World Vision has launched its Alternative Gifts’ Christmas catalogue, encouraging the UK public to buy Alternative Gifts this Christmas and help make a life-changing difference to families and communities living with poverty around the world.

The organisation linking together 35 of America's mainline Christian churches, accounting for 50 million members, has accused President George W. Bush of neglecting the needs of sick children, especially in poor communities.

The health of children should be a bipartisan concern, says the US United Church of Christ's general minister and president, calling politicians to override of a presidential veto against an expansion of a crucial children's health insurance programme.

As part of an initiative from the Children's Commissioner, the Methodist Church is the first Christian denomination to announce that it's London HQ will be taken over by children later this year, so that they can find out how the church works and input their own ideas.