(1995– ; quarterly; files in R&H ). A four-color, 56-page magazine targeted to Seventh-day Adventist women. Circulation is primarily in the North American Division, though subscriptions also come from women throughout the world divisions. With the success of women’s retreats and the women’s devotional book in the early 1990s a grassroots desire developed for a Seventh-day Adventist women’s magazine. The Review and Herald Publishing Association surveyed more than 2,000 women at retreats, camp meetings, and churches in the North American Division in 1993 and 1994 to assess potential interest. Women expressed a need for a Christian women’s magazine that understands the uniqueness of their beliefs and lifestyle.
The name Women of Spirit captures the essence of the magazine—to be led by the Spirit and to be enthusiastic, spirited women. The magazine’s mission is to be a friend and mentor stimulating spiritual vitality, nurturing emotional growth, fostering balanced, healthy living, and encouraging a dynamic Christian witness in the home and community.
To fulfill this mission, it features real people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. It is interactive, providing a place for SDA women to exchange ideas, share concerns, and discuss solutions to problems. The vision of Women of Spirit is to build a joyful sense of community among women in the church and affirm their place of service in the body of Christ.
Women of Spirit features articles in a conversational, practical style dealing with the real issues women face today. Topics include spirituality, stress, parenting, singlehood, witnessing, abuse, career, divorce, wellness, relationships, etc.
Regular columns, some written by well-known denominational women, enrich each issue, addressing emotional growth, parenting, money management, women’s health questions, and career issues. One column, written by a man, highlights the mysterious, though often humorous, interrelationship between men and women.
Other standard features include women’s ministry news, profiles of ordinary women doing extraordinary things, reports of how women share their faith in their workplace, personal stories, lunch interviews with a group of women, and devotionals emphasizing deeper spiritual life.
Women of Spirit is designed to be intentionally interactive—a forum for Adventist women to communicate with one another. Readers contribute humorous family anecdotes, or respond to questions relating to various articles. Each issue features a reader-response article on such topics as How Mother Made Sabbath Unforgettable, Blessings, Meet My Mentor, or Remembering Special Family Meals. The subtitle of Women of Spirit is “Adventist Women Sharing Their Lives.”
Editors: Penny Estes Wheeler, 1994– .