Drama Therapy and Psychological Support

In light of the daily pressures surrounding our societies, children became in dire need of a safe space in which they can feel free to express themselves. Therefore, it has become necessary to develop their abilities and skills and teach them valuable skills which can elevate them to better heights once they reach adulthood. Hence, the Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in cooperation with the international organization Mennonite Central Committee - MCC, launched 10 drama therapy sessions over a period of 3 weeks, for a group of 7 children.

The aim was to empower the participants, build skills for self-expression and self-regulation, which can in turn boost self-confidence, enhance empathy and social skills, reduce stress and anxiety, and foster cognitive development.

Held in Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, from January 23 to 24, 2025

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in cooperation with the United Church of Canada, organized a consultative seminar entitled "Dismantling the Authority of Decision or Participation in the Authority of Decision", with the aim of discussing the mechanism of the new partnership relationship between the United Church of Canada and its partners in the world, including its partners in the Middle East, such as the Middle East Council of Churches, in order to give partners more future freedom to choose their humanitarian and development needs and have their direct management to the programs supported by the United Church of Canada.

This initiative comes in response to the new strategic goals of the United Church of Canada on the topic of abandoning the authority of choice and decision that Church institutions in the West have been accustomed to following for many years in the past, which contradicts the spiritual and moral concept of respecting the needs of others without imposing specific goals or strategies that do not achieve the partners' goals and actual needs.

The consultation session was attended by the United Church of Canada partners in the Middle East from Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan, along with some ACT Alliance members present in Jordan and abroad, either in person or via Zoom.

With the completion of the achievements for the year 2024 and preparation for the entitlements in the new year, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, held a general meeting for the MECC General Secretariat team, entitled progress and success in International forums. The meeting was held on the occasion of the election of the MECC candidate Eng. Samer Laham, Director of the MECC Diakonia and Social Service Department, as a member of the new Governing Board of the International ACT Alliance.

Noting that the elections of the new Governing Board took place at the 4th General Assembly of ACT, which was held in Yogyakarta - Indonesia, under the theme "Hope in Action, Together for Justice," between October 28 and November 1, 2024.

During the MECC General Secretariat meeting, which was held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Council's headquarters in Beirut, the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs addressed a congratulatory word to Mr. Samer, praising his distinguished competencies and capabilities, thanking him for his efforts and contributions in the Ecclesiastical and humanitarian fields. He also emphasized the credibility of the Middle East Council of Churches internationally and the quality of the humanitarian services it provides with the support of the "ACT Alliance".

In light of the difficult living circumstances that Lebanon is passing through as a result of the security, economic, social and health crises that have cast their shadows on the country, men have become one of the most social groups that face daily pressures and challenges that hinder their usual activities. Hence, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, implemented eight empowerment sessions for a group of men in order to support them and alleviate the despair surrounding them.

The sessions come at a time when many men have lost their source of livelihood. Therefore, they aimed to develop the participants’ capabilities and train them in new manual skills teaching them how by using a rope they can create products that can be used in day-to-day applications.

Entitled “Disaster Risk Management and Churches Response”

The Middle East Council of Churches held a training session in the Governorate of Akkar, entitled “Disaster Risk Management and Churches Response,” with support from Tearfund.

The session took place in the hall of Our Lady of Salvation Melkite Greek Catholic Church in the town of Sheikh Mohammad – Akkar, and was attended by more than fifty participants from various Churches and professional backgrounds.

The meeting began with a Prayer prepared by Father Spiridon Tannous, titled “The Church of Antioch’s Response to the Famine in Jerusalem.” After this, the participating youth introduced themselves and became acquainted.

Subsequently, Father Spiridon divided the youth into groups and organized training workshops, which generated significant interest among the attendees.

Later, Father Basilios Ghafari and the Journalist Lea Maamary gave lectures on different types of disasters, their impact on individuals and society, and the importance of local churches taking action to respond to crises by forming and effectively organizing emergency committees.

His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji: It is necessary to enhance cooperation, solidarity and God-reliance

With the blessing and presence of His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, Head of the Chaldean Community in Lebanon, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department – Lebanon’s Office, in partnership with TearFund organization, held a new training course within the program "Disaster Risk Management and Churches Response", on Saturday, December 7, 2024, hosted by the Chaldean Archdiocese of Beirut, Hazmieh - Lebanon.

The training was held in the presence of Monsignor Raphael Traboulsi, the General Vicar of the Chaldean Diocese of Beirut, and Father Khoren, Priest of the Armenian Orthodox Cathedral Church in Zkak el-Blat, Beirut, and the participation of an Ecumenical group including 120 participants of clergy, consecrated men and women, lay people, scouts and workers in the Church field from the Chaldean Diocese of Beirut, the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut, and the Armenian Orthodox Archdiocese of Lebanon.

The training aimed to empower the participants and develop their capacities on the topic at hand in order to support them and provide them with the basic skills that will help them train workers in their Parishes. Thus, it will enable them to help the Church in supporting the neediest and most affected people by the crises and difficult living conditions, on various humanitarian, social, health and psychological levels.

Through its Service and Relief Department, Diakonia, the Middle East Council of Churches continues its efforts to strengthen social and economic stability within local communities. The goal is to provide individuals with the necessary support to improve their living standards in response to current economic challenges.

Operating through its office in Syria, the Diakonia Department has supported many small projects in the Latakia and Tartus governorates via the Livelihood Support Program. This initiative aims to empower project owners and equip them with essential tools for success and sustainability.

A total of 72 projects were supported, spanning various fields. These included a greenhouse, a motorcycle repair workshop, an event decoration center, a mosaic art workshop, a car wash, a candle-making workshop, a local restaurant, and dairy and cheese production. Additionally, there were other small projects addressing local community needs and providing a source of income for their owners.

 The Diakonia and Social Service Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Syria’s Office, continues raising awareness among pregnant and lactating women about the importance of breastfeeding and the correct way to care for infants.

This is being done through holding health and Psychosocial sessions for pregnant and lactating mothers in three governorates: Damascus and its countryside, Aleppo, and Dara’a.

These sessions shed light on all aspects related to breastfeeding, the difficulties mothers face with breastfeeding, and clarification of some misconceptions. They also addressed complementary feeding for infants, maternal nutrition, and dietary practices when the child is ill.

With the rise of unemployment and inflation rates, as well as the increase in the prices of basic needs, the percentage of families living below the poverty line and relying primarily on humanitarian aid has increased. Many young people find themselves unable to build a stable future under these harsh conditions.

In response to these challenges, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues to support the most vulnerable people by organizing vocational training courses that help participants enter the job market. In addition, MECC provided them with vocational kits as well as skills through business start-up courses, enabling them to establish small businesses that can become sources of income, rather than spending months or even years searching for suitable job opportunities.

In this context, the MECC Diakonia and Social Service Department, Syria’s Office, conducted a vocational training course on growing oyster mushrooms and another course on distilling medicinal herbs and flowers. A total of 30 participants, aged between 25 and 55, benefited from these courses.