“Momentum”

19-12-2025

This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as well as the Church, Ecumenical, and social events…

This is in addition to the weekly word of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs which is in this issue, the speech he delivered at the opening of the MECC Executive Committee meeting, held on December 10 and 11, 2025, in Beirut.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/03ba2c7624df/momentum-mecc-weekly-newsletter.

You can also subscribe to the Momentum Newsletter via the following link:

https://mecc.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=fd3381352a&u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a.

Video - A Special Christmas Episode with the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, and Father Charbel El Khoury, Parish Priest of Our Lady - Amchit in Lebanon

Prepared and Presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Produced By MECC

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates in the Mass

From Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and MECC President for the Evangelical Family

His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios Al Soury, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Zahle, Baalbek and their Dependencies, and Member of the MECC Executive Committee

His Eminence Archbishop Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut, and Delegate of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches to the Diakonia and Social Service Department

From Reverend Nadi Labib, Head of the Media Council of the Evangelical Synod of the Nile and Member of the MECC Executive Committee

From His Eminence Archbishop Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, the Syriac Orthodox Bishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, and Member of the MECC Executive Committee

An Episode Entitled “The Warmth of the Family at Christmas”

Produced by "The Platform of the Word" at the Middle East Council of Churches

As part of its program network, “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents an episode within the program “And the Family Remains”, under the title “The Warmth of the Family at Christmas”.

The program raises issues related to the family, motherhood and childhood, in addition to the Church’s view and response to the challenges, especially in light of the difficult living conditions that the region is passing through.

With MECC and Kerk in Actie

In Lebanon there is a great need for healthcare personnel, as many have left the country during the country’s infamous economic collapse.

In cooperation with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Daikonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, Kerk in Actie organization organized a course for home care workers and nurses’ aid. The course took place at Saint George Hospital in Beirut, which also provides the professional trainers.

One of the 18 participants, Aurore, came from a small village in the mountains and got up early every morning to attend the course. In the past, she worked in childcare and home care. Now that her children are grown up, she would like to return to work.

When interviewed, Aurore spoke enthusiastically about the program. “I have acquired practical skills, such as lifting and turning a patient. I discovered that I had always been doing some things incorrectly. The social aspects were also covered. How do you actually deal with a client? Where are your professional boundaries?”

Produced By MECC

Middle East Socioeconomic Overview

Report: November 2025

News of the Pope’s historic visit to the Middle East breathed hope into a region that has been struggling with plethora of problems such as war, economic stagnation, poverty, and displacement. His arrival is based on a promise that his predecessor had made but was unable to fulfill them due to health reasons.  Pope Leo celebrated the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which took place in modern-day Iznik, northwestern Turkey.  As for Lebanon, his trip aimed to focus on dialogue and unity between the different branches of Christianity and to give hope to the country that has been struggling with war and economic turmoil.