Issue No. 61: Spring 2003
Theme: Prayer
Editor: Katharine Cheney
From Sacred ground to Bells and beat: the spring issue of Magnet takes the theme of prayer. We share in the contemplative life, learn about the spirituality of non-churchgoers and experience the exuberance of Carnival Messiah.

Included are a service for spring reflecting on new beginnings; prayers and thoughts on unity, peace and reconciliation from many faiths; a new focus on the Way of the Cross; book reviews and resources for quiet occasions; as well as picture pages and our usual regular features.

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Issue No. 57: Spring 2002
Theme: All in a day's work
Editor: Alison Brophy
Changing career in mid-stream… volunteering… juggling job and family… the pain of redundancy. The spring issue of Magnet explores the world of work through personal stories, resources and bible study and looks forward to Easter with ideas for worship and meditation, plus all our regular features.

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Issue No. 53: Spring 2001
Theme: Journeying
Editor: Katharine Cheney
Our life journey includes travelling together, changing direction, making unexpected discoveries, being there for others. In this issue we consider the experience of pilgrimage and are introduced to a new aid to prayer and meditation. We hear from a carer and from someone who is losing her sight. We see young Catholics and Protestants learning how others deal with conflict. And we are encouraged to live fully in the present. Worship resources include a service for Easter based on the vision of Ezekiel, bible study on the experience of the Emmaus road and themed and seasonal pictures with meditations as well as book, music and video reviews.

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Issue No. 49: Spring 2000
Theme: Faith Today
Editor: Lynne Ling
Do you ever wonder what other people really think? In this issue of Magnet we take a look at faith in today's world. We ask ordinary people what they believe; we learn that experiences of doubt and uncertainty are common; we look at rituals and are introduced to the idea of 'secular spirituality'. We hear the story of someone choosing to live alongside the poor, of the resourcefulness and mutual support of Ethiopian women and the beliefs of Chinese students. There are examples of churches meeting in new ways, and reflection on a church in decline. There is worship for Holy Week and a new series looking at art, together with meditation pages and resources.

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Issue No. 45: Spring 1999
Theme: Spellbound
Editor: Kathryn Schofield
We spend much of our lives telling stories and listening to stories - but what is a 'true' story? This issue aims to help us enjoy the magic of stories and discern the truth they can hold. Author Trevor Dennis tells of a man who is surprised by heaven and he also celebrates the 'room after room of bright pictures of God' shown to us by stories of the bible. Anthony Reddie records some of the stories of the 'Windrush Generation'. Two professional storytellers give us their tips on effective storytelling. We are encouraged to start our own 'life book'. The Easter narrative of Matthew's gospel is the focus for worship and the title of the service is 'Do not be afraid'. In the service, we are encouraged to use our imagination as we approach scripture. Words and picture pages help us to reflect on the power of stories and especially the story of Jesus.

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Issue No. 41: Spring 1998
Theme: Living today
Editor: Margaret Nicholas
This issue looks at several aspects of 'living today'. What goes on in schools these days? How do young people face up to the difficulties of finding a job? When we ask 'who is my neighbour?' we may find that our community includes families from a different ethnic background, someone with learning difficulties enjoying independent living or a woman who, unknown to anyone, is suffering violent abuse from her partner. All these situations are highlighted. Two contributors share their experience of middle age; the sense of freedom and new opportunities it brings. Medical science raises hopes – and some disturbing questions – as we consider advances in knowledge of human genetics. The service of worship 'Is it me, Lord?' is for use in Holy Week. Together with words and picture pages reflecting on the Easter story and a bible study on Naomi, there is plenty of material for church and group use.

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Issue No.37: Spring 1997
Theme: A seed is meant to grow
Editor: Patricia Hughes
The world in which we live is not a neutral, static environment. To survive, all forms of life evolve and exploit their environment. Christians are aware of the blessings we can use but do not own. Contributors include a farmer setting down his vision of what is right and safe in farming, an agricultural officer detailing how to reclaim fertility in the soil of The Gambia, a woman involved in Women's Network looking at the industrial legacy in the Darlington District and commenting on how business is taking the initiative for regeneration. There is also an article on the aftermath of Chernobyl, which continues to have distressing consequences in many people's lives. Miriam is the subject of the bible study and a service for Holy Week, entitled 'Oil and Water', is useful for those organising worship in churches or with groups.

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Issue No. 33: Spring 1996
Theme: Walk with me
Editor: Patricia Hughes
Have you felt a call from God upon your life? Discovering where God wants us to walk in our lives can take a long time. Here, three women ministers reflect on their vocation. Sometimes people are called into situations beyond their control. Loving brings difficult duties as well as great joy and new, unknown paths to travel. We hear of the unity of purpose and energy when thousands assembled at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women. A Christian woman describes her vocation and a painful process of change. One contributor tells of the Christian Association 'Faith and Light', which assists families in special need and which has had a profound effect on her. A bible study, 'Conversation with Martha', a Good Friday Meditation ('The Watching Mother'), reviews of resources for Lent and Easter and words and picture pages all provide ideas for worship leaders and individuals alike.

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Issue No. 29: Spring 1995
Theme: Thirty pieces of silver
Editor: Philippa Normanton
This issue deals with money and Easter: hence the title! Contributors look at various aspects of money. We are challenged to rethink our views on money in the light of particular bible passages and three women talk about how they manage their finances. We hear about the advice offered by the Citizens Advice Bureau to people with debt problems and an article on a Credit Union may inspire others to set one up in their own locality. We are encouraged to buy fairly traded goods. We see how an Empowerment Grant for Women has enabled women in Sierra Leone to establish a Women's Desk. The order of service takes its name from the theme and is a moving, imaginative and popular one for use in Holy Week. Other materials also reflect Easter time.

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Issue No. 25: Spring 1994
Theme: The cost of love
Editor: Margaret Nicholas
1994 was the International Year of the Family and the theme of parenting is taken up here, together with that of Easter. We hear how grants have helped local parent and toddler groups and two very different families share their experiences. Love has its price and can bring heartache and anxiety. A single mother shares her anguish at having to cope alone with a rebellious son and daughter. Another contributor describes her struggle to come to terms with childlessness. The qualities we associate with good parenting can also be found in those who have no children but care for others in friendship, in the community or in loving devotion to an elderly relative. We hear about the death of a child and how one young couple travelled from tragedy to the possibility of new hope, with hymns to use for a baptism or on the death of a baby. Reflections, pictures and meditations reflect that Easter is a new beginning.

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Issue No. 21: Spring 1993
Theme: Love is come again
Editor: Margaret Nicholas
Resurrection is not only an historical event, but also a regular part of human experience. Whenever there is new hope, a new beginning, a new direction, we experience the Risen Christ. Resurrection is the theme for this issue, which features the story of a mother watching her son die of AIDS, a woman's personal experience of resurrection after her husband took his own life, and the rebirth of communities in Penrhys and in Ebbw Vale. Articles also include a look at the dilemmas of drought in Zimbabwe, the miracle after rain in Nigeria and a reader's experience of breaking 'through the fear barrier'. Resources and books for Easter are reviewed and we hear a story of practical Christianity in India. We also learn how to recycle paper and card to make practical and useful furniture. Reflections focus on the centre pages and may be copied for once-only use in worship.

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Issue No. 17: Spring 1992
Theme: Life in the balance
Editor: Mollie Locke
This issue considers the balancing act that most of us deal with throughout life. A visit to Myanmar as the only woman delegate in a group of fifty-four, a theology of health and wholeness to challenge our thoughts, personal reflections on Christ and communism, the challenge of health and healing ministries, nursing yesterday and today, details of baby milk action and a spotlight on Liverpool District provide plenty of food for thought on the theme. There are also articles on partners in action in Central America, outreach by women in South Africa and details about the Media Awareness Project. Worship resources include material to reflect on 'living the balance' and picture and meditation pages that are suitable for Easter.

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Issue No. 13: Spring 1991
Theme: Communities – renewed in love
Editor: Tricia Graves
With this issue, Magnet changed in style, using a new heading and page layout. Editorship began to rotate amongst members of an editorial group. In this issue, we are reminded that Christianity is not merely a philosophy; it is a relationship with God and with each other. Taizé has long stood as a beacon of light in the aftermath of World War II and its atmosphere of prayer and unquestioning acceptance of all have touched many. We hear of the struggle of East and West Germany to understand and accept each other. In the UK, we highlight the presence of communities like the Sisters of Jesus Way and the Sparkbrook Ashram, as centres for promoting love and understanding in their respective cities. We also hear about pioneering work in Eastern Nigeria. Community is the theme of resources and images for meditation.

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Issue No. 10: Spring 1990
Theme: Openings
Editor: Lois Ainger
From 1987-1989 Magnet was produced three times per year. In Spring 1990, Magnet became a quarterly magazine. Many features in this issue look at the openings for those at the start of life. We see how teenage Mums prepare for the future in Edinburgh and admire the courage of a young woman in a family impasse. One contributor talks about her experience of ME and another, a grandmother, remembers what it was like to have an illegitimate child in her teens. We read about children's basic rights, a new start in Jamaica after a hurricane visits and the appointment of a development officer for Women's Network, who will develop ways in which women from ethnic minority communities can contribute more fully to the life of Women's Network. Ways to explore the theme, through discussion and activities in small groups, provide ideas to develop the theme further. Picture and meditation pages reflect the theme of openness and a new start.

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Issue No. 7: Spring 1989
Theme: Touched and healed
Editor: Lois Ainger
As this issue explores the theme, we see how lives have been touched by others and reached by an outstretched hand, not always in tangible ways. Contacts have led to improved mutual understanding, and healing has taken place. We look at the promotion of health and healing through the eyes of a patient and of those professionally involved in the services. Other contributors see how keeping in touch with others and the warmth of relationships may lead to enrichment and new openings. We travel to Peru and the devastation of World War II in Poland. We read of children suffering from human cruelty, lust and selfishness. An act of worship, entitled See my hands, provides material for church or group use. The centre page meditations are combined under the title 'Holding and being held.'

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Issue No. 4: Spring 1988
Theme: The promise of joy
Editor: Lois Ainger
This issue looks at the Crucifixion and Resurrection as an experience of joy. The hope of Easter shines through times of uncertainty, with its assured note that God is joy. Articles include a fresh appraisal of feminism, the poignant story of the last few months of a young son's life, a tale of release an new growth in marriage counselling, reflections on being a mother at home, information about marriage enrichment, a story of new growth in Nigeria and memories of 'Sunshine and Roses'. Tips on how to use the magazine as a personal, group and discussion resource are provided, and the prayers and meditations in the centre pages reflect the promise of joy at Easter.

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Issue No. 1: Spring 1997
Theme: Home
Editor: Lois Ainger
The first issue focuses on home, what we think about it and considers the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless. Home and its loss are woven through the theme. Articles deal with changing homes (no, not 'changing rooms'!), being homeless, Quilt Aid, a series beginning on fictional characters - the Clarke family - whose concerns and discussions we shall learn over forthcoming issues. One contributor talks about her return home to the Bay Islands and another remembers her childhood home in the country. This first issue also starts a regular pattern of pointers and tips on how the magazine can be used for personal reflection, group work, discussion and action. Central meditation and picture pages reflect on life as a journey homewards. Thoughts on the Crucifixion link with the Easter season.

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