MECC Implements a New Session

of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” Program in Lebanon

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6: 31)

In light of all the daily challenges resulting from the living pressures and various crises that are exacerbating in our societies, spiritual and psychological support has become essential to assist all those who have drowned in despair and help them regain their hope to overcome all the difficulties with great faith and deep hope.

Hence, the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) implemented a new session of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” program in Lebanon, under the title “Jesus said to them: Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6: 31). It was held over the course of five days, between Sunday 4 and Thursday 8 February 2024, at the Saint Augustin Center - Kafra, Ain Saadeh.

Attendees were a group of 25 participants and are Churches’ ministers and their assistants, both consecrated and lay people, who lived harsh experiences due to the various crises and difficult conditions that the region is suffering from, or who are accompanying, in their turn, people who have experienced trauma in their lives. As well as, another group of 7 people who had participated in the previous session of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” program also joined this new session, during which they shared testimonies about their last experience.

This session included times of Prayer and meditation, group participation meetings, as well as individual spiritual and psychological counseling sessions, in addition to recreational periods and religious tourism activities. The participants were also accompanied by a team of Fathers spiritual guides, and specialized psychologists with experience in this field.

It is worth mentioning that this program is being implemented by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in various countries of the Middle East, as it aims to support Churches’ workers and activists on a personal level, and to support them psychologically and spiritually so that they can complete their mission and perform their tasks in a better way.