Youth of Lebanon Starts the “Season of Creation” 2022 in the East with MECC

An Environmental Activity in Kfardebian Invites Us to Listen to the Voice of God's Creation

From the North and South of Lebanon, young people woke up early with enthusiasm and were ready for their activity. They had one goal: listen to the voice of creation. Youth women and men, from different Church families and youth movements in Lebanon, headed together to the Lebanese region of Kfardebian in Keserwan, on the morning of Saturday 3 September 2022. They participated in a youth environmental activity organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, and were accompanied by a group of clergy. In kfardebian, they met with nature, and inaugurated the series of celebrations that will be held in many countries of the Middle East for this year, on the occasion of the international “Season of Creation” launching.

The slogan of the activity was “We Walk and Listen to the Voice of Creation!”. The program included many environmental youth segments, but most importantly it motivated the participants to look deep into nature with all their senses and discover the richness of the Lord’s Gifts. In fact, the youth stressed the need to listen to the creation and save it from danger. They raised their voices and emphasized that we live in a common home and it is our responsibility to protect it.

Ecumenical Young People Raising their Voices to the World

A Youth Protest at the WCC 11th General Assembly

"Stop water and air pollution! Stop environmental crime! There’s no Planet B! Green Faith and Better Future!...”. These slogans were raised by young people from all over the world during a youth protest held, Friday 2 September 2022, in Karlsruhe, Germany. In fact, the Ecumenical Youth Gathering (EYG) at the World Council of Churches expressed the need for common work towards achieving climate justice. Noting that the “Season of Creation” 2022 is launched worldwide.

Today, youth are suffering from many issues. But the climate issue is now their most important priority. Their purpose is to highlight the danger of climate change, and invite all people for effective work in order to find practical solutions to protect the earth and their common home. But is anyone listening to them?

The MECC General Secretariat Prays for Creation

Teach us, O Lord, to contemplate your creation, and listen for the voice of each creature declaring your glory!

The international “Season of Creation” 2022 has started in the Middle East and its theme for this year is “Listen to the Voice of Creation”. The Season begins on September 1 and ends on October 4 of each year. Hence, the Season invites us this year to listen to the voice of creation, which is suffering due to many factors. So we unite in prayer, thanking God for all His blessings and glorifying His Holy Name, “faith comes from hearing.” We also unite and share a common call to care for our Lord’s creation. We are co-creatures, and part of all that God has made. Our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth.

On the occasion, members of the MECC General Secretariat’s family who were present in Beirut, gathered and prayed for God the Creator, on Thursday 1st of September 2022, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut. MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs and a delegation of Directors were absent due to their participation in the WCC 11th General Assembly taking place in Karlsruhe, Germany, as well as others were busy due to many conferences.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, MECC launches the “Season of Creation” 2022 in the Middle East, and invite you with its Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, to participate in a series of celebrations that will be held in various countries of the region. As for the weekly message of Dr. Abs, it is entitled “An international Ecumenical meeting at the level of the actual challenges”, in which he tackled his impressions and expectations from the WCC 11th General Assembly taking place between 31 August and 8 September 2022 in Karlsruhe, Germany.

Noting that Dr. Abs is participating in this Assembly heading a delegation from the General Secretariat including the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Fr. Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, and the Director of the Communication and Public Relations Department Mrs. Huguette Salameh.

The issue also presents the “Season of Creation” 2022 international booklet entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”, which was translated into Arabic by MECC for the second consecutive year, and published in Arabic for the whole world.

Towards the Consolidation of Ecumenism in a More Just and Peaceful World

From all over the world, the international and Middle Eastern ecumenical family meets in Karlsruhe, Germany, where the 11th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches is taking place from 31 August to 8 September 2022, under the theme "Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity". In fact, the theme is an affirmation of faith that Christ’s love transforms the world in the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, to a more alive and safer one. The love of the compassionate, crucified, and risen Christ is at the heart of this world, and wins over the powers of destruction, sin and difficulties.

Hence, the WCC 11th General Assembly is being held at a difficult time when the whole world is witnessing severe health, social, economic and security crises... Nevertheless, the Assembly is an event that calls, with Christ’s infinite love, the churches to work together unceasingly and with people of other faiths and all those of good will for just peace and reconciliation. It is a call for the visible unity of the church to become a prophetic sign and a foretaste of the reconciliation of this world with God, and the unity of humankind and all creation.

Before the WCC General Assembly kicked off, four pre-assemblies convened, with the participation of hundreds of people from the whole world in each one. The pre-assemblies included Indigenous Peoples, Ecumenical Youth Gathering, Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, and Just Community of Women and Men, and aimed at discussing and exchanging ideas, challenges and expectations.

“Listen to the Voice of Creation”

Middle Eastern Celebrations to Pray and Work Together for the Protection of Our Common Home

#SeasonOfCreationME

We are happy to announce that the international "Season of Creation" for this year will be kicked off in the Middle East after it was launched by the Middle East Council of Churches for the first time in the region last year. Noting that its international celebrations start on September 1 and end on October 4 of each year. A Season during which the people and Christians of the Middle East, unite with the ecumenical family around the world, to participate in prayer and work together to protect our common home, as well as to listen and respond to the cry of Creation which is under threat.

For the second consecutive year, the Middle East Council of Churches has translated the international “Season of Creation” booklet into Arabic, which you can download it by clicking here. This year’s theme is “Listen to the Voice of Creation” and its slogan is “The Burning Bush”. The Psalmist (19: 1-4) acknowledges that hearing the voice of creation requires a kind of listening that is increasingly rare. Within the ecumenical Christian family, there is a diverse range of traditions to help us recover our capacity to hear the voice of creation.

And Launches the “Season of Creation” 2022 in the Middle East

The Communication and Public Relations Department at the Middle East Council of Churches have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of September 2022. It includes the Ecclesiastical and Liturgical feasts of the various families of Churches in the Middle East. In addition to international days identified by the United Nations, and which are related to the MECC identity and its spiritual and human mission. Noting that the remaining months of the year will be published consecutively.

As well as, the Middle East Council of Churches launches during September 2022, the “Season of Creation” activities in the region for the second consecutive year through translating the Season’s international booklet into Arabic, with this year’s theme “Listen to the Voice of Creation”. This is in addition to a series of celebrations organized by MECC, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, in many countries of the Middle East. Noting that the international celebrations of the Season start on September 1st and end on October 4 of each year.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches you can find a news about the visit of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, heading a delegation from the General Secretariat, to His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. As for the weekly message of Dr. Abs, it is entitled “On their International Day: Youth, Challenges and Questions”, and is dedicated for the International Youth Day celebrated on August 12.

The issue also presents a news and pictures about the congratulatory visit held by Dr. Michel Abs, heading a delegation from the MECC General Secretariat, to Father Hadi Mahfouz following his election as General President of the Lebanese Maronite Order, besides the new General Presidency complex.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs and the members of the MECC General Secretariat warmly congratulate Father Hadi Mahfouz on his election as General President of the Lebanese Maronite Order, after the convening of the Order’s Electoral Commission on 29 July 2022, which followed the retreat of the Ordinary General Assembly held from 26 to 28 July 2022.

On the occasion, the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs headed a delegation from the General Secretariat, which included the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the Director of the Communication and Public Relations Department Mrs. Huguette Salameh, and the Executive Secretary Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, in a congratulatory visit to Father Mahfouz and the new General Presidency complex.

2 years after the Beirut Blast, what has changed at the crime scene? are the Beirutis still clinging to hope? how does Beirut look today? did the pulse return to its heart? In the report, you will find a tour in the neighborhoods of Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael, as well as stories of some Beirutis who survived death, affirming that the will of life is stronger. The video is prepared by the Communications and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches you can find details about the webinar organized by MECC entitled “Palestinians and Liberation from a Christian Stance”, which is the first in a series of seminars that will be organized by the Council on a monthly basis on various topics and current issues. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Palestine, the first of the seminars, the first results”, and revolved around the webinar and its goals.

MECC Gives Life Back to the Damaged Small Businesses

Beirut is a “stricken” city. This is what the Lebanon Defense Council declared the day after the Beirut Port disaster which occurred on August 4, 2020. Indeed, Beirut was crying out for help on various humanitarian, material and psychological levels… Emergency was declared in the country, and many associations and organizations have directly started work for the rescue of the Beirut wounded people. In fact, they lost their loved ones and everything they have in a moment.

The Middle East Council of Churches have rapidly launched two relief appeals and began field work in the capital’s neighborhoods, in order to heal the wounds of the Beirutis. The mission of the MECC Service and Relief – Diakonia Department, Beirut’s Office, included many types of aids such as distributing food, hygiene, and dignity kits, mattresses, diaper packs, unconditional vouchers, hygiene vouchers, and cash assistance…

In addition, the Diakonia Department launched a program for the rehabilitation of small businesses in Beirut, which witnessed significant damage.

Two Years of Death, Destruction and Pain Everywhere in Beirut...

But

Here the Will of Life Is Stronger

August 4... a date that made history. A day which would have been normal if the clock hadn’t stopped at 6:07 p.m. The moment of the catastrophe, the Beirut Port Blast disaster. An earthquake that turned the lives of the Lebanese upside down.

More than 230 victims, 3000 wounded, thousands of displaced people and affected physically, psychologically and financially...

Two years after Hiroshima Beirut, and the wound of the Lebanese has not healed. Even the truth of what happened on that fateful day is not yet discovered, especially that the Blast investigations are paralyzed. However, justice will reveal one day, and the right time will come, for we are the children of hope and Resurrection.

Two years after the Port disaster, what has changed at the crime scene? Are the Beirutis still clinging to hope? How does Beirut look today? Did the pulse return to its heart?

Report: July 2022

The Middle East continues to draw the attention of various world powers as their energy priorities have been altered by the Russo-Ukrainian war. Foreign leaders are hustling towards the Middle East to stabilize the region so that the area can pump even more energy to meet global consumer needs. Yet things remain easier said than done as energy needs remain plenty and it would take more than the US President’s visit to Saudi Arabia to solve the global shortage.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches you can find a news and photos about the visit of the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs heading a delegation from MECC to Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, MECC President for the Evangelical Family, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, and President of Haigazian University in Lebanon. As for the weekly message of Dr. Abs, it is entitled “Institutions are the guarantee of sustainability and the cornerstone of social progress”, and is the speech that he delivered during the visit to Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian.

In the issue, the MECC invites you to participate in a webinar entitled “Palestinians and Liberation from a Christian Stance”, on Friday 29 July 2022 at 7h30 p.m.

Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian: Let Us Together Build Bridges Between the Eastern Churches in Order to Consolidate the Spiritual Communion Among Them

Video - Dr. Michel Abs: The Ecumenical Culture Has Made Great Strides Since the Establishment of the MECC, But We Still Have a Long Way

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs headed a delegation from the MECC General Secretariat on a visit to Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, MECC President for the Evangelical Family, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, and President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, today, Wednesday 27 July 2022, in his office at the University.

This visit followed the election of Reverend Dr. Haidostian as MECC President for the Evangelical Family at the MECC 12th General Assembly, and is part of the program of visits that Dr. Abs is making to the Presidents of the Council and to the Church leaders.

The Communication and Public Relations Department at the Middle East Council of Churches have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of August 2022. It includes the Ecclesiastical and Liturgical feasts of the various families of Churches in the Middle East. In addition to international days identified by the United Nations, and which are related to the MECC identity and its spiritual and human mission. Noting that the remaining months of the year will be published consecutively.

As part of the Middle East Council of Churches 12th General Assembly’ s activities, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of Father Elias Karam in “I Came to Serve” program broadcasted on Télé Lumière and Noursat, Sunday 19 June 2022. During the episode, Dr. Abs emphasized the Christian and humanitarian issues and themes tackled during the General Assembly, in light of its slogan “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid" (Matthew 14: 27). This is in addition to highlighting the main points of the final statement issued by this Ecumenical event and the MECC future projects.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches you can find the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, which is entitled “Elijah the Zealous and Adversity”, on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Elijah. Dr. Abs tackled in his message the lesson that we must draw from the biography of Elijah the Zealous, amidst the crises that the contemporary person is living today.

As well as, the issue presents a report about the tragic situations the elderlies are witnessing especially in Lebanon, and the MECC work in supporting them. The report is entitled “Elderlies in Lebanon Are Waiting for Any Protection to Ease Their Pain, Grandma Osana and Mr. Said: Suffering with Great Pain!”.

Grandma Osana and Mr. Said: Suffering with Great Pain!

Alone, abandoned... Many elderlies are drowning in despair and trying to stay alive... These expressions seem to be harsh amidst the absence of human dignity and decent life. But in fact, words cannot be harsher than the bitter situation witnessed by our grandmothers and grandfathers, elderlies searching for a ray of light in the midst of the dark days they were forced to live. Why are they passing through this alienation? Answers to this legitimate question lie in many reasons reflected in the difficult living conditions they are suffering from in the absence of laws protecting them, especially in our region, in the wounded Middle East.

Last June, His Holiness Pope Francis said "Old age moves ahead toward its destination, towards God’s heaven", describing the eternal path in which elderlies strengthen their faith and live with comfort and tranquility. A path free of life's thorns and difficulties towards the joy of meeting God. However, many elderlies are today deprived from living this peaceful phase of their lives, due to life dangers that everyone is aware of, threatening them and depriving them from their rights.

The Pope prays during this month of July for the elderly, so their “experience and wisdom may help young people to look towards the future with hope and responsibility”. But how can they spread hope and a positive spirit when they lost hope in an East that also lost its youth?