single mum at 17. But God never left her alone, providing love, protection and hope for her future
‘Chemistry meets creativity’
Tumi Siwoku, Creative Director at Beauty Science Labs UK, talks to Clare Blake about starting a business in the pandemic, her passion for indie beauty products and why natural may not always be best
What does the Bible say about sex and relationships?
There is much wrong in what our culture teaches us about attitudes towards sex and relationships, but also many wrong perceptions about what the Bible says about these vital topics. Elaine Storkey unpacks why this is and reveals what it truly says
Loved through childlessness
Marie Goode, 71, has spent 47 years as a missionary alongside her husband Steve. Here she shares why they still trust in God’s goodness, even though he hasn’t given them the one thing they truly desire
I'm in love with a non-Christian...
It’s all very well to talk about not being yoked to unbelievers, but what do you do when a non-Christian steals your heart?
To illness and disability – No one is immune
Lily, daughter of leading health expert Liz Earle, talks to Tola-Doll Fisher about how she has grappled with chronic illness and healing
Living fearlessly through this pandemic – and beyond
Catherine Adenrele Runsewe celebrates the resilience of women, and encourages us to build on the foundations we have laid during this time of great difficulty
Finding love online
Two couples tell Clare Blake how their love stories began online
‘Hurt needs to be heard in order for healing to take place’
Counsellor, psychotherapist and coach Rita Edah MA, MBACP, MACC talks about her therapy practice and why she is so passionate about helping those who have suffered abuse
A second chance at marriage
?Gilly, 73, was married to Gordon, 64, for 16 years until they divorced. They were apart for another 16 years but here Gilly explains why they remarried in 2019
‘You never know what God has planned for your life’
Santia Deck is the highest-paid female American footballer in history. Here she tells Jeanette McCarthy about the highs and lows of her career, her battles with self-image and how her faith in God and the support of the women in her life have inspired her to help the next generation
The Church is failing single people
Lauren Windle, a 30-something Londoner, has spent the last year interviewing people on their dating experiences in Church and has written Notes on Love based on her findings. It is a much-needed upgrade from a long line of handbooks telling people “How to wait patiently for your Boaz” or “You’re single because you’re not ready”. Lauren tells Tola-Doll Fisher she wrote it not as a guide, but as an invitation to explore a relationship status that she says has been sorely blown out of proportion
‘Single people are vital to the future of the Church’
Beth Collingridge from Single Friendly Church says that we need to value and include single people much more
Will a lockdown Christmas bring us closer to God?
COVID-19 has forced many of us to scale down our Christmas plans but writer Sheila Jacobs says that may turn out to be a blessing
Those who pray together stay together
COVID-19 separation has heightened the importance of praying in com-munity
Is it ok to use other peoples prayers?
In part two of our special Christmas blog series, we look at what it means to “borrow” a prayer
Feelings of sin and guilt can separate us from God
Maxine Hallett reflects on the doubts and insecurities than can so often push us away from the God who loves us
Feeling lost? Here’s how to get closer to God in prayer
If you're not sure where to start, here are 7 ways you can "borrow prayer"
Do you trust God for your future?
In the final part of our special Christmas blog series we look at what it really means to let go and let God
Do you believe in the power of prayer?
In the fifth blog in our special Christmas series, we consider what prayer is and why we do it
Do we really know what Grace is?
In the first of a special Christmas blog series, we look at understanding the concept of grace
‘Christians and Muslims live together in peace here’
A campaign by WaterAid brings to light an Ethiopian community standing together in the face of adversity
‘I hope the COVID-19 vaccine might help me get my freedom back’
With news of a more serious wave of the COVID-19 virus, a Home Help for Age UK is relieved that her neighbour and friend is now further protected
There’s more to me than just having Down’s syndrome
Heidi Crowter is a warm and engaging activist fighting for justice – she also has Down’s syndrome. Clare Blake finds out more about her mission to fight discriminatory law against those with an extra chromosome
It’s never too late with God
When housemates Amy Barreto, 45, and Maria Tjelle, 38, felt prompted to pray for their future husbands, this is what happened…
Feeling stuck? The Daniel Fast might be just what you need
Susan Gregory invites you to join the millions of women and men around the world reaping the benefits of biblical fasting
COVID-19 vaccine available in GP surgeries
A Christian GP comments on the recent news that the COVID-19 vaccine is being made available to patients from GP surgeries in more than 100 locations in England
Debt - the unwelcome guest this Christmas
Overindulgence this time of year can make for a pretty dismal January but for those experiencing "problem debt", this could be a long-term reality. If you're struggling, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) can help
My children were sexually abused
Debi Ray Rivers is founder of SCARS, a ministry seeking to educate adults about sex abuse in an attempt to prevent it happening to children. She herself was the product of rape and was abused as a child, so it was heart-breaking when she discovered a family member had been abusing her daughters. She shared the story with Premier radio presenter, Maria Rodrigues
Women around the world are bracing for a hard Christmas
As countries implemented lockdown measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus, violence against women, especially domestic violence, intensified this year. The UN is calling on activists and civil society groups to wear the colour orange to raise awareness of the many women in vulnerable positions around the world
Finding God in broken dreams
Premier radio presenter Maria Rodrigues spoke to author Rachel Wright about the way God has taught her important lessons through the difficult path she has walked parenting a child with disabilities
‘Everyone looks forward to Christmas except me’
Author Sheila Jacobs explains why Christmas has never been her favourite time of year
Are women leaving it too late to have children?
Woman Alive’s singles columnist says the statistics around women prioritising work over motherhood do not tell the whole story...
What does Christmas mean to Jesus?
A new book on advent offers a unique take on the Christmas season
There are more important things in life than walking
Joni Eareckson Tada shares how she learned to be thankful for God’s sovereignty
‘My OBE comes with a sense of responsibility’
?Muyiwa Olarewaju’s father was killed by militants because of his faith. As he celebrates being awarded an OBE, Muyiwa speaks with Urenna Kiwanuka on being determined to counter the millitants’ promise to wipe his father’s name from all the earth
‘Let’s value the roles of the housewife and mother again’
Tola-Doll Fisher talks to Alena Kate Pettitt about why she has chosen to be a stay-at-home housewife and the negativity that sometimes surrounds this choice in modern society
Would you adopt a child with a different skin colour to you?
The government has removed the requirement for an ethnic match in adoption but Black children are still far less likely to find forever homes. Adoption and fostering charity Home for Good has conducted a poll to find out why
The Queen we don’t see on TV's 'The Crown'
Faith is a key component to the Queen’s remarkable longevity, explains lifestyle researcher Bryan Kozlowski in this excerpt from his new book, Long Live the Queen! 23 Rules for Living from Britain’s Longest-Reigning Monarch
‘I didn't tell my family about psychotic episodes’
Rachel Mason is an award-winning singer who has produced a book of short stories and poems about dealing with post-natal depression. She shared her story with Premier radio presenter Maria Rodrigues
Shedding a light on eating disorders
When Di Archer found our her daughter was throwing up 25 times a day, she was thrust into the dark world of bulimia. Di is now founder and CEO
of Tastelife UK which aims to help both sufferers and their families with recovery
Could you live without a toilet?
As COVID-19 thrusts the importance of good sanitation into the limelight, the United Nations reveals it may not meet the sustainable development goal for water and sanitation set for 2030. World Toilet Day is a chance to assess the pressing needs that are yet to be met
Do we need a Black Santa?
Sarah Bishop, founder of a diverse greeting card company talks to Woman Alive Editor Tola-Doll Fisher about a Black Santa Claus and the negative responses to the recent Sainsbury’s Christmas advert featuring a Black family
‘My brother was an alcoholic’
Anne le Tissier describes what she learned from God through the difficulties of living with her addicted sibling
I got a lockdown puppy to help my mum with loneliness
The cost of puppies has soared during the COVID-19 pandemic as people race to get a four-legged companion for lockdown but Jemimah Wright says hers is a long-term investment
Should we discuss period pain and sex in church?
Fiona Furman battled for years with excruciating pain during her 'time of the month' which led to a hysterectomy at a young age, but it took a very long time for anyone to realise that something was medically behind it. She shared her story with Premier radio presenter Maria Rodrigues
Are you blocking God from speaking to you?
Shaneen Clark is author of 'The Lord of the Silence'. She tells Premier radio presenter Maria Rodrigues that many of us could be blocking God out in everyday life
Is your church a safe space for those with mental illnesses?
Rachael Newham was on an adult psychiatric ward aged 16. Today, she is the founding director of ThinkTwice, an organisation dedicated to changing the way the Church responds to those suffering
Emmerdale’s Down syndrome abortion storyline is insulting and Christians needs to speak out
ITV soap Emmerdale is running a storyline about a coupling choosing to abort their baby when they find out it has Down syndrome. Sarah Costerston a Christian mother to a girl with Down’s says it’s an insult to parents like her.
Who is Mary Wollstonecraft and why is she naked?
The unveiling of a statue dedicated to this 18th century feminist has met with public outrage. We asked a historical novelist, Olive Mackintosh-Lowe, to tell us why...
Taking God to work
Amanda Bindon, Co-Chief Executive of the Cinnamon Network talks to Premier Presenter Maria Rodrigues about the part Christ has played in her career
I chose to lose my marriage in order to survive’
Many people struggle on in abusive relationships. One woman gives her raw account of how she found the strength to move on
It is not well with my soul
What truths can you turn to when the world is crumbling around you?
Am I too ambitious?
Pastor Jo Naughton was a highly successful PR and business woman, but one day she was stopped in her tracks when someone challenged her about whether her worth was tied up in the positions she held. Premier presenter Maria Rodrigues heard her story
‘Your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts’
Talking about bereavement as we kick off the blog series alongside the theme for the November edition of Woman Alive - ‘Life and Loss’.
Dilemma over my dying dog
Premier radio presenter Selene Jordan explains the wrestle she had with her beloved pet
‘Jesus died of a broken heart’
Singer songwriter Lucy Grimble’s new album emphasises just how much love God has for us. She says,
‘I spent my childhood holidays smuggling Bibles’
Arianna Walker, director of Mercy UK, tells Premier radio presenter Maria Rodrigues about the family trips that hid a surprising secret
Beyond our lifetime
Alastair McIver explains how pioneers of the past can inspire us to expand our reach into the future
An honest conversation about suffering
Authors Claire Musters and Amy Orr-Ewing talk candidly about the personal losses that led them to write two new books
‘My son was killed by excessive police force’
?Ajibola Lewis, 71, shares the heartbreaking story of losing her son, and how she found healing through forgiveness
Where do you live?
Star Trek fans will love this analogy from writer Sheila Jacobs as she grapples with some real life parallels
A prayer for a life in ruins
Sometimes we wonder where God is when shadows seem too deep. But author Liz Carter says it's sometimes in the darkest corners we find unexpected treasure
Should Christians masturbate?
Premier radio presenter Maria Rodrigues spoke with Bobbi Kumari, author of 'Sacred Sexuality', and asked some challenging questions
Join the fight against period poverty
The Pachamama Project was set up to support women without access to sanitary products while in refugee camps. Here’s how you can help
Hillsong: Women in mission
Premier presenter Rachel Matthews speaks with Hillsong founder Bobbie Houston about the mission behind the Colour Conference and how the ministry has been supporting women around the world during lockdown
A lesson from baby loss
Woman Alive editor Tola-Doll Fisher explains how God invited her to bless pregnant women rather than envying them following the death of her own daughter
Getting the Nation Talking about Eating Disorders
Hope Virgo, Author of Stand Tall Little Girl and Founder of #DumpTheScales explains her latest campaign #LetsTalkEDs
Learning God's way of doing mission
In their new book, Al Barrett and Ruth Harley explore what the Church has to learn about how Christians can best serve their communities
Re-imagining the Promised Land
A new online festival by Green Christian hopes to encourage us to be stewards of creation
‘Dyslexia is my secret weapon’
A practicing psychotherapist talks about being diagnosed with dyslexia in her 40s and the surprising success she has experienced as a result
‘People were more interested in buying broccoli than hearing me talk about God’
Sheila Jacobs talks about how she learned to do mission authentically
What has God called you to do in this season?
Iona Rossely, once a speed skier hurtling through life at an incredible pace, shares how slowing down to listen to God has become her new mission
Where are all the men?
Ayokunu Oduniyi explains why he thinks there are so few men in our churches, the impact that has – and what he is doing about it
The fashion world is historically toxic, but ethical practices are here to stay
Comet Chukura, the founder and director of Glow and See, explains why she started a business with a social impact
Engaging millennials in mission
Compassion’s Jared Brown shares what he learned from 100 young people about their heart for others
‘I loved my husband more than I loved God’
A Woman Alive reader gets real about who holds the most important position in her life
Would you give up everything to follow Jesus?
Sheila Jacobs reflects on what this call meant for the first disciples and whether she would have done the same
Are new school regulations sexualising our children?
The Let Kids Be Kids Coalition is fighting the no 'right to withdraw' for parents
3 steps to a satisfied soul
Some midweek motivation for #WellbeingWednesday
Friday reflections – Living in the now
Writer Sheila Jacobs shares the lessons she has learned from Ignatian prayer
Can you use rose hip to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis?
This week is dedicated to increasing the profile of a disease that affects almost half a million people in the UK. One company is dedicated to providing a natural healer using rose hip
‘I was refused food because of my faith’
The UK might be returning to a ‘new normal’ but our brothers and sisters around the world are still deeply suffering. Here’s how you can help
#Blessed
Lindsay Macdonald reminds us to stop comparing and start celebrating
'I can still be loved even with wounds'
Hope Virgo suffered abuse at 13 and battled anorexia for years. Here she shares how she learned to push aside the need to be "perfect" before God
Who Am I?
The pandemic has caused many of us to question our identity. Sheila Jacobs finds confidence in an inheritance that will never ‘perish, spoil or fade’
‘God has always been with me, even when I did not recognise him’
A reverend with a penchant for painting shares how this therapeutic practice allowed her to confront her struggles with faith
You can’t have growth without pain
Using the example of a baby teething, Dammy Olatoye shares a life lesson on the strength to endure
Podcasts, Pigeon Poo and Prayer
Woman Alive editor Doll shares her morning routine and how that sets her up for the day
Style it up
For years, Alex Agboke searched for a personal style to reflect her identity. Now God has inspired her to help others find theirs
Keep sparkling and listening
In her final column, Penelope Wilcock reminds us to delight in knowing we are made in the image of God – and the respect one another
Is Jesus still enough?
Many people have said that they drew closer to God during lockdown but for others, it has exposed profound isolation
‘We don’t need to hustle for God’s attention’
While society teaches us we need to look and be a certain way, Florence Gildea asserts that God loves us as we are so we can stop seeking outside validation
‘My daughter is a Buddhist and I love her to bits!’
A reader shares how she has learned to support and encourage her daughter, despite the faith choice she has made
God may surprise you
Writer and Editor Sheila Jacobs was recovering from a debilitating illness when she finally stepped into the calling on her life. Could now be the time for you to step into yours?
Waiting for God
Writer Tope Pearson shares her experience of struggling to see a long-held promise come to fruition – and how she persevered in the years between.
COVID-19 hope for nine million slum dwellers in Mumbai
The global pandemic and calls for a housing revolution could pave the way to ridding India of leprosy
YOUNG ACTIVISTS LAUNCH CLIMATE JUSTICE CAMPAIGN
Christian Aid’s Prophetic Activist Scheme encourages young people to address societal injustice as part of their faith. Chloe Brimicombe explains why it's important
What to do when you’ve lost your job
From furlough to redundancy, the pandemic has left many feeling anxious about the future. If you've recently found yourself out of work, here is what you can do next
God gives clear signs to those who need them
Susan Wright, 75, is the mother of five children and grandmother to nine. She became a Christian in her 20s then married John, now 86, in 1974. She has battled dyslexia and low self-esteem, but has held onto God’s faithfulness through the trials of life, including her husband having cancer twice, two years of unemployment – and even him being sent to prison
Be a cupbearer
Joni Eareckson Tada challenges us not only to pray, but to become God’s active agents of change
‘In God's eyes we are equal’
Katie Lynch, 30, has been married to Leon, 31, for six years. They have two daughters, Kylah, three, and Liberty, one. Here she describes how they met and the challenges they have faced
I've been called chocolate face and curry breath...racism isn't just a black and white issue
A writer from South Asia asks, for those with a skin colour somewhere in between, where do we fit into the discussion?
Why you need a will
We are all living in a period of uncertainty, however, having a will is important, regardless of what stage of life we are in, to leave a legacy for our nearest and dearest
We are all in this together
How do we address the rising tensions from years of racism and injustice? Start with compassion, says Jeanette McCarthy
Six things you need to know about life with God
In August we start a new series on the life lessons from ordinary women of faith. Rosalie is in her 70s, here are six key things she wants to share with you
What does the new domestic abuse bill mean for women?
Relationship charity Restored explains how the new rules around domestic violence can better support and protect victims
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What are the new rules for weddings?
The wedding ban has been lifted but the threat of COVID-19 means there are still restrictions. Michaela Hyde, executive director of Marriage Foundation explains what you need to know
What are you sowing in this season?
Lisa Bevere shares what God has been saying to her during lockdown, why her new book Strong is so relevant for these times and why she rejects the message she has consistently heard – that she is ‘too strong’
The power of stories
We need stories for our times of uncertainty and pain, says Tanya Marlow
A nostalgic, feel-good, coming-of-age story
Little Women has its heroine grasping hold of her career, and also finding love – but let’s be wary of its ‘have it all’ message
A prisoner of faith
What would you do if you were given three days to recant your faith in Jesus?
Facing racism – fight or flight?
After fleeing from Civil War in Sierra Leone, writer Andrena Sawyer says living in the U.S.A. exposed her to a new kind of battle – for equality
Could this be the single person's antidote to loneliness?
In support of Loneliness Awareness Week, Kimberley Pena explains that dance therapy can reduce the feeling of disconnect
Use your small voice
Writer Clare O'Driscoll suggests that in the time of this civil rights movement, we can all do something
Recognising my white privilege
Woman Alive’s Book Club host Amy Boucher Pye says George Floyd’s murder has helped her realise her racial bias
5 ways to stay resilient during lockdown
We were not designed for a socially distanced existence. Writer Cathy Madavan explains how we can adapt to our new normal
Enjoy the life that’s right in front of you
Our very own editor, Tola-Doll Fisher, spoke to Claire Musters about how life might not always turn out the way we expect it to, but it is always a gift
Embracing change
In this extract from her latest book, Jo Saxton reflects on how changes in society can be disorientating, but also provide us with huge opportunities
Does age matter?
Lorraine Wylie meets a couple with a 17-year age gap, who say the difference has never been an issue for them
Sheila Walsh: Church leaders hit rock bottom too!
Has your church leader or a preacher you know hit rock bottom without you realising?
'Early trauma affected my mental health'
Writer Fran Hill lost her mother when she was just 14. Here she considers the lasting impact long into adulthood
A prayer for freedom
Today is Leah Sharibu’s birthday. CSW is inviting us to pray for her release on this special day when this teenager remains far from family and friends
“When this is over, I’m going to dance”
Kiri Kankhwende suffers from a chronic condition which affects her immune system. Here she explains the unexpected healing she has experienced during lockdown
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Commit or quit - do we need new rules for romance?
To celebrate Marriage Week, Harry Benson from the Marriage Foundation reveals a new initiative for everyone - not just married couples
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Support victims of domestic violence during lockdown
On Sunday 10 May, Classfinder.org.uk will be running a 12-hour exercise marathon to raise vital funds for Women’s Aid
‘I’m using my time on furlough to finish my novel’
Once over the shock, Jemimah Wright says being furloughed could be a blessing in disguise
For many people with disabilities, isolation is nothing new
Wheelchair user Fiona Gosden says the current universal experience in lockdown is what disabled people have always known
Silent no more
Rachel Matthews, one of Premier’s Regional Producers, met those behind a new ground-breaking conference for women abused in childhood
Less is sometimes more
Veronica Zundel challenges us to make space for silence each day
God’s presence is what he promises… and it’s more than enough
Glenna Marshall explains to Claire Musters that, even through immense suffering, she has learned that God’s presence is the only answer to our heart’s longings
The comparison trap
Author Helen Roberts talks about the heightened thief of comparison now that we’re all spending much more time online
Our silence betrays Nigeria’s massacred Christians
Charity Open Doors report on why we should be praying for our sisters and brothers overseas
A prayer for unborn children
Reader Angie Jones is supporting the call to prayer by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children
How good neighbours became good friends
Cat Townley shares how the threat of coronavirus turned her street into a thriving community
We need to pray for our nation
Pastor John of Strengthen the Faithful felt God guide him to write the Wartime Miracles Leaflet and circulate it around thousands of churches and prayer groups. It calls for Christians to earnestly intercede with Almighty God for our nation, in the knowledge of how he so clearly answered similar prayers of faith during the Second World War
Coping with a loss of connection
Trained cuddle therapist Rebekka Mikkola explains the theory behind cuddle therapy and how we can weather the absence of touch during COVID-19
‘The foundations on which we have built our lives are crumbling'
In this personal essay, Angie Jones says at the heart of the current pandemic, is a cry for us all to come back to God
The day Whatsapp caught fire
As the arrival of Coronavirus sparks a blaze across social media, journalist Mary Joseph describes how SAT-7’s voice is being heard above the clamour while the country’s churches are silenced
What, no cheese? A vegan guide to building up your immune system
With many fresh food counters closing and self-isolation becoming the norm, some of us will be facing an involuntary vegetarian or even vegan diet. But it’s not all bad! Here are 3 plant-based staples you can try today to support your immune system...
'Can anything good be drawn from this chaos?'
As most of us find ourselves grounded and in lockdown, reports of less air pollution and the return of wildlife point to positive environmental change.
To your very good health...
Veronica Zundel challenges to think about how we treat those will chronic illnesses
Joining together to stop leprosy
Linda Todd, chief executive of The Leprosy Mission Scotland, explains that leprosy is not an ancient disease; it still ravages people today
Breaking the pain barrier
God helped Anne Welsh rise above chronic pain to become a renowned motivational speaker, campaigner, high-powered business woman, influencer and author
There are always empty seats in Church on Mothering Sunday
Today, most if not all churches in the UK will be empty. But Lizzie Lowrie reminds us that even before the Corona Virus pandemic, many avoid church every year on Mothering Sunday
Isolation can’t stop us connecting
Coronavirus, the biggest party-pooper of them all, has swept across the world and changed society as we know it, separating us from one another. Here are some ways to counter that…
God vs COVID-19
Woman Alive contributor Maxine Hallett wonders where we find God when the world seems in turmoil amongst the Corona Virus pandemic
Misbehaviour
Heather Riley reviews the British comedy-drama about the 1970 Miss World competition held in London
Plugging into the power
Penelope Wilcock shows us how women were empowered in Luke’s Gospel, and encourages us to seek the power of the Holy Spirit in our own lives
Hazel’s gift
To mark World Down Syndrome Day, which is held on 21 March, we hear how Alison Morley’s world fell apart when she found out her second child had Down’s syndrome. Then her prejudice and fear turned to love, as Hazel taught her precious life lessons