“Season of Creation” for the First Time in the East with the Middle East Council of Churches
An Introductory Meeting for the 2021 Celebrations
Together We Pray and Work for the Protection of the Environment
#SeasonOfCreationME #MECC
This news is also available in Arabic.
Within the framework of the preparations, celebrations and activities of the “Season of Creation” 2021, the Middle East Council of Churches launched for the first time in the Middle East this universal environmental project during a virtual meeting held on Monday, July 12, 2021 via Zoom. It was organized by the MECC Ecojustice Adhoc Committee and was attended by representatives of involved international and regional organizations such as TearFund, Danmission and A. Rocha Lebanon, in addition to a group of interested participants, members of the committee and a team from the Council.
The meeting began with an opening hymn, followed by an introductory presentation of the project through a video prepared and presented by Father Elias Marswanian, member of the organizing committee. Christians from different Church Families celebrate the Creator’s gift during a period dedicated to Prayer and work for the protection of the environment, between September 1st and October 4 of each year. As well as, a series of videos related to the "Season of Creation" produced by the Ecojustice Adhoc Committee and the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department will be published consecutively on the Council's social media platforms.
Noting that the #SeasonOfCreationME hashtag has also been created for the "Season of Creation" in the Middle East, to be used when publishing all materials, comments and photos... related to this project. In addition to other essential hashtags such as #MECC and #SeasonOfCreation.
During the first part of the meeting, Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah, a member of the organizing committee, presented a detailed overview of the "Season of Creation" project and its history. She also mentioned that the Middle East Council of Churches joined this project for the first time to allow people in the Middle East to participate in its celebrations and activities. Hence, MECC is translating this Season’s booklet into Arabic, so it can be accessible to everyone and published on the Council’s website and social media platforms.
As for this booklet, Dr. Nasrallah said that it was prepared by international organizations under the supervision of an advisory committee. It includes several chapters such as general environmental information, Prayer for the environment, the text of the Ecumenical celebration, readings from the Bible for each week of the Season with explanations and links to many related hymns, in addition to Sermons and Prayers specific for each Church Family, as well as ideas for activities and initiatives.
Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah introduced also the members of the Ecojustice Adhoc Committee in the Middle East Council of Churches, which is composed of Father Tanios Khalil from the Maronite Church, Father Father Timon Al-Suriani from the Coptic Orthodox Church, Father Elias Marswanian, Dr. Dany El-Obeid from the Orthodox Church, Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah from the Evangelical Church and Mr. Jean-Pierre Eid from the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department.
Dr. Dany El-Obeid suggested a list of activities that can be implemented in order to participate in the “Season of Creation” celebrations this year, such as organizing a series of meetings that highlight the environmental care from a Christian point of view, joint Prayers, shedding the light on environmental and agricultural practices adopted by various Churches, suggesting environmental topics for youth meetings, executing afforestation campaigns… Dr. Dany also proposed a shared calendar that would allow organizations, Parishes, groups and youth movements... to write down all the activities that they are in the process of organizing.
As for the second part of the meeting, it was devoted to questions and inquiries, during which many participants presented their suggestions and ideas for the celebrations of this environmental Season, aiming at Praying and working together to protect the environment. The meeting ended with the Prayer of the “Season of Creation” 2021, which is published in this project’s booklet.
