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 weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, which title is “The Church in Defense of Creation”. It was his speech which was delivered at the opening of the conference ‘Respect for Creation is the Glorification of the Creator’, organized by the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), between 24 and 30 July 2023, in Egypt.

As part of its monthly seminars, you can also find the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches to participate in its round table it organized under the title “Human Dignity and Palestinian Refugees”, on Thursday 27 July 2023.

As well as, the issue presents details and photos about the opening conference of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), under the theme "Respecting the Creation, Glorifying the Creator", and presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac, Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria, and Head of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt. The opening was held on Monday 24 July 2023, at the Seminary's headquarters in Maadi, Egypt.

The issue also carries a news about the meeting of Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki, President of the Evangelical Churches in Egypt, the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services, with a delegation including 40 Deans, Religious Leaders and students, who are members of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), on Monday 24 July 2023, in Cairo.

Moreover, the issue includes a news about the meeting of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, with a delegation from the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), on Tuesday 25 July 2023, at the Papal Residence in the Monastery of Saint Anba Bishoy in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt.

The issue also presents a news about the visit of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs to His Grace Anba Antonios, Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Eastern Orthodox Family. The visit was on Wednesday 26 July 2023, at the headquarters of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate in Beirut.

On the occasion of the National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and at the invitation of His Excellency Egypt's Ambassador to Lebanon Dr. Yasser Alawi, you can find a news about the participation of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs in the reception held at his Excellency’s residence in Dohat El Hoss in Beirut, in commemoration of the "23 July Revolution". It was held on Friday 21 July 2023, with the participation of official, political and cultural personalities and diplomats from Arab and Foreign Countries.

This is in addition to a news and photos about the restoration of a youth center called the "Study Zone," which serves as a meeting place for young people and a space for reading and studying, in Aleppo, Syria, in addition to establishing a sports club in “Telephone Hawaee” neighborhood in Aleppo. This was part of the “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria”, implemented by the Middle East Council of Churches in cooperation with “Kerk in Actie” organization in the Netherlands, and within the interest of MECC and the Armenian Protestant Church in the situation of youth in Aleppo.

Furthermore, the issue includes many reports issued by MECC after the earthquake that hit the North of the Antiochian Levant, 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 showing the difficult humanitarian situations in Syria.

The issue also presents the Ecumenical Calendar for the month of August 2023, issued by the Middle East Council of Churches, Communication and Public Relations Department. In addition to the international “Season of Creation” guide 2023 entitled “Let Justice and Peace Flow” in Arabic and English. Noting that MECC has translated it into Arabic. As well as, you can find 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 June 2023 and the latest updates of the Coronavirus in the region.