Ever since its founding in the sixties under the name of the Near East Council of Churches, when it included Evangelical churches exclusively, to its transformation into the Middle East Council of Churches, in the seventies, as the Orthodox churches joined it, to the joining of the Catholic churches in the nineties, this Council continues to surprise partner institutions and the community at large with its dynamism and its ability to renew and adapt to its environment and to provide the best services to all categories in society.

The MECC Department of Service and Relief - Diakonia, Beirut office, in cooperation with Saint George University Hospital (Al-Roum Hospital) in Ashrafieh, Beirut, conducted a training course focused on nursing, health and home care for children and the elderly, in addition to interactive and practical sessions. Twenty-one women of different age groups and from various educational and professional backgrounds participated in this 60-hour course which was scheduled over many weeks, monitored and trained by specialists, doctors, and licensed nurses.

Report: 14 July 2021

In a new story twist, and during a time the Middle East deemed itself in the recovery stage, the ‘Delta’ strain of COVID-19, made its first appearance. Now its spreading regionally prompting local decision makers and international observers to take heed to the new threat.

Within the framework of its social role in serving people and preserving their dignity, the Middle East Council of Churches pursues its service mission in the field by supporting the destitute groups, especially in weak societies which are in need for a helping hand that sorrows hope among them. This time, in the rural villages of Akkar governorate, in northern Lebanon, where its habitants are facing the difficult living conditions as all the Lebanese in the country.

As the first anniversary of the deadly Beirut blast draws near, EU nations have been holding meetings to discuss the Lebanese situation. At first, there was talk of assembling a UN task force to carry out humanitarian actions in Lebanon. However, the plan was scrapped and was instead replaced by the most conventional solution the West had been putting to use over the past years: sanctions.

An Introductory Meeting for the 2021 Celebrations

Together We Pray and Work for the Protection of the Environment

#SeasonOfCreationME #MECC

Within the framework of the preparations, celebrations and activities of the “Season of Creation” 2021, the Middle East Council of Churches launched for the first time in the Middle East this universal environmental project during a virtual meeting held on Monday, July 12, 2021 via Zoom. It was organized by the MECC Ecojustice Adhoc Committee and was attended by representatives of involved international and regional organizations such as TearFund, Danmission and A. Rocha Lebanon, in addition to a group of interested participants, members of the committee and a team from the Council.

Restoration work in Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Aleppo changes the story of a long war, as it helps in establishing programs and projects which aims at serving and developing the local community, due to the increase in the number of people in need of assistance after the war.

Report: 1 to 11 July 2021

Throughout the past decades, Middle Eastern nations had attempted to form alliances that would guarantee economic cooperation and security. However, foreign intervention has paralyzed any attempt to form a unified alliance. For these powers, it is better to have a fractured Middle East rather than a unified one- a divided region is easier to handle. Very recently however, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq came together to bolster ties and build a common regional vision amid changing geopolitical realities. The initiative dubbed as “The New Levant” is a promising idea that can add a degree of stability in a turbulent area.

And a New Date for the Twelfth General Assembly

Following the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Presidents held an online meeting, on Thursday, July 8, 2021. The meeting aimed at discussing administrative matters and various topics, in order to develop the work mechanisms and enhance the communication with the various churches in the region, so the MECC achieve the desired goals and consolidate its Ecumenical and humanitarian mission.

Special Booklet and Celebrations from the East to Glorify the Environment

Between September 1st and October 4, 2021

Christians around the world and in the Middle East celebrate the priceless gift of the Creator during a period devoted to Prayer and work in order to protect the environment and its creatures, between September 1st and October 4 of each year. As for this year, the Middle East Council of Churches is participating for the first time, along with the World Council of Churches, in the celebrations of this special environmental season.

The new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, includes this week a special interview with the Archdiocese of Argentina, His Eminence Bishop John Habib Shamieh “The Reality of Christians presence in the Diaspora, The Ecumenical Spirit in the expatriate countries Is a Necessity”, and the weekly message of the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs entitled "When Helplessness Becomes Rooted in Nations".

Este no es un artículo de psicología social ni de ciencias políticas. Es un artículo sobre el destino de las poblaciones y su futuro.

Este artículo se inspira en la biografía del Señor, desde su azote a los mercaderes del templo, su revolución contra la hipocresía y la corrupción, así como de su constatación de la ignorancia del pueblo en la Cruz: «Padre, perdónalos, porque no saben lo que hacen».

Lo peor que le puede pasar a un pueblo es ser presa de la hipocresía, la corrupción y la ignorancia, que son tres características inseparables en la historia de las naciones. Lo ínfimo que aflige a un pueblo en este contexto es un lento deslizamiento que llega a los límites de la impotencia.

Curso de cuidados intensivos de enfermería a domicilio

El Departamento de Servicio y Ayuda de MECC - Diakonia, oficina de Beirut, en cooperación con el Hospital Universitario Saint George (Hospital Al-Roum) en Ashrafieh, Beirut, organizó un curso intensivo de formación centrado en la enfermería, la salud y la atención domiciliaria a niños y ancianos. Participaron 21 mujeres de diferentes grupos de edad para fortalecer sus capacidades, desarrollar sus habilidades en el campo, permitirles entrar en el campo del trabajo de la salud profesional y desarrollar su conciencia con respecto a los incidentes de salud que pueden enfrentar diariamente.

El espíritu ecuménico en los países expatriados es una necesidad

Es cierto que los cristianos orientales dispersos por el mundo están alejados de su tierra natal, pero la mayoría de ellos llevan su cruz, su fe, sus valores y el ajetreo de la vida hasta donde aterrizan. Rara vez se rinden, y siempre encuentran soluciones para superar los retos. El obispo Juan Habib Shamieh habla de la diáspora y de cómo la Iglesia conserva a sus hijos, incluso cuando cambian de parroquia, y explica cómo trabajan en la archidiócesis maronita de Argentina, para acortar la distancia y evitar que la patria se convierta en un recuerdo.

¿Qué ocurre durante este histórico día?

A lo largo de todo el año, los cristianos celebran muchas festividades y eventos diferentes, cada uno según sus costumbres y tradiciones religiosas locales o internacionales. Sin embargo, ¿acentúan estas celebraciones la brecha entre las familias de la Iglesia? La respuesta es no.

Por supuesto, cada Iglesia tiene sus propias características y ritos, pero todas están unidas bajo un mismo lema: «La riqueza en la diversidad». Esta riqueza fue siempre lo que distinguió a las Iglesias de Oriente y Occidente, mientras que todas ellas alaban a Jesucristo en una sola fe, reconociendo su muerte y resurrección.

El juez Bitar ha declarado en repetidas ocasiones que la investigación está llegando a su fin y que se citará a algunos políticos de alto nivel. Esto plantea la cuestión de si señalará con el dedo a un político turbio con vínculos militantes, o simplemente a algún chupatintas como el ministro interino Hassan Diab, que parece el chivo expiatorio perfecto. Las iniciativas del juez, son las últimas de varios esfuerzos infructuosos para determinar la causa exacta de la explosión y hacer rendir cuentas a los responsables de la misma. Sin embargo, con el grave deterioro de la economía y la creciente indignación de la población, el juez Tarek Bitar podría tener lo que se necesita para hacer sonar la alarma sobre el crimen.

El MECC organizó una formación sobre «Fundamentos de la salvaguarda de la infancia» para 40 profesores y facilitadores.

El curso se centró en la salvaguarda de los niños y abordó muchos temas como los derechos humanos, los derechos de los niños, los fundamentos de la protección, además de las características, necesidades y dificultades relacionadas con cada grupo de edad, desde la infancia hasta la adolescencia, la importancia de la salud psicológica y el apoyo psicológico, los fundamentos de la primera ayuda psicológica, la comunicación eficaz con los niños, las estrategias de apoyo a los niños, el fraude y el abuso de poder.

La interacción con el semanario Momentum del MECC y su creciente papel en la promoción de la comunión y la conciencia ecuménica en Oriente y Occidente se refleja a través de la construcción de puentes entre las iglesias del Oriente Medio y de Occidente y la creación de redes con ellos con el fin de trabajar por la unidad cristiana y el testimonio del Evangelio, por lo tanto, la activación de los diálogos entre las iglesias a nivel local, regional y mundial.

This is neither a social psychology nor a political science article. This is an article on the fate of populations and their future.

This article is inspired by the biography of the Lord, from His scourging of the temple merchants , His revolution against hypocrisy and corruption , as well as from His realization on the cross of the ignorance of the people- "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

The worst thing that can happen to a people is falling prey to hypocrisy, corruption, and ignorance, which are three characteristics that are inseparable in the history of nations. The worst thing that afflicts a people in this context is a slow sliding that reaches the limits of helplessness.

Intensive Home Nursing Care Course

The MECC Department of Service and Relief - Diakonia, Beirut office, in cooperation with Saint George University Hospital (Al-Roum Hospital) in Ashrafieh, Beirut, organized an intensive training course focused on nursing, health and home care for children and the elderly. Twenty-one women of different age groups participated to build their capabilities, develop their skills in the field, allow them to enter the field of health work professionally, and develop their awareness regarding health incidents they may face daily.