The director of the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh has addressed a meeting at the General Synod of the Church of England, its governing body.

A coalition of civil society leaders from UK organisations with more than 12 million members has called on community energy to play a substantial role in meeting Britain''s climate change targets.

The Church of England’s decisions about women bishops are likely to have a major impact on its mission as well as its ministry, says Savi Hensman. If the church appears to be reluctant to accept and fully use women’s gifts, attempts to attract and involve more people across a wide age-range may be undermined.

The government is planning to outlaw paying cash for scrap metal, following pressure from churches, rail companies and civic groups over growing metal and lead theft.