Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Church chiefs want the G20 heads of government, meeting in London next week, to move boldly on the current economic crisis and action on global warming.

The Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have cautiously welcomed news of the power-sharing deal reached between the Zanu-PF and MDC political parties in Zimbabwe. But they have expressed concern about the practical realities.

The United Reformed Church has appointed the Rev Roberta Rominger as its general secretary. She becomes the first woman to hold the senior post in the Church, or in any of its predecessor denominations.

In a move that is designed as a challenge to "consumerism as usual" and a reminder of the dominance of money in our lives, the Methodist Church in Britain has launched an alternative Credit Card containing a "buy less" message.