H.E. Archbishop Joseph Jabara: Creation has no mouth to speak, but it groans and needs someone to listen to it

Rev. Georges El Copti: When the Lord created us, He formed us with dirt and water and entrusted us with the care for creation

The Middle East is still celebrating the "Season of Creation" 2022, stressing the need to pray and work together for the protection of the creation and everything it includes.

In Jordan, the Churches celebrated the Season with an Ecumenical Prayer service held at the Redeemer Church for the Arab Evangelical Episcopal Church in Jabal Amman, in the capital of Jordan, on Monday 26 September 2022, under the title of “I have heard them crying out… I am concerned about their suffering… So now, go. I am sending you… I will be with you” (EX 3: 1-12). The event was part of the series of celebrations organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, in various countries of the region, on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022.

The environment is at risk! And we can start its protection from our own home. As we celebrate the "Season of Creation" 2022, the video highlights tips to reduce chemicals and make homemade fertilizer, which is necessary for the nature's growth, through the leftover vegetables and fruits consumed at home.

The video is produced by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, in partnership with “Danmission” organization. It is prepared and presented by the MECC Eco Justice committee member Father Elias Marswanian, from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, and edited by Ali Al Jarouch.

«Ustedes han hecho brotar la esperanza en medio de la mayor catástrofe del 4 de agosto, tras la explosión del puerto de Beirut»

Siguiendo su invitación, Su Excelencia el Arzobispo Boulos Abdel Sater, arzobispo Curial de la Arquidiócesis Maronita de Beirut, recibió a los responsables y representantes de las asociaciones, ONGs e instituciones eclesiásticas que cooperaron con la Arquidiócesis en el trabajo de campo de ayuda para la reconstrucción de las viviendas destruidas debido a la explosión del 4 de agosto y la financiación del proceso. Señalando que 2000 casas han sido destruidas. Su Excelencia Abdel Sater celebró la reunión en la Archidiócesis en Beirut, para expresar su agradecimiento a sus invitados.

A la reunión asistieron el Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio, representado por la Coordinadora del Departamento de Servicio y Ayuda de Beirut, Sra. Nina Hallak, y la Asistente del Programa, Yolla Jdeed, junto con la Congregación Maronita de Kuwait, World Vision, Cáritas Líbano, Aide à l'Église en Détresse, la Orden Mariamita y YMCA.

Humanity is facing many dangers threatening the environment and neighborhoods, and thus it is necessary during the “Season of Creation” and all the year to work together towards protecting our common land, especially through reducing the consumption of plastic. The video explains the danger of plastic to the environment, stressing that solutions are always available.

The video is produced by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, in partnership with “Danmission” organization. It is prepared and presented by the MECC Eco Justice committee member Father Elias Marswanian, from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, and edited by Ali Al Jarouch.

“You sorrowed hope amidst the biggest disaster on August 4, following the Beirut Port Blast”

Following his invitation, His Eminence Archbishop Boulos Abdel Sater, the Curial Bishop of the Maronite Archdiocese of Beirut, received the heads and representatives of associations, NGOs and Ecclesiastical institutions that cooperated with the Archdiocese on the relief field work for reconstructing the destroyed homes due to the 4 August Blast and financing the process. Noting that more than 2000 houses have been rehabilitated in cooperation between the Archdiocese and these associations, NGOs and institutions. His Eminence Abdel Sater held the meeting at the Archdiocese in Beirut, to express his appreciation for his guests.

The meeting was attended by the Middle East Council of Churches, represented by the Coordinator of the Beirut Service and Relief – Diakonia Department Ms. Nina Hallak, and the Program Assistant Yolla Jdeed, along with the Maronite Congregation of Kuwait, World Vision, Caritas Lebanon, Aide à l'Église en Détresse, Mariamite Order, and YMCA.

Qaa Heritage Revival Project - QHRP, Lebanon

As part of the series of videos podcasts launched by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, the department publishes the fourth episode, which you can watch it below. The guest was Mrs. Salam Kallas, who is specialized in information technology IT. During the episode she sheds light on her project “Qaa Heritage Revival Project – QHRP” in the Qaa Lebanese region, highlighting its various cultural, archaeological and environmental aspects.

Youth Initiatives to Protect the Environment

The Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches continues its series of videos podcasts on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022. The department releases below the third episode during which the guest was Christopher Daccache, a computer and environmental engineer. In the episode, Daccache highlights his environmental initiatives and many youth activities aiming at protecting our land.

The second episode of the "Season of Creation" program, entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”, will be broadcasted on Télé Lumière and Noursat, on Sunday 25 September 2022, at 9 P.M Beirut time and 6 P.M GMT. The episode is prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, and presented by Ralph Tawitian.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, the Council invites you to participate in the “Season of Creation” celebration which will be held on Monday 26 October 2022, at 6 P.M, in the Redeemer Church for the Arab Evangelical Episcopal Church in Jabal Amman, Jordan. As well as, MECC invites you to participate in the Ecumenical Prayer Service at the “Season of Creation” closing, on Monday 3 October 2022, at 6 P.M, in the Church of the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Peace, Racism and the Future of Humanity”, on the occasion of the International Day of Peace on 21 September.

21 September 2022 – 7 P.M, On Télé Lumière and Noursat

Watch a special “Season of Creation” episode entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”, tonight Wednesday 21 September 2022, at 7 P.M, on Télé Lumière and Noursat. Rerun on Saturday 24 September 2022. The episode is prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches.

A Salute to the Peacemakers, But…!

Amidst the outbreak of non-ending conflicts and wars which have a lot of repercussions and impacts on the world and on all levels, many initiatives are made for peace building.

Here comes a question: is there any outcome for peace initiatives? is it possible to achieve peace despite all obstacles? In fact, answers remain ambiguous, but it is certain that efforts need support and an international solidarity, in order to achieve results.

More needed work than expected is required towards the desired peace. This can be done through facing all types of racism and discrimination, promoting tolerance and rejecting violence, hate speech and intolerance. Hopefully, decision-makers and political parties may listen to their people and learn from their initiatives and endeavors! Participation of official parties is also essential in the path towards peace, in order to end conflicts and wars peacefully.

Bushfires and Tips to Avoid Fire Risk

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches has launched a series of podcast, in partnership with “Danmission” organization. Hence, it releases now the second episode, which you can watch it below. The guest was the volunteer in the Lebanese Civil Defense - Zouk Mikael Center Charbel Salameh, who is also specialized in bushfires. He sheds lights on the causes of forest fires, emergency evacuation before the arrival of the civil defense members, and bushes recovery. He also presented some tips to reduce these fires.

Episode 1 On the Importance of Bees Towards the Environment

The world and the Middle East is now celebrating the “Season of Creation,” an annual Christian environmental season to pray and work together for the care for our common land and home. For the occasion, the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, has launched a new series of videos podcasts about various environmental Christian topics with guests from many fields.

Monday 26 October 2022 in the Redeemer Church for the Arab Evangelical Episcopal Church in Jabal Amman

“I have heard them crying out… I am concerned about their suffering… So now, go. I am sending you… I will be with you” (EX 3: 1-12)

As part of the series of celebrations organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, in partnership with the “Danmission” organization, in various countries of the region, on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, MECC and the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East/ Diocese of Jerusalem, invites you to participate in the “Season of Creation” Prayer service in Jordan. It will be held under the title of “I have heard them crying out… I am concerned about their suffering… So now, go. I am sending you… I will be with you” (EX 3: 1-12), on Monday 26 October 2022, at 6 P.M, in the Redeemer Church for the Arab Evangelical Episcopal Church in Jabal Amman.

H.G. Bishop Mousa Al-Khasi: the circumstances we are witnessing shouldn’t be a cause for despair, but an opportunity for us to be responsible towards God by protecting His world

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, the Orthodox Church celebrated the Season in a Holy Mass, held at the Holy Cross Church in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday 18 September 2022. It is part of the series of celebrations organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, in various countries of the region.

Monday 3 October 2022, at the Church of the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon

Under the patronage and with the presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, the Middle East Council of Churches invites you to participate in the Ecumenical Prayer Service at the “Season of Creation” closing. The Prayer will be held on the eve of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, on Monday 3 October 2022, at 6P.M, in the Church of the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon.

You may participate in the Prayer via the MECC Facebook page and YouTube channel, and live on Charity TV and NourSat/ Télé Lumière.

The ongoing “Season of Creation” 2022 in the Middle East and the world, is a season full of hope towards reducing the environmental dangers, and thus praying and working together for a safer common home. The theme for this year’s environmental and international season is “Listen to the Voice of Creation”, and its slogan is “The Burning Bush”. What does the slogan symbolize? And what are its meanings? The following video sheds light on the slogan and stresses the importance of preserving our sacred land.

Fadi Al Halabi: «Nada sobre nosotros sin nosotros»
Rompamos las barreras y hagamos conciencia sobre el papel de las personas con discapacidad en la Iglesia
Oriente Medio está todavía muy lejos de cualquier tipo de inclusión

Sus derechos no son diferentes de los de los demás ciudadanos, y su participación efectiva en la vida espiritual, social y económica... es necesaria. Las personas con discapacidad son importantes para la construcción y el desarrollo de las sociedades. Pero, ¿por qué se les margina hoy en día? Las respuestas a esta pregunta son muchas. Pero, lo que sin duda es importante es la esperanza que aportan a través de sus talentos y bendiciones en medio de toda la desesperación y los desafíos. A través de su continua determinación, las personas con discapacidad son capaces de reducir la discriminación y destacar su presencia y su papel especial en la Iglesia y la sociedad.

The whole world is praying for creation and the protection of our sacred Land in an annual Christian environmental season. It is the "Season of Creation" which starts on 1 September and ends on 4 October, of each year, in the Middle East and the world. The theme of this year’ season is “Listen to the Voice of Creation” and its slogan is “The Burning Bush”. The video explains the meanings of the theme and highlights its importance in our Christian life.

Together Towards Environmental Advocacy and Awareness!

The international Climate Summit COP27 on climate change will be held very soon between 6 and 18 November 2022, in the Egyptian city of Sharm El Sheikh, and the preparations have begun. Hence, the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department participated in an international online meeting at the invitation of ACT Alliance Communication Department, and with the participation of other international organizations, on Wednesday 14 September 2022.

The meeting aimed at exchanging ideas and suggestions, as well as discussing experiences and opinions in order to prepare and implement online marketing campaigns as part of the COP27 summit’s activities. Topics of discussions were centered around issues related to the environment and justice. It was also an opportunity to build new relationships between employees in the fields of communication, media and programs in various organizations.