What Is the “Recycler Donation” Initiative of the Youth Pastoral Office in the Maronite Patriarchate, Bkerke?

Amidst the increasing environmental risks that humans are facing today, many youth groups are seeking to implement various initiatives in order to preserve the environment and care for creation. This is what included the Eco-exhibition that was organized on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik – Lebanon. The exhibition was part of the activities of “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium held by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME).

The “Recycler Donation” initiative, which is concerned with recycling, and affiliated with the Youth Pastoral Office in the Maronite Patriarchate, Bkerke - Lebanon, is one of these youth environmental initiatives, as it launched the “Waste Boat” project. What are the goals of this boat? And how can it contribute to reducing environmental pollution? Maria Abdel Masih, an activist in “Recycler Donation,” sheds light on this initiative.

What Are Its Objectives?

Answers with Green USEK

As part of the activities of the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium held by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), an Eco-Exhibition was organized on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik - Lebanon.

The exhibition included various initiatives and activities in the environmental field and creation care, which are implemented by many organizations and youth movements. In the video, Mrs. Dalida Sneifer, a coordinator in the Green USEK campaign affiliated with the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, sheds light on the exhibition and explains its objectives.

Support Sessions for Youth Volunteers in the Relief Work in Syria Following the Earthquake that Struck the North of the Antiochian Levant

After the devastating earthquake that struck the North of the Antiochian Levant at the beginning of this year, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) peruses its relief work in Syria through supporting and assisting the affected people. Hence, and out of concern for people's safety, not only physical, but psychological and spiritual as well, the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department, with the contribution of the Pontifical Mission in Beirut, has conducted a new workshop of the “Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling” program.

The workshop was dedicated to young men and women working in Church organizations that have participated in relief work in Syria, to be able to complete their mission and perform their tasks in a better way.

Al Sharek School stands in the center of Aleppo, Syria, as a testament to a remarkable humanitarian effort recorded in the annals of history with letters of light. The dedicated work undertaken by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and its partners to serve humanity and build individuals is truly noteworthy.

With the restoration and reopening of Al Sharek School, a new future is being written for children whose prospects were almost torn apart by the war, depriving them of education. 

MECC has been actively involved in the restoration of this school through the “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria” program, in cooperation with “Kerk in Actie” organization in the Netherlands, with the aim of rebuilding what the war had demolished and promoting human well-being.

The opening of Al Sharek School was attended by His Eminence Bishop Magar Ashkarian, the Armenian Orthodox Bishop of the Diocese of Aleppo and its Dependencies, and the representative of the “Kerk in Actie” organization Mr. Dick Loendersloot, a delegation from MECC, the school's principal, teachers, administrators, and members of the Schools Committee affiliated with the Orthodox Armenian Archdiocese.

The Council’s Message and the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium on Télé Lumière and Noursat

The Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar was the guest in an episode of the program “Al Nour Maana” (the “Light is With Us”), broadcasted on Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, on the morning of Thursday 12 October 2023. Hence, you can watch the full interview in the video.

During this interview, Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar presented an introduction about the Middle East Council of Churches and its goals, in addition to an overview about its history.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, which title is “The girl child between aspirations and bitter reality”. Dr. Michel Abs’ address is for the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child that was indicated by the United Nations on 11 October in the World Calendar. Dr. Abs condemned, in his message, the injustice that girls are facing, stressing the need to educate the girl child, preserve her dignity and rights, and prepare her to be a good mother, by whom the future generations of humanity can be raised.

The United Nations has designated October 11 as International Day of the Girl Child.

Between 1995, when the World Conference on Women’s Affairs was held in the Chinese capital, and countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most crystallized program for advancing the rights of women and girls - and this declaration was considered the first agreement on girls’ rights - and 2011, when the United Nations General Assembly decided to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, humanity has taken tremendous steps forward in the field of protecting the rights of girls in light of the challenges she is facing in our modern times.

According to the United Nations page dedicated to this occasion, the International Day of the Girl Child aims to empower girls to address the challenges they face and raise their ability to maintain their rights under international laws and conventions.

Middle East Socioeconomic Overview

Report: September 2023

During September, the IMF released an unsettling report using which it warned of an imminent debt crisis that would impact the Middle East.  According to the agency, the region will witness a systematic default and economic collapse not seen since the start of the Lebanese financial crisis in 2019. Separate findings by both the IMF and Bloomberg economists have identified Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and Bahrain as critically vulnerable countries that could default on their sovereign debt obligations, with potentially catastrophic implications for their economies and populations.

Within the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium

Between the environment and Theology, researchers and specialists gathered at the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium organized by The Middle East Council of Churches, in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME). Its sessions were held on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) - Lebanon, following an Ecumenical Prayer Service for the occasion of the “Season of Creation”, and on Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut.

During the Symposium, speakers and participants explained that the issue of creation is at the core of our faith. They also stressed the importance of the Church’s role in reducing injustice to the environment. Hence, you will find, in the video, some opinions and aspirations from the Symposium’s participants.

Details about the Ecumenical Prayer Service and the Symposium’s first day

Details of the Symposium’ second day

And the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation”, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held an Ecumenical Prayer Service on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University, Kaslik (USEK) - Lebanon. As well as, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME) organized “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium, on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University – Kaslik (USEK), and Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) – Beirut.

The “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium, organized by the Middle East Council of Churches in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), was an important opportunity to shed light on the role of the Church towards the environment, based on the environmental Theology and our Christian faith. This is what the Symposium’s participants focused on. Thus, you can find some of their opinions and experiences in the video.

Noting that the Symposium’s sessions were held on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) - Lebanon, following an Ecumenical Prayer Service for the occasion of the “Season of Creation”, and on Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut.

Details about the Ecumenical Prayer Service and the Symposium’s first day

Details of the Symposium’ second day

Written by Mr. Fouad Hassoun and Translated by Father Dr. Michel Kanbar

Dar El Mashreq published the book “I Forgave” in Arabic, written by Mr. Fouad Hassoun, who is blind, and translated by Father Dr. Michel Kanbar, Executive Secretary of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), Priest of Saint Joseph Parish El Hajjeh – Lebanon, and University Professor.

The book signing took place on Tuesday 10 October 2023, in the Humanities Campus at Saint Joseph University (USJ) - Beirut.

About the book, Father Kanbar says, “This book, entitled with a four-letter word, is not only a book for reading, but rather a book for contemplation and consideration. It is a school for life, a school for learning forgiveness and living a life of forgiveness, because it is the Passover of every Christian.”

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Jordan announces the beginning of new vocational training courses that aims at empowering vulnerable young men and women in order to create job opportunities for both from the neediest communities of refugees and locals.

By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, MECC aims to showcase the power of unity and collaboration in the communities. These courses have been specifically designed to provide opportunities for young women and men, by learning and working.

In the vocational courses implemented by MECC, the team equips the participants with valuable skills which have the potential to make profound behavioral changes, investing in the potential of our participants to be leaders of positive change that can contribute to the well-being of their families and communities.

And the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium

On Télé Lumière and Noursat

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2023 ending, the Middle East Council of Churches organized an Ecumenical Prayer Service under the title “Let Justice and Peace Flow”, on Wednesday 4 October 2023, hosted by the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) – Lebanon, with the participation of Church Leaders from various Ecclesiastical Families.

Stemming from its belief in the importance of preserving God’s creation, working to protect our common home, and enhancing environmental Theological awareness, the Middle East Council of Churches, in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), organized a Symposium entitled “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change”. Its sessions were held on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), and on Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut.

The video presents a report broadcasted on Télé Lumière and Noursat, which includes a highlight of the Ecumenical Prayer Service and the Opening of the Symposium. The report was prepared by the journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find two Editorials by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. The first Editorial is entitled “Between the gift of the Creator and the futility of creature... the search for justice” and it is the Welcoming speech that Dr. Abs delivered at the conference “Ecumenical Approaches to Climate Change”, in the Holy Spirit University – Kaslik, Lebanon - October 4, 2023. The second Editorial is entitled “Again, on the Path of Spiritual Renewal facing Challenges”, and it is the speech that Dr. Abs delivered at the Opening of the General Assembly of the Association of Theological Seminaries in the Middle East at St. John of Damascus Theological Seminary, Balamand, Lebanon - October 3, 2023.

You can also find details, photos and a video about the Ecumenical Prayer held by MECC on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University – Kaslik (USEK). In addition to details, photos and a video about the symposium entitled “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change”, which was held by MECC in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University – Kaslik (USEK), and Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) – Beirut.

The Middle East Council of Churches, in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), organized the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium, which sessions were held on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) - Lebanon, following an Ecumenical Prayer Service for the occasion of the “Season of Creation”, and on Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut. During the Symposium, the participants stressed the importance of the Church’s role towards the environment, which is a gift from God the Creator. Hence, you can find some of the participants’ opinions and aspirations in the video.