Nine Methodist Church leaders appeared in court in Fiji yesterday, pleading not guilty to charges of breaching Public Emergency Regulations. They have been released on bail but are forbidden to preach, speak in public or meet with each other.

Seven Methodist Church leaders in Fiji have been arrested and questioned by the country's military government. The regime is reported to fear political discussions at the Methodists' forthcoming annual conference.

A Methodist minister will be offering visitors to Trafalgar Square a touch of midweek spirituality as he leads a worship service from the fourth plinth, alongside Nelson’s Column and the imposing facade of the National Gallery.

The Rev Alison Tomlin has been elected President Designate of the Methodist Conference for 2010-2011, and Deacon Eunice Attwood has been elected Vice President Designate.

The Methodist Church has circulated guidance among church leaders in the event of an H1N1 flu pandemic in the UK. Anglican, Catholic, Free Church and independent church leaders are asking people not to overreact to the media hype.

The Methodist Church in Britain has welcomed the Chancellor’s budget commitment today to provide work or training for under 25s who have been jobless for more than a year. It has also welcomed green pledges.

As the bloody fighting in Sri Lanka reached a climax this month, the Methodist Church in Britain has urged Christians to offer prayer and support for hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians.

Free Church denominations have called for justice and compassion for asylum seekers, following a statement from Immigration Minister Phil Woolas criticising human rights groups and lawyers for assisting the vulnerable.

The Baptist Union, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church are calling for churches and governments to mark the International Day of Peace by praying and working for peace in the Indian State of Orissa and Georgia.

The Methodist Church in Britain has joined other churches and NGOs in calling for urgent support and prayer for thousands of hard-pressed Christians in India as violence flares across the state of Orissa.