Christian Today staff writer

• Open Doors church centres step in to help Syrian families

  Around 12,000 families are being supported through church-run Centres of Hope funded by donations from Open Doors supporters around the world.

• Ukraine church council names new leader in decisive split from Moscow

  Ukraine chose the head of a new national Orthodox church on Saturday, marking an historic split from Russia which its leaders see as vital to the country's security and independence.

• Christian Aid slams British 'double standards' over war in Yemen

  Christian Aid has accused the UK government of 'double standards' in its engagement on war and peace and demanded that it stop selling arms to Saudi Arabia among other states.

• Persecution is a blessing, Chinese elder told church before his arrest

  He wrote to the church in a post shared on Facebook that the persecution they were facing was a 'reward', and that those who had been taken before him were 'within the gracious, sovereign providence of the Lord.

• US returns church bells looted after Philippines massacre

  Church bells taken as war trophies by US forces more than a century ago arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday.

• Christian charity claims Universal Credit is leaving people 'dirt poor'

  CAP supports the simpler new benefit but warns changes must be made urgently if it is to serve those needing a safety net.

• Church of England bishops publish guidance on welcoming transgender people

  Church of England bishops have published guidance for parishes planning services to help transgender people mark their transition.

• Monk, hermit and mystic: 7 quotes from Thomas Merton

  Merton's spirituality drew not just on Christian traditions but on Eastern religions as well, though he was an orthodox Christian.

• Bishop of Oxford warns parliamentarians against 4 Brexit 'temptations'

  The Bishop of Oxford has challenged parliamentarians to put aside the 'four temptations' of self-interest, pursuit of short term power, nostalgia and idealism as they approach tomorrow's crucial Brexit vote.

• Bake Off star Martha Collison urges families to #FollowTheStar this Christmas

  Martha, who made headlines by reaching the quarter-final of the hit reality show aged 17, took on her latest baking challenge in support of the Church of England's #FollowTheStar campaign

• Church night shelters expand to meet demands of rising homelessness

  Night shelters supported by churches are reporting increases in capacity with some adding extra beds and others opening for longer during the week.

• Catholic Church beatifies 19 Algerian Christian martyrs

  The beatification in the port city of Oran is the first of its kind in a Muslim nation.