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.

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.

Simon Awad: No podemos lograr la seguridad alimentaria y nuestra tierra sigue en peligro

A los habitantes de Tierra Santa se les impide el acceso a los recursos hídricos y a la energía renovable para echarlos de sus tierras

Karlsruhe – Alemania
«Porque esto es lo que dice el Señor: el que creó los cielos, él es Dios; el que modeló e hizo la tierra, él la fundó; no la creó para que estuviera vacía, sino que la formó para ser habitada; él dice: Yo soy el Señor, y no hay otro» (Isaías 45, 18). Dios creó los cielos y la tierra y todo lo que hay en ellos para el bien del mundo y de la humanidad. Infundió Su creación con bondad, y proveyó de tal manera que el éxito de la humanidad pudiera ser garantizado. La creación de Dios glorifica su nombre. ¡Qué hermosa es la obra de sus manos! La Iglesia bendice a todas las criaturas de Dios, reza por su protección, alaba al Creador y le agradece todas las bendiciones. El papel del Hombre en el centro de la Iglesia y del mundo es esencial para el cuidado de la bendita creación de Dios.

Es cierto que el medio ambiente se enfrenta a muchos peligros, pero varias sociedades de la región y del mundo siguen practicando las tradiciones eclesiásticas y sociales sobre el medio ambiente en muchas ocasiones y temporadas a lo largo del año, así como en sus hábitos y vidas cotidianas. Por lo tanto, podemos decir que la esperanza de un refugio ambiental limpio y seguro todavía existe.

Simon Awad: We cannot achieve food security and our land is still in danger!

People in the Holy Land are prevented from the access to water resources and renewable energy in order to kick them out from their land

“For this is what the Lord says — he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: I am the Lord, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:18). God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them for the good of the world and mankind. He infused His creation with goodness, and provided in such a way that mankind's success could be guaranteed. God's creation glorifies His name. How beautiful is the work of His hands! The Church blesses all God’s creatures, prays for their protection, praises the Creator and thank Him for all the blessings. The role of Man at the center of the Church and the world is essential for the care for God’s blessed creation.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) has embarked on a wide-ranging Season of Creation campaign this year. Thanks to their efforts, the Season of Creation Celebration Guide has been translated into Arabic, and is available on their website along with Spanish and English versions. MECC is also planning a series of activities to mark the Season of Creation, which begins September 1, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.

“Our campaign includes prayer services in the entire Middle East with Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon as highlights,” says Rev. Dr. Rima Nasrallah of MECC’s Eco-Justice Unit and a member of ACT’s Governing Board. “There are also youth-oriented activities and forestation projects.” Short videos, podcasts and interviews will be aired on regional television and social media.

To find out more about Middle East Season of Creation activities, follow the hashtag #SeasonOfCreationME on Twitter (MECC, @MECChurches) and Facebook (@MECChurches). ACT’s Twitter account will share MECC’s Season of Creation activities.

Joy Kennedy: Como abuela, digo que el cambio climático pone en peligro a hijos y nietos

La época de la creación está llena de esperanza y las iglesias deben trabajar por la justicia climática

Antes de la COP 27 en Egipto y la COP 28 en Dubai, muchas promesas aún no se han cumplido

Huguette Salameh, Karlsruhe - Alemania

El mundo sufre hoy muchas crisis sociales, de vida, de salud y de seguridad... pero los problemas medioambientales y de cambio climático hacen sonar la alarma. La humanidad se enfrenta así a un futuro desconocido. Por lo tanto, es necesario escuchar a los grupos más necesitados y vulnerables, y acompañarlos en medio de nuestra crisis ambiental global. De ahí que las Naciones Unidas estén trabajando, a través de sus diversos programas y asociaciones internacionales, para lograr la justicia climática hacia un futuro mejor.

En este contexto, la Iglesia también tiene un papel importante, especialmente en la sensibilización y el trabajo para la protección de sus hijos contra las repercusiones del cambio climático. Señalando que la Iglesia celebra el «Tiempo de la Creación» y subrayando la importancia de preservar nuestra casa común. Por su parte, el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) trabaja por la justicia climática, ya que el cuidado de la creación es una de sus prioridades más importantes. De hecho, la Biblia enseña la integridad de la creación y nos llama a cuidar el jardín del Edén (Gn 2,15). El Dios de la Biblia es un Dios de justicia que protege, ama y cuida a los más vulnerables entre sus criaturas.

An Environmental Christian Celebration in "Anaphora" Glorifies the Creator

On the occasion of the ongoing “Season of Creation” 2022, the “Anaphora Center”, the Eco Friendly House of the Coptic Church, in Wadi El Natroun, Egypt, held a Christian environmental celebration, on Sunday 11 September 2022. It was under the auspices and supervision of Anba Thomas, founder of the Anaphora Center, and Bishop of Al-Qusiya and Mir, Assiut, Egypt. 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.

Priests, believers, and interested people in the Church environmental issue, participated in the celebration. As well as, participants were the Egypt Council of Churches, Dr. Gerges Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, and Rev. Rifaat Fikry, MECC Associate Secretary General, President of the Evangelical Conference of Cairo, and Head of the Council for Dialogue and Ecumenical Relations in the Evangelical Church in Egypt.

On the occasion of the "Season of Creation” 2022, the “Anaphora” Center for Prayer and Retreat, in Wadi El Natroun, Egypt, held a Christian environmental celebration, on Sunday 11 September 2022. It was under the auspices and supervision of Anba Thomas, founder of the Anaphora Center, Bishop of Al-Qusiya and Mir, Assiut, Egypt. The event was part of a series of celebrations organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, in partnership with the “Danmission” organization, in various countries of the region. The video, prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, sheds light on the activity of this celebration.

Joy Kennedy: As a grandmother, I Say that Climate Change Put Children and Grandchildren at Risk

The Season of Creation is Full of Hope and Churches Should Work for Climate Justice

Before COP 27 in Egypt and COP 28 in Dubai, Many Promises Are Not Yet Achieved

The world is today suffering from many ​​social, living, health and security crises... but the environmental and climate change issues are now ringing the alarm bell. Humanity is thus facing an unknown future. Therefore, it is necessary to listen to the neediest and most vulnerable groups, and accompany them amidst our global environmental crisis. Hence, the United Nations is working, through its various programs and international partnerships, for achieving climate justice towards a better future.

In this context, the Church has also an important role, especially in raising awareness and working for the protection of its children against climate change’s repercussions. Noting that the Church celebrates the “Season of Creation” and stress the importance of preserving our common home. From its end, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is working for climate justice, as the care for creation is one of its most important priorities. In fact, the Bible teaches the wholeness of creation and calls us to take care of the garden of Eden (Gen 2:15). The God of the Bible is a God of justice who protects, loves and cares for the most vulnerable among his creatures.

As part of this year's "Season of Creation" activities, youth movements and Church groups are organizing many activities to celebrate this annual Christian and environmental season. The Social Work Committee at the Orthodox Youth Movement - Mount Lebanon Center decided to celebrate the season, as well as the Orthodox Environment Day, in a special activity in the heart of Lebanon’s nature.

The activity included a visit to the Holy Archangel Michael Monastery for the Greek Orthodox in Baaqata, on Saturday 3 September 2022. The Social Work Committee met with the Head of the Monastery Archimandrite Youhanna (Chahine) with whom they discussed environmental issues.

As part of the “Season of Creation” 2022 activities, the Middle East Council of Churches and its Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, invite you to participate this year in a series of celebrations that will be held in various countries of the region. You can find below the full program. This year’s theme is “Listen to the Voice of Creation” and its slogan is “The Burning Bush”. Let us pray together to God the Creator, and listen for the voice of each creature declaring His glory!

From the heart of nature in the Kfardebian region, Keserwan Lebanon, the youth of Lebanon from various Church families and youth movements inaugurated the celebrations of the “Season of Creation” 2022 in the Middle East. The international theme of this year’s season is “Listen to the Voice of Creation” and its slogan is “The Burning Bush”.

Young people gathered and prayed together to God the Creator and stressed the importance of protecting our common home. They participated in a youth environmental activity organized by MECC and Danmission, on Saturday 3 September 2022. How was the activity? And what it included? The following video, prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, presents a brief overview of this special youth event. A celebration that glorified and praised the Creator from Whom all blessings flow.

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?

Throughout the session, the image of a cedar tree from the Middle East, embraced and hugged by children from different parts of the world, was present on the main screen. Plenary moderator, Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the WCC central committee, explained how cedar trees are known for their strength and resilience. “They remind us of the bonds of our life over generations,” she said.

His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, leader of the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, also offered a keynote presentations. “Together as communities, churches, cities, and nations, we must change route and discover new ways of working together to break down the traditional barriers between peoples to stop competing for resources and start collaborating,” he said.

His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, delegate of the Coptic Orthodox Church, offered a keynote on reconciliation and unity in the Middle East.

Angealos compared the roots of a tree to that of the roots of the church. “Every part of a tree has importance and effectiveness,” he said. “The stronger the roots, the more that each and every part of that tree can express its effectiveness, purpose and function.”

His Holiness Pope Francis wished the representatives of the churches at the 31 August to 8 September assembly "a meaningful and fruitful meeting that deepens and strengthens the bonds of communion between the Churches and the ecumenical organizations present."

The pontiff said in advance greetings that he has a "pastoral interest in the work of the Assembly."

Pope Francis also noted that the Catholic Church has sent "delegated observers" to WCC assemblies since the WCC 3rd Assembly took place in New Delhi in 1961.

"I am glad that a delegation is also present this year, a sign of the strong relationship between the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches that has consolidated over time," the Pope said.

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.