MECC Implements a New Session
Of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” Program in Egypt
Together We Walk Towards Hope!
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
Under the title “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6: 31), the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Theological and Ecumenical Department, implemented a new session of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” program in Egypt - Saint Mark’s Center, between 12 and 17 May 2024.
Attendees were a group of 26 participants, including 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.
The session aimed to support Churches’ workers and activists on a personal level, and to help them psychologically and spiritually so that they can complete their mission and perform their tasks in a better way. It also included times of Prayer and meditation, group participation meetings, in addition to spiritual and psychological topics. The participants were accompanied by a team of Fathers spiritual guides, and specialized psychologists with experience in this field.
In this context, the first day’s topic was “Why did you strike me?” (John 18: 23) my self-worth, the human and psychological trauma, and the feeling of emptiness as a result of injustice. The second day revolved around the title, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15: 34), the spiritual shock and the feeling that God has abandoned Man.
In addition, the third day was entitled “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23: 34), my new life, healing from human and psychological trauma and progress. The fourth day’s theme was “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11: 25), my own resurrection, the spiritual healing to which Christ, risen from the dead, leads us to, and walking in the spirit of the victorious life over death through the spirit of Resurrection.
It should be noted that this program is being implemented by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in various countries of the Middle East, as it also represents an opportunity to exchange opinions and experiences about various topics of interest to the participants, and contributes to building new ecumenical friendships.
