Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah Prays on the Occasion of the “Season of Creation” (video)

Reverend Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, presided over the Divine Service, on the Second Sunday of the “Season of Creation”, Sunday 10 September 2023, at the National Evangelical Church in Beirut.

The Prayer, in which you can participate via the video, was led by Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah, a Professor of Practical Theology at the Near East School of Theology. It included meditations, hymns, and supplications to God the Creator calling us to preserve the creation and protect our common home.

The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs Participates in an International Conference on Climate Change

In preparation for the COP28 Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs participated in a conference entitled “Migration and Adaption in the Context of Climate Change: A Pragmatic Approach Towards Removing Barriers and Enhancing Opportunities”. It was jointly organized by the United Nations Network on Migration and the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), on Thursday 7 September 2023, with the participation of speakers from various fields and with the presence of international specialists and interested attendees in the topic at hand.

The conference centered around the issue of migration in the context of climate change, during which the participants discussed the potential adaptive capacity of migration in the context of climate change, that has become an important issue that the world is sounding the alarm about. Participants also discussed how migrants face the dangers of climate change, in addition to finding ways to help them contribute in reducing this climate crisis.

The Middle East Council of Churches’ Team Accompanies the Neediest

As people age, their physical abilities degrade rendering them less active then before and making them in need of assistance and support to help them regain their hope despite all the pressures that surround them.

In Lebanon, the difficult living conditions are burdening the citizens who are struggling amidst the worsening social and economic crises. As for the elderly, they are, in turn, facing greater difficulties and challenges as a result of the absence of laws and procedures that protect them and preserve their dignity.

Ibrahim Habib is 76 years old and lives in one of the Beirut areas. Ibrahim has not only reached a critical period in his life, but also has a disability in his leg preventing him from easily commuting in his own house and even at public places.

They Pledge to Strengthen the Environmental Work in the Bekaa Valley

The Ecumenical family in the Middle East and the world unites in an environmental Christian season which is the “Season of Creation,” that starts, as every year, on September 1, and ends on October 4, aiming at praying and working together to protect God’s creation and our common home. Based on the theme of this year’s season which is “Let Justice and Peace Flow” and its symbol “A Mighty River,” the world celebrates God’s creation through a series of various events and activities that enhance spiritual and environmental awareness.

Since the Middle East Council of Churches launched this season in the region, Churches, Christian, Ecumenical and youth groups in the Middle East are implementing several initiatives to celebrate the season and glorify God the Creator. In Lebanon, specifically in the Bekaa Valley, which is considered a place of resources for the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf, the youth of the Ebleh Church organized an environmental activity through which it established the first Church youth group concerned with environmental issues. The group decided to develop the environmental work in the Bekaa Valley, and took the name of “Our Lady of Ebleh Youth.”

Talks About the Forestation Campaigns Implemented by the Council in an Interview with “Danmission” Organization

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation,” “Danmission” organization, a partner of the Middle East Council of Churches, made an interview with Deacon Garen Yosolkanian, a member of the MECC Eco Justice Committee, and expert in the environmental issues, in which he talked about the forestation campaigns that MECC implements as part of its environmental activities. He also highlighted its importance, especially in environmental awareness, as well as the forestation campaign organized by MECC in Mhardeh, Syria, with a group of youth.

Highlights the Importance of the “Season of Creation” in an interview with “Danmission” Organization

As part of the “Season of Creation” 2023 activities, “Danmission” organization, a partner of the Middle East Council of Churches, made a video interview with Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department, during which he highlighted the meanings and goals of the “Season of Creation.” He also talked about the importance of celebrating this season in the Middle East and the MECC mission in this context, especially in environmental awareness.

With the deterioration living conditions in Lebanon, refugees, like all Lebanese, suffer from severe economic and social crises in the country. Due to the unavailability of sufficient job prospects and the nature of their legal status in Lebanon, their situation is getting worse, and many refugees struggle to secure a source of livelihood. Hence, refugees are facing many mental health challenges, in addition to the economic and social challenges that hinder them.

In this context, the Middle East Council of Churches, Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, continues to implement the capacity building program, as it recently organized new sessions of skills development for a group of refugee women at Our Lady Dispensary, affiliated to MECC, and located in the Sabtieh region – Lebanon.

Between the Middle East Council of Churches and SAT 7

Together We Celebrate the “Season of Creation”!

As part of strengthening the partnership between the Middle East Council of Churches and its partners, an online meeting was held between MECC and SAT 7, on Thursday 7 September 2023. The meeting included the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, and the Member of the MECC Eco Justice Committee Deacon Garen Yosulkanian, alongside the Director of Development Programs at SAT 7 Mr. Rafik George, and the Coordinator of Development Projects at SAT 7 Mrs. Margaret Magid.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches, Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find details about the monthly webinar organized by MECC under the title “Human Dignity for Newborns of Unknown Parents”, on Thursday 31 August 2023, with the participation of specialists, academicians, universities’ students and interested attendees in the topic at hand. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Pieces of us abandoned in the street”. It was the speech he delivered during this webinar, in which he talked about the issue of the children of unknown parents.

Reporting Officer

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is a regional ecumenical organization, which brings together churches in the Middle East for a common Christian witness in a region where Christ was born, lived, spread His word, died and resurrected.

The purpose of the MECC is to deepen the spiritual fellowship among the churches of the Middle East, and to unite them in word and deed as they strive to achieve the unity of the churches and to serve humans on the basis of the Christian faith. The MECC works through its various structures to achieve this purpose by promoting dialogue amongst the churches (locally, regionally and internationally), and strengthening the spirit of fellowship and ecumenical awareness. Its activities include social and economic development, interfaith and interreligious dialogue, education, woman, youth and family development, communication, and several related activities.

The Vacancy

MECC is currently recruiting a Reporting Officer

Report: August 2023

During August, the Middle East witnessed an unbearable heatwave that left climate experts warning of the disastrous consequences climate change is leaving behind. The fact that experts have warned we are no longer in a ‘Global Warming Stage’ and we are now actually in a ‘Boiling Stage’, sent shivers down everyone’s spine, humanitarian actors in particular. As such during these difficult circumstances, refugees and IDPs are forced to deal with elevated temperatures while water scarcity is increasingly becoming an issue in the region. In other words, refugees will have to face elevated heat levels from the environment and the ramifications of the ‘political heat’ between major powers.

The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel E. Abs delivered this speech at the monthly webinar organized by the Middle East Council of Churches under the title “Human Dignity for Newborns of Unknown Parents”, on Thursday 31 August 2023. This webinar is part of the series of monthly seminars launched by MECC, within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”.

Dr. Michel E. Abs

Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches

They came to where they have no place.

They were "unwelcomed guests" in a society unprepared to receive them.

They are the result of a mistake, sin, crime, or any other reason!

“I wish they were not there,” says those who are not ready to receive them or who were not expecting them.

Why did you come into the world, you "unwelcome" children?

With this context, attitude, and thinking, newborns end up on the street, either on a hill of rubbish, or at the door of a temple or institution.

An Environmental Theology Lecture Delivered in Arabic by Archimandrite Euthymios Faqas

A Priest at Saint Elie Chouaya Patriarchal Monastery - Lebanon

With the beginning of the “Season of Creation” 2023, Archimandrite Euthymios Faqas, a Priest at the Greek Orthodox Saint Elie Chouaya Patriarchal Monastery – Lebanon, delivered a spiritual lecture about Environmental Theology with an Orthodox view, under the title “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come” (2 Corinthians 5: 17), which you can find its full text in Arabic. The lecture was part of a Spiritual Retreat organized by the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches on Friday 1 September 2023, which also marks the beginning of the Ecclesial Year. It was hosted by His Eminence Bishop Costantine Kayyal, the Head of the Saint Elie Chouaya Patriarchal Monastery, at the Monastery.

Due to the worsening conditions in Lebanon’s relatively remote locations, and the absence of government policies to develop such areas, poverty is increasing during a time when humanitarian actors are suffering from donor shortage. However, the Middle East Council of Churches, thanks to its partners’ gracious support, is able to mobilize to alleviate the burdens of several households.

As such, scoring was undertaken, with the help of local Churches, to identify the most vulnerable 400 households among a selection of 500, in the Akkar and South of Lebanon areas. Results were staggering as most of the beneficiaries in Akkar – North Lebanon needed the cash assistance mainly for buying medication then food, whereby in South Lebanon, the majority needed the money to keep a roof over their heads. As such, money was dispatched through a local cash transfer service to the vulnerable households.

A Spiritual Retreat Hosted by Bishop Constantine Kayyal

Head of the Greek Orthodox Saint Elie Chouaya Patriarchal Monastery in Lebanon

Together We Glorify God the Creator!

The “Season of Creation” 2023 started around the world on 1 September, bringing a lot of hope to the world and the Middle East. It is a Christian environmental season during which the Ecumenical family around the world unites in Prayer and working together to protect our common home. The season ends, as every year, on 4 October. Noting that the theme of the Season for this year is “Let Justice and Peace Flow” and its symbol is “A Mighty River”.

In celebration of God’s creation, the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches organized a Spiritual Retreat on Friday 1 September 2023, which also marks the beginning of the Ecclesial Year. It was hosted by His Eminence Bishop Costantine Kayyal, the Head of the Greek Orthodox Saint Elie Chouaya Patriarchal Monastery - Lebanon, at the Monastery.

Participants in the Retreat were, alongside the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, the Associate Secretaries General of the Council, Father Nicolas Bustros and Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, as well as the MECC General Secretariat’s team from various departments in Beirut, and online with the colleagues from the Council’s offices in the countries of the region.

The New Monthly Webinar Organized by MECC

Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs: Childhood is the basic red line in any society that wants to produce normal adults, and wants to secure a better future for its generations, born and yet to be born

The Middle East Council of Churches continues its series of monthly seminars, and held a new webinar entitled “Human Dignity for Newborns of Unknown Parents”, on Thursday 31 August 2023, with the participation of specialists, academicians, universities’ students and interested attendees in the topic at hand. Noting that this webinar comes within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”, which MECC is implementing consecutively.

The webinar, which was broadcasted live on the MECC Facebook Page, included three interventions, moderated by Dr. Chawki Attieh, who presented in his opening speech an overview about the phenomenon of leaving children without custody, in addition to its causes and the situation of this issue today.

The webinar began with a speech delivered by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, in which he spoke about children with unknown parents…

In light of the severe crises that cast its shadows over Lebanon, mental health is becoming an issue in the country. Therefore, the Middle East Council of Churches, Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, continues its implementation of mental health awareness sessions. It organized recently a new session Session to address such a topic. A group of women were invited to the session at Our Lady Dispensary, affiliated to MECC, and located in the Sabtieh region – Lebanon.

During the session, one of the Council’s social workers explained to the participant’s ways of dealing with stress and how to mitigate its impact. Usually, anxiety is the real culprit behind stress and failing to understand or manage it can lead to more significant problems such as depression, unproductivity, social isolation, and in extreme cases, suicide.

A Spiritual Retreat at Saint Elie Chouaya Patriarchal Monastery in Lebanon

How Great are your Deeds, O Lord, All of them are Wisely Done (Psalm 103)

With the beginning of this year's "Season of Creation" around the world, the family of the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches gathered in a Spiritual Retreat, on Friday 1 September 2023, at the Greek Orthodox Saint Elie Chouaya Patriarchal Monastery in Lebanon. Hence, you can find some highlights about the Retreat in the video.

The Retreat included the participation in the Season of Creation Ecumenical Prayer Service, and a tour in the Monastery. This is in addition to a dialogue with His Eminence Bishop Costantine Kayyal, Head of the Saint Elie Chouaya Patriarchal Monastery, and a Spiritual lecture with Archimandrite Efthimios Fakis. As well as another lecture with Archdeacon Garen Yosulkanian.

Report: August 31th, 2023

The Middle East Council of Churches is being involved in the relief and rehabilitation efforts in Syria under the name of "Rescue Syria Campaign" through which the Council shall be dealing with the relief efforts in this emergency period and later on with rehabilitation plans in order to help people survive properly and resume a normal life with dignity.

On Télé Lumière and Noursat

With Dr. Laure Abi Khalil, the Coordinator of the MECC Social Rehabilitation Project

Dr. Laure Abi Khalil, the Coordinator of the Social Rehabilitation Project at the Middle East Council of Churches, was the guest of an episode of “Al Nour Maana” (The Light is with Us) program, on TéléLumière and Noursat. The episode was broadcasted on Thursday 31 August 2023.

During the episode, Dr. Abi Khalil highlighted the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”, that the Middle East Council of Churches is implementing, especially through a series of monthly seminars that it has launched and revolving around various issues related to human dignity and the Middle East region.

Dr. Laure talked as well about the new webinar that MECC is organizing under the title “Human Dignity for Newborns of Unknown Parents”, on Thursday 31 August 2023, at 7:00 pm. You can click here for more details about the webinar, in which you can participate via the following Zoom link https://shorturl.at/djosI, and live on the MECC Facebook Page.