Ms. Melissa Bridi, WSCF Regional Secretary

Discussions Centered on Signing a Memorandum of Understanding Between the Two Institutions

As part of strengthening and promoting the Ecumenical work in the region through various practical programs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, received the Regional Secretary of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) Ms. Melissa Bridi, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

Many social and youth-related issues were discussed during the meeting. Both sides addressed the concerns and aspirations of youth in the region and emphasized the importance of developing their capabilities and skills to prepare future leaders ready to build better societies.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4)

The "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" starts, as it is one of the most awaited Ecumenical stations of the year, which includes a Prayer Octave that extends between 18 and 25 January every year. A station during which we unite in Prayer on the intention of a unity that has been awaited for decades, through a special international booklet that the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) translates it into Arabic annually. Noting that this year theme is “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4).

In this context, you can find the daily Prayers, meditations, and reflections in English and Arabic for the week of Prayer, included in the booklet, and which you may publish and distribute every day.

Week of Prayer 2026 Booklet

Program of the Celebrations in Lebanon

Produced By MECC

after it suffered severe damage as a result of the earthquake that occurred in the region during the year 2023

This restoration is part of the Program “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria”

on Thursday, January 22, at 6 pm Beirut time, at the Mar Ephrem Syriac Church, Saint Elias Street, Al Mina - Tripoli

on Friday, January 23, at 7 pm Beirut time, at the Armenian Catholic Cathedral of Saints Gregory the Illuminator and Saint Elias the Prophet - Downtown Beirut, Debbas Square

“Momentum”

9-1-2026

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 entitled in this issue "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Participation in the Experience of One Life". It is the speech he delivered at the press conference announcing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Catholic Media Center - Jal El Dib, Lebanon.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/ddfbbebe0459/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.

at the Head of an MECC Delegation that included the Coordinator of Dialogue and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and the Coordinator of Media and Church Relations the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

With the Participation of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs participated in the Ordination at the head of an MECC Delegation that included Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue and Human Dignity Programs, and the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations

The President of the Episcopal Commission for Ecumenical Relations His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, held a press conference at the Catholic Media Center, during which he announced the launch of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and its program under the title “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling”(Ephesians 4: 4), with the participation of the President of the Episcopal Commission for Media His Eminence Bishop Mounir Khairallah, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the Director of the Catholic Center Monsignor Abdo Abou Kassem, and the Rapporteur of the Episcopal Commission for Ecumenical Relations Father Tanios Khalil.