Momentum, the Weekly Newsletter from the Middle East Council of Churches
In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches, Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find the statement issued by MECC following the earthquake that hit the north of the Antiochian Levant, in which the MECC calls on the international community for emergency aid and urges for lifting the sanctions on Syria. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, which title is “Reflections on harsh times”, and has the subtitle “On the sidelines of the earthquake in the north of the Antiochian Levant”, he praises the rescue and relief work being made by various parties in Turkey and Syria, which were affected by the earthquake. He also stresses the importance of assisting others’ during their tragic times and helping the neediest.
The issue also presents a video interview with His Eminence Archbishop Ephraim Maalouli, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, Alexandretta and Dependencies, in which he describes the first moments of terror they went through due to the earthquake and how the Church worked to heal the wounds of the affected and afflicted people.
As well as, the issue includes a video in which Rogina Makhoul, a mother who survived the earthquake, highlighting the first moments of terror that they experienced, describing the state of panic, fear and anxiety that families in Syria are suffering from. In addition to another video in which Georges Batikha, a survivor of the earthquake, describes the difficulties they witnessed during the first actions they had to make following the disaster, stressing that the urgent needs are increasing daily.
You can also find in the issue many reports issued by MECC under the name of "Rescue Syria Update" which will keep you informed about the developments of MECC action as well as the overall situation in a context analysis perspective. The MECC will be also publishing other periodical and updated reports. This is in addition to photo albums from Syria showing the massive catastrophe that occurred due the earthquake.
Furthermore, the issue presents a news about the second phase of the Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling Program, which is being organized by the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department, for Parishes’ ministers and their associates from various Church Families in the different countries of the Middle East. The program is being conducted between Sunday 12 and Saturday 18 February 2023, at the St. Augustine Center in Kafra region, Lebanon.
The issue also shares the Ecumenical Calendar for February 2023, Ecumenical reports, the weekly Prayer, videos, and news of the Middle Eastern Churches.
Additionally, the issue presents a socio-economic overview of the Middle East during January 2023 and the latest updates of the Coronavirus in the region.