Cardinal Kurt Koch: Churches’ Unity Requires the Holy Spirit’s Work and Prayer

The Model of the Ecumenical Movement in the Middle East Must Be Produced Around the World and thanks to MECC

Interview by Huguette Salameh, Karlsruhe – Germany

The Eleventh General Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) was held in Karlsruhe, Germany, between 31 August and 8 September. An Assembly which gathered about 352 Churches from the four corners of the world and included various Evangelical, Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran and Baptist Churches... All these Churches were present except the Catholic Churches, which are unified in the St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, presided over by the Pope of Rome.

Building Bridges Between the East and West! Together for Environmental Advocacy and Awareness!

The MECC Communication and Public Relations Department was more than happy to meet the Communication Coordinator for the Climate Justice Program in “ACT Alliance” Mrs. Fiona Connelly. Discussions focused on ways of cooperation and strengthening the work mechanisms between both sides for media coordination, especially in environmental awareness and participation in the ongoing preparations towards COP 27 climate summit, which will be held next November in Sharm El Sheikh.

Monday 3 October 2022 - 10:30 pm and 5 am Beirut Time

At the “Season of Creation” closing, watch a special episode entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”, on Monday 3 October 2022, at 10:30 pm and 5am Beirut Time. Rerun on Tuesday 4 October 2022, at 2 pm Beirut Time. It is prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches.

“A Rocha” and Its Environmental Work

The Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches releases the fifth episode of the series of videos podcasts it has launched on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022. During the episode, the guest Father Nabil Shehadeh, Head of the international organization “A Rocha” in Lebanon, and from the Anglican Church, sheds light on the role of “A Rocha” and its environmental mission in protecting the nature. He also tackles the Eco Church in England and how can we implement such a project in the region, explaining how “A Rocha” can accompany Churches and Christians in Lebanon.

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 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 well as, MECC invites you to its third monthly webinar entitled “Third Age: On Endangered Human Dignity And The Need For Reintegration”, on Thursday 29 September 2022, at 7 P.M. You can participate via the following Zoom link: https://shorturl.at/CMNQZ, and live on the MECC Facebook page. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Knowledge, machine and modern man”, on the International Day for Universal Access to Information, celebrated on September 28.

The video highlights the visit of an “ACT Alliance” delegation to Lebanon, with the support of the Middle East Council of Churches, between 18 and 25 September 2022, as part of its Gender Justice program and Humanitarian program teams’ annual meetings. What did the participants say? What are their opinions? Answers in the following video, prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department.

And Concludes the “Season of Creation” 2022 this Month in an Ecumenical Prayer Service in Bkerke, Lebanon

The Communication and Public Relations Department at the Middle East Council of Churches have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of October 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 concludes the “Season of Creation” for this year in an Ecumenical Prayer Service which will be presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. It will be held on the eve of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, on Monday 3 October 2022, at 6 P.M, in the Church of the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon.

Télé Lumière and Noursat broadcasted the second episode of the "Season of Creation" series of episodes, entitled "Listen to the Voice of Creation", on Sunday 25 September 2022. It was prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches and presented by Ralph Tawitian.

The first segment revolved around the theological view of land, nature and environment in the Orthodox Church, in addition to many environmental issues. The guest was Father Bassam Nassif, Professor of Pastoral Theology at the University of Balamand - Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology.

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, and as part of the special episodes organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, Télé Lumière and Noursat dedicated an episode entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”. It is prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department and presented by Ralph Tawitian.

The episode was broadcasted on Wednesday 21 September 2022, and included many environmental, theological and youth segments and reports, with guests from various fields. In the first segment, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs highlighted the MECC work in launching the “Season of Creation” in the Middle East, and tackled the importance of the creation and environment, especially in the Ecumenical movement, in addition to the activities organized by MECC to celebrate this international event.

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.