This was the core of Obama's recent address to the Notre Dame Catholic University in the US, a controversial event because of his attitude to abortion:

We must find a way to live together as one human family.

It is this last challenge that I'd like to talk about today. For the major threats we face in the 21st century - whether it's global recession or violent extremism, the spread of nuclear weapons or pandemic disease - do not discriminate. They do not recognize borders. They do not see color. They do not target specific ethnic groups.

Moreover, no one person, or religion, or nation can meet these challenges alone. Our very survival has never required greater cooperation and understanding among all people from all places than at this moment in history.

1. Churches in the UK have had the opportunity to reflect theologically and practically on some of the underlying causes and impacts of the global economic crisis at various conferences, seminars and synod debates over the past few months. Based on these reflections, we believe that we have an important contribution to make to the current debate on the reordering of global economic relationships from our Christian faith perspective.
2. Our submission is premised on the principle that the fundamental failure of the market system exposed by the financial crisis is a moral failure; as such it requires a moral response. We therefore reject any proposals for the recovery or regulation of the financial markets predicated on the principle of a return to business as usual, as this implies a return to unethical business and economic relationships.

Leaders of the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches have challenged the G20 heads of government, meeting in London next week, to show "real leadership" and ensure that solutions to the current economic crisis lead to action on global warming.

They want the G20 nations to grasp the opportunity for investment in new technology which will save energy and reduce carbon output. In particular, they are urging the richer nations to agree generous support for developing countries, so they can afford the initiatives they need to take.

The three Churches have already urged the European Union to adopt stronger measures on global warming. Some European leaders have resisted any further burden on industries at this time and have argued that restoring growth should be the priority.

At 1pm on Wednesday 25 February 2009, church leaders from across West Yorkshire came together to make a public statement on debt in society.

Many churches across the county are engaged in supporting the victims of unemployment, especially those who are struggling with debt. Emphasising the Christian responsibility for generosity, the church leaders focused on three issues:
* The Christian tradition of compassion and justice for people in need
vulnerable people need protection from loan sharks and others who would exploit them; the work of Credit Unions is commended and encouraged
* Local churches, working in partnership, can be centres of support for people in debt
Local churches are encouraged to work alongside other agencies to become centres of financial advice and practical care..
* The need for policies that promote a sustainable future in government, banking, business and individuals

A prayer by Bishop Gene Robinson for Barack Obama
on his inauguration as President of the United States
O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will...
Bless us with tears - tears for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women in many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.
Bless this nation with anger - anger at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
Bless us with discomfort - at the easy, simplistic answers we've preferred to hear from our politicians, instead of the truth, about ourselves and our world, which we need to face if we are going to rise to the challenges of the future.

Speaking on behalf of The Baptist Church, The Methodist Church and The URC, the Rev Dr Rosemary Kidd says: "Genuine asylum seekers are frequently escaping from persecution and torture. They often arrive in the UK, speaking no English and with no identifying documents. They are vulnerable, deeply traumatised people, seeking sanctuary and human kindness.
"There are inevitably some ‘false' claimants who should, of course, be efficiently identified through proper legal processes, and then deported to their country of origin. The view of the Joint Public Issues Team, however, is twofold - and quite the reverse of the concerns of Mr Woolas.

Assembly opens with a call to pilgrimage

The Revd John Marsh, inducted as Moderator, called members to pilgrimage. He identified three pilgrimage aims: to be catholic, orthodox and reformed. The Church
'needed to be future-focussed as well as historically rooted, he said.

New general secretary urges Church to stand tall
General Secretary, the Revd Roberta Rominger, said we should face the future with confidence. 'While I share the commitment to walk in unity with other churches, I believe God still has a purpose for the United Reformed Church" she said. 'We have the flexibility, the openness, the experience of reformation, to respond to the challenges of a new day."

The Methodist and United Reformed Churches have together voiced their concern about increasing levels of violence and political intimidation, linked to the delay in announcing the result of Zimbabwe 's presidential election.
Commenting on the precarious situation, the Revd Dr Stephen Orchard, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, said: ‘The Zimbabwe Election Commission owes it to the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe to announce the presidential result without further delay, to enable people to begin the urgent task of rebuilding their shattered lives and economy. We condemn the campaign of violence and intimidation that has been embarked upon by members of the ruling party, following the announcement of the parliamentary election results. We also believe that people who hold power in any country have a first duty to care for the poor and vulnerable rather than for themselves'.

1 May 2008 - Election Day
Local council elections will take place on Thursday 1 May throughout Wales and in some parts of England. There will also be elections in London for the Greater London Assembly and Mayor.
Are you planning to vote? The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have all said that they strongly encourage church members to vote. Voting enables Christians to have a role in saying what sort of policies and principles are emphasised in public life. For Christians, carefully considering the political options and voting prayerfully is one way of showing care and concern for society.
Christians will not always agree with each other about how to approach political issues - and they will certainly not all vote for the same political party - but we can agree that working for a better society is part of Christian discipleship.

Events in recent days heighten concern regarding the situation in Israel/Palestine. A report from Christian Aid and a consortium of agencies*, published on Thursday March 6th, said: "the situation for 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is worse now than it has ever been, since the start of the Israeli Occupation in 1967". Since Thursday, the attack on a religious school in Jerusalem increases the likelihood of spiralling retaliatory violence.

Reflecting on the deepening humanitarian crisis, Mission Council: