Since two years, Lebanese citizens are suffering from worsening economic crises, and the collapse of the banking system and the Lebanese currency. Aiming at facing this urgent situation, the Middle East Council of Churches continues to support the most affected groups by this economic and living disaster in order to preserve their dignity and protect their right to a decent life. Hence, the Service and Relief Department – Diakonia, Beirut office, implemented a cash assistance program, in partnership and cooperation with the international humanitarian organization Norwegian Church Aid – NCA.

MECC Distributed Winter Clothes and Shoes to Children

Aiming at helping families to overcome one of the major winter challenges, the Service and Relief Department – Diakonia, Damascus office, at the Middle East Council of Churches distributed winter clothes for children in Dara’a Al Balad and Um Al-Mayazen in Dara’a Governorate.

You can find a photo album from the meetings of the MECC 10th General Assembly, held between 29 and 30 November 2011 in Paphos, Cyprus, under the title of “And all who believed were one heart” (Acts 4: 32).

The new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches presents the message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, entitled “In treason, atonement, and begging religion in politics”. In addition to details and pictures about the honoring of the Legal Adviser and Member of the MECC Executive Committee Lawyer Ibrahim Alfred Traboulsi, on the occasion of awarding him the Order of Saint Gregory the Great at the rank of Commander from His Holiness Pope Francis.

Sometimes on media stations, as well as on social media, persons of the media or working in the public field, provide descriptions and accusations against socio-religious groups in the Levant, part of which are Christians churches that are well-established in their identity and heritage and members of the Middle East Council of Churches.

As for the accusations and descriptions, they center around the treachery of these groups, accusing them of being fundamentalist, and comparing them to the Takfiri groups that destroyed Syria and Iraq and almost toppled Lebanon.

Report: January 2022

According to global data and analysis, 2022 may be the year where major geopolitical shifts will take place. Nations may either choose to engage each other at a diplomatic level or might find excuses for armed escalation. Both way the Middle East will be impacted by these alterations, and it is up to all nations within this region to work with one another to avoid division during a time when we need unity.

The Communication and Public Relations Department at the Middle East Council of Churches have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of February 2021. 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. Noting that the remaining months of the year will be published consecutively.

As part of the eight-day-prayer for the Christian Unity, HE Bishop Joseph Mouawad, President of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations for the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, was the guest of Jana Ghazi on Radio Liban Libre RLL, Wednesday 19 January 2022.

During the interview, HE. presented a brief overview about the symbolism of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" and its most prominent historical stations, in addition to its celebrations in the East and the world.

You can find the text of the final communiqué issued by the MECC 10th General Assembly, held between 29 and 30 November 2011 in Paphos, Cyprus, under the title of “And all who believed were one heart” (Acts 4: 32).

The Middle East Council of Churches participated in the Gulf Churches Fellowship (GCF) annual meeting, after an absence of several years. It was attended by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs and the MECC Executive Assistant Mrs. Seta Hadeshian. Noting that the Council is a founding member of the fellowship.

The GCF annual meeting was held online on January 24, 2022 and the agenda covered several matters including the review of the past years activities’ minutes, operational matters, financial reporting as well the election of new members for the Executive committee and the moderator.

Concluding the days of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2022, MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of the morning TV show “Al Nour Maana” (which means “The Light is with Us) on Télé Lumiere and Noursat, to talk about the importance of the Week of Prayer and its outcomes this year, especially with the continuous work of MECC towards unity. The episode was presented by Lea Adel, and broadcasted on Tuesday 25 January 2022.

Media agencies are still covering the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2022 to shed light on this historical Christian station. Hence, HE. Reverend Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon and President of MECC for the Evangelical Family, was the guest of “Kel Yom Bi Yawmo” program (which means “Day by Day”) on Suboro TV, Thursday 20 January 2022.

Answers in a Special Episode on Télé Lumière and Noursat

As part of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2022 celebrations, Télé Lumière and Noursat prepared in cooperation with the Middle East Council of Churches a special episode entitled “Towards Unity”, focusing on the importance of the Week of Prayer and the role of youth in the ecumenical work. The episode was prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department and presented by Ralph Tawitian, on Sunday 23 January 2022.

“How lovely it is to get together in love our Lord teaches us, When two meet in my name together I will always be in between their gather” (from the “How Lovely” hymn).

On the occasion of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2022, the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches united in prayer, at the invitation of the team of the World Ecumenical Center in Geneva.

On the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity", the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches delivered an online lecture entitled "One Church Towards You", at the invitation of the Youth Movement of Our Lady of Lebanon in Paris, on Friday 21 January 2022.

During the meeting, Dr. Abs focused on the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity", and the meanings of this unity, as well as the importance of the ecumenical work, especially in building bridges between all the Church families.

Sunday 23 February 2022

As part of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2022, Télé Lumière and Noursat, in cooperation with the Middle East Council of Churches, will broadcast a special episode, entitled "Towards Unity", about the role of youth in the ecumenical movement, on Sunday 23 January 2022 at 20:30 Beirut time and 18:30 GMT. The episode is prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department and presented by Ralph Tawitian, and will be published soon on the MECC website.