A Delegation from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark
On a Visit to the MECC Headquarters in Beirut
You can find a photo album below the text.
As part of building bridges and strengthening Ecclesiastical ties between the East and West, a delegation from the Diocese of Aalborg, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark, visited the offices of the Middle East Council of Churches’ General Secretariat, in Beirut, on Monday 2 October 2023. The delegation was received by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, along with the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, and the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar.
The visiting delegation, which is making a tour in Lebanon facilitated by the “Danmission” organization, included Bishop Thomas Reinholdt Rasmussen, Dean Niels Christian Scheel Lassen, Dean Lisbeth Damgren, Pastor Theis Kvesel Aaen, Pastor Ruth Smed Folmersen, Mr. Anders Brødbæk Hummelmose. The visitors were also accompanied by a delegation from the "Danmission" organization, which included the Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Mrs. Kristen Auken, the Program Manager Mr. Antoine Abdel Massih, the Partnership Consultant Mathias Notden Larsen, and the Project Coordinator Sarah Jane Kalaha Redmond.
During the meeting, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs presented the circumstances that the Middle East is going through and the challenges faced by the people of the region who are suffering under the burden of economic, social, health and political crises... The delegation was also briefed by Dr. Abs about the MECC work and mission, as well as to the most important projects that MECC implements.
Moreover, Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar presented details about the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium organized by the Middle East Council of Churches in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik – Lebanon, and on Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University in Beirut.
As well as, Mrs. Seta Hadeshian presented an overview about the aspirations and ongoing preparations for the celebration of the MECC 50-Year Jubilee, in 2024. In addition, she talked about the contribution of the Danish Church in restoring life to the “Birds’ Nest” orphanage, which is located in the Lebanese region of Byblos. She also highlighted the most important historical stages that led to its founding and how it was established, as Mrs. Maria Jacobsen worked to manage and develop it in cooperation with the "Near East Relief" organization.
