The First Day of the MECC Annual Partners Meeting in Beirut

Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs: Your feelings that exude through our interaction together do not go unnoticed

The General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches held its annual meeting with its international and regional partner organizations and institutions, on its first day on Thursday 3 November 2022, ending on Friday 4 November, in Beirut, under the title “Partners Accompanying MECC in the Ecumenical Journey”. Participants were 18 representatives of these partner organizations and institutions from all over the world such as USA, Canada, Europe and the Middle East... As well as, attendees were the MECC Associate Secretaries General, members of the Executive Committee, Directors of departments and the Council’s team headed by the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs.

The MECC General Secretariat in Beirut Prays with the Evangelical Church

“Witnessing for the God of Life Amidst a Suffering World”

On the occasion of the Evangelical Reformation Day, which is entitled this year “Witnessing for the God of Life Amidst a Suffering World”, the team of the Middle East Council of Churches’ General Secretariat, headed by the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, participated in a special Prayer Service, presided over by Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah, from the Evangelical Church in Beirut, and Coordinator of the MECC Ecojustice Unit. The Prayer was held on Tuesday 1 November 2022, at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut.

The Communication and Public Relations Department at the Middle East Council of Churches have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of November 2022. It includes the Ecclesiastical and Liturgical feasts of the various families of Churches in the Middle East. In addition to international days identified by the United Nations, and which are related to the MECC identity and its spiritual and human mission.

Awareness Sessions for the MECC General Secretariat’s Team

How Can We Fight this Disease?

“Cholera is a crime and a serious and deadly disease caused by infrastructure breakdown and pollution resulting from sewage water,” emphasized Dr. Sameer Shleweet, a gynecologist, gender-based violence and CMR trainer, and a humanitarian activist, especially in the MECC Service and Relief – Diakonia Department, Beirut office, during an awareness session held for the MECC General Secretariat’s team, on Tuesday 25 October 2022. However, in Lebanon and many countries, it became difficult to develop infrastructure due to other priorities imposed on governments as a result of local and international crises. Hence, personal prevention is very important to face cholera together and prevent its outbreak.

United in Prayer with His Family

On the Forty days’ memory of Late Gabi Habib, former Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, the MECC General Secretariat’s team, headed by the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, held a special Prayer service on the intention of his soul, asking God to raise him to share the glory of the risen Christ. Habib’s small family, his wife Kathy and two daughters Maria Gabriel and Anna Sophia, participated in the Prayer which was made on Tuesday 25 October 2022 at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

The Full Lecture of Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, in Beirut

Mesdames, messieurs, je veux juste commencer avec quelques mots en français par respect de la tradition de cette belle université. Monsieur le Recteur je vous remercie de votre accueil si chaleureux. C’est un grand honneur d’être là avec vous.

It is indeed a great pleasure and honour to be with you here in Lebanon today – for so many reasons. Some of there are more general; others more specific to the issue of Freedom of Religion or Belief which is so important to so many of us here today.

There are two general reasons why I’m delighted to be here today.

First, this is not my first time here, and the last time I was here I was so deeply impressed by what I found, specifically of the way in which the churches have responded to the refugee crisis – and I’m sure other faith groups have also responded significantly too. I was touched and moved by the generosity of spirit and the genuine hospitality I saw being exercised.

Answer at the Saint Joseph University’s Campus in Beirut

Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen Presents a Lecture On Religious Freedom and Persecuted Christians

At the joint invitation and organization of the Middle East Council of Churches, the Bible Society, and the Faculty of Religious Sciences at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut, a lecture entitled “Why Our Religious Freedom Matters” was given by Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Truro, and Author of the FCDO’s independent review of persecuted Christians. It was held on Thursday 13 October 2022, at Francois Basil auditorium in the Innovation and Sports Campus, at the Saint Joseph University. Attendees were representatives of concerned organizations and parties, priests and people interested in the topic at hand.

Decisions to Strengthen the Ecumenical Spirit

The Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME) held its General Assembly’s meeting online on Tuesday 11 October 2022. Attendees were ATIME’s President Archimandrite Dr. Jack Khalil, its Executive Secretary Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, and the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, alongside the deans of the faculties and institutes, members in ATIME.

During the meeting, the participants discussed many topics and issues, which are following up on the “Season of Creation” project and ways to enhance and support it, and preparing for the environmental symposium which will be held in May 2023 in coordination with the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department.

A Special Statement from H.B. Patriarch Minassian and Interviews with Some Participants

The Eastern Ecumenical Family celebrated the “Season of Creation” 2022 closing. The Maronite Church hosted an Ecumenical Prayer service organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, under the patronage and presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. The celebration was held at the Church of the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon, on the eve of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, on Monday 3 October 2022.

The video presents a brief overview of the celebration in addition to a special statement from His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and MECC President for the Catholic Family. As well as interviews with many participants in the Prayer.

As part of the “Season of Creation” 2022 activities, SAT7 channel presented a special episode entitled "Listen to the Voice of Creation", prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches and presented by Sirene Semerdjian. It was broadcasted on Monday 3 October 2022, and included many environmental and Theological segments, with guests from the world and the region, and from various fields.

The episode began with a special video from the member of the “Season of Creation” committee at the World Council of Churches Mrs. Joy Kennedy. The video focused on the “Season of Creation” launching in the Churches worldwide, in addition to the environmental challenges and ongoing preparations for the COP27 climate change summit.

A Lecture with Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen

Thursday 13 October 2022, 6:00 PM at the Saint Joseph University in Beirut

The Middle East Council of Churches, the Bible Society, and the Faculty of Religious Sciences at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut, invite you to a lecture entitled “Why Our Religious Freedom Matters”, with Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Truro, and Author of the FCDO’s independent review of persecuted Christians. It will be held on Thursday 13 October 2022, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, at Francois Bassil auditorium in the Innovation and Sports Campus, at the Saint Joseph University. RSVP by Monday 10 October 2022, via 01/ 902020 or bsl@biblesociety.org.lb. The lecture will be followed by a Vin D’honneur reception.

The lecture will include English to Arabic interpretation.

An Ecumenical Prayer Under the Presidency and Patronage of H.B. Patriarch Al-Rai at the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke

H.B. Patriarch Minassian: I am sorry for losing human values today and forgetting our loving and merciful Creator

Dr. Michel Abs: The Church, the voice of the human conscience, and which glorifies and thanks the Creator for His gifts, cannot be silent and should react to end violence against the Creator’s creation

Under the patronage and presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, the Middle East Council of Churches concluded the “Season of Creation” 2022. An Ecumenical Prayer service entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation” was hosted by the Maronite Church at the Church of the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon, on the eve of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, on Monday 3 October 2022.

Participants were His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and MECC President for the Catholic Family, His Beatitude Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, His Eminence Bishop Daniel Kourieh, representing His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Reverend Georges Mrad, representing the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL). Participants were also Bishops from different Church families, apostolic and educational associations, fathers, nuns, monks and seminarians.

Celebrating the “Season of Creation” 2022, let us unite in Prayer for the creation and everything it includes. Let us listen to its voice and work together for the care for creation towards protecting our common home. We are part of the creation and our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth.

The video is produced by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, in partnership with “Danmission” organization. It is prepared and presented by the MECC Eco Justice committee member Father Elias Marswanian, from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, and edited by Ali Al Jarouch.

Télé Lumière and Noursat broadcasted the second episode of the "Season of Creation" series of episodes, entitled "Listen to the Voice of Creation", on Sunday 25 September 2022. It was prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches and presented by Ralph Tawitian.

The first segment revolved around the theological view of land, nature and environment in the Orthodox Church, in addition to many environmental issues. The guest was Father Bassam Nassif, Professor of Pastoral Theology at the University of Balamand - Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology.

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, and as part of the special episodes organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, Télé Lumière and Noursat dedicated an episode entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”. It is prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department and presented by Ralph Tawitian.

The episode was broadcasted on Wednesday 21 September 2022, and included many environmental, theological and youth segments and reports, with guests from various fields. In the first segment, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs highlighted the MECC work in launching the “Season of Creation” in the Middle East, and tackled the importance of the creation and environment, especially in the Ecumenical movement, in addition to the activities organized by MECC to celebrate this international event.

As part of the series of celebrations organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with the “Danmission” organization, in various countries of the region, marking the “Season of Creation” 2022, the MECC and the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East/ Diocese of Jerusalem, held the “Season of Creation” Prayer service in Jordan 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).

The prayer was held on Monday October 26, 2022 at the Redeemer Church for the Arab Evangelical Episcopal Church in Jabal Amman, Amman. In attendance were clergymen, public figures, as well as people concerned with environmental affairs.

Qaa Heritage Revival Project - QHRP, Lebanon

As part of the series of videos podcasts launched by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, the department publishes the fourth episode, which you can watch it below. The guest was Mrs. Salam Kallas, who is specialized in information technology IT. During the episode she sheds light on her project “Qaa Heritage Revival Project – QHRP” in the Qaa Lebanese region, highlighting its various cultural, archaeological and environmental aspects.

Youth Initiatives to Protect the Environment

The Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches continues its series of videos podcasts on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022. The department releases below the third episode during which the guest was Christopher Daccache, a computer and environmental engineer. In the episode, Daccache highlights his environmental initiatives and many youth activities aiming at protecting our land.

21 September 2022 – 7 P.M, On Télé Lumière and Noursat

Watch a special “Season of Creation” episode entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”, tonight Wednesday 21 September 2022, at 7 P.M, on Télé Lumière and Noursat. Rerun on Saturday 24 September 2022. The episode is prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches.

Bushfires and Tips to Avoid Fire Risk

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches has launched a series of podcast, in partnership with “Danmission” organization. Hence, it releases now the second episode, which you can watch it below. The guest was the volunteer in the Lebanese Civil Defense - Zouk Mikael Center Charbel Salameh, who is also specialized in bushfires. He sheds lights on the causes of forest fires, emergency evacuation before the arrival of the civil defense members, and bushes recovery. He also presented some tips to reduce these fires.