In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, MECC launches the “Season of Creation” 2022 in the Middle East, and invite you with its Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, to participate in a series of celebrations that will be held in various countries of the region. As for the weekly message of Dr. Abs, it is entitled “An international Ecumenical meeting at the level of the actual challenges”, in which he tackled his impressions and expectations from the WCC 11th General Assembly taking place between 31 August and 8 September 2022 in Karlsruhe, Germany.

Noting that Dr. Abs is participating in this Assembly heading a delegation from the General Secretariat including the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Fr. Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, and the Director of the Communication and Public Relations Department Mrs. Huguette Salameh.

The issue also presents the “Season of Creation” 2022 international booklet entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”, which was translated into Arabic by MECC for the second consecutive year, and published in Arabic for the whole world.

This week, the General Assembly of the World Council of Churches is The Event.

After a long absence imposed by the pandemic, the international ecumenical family is gathering today in a general assembly with a busy schedule.

Place: Karlsruhe, Germany.

Date: From August 31 to September 8, 2022.

This was preceded by a large number of specialized assemblies that paved the way for maturing the agenda of this assembly.

Preparations have been in full speed for more than two years due to the magnitude of the event as well as the greatness of its organizers: a council of churches around the world, comprising more than three hundred churches including more than half a billion believers.

In the few days that preceded the opening of the General Assembly, you see people by hundreds of volunteers and experts from all parts of the world in order to put their competencies at the disposal of the event, which will not be an ordinary one this year. It may surpass in its cruciality the general assemblies held since the beginning of the concretization of the ecumenical movement in a world council of churches.

Towards the Consolidation of Ecumenism in a More Just and Peaceful World

From all over the world, the international and Middle Eastern ecumenical family meets in Karlsruhe, Germany, where the 11th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches is taking place from 31 August to 8 September 2022, under the theme "Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity". In fact, the theme is an affirmation of faith that Christ’s love transforms the world in the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, to a more alive and safer one. The love of the compassionate, crucified, and risen Christ is at the heart of this world, and wins over the powers of destruction, sin and difficulties.

Hence, the WCC 11th General Assembly is being held at a difficult time when the whole world is witnessing severe health, social, economic and security crises... Nevertheless, the Assembly is an event that calls, with Christ’s infinite love, the churches to work together unceasingly and with people of other faiths and all those of good will for just peace and reconciliation. It is a call for the visible unity of the church to become a prophetic sign and a foretaste of the reconciliation of this world with God, and the unity of humankind and all creation.

Before the WCC General Assembly kicked off, four pre-assemblies convened, with the participation of hundreds of people from the whole world in each one. The pre-assemblies included Indigenous Peoples, Ecumenical Youth Gathering, Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, and Just Community of Women and Men, and aimed at discussing and exchanging ideas, challenges and expectations.

“Listen to the Voice of Creation”

Middle Eastern Celebrations to Pray and Work Together for the Protection of Our Common Home

#SeasonOfCreationME

We are happy to announce that the international "Season of Creation" for this year will be kicked off in the Middle East after it was launched by the Middle East Council of Churches for the first time in the region last year. Noting that its international celebrations start on September 1 and end on October 4 of each year. A Season during which the people and Christians of the Middle East, unite with the ecumenical family around the world, to participate in prayer and work together to protect our common home, as well as to listen and respond to the cry of Creation which is under threat.

For the second consecutive year, the Middle East Council of Churches has translated the international “Season of Creation” booklet into Arabic, which you can download it by clicking here. This year’s theme is “Listen to the Voice of Creation” and its slogan is “The Burning Bush”. The Psalmist (19: 1-4) acknowledges that hearing the voice of creation requires a kind of listening that is increasingly rare. Within the ecumenical Christian family, there is a diverse range of traditions to help us recover our capacity to hear the voice of creation.

And Launches the “Season of Creation” 2022 in the Middle East

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

As well as, the Middle East Council of Churches launches during September 2022, the “Season of Creation” activities in the region for the second consecutive year through translating the Season’s international booklet into Arabic, with this year’s theme “Listen to the Voice of Creation”. This is in addition to a series of celebrations organized by MECC, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, in many countries of the Middle East. Noting that the international celebrations of the Season start on September 1st and end on October 4 of each year.

In order to help children spend their time during the summer vacation positively in a safe environment and to discover and develop their talents, The Service and Relief Department –Diakonia, at the Middle East Council of Churches, Syria’s Office, organized a summer club for 200 students aged between 6 and 13 years old, in Al Asieh School in Jaramana in Rural Damascus.

The atmosphere was interactive, fun, joyous and full of enthusiasm including many interactive recreational and educational activities and sessions such as Arabic and English languages, mathematics, mental math, sports, handmade crafts, drawing, theatre, music, mental and competitive games that were also accompanied by two psychosocial sessions per week entitled “Self – Journey”.

The summer club targeted vulnerable children that were affected by the Syrian crisis in order to help them release their stress resulting from social and academic pressures.

The summer club helped children to better manage their time, learn new various skills, and make new friendships.

Video - MECC in Its Second Monthly Webinar

Towards Human Dignity Preservation and Social Capital Rehabilitation

The Middle East Council of Churches held its second monthly webinar entitled “Social Justice in Times of Crisis”, on Thursday evening 25 August 2022, with the participation of experts, specialists and students from many countries in the region. This webinar, which was broadcasted live on the MECC Facebook page, is part of a series of monthly seminars launched by MECC last June, and comes within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” as part of the work of a department that is being developed in the Council under the name of “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, MECC publishes the "Season of Creation" 2022 international booklet in Arabic under the title “Listen to the Voice of Creation”. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Between the kingdom of God and the hell of humankind”.

Do we notice the absolute chaos and the utter evil that pervade humanity today?

Modern man has become preoccupied with his daily life and craving after money to fulfill needs, including illusory or artificial ones, invented for him by industrial society, to the extent that he is no longer able to see the situation of the human race today.

Wars, epidemics, social problems, deteriorating economic conditions, misdistribution of wealth, food and medicine on a global scale, and other misfortunes of modern society have swept the globe and led the human race to what the Master, who embodied our salvation, warned against.

On the counterpart, we witness development in human, medical and social services, to the extent that one almost considers that there are two different kind of human beings on earth.

It is the race between good and evil that began with the advent of humankind, and that takes on renewed forms.

It is the same creature that destroys homes, makes people homeless, kills them, and sometimes exterminates them, that shelters them, heals their wounds, and gives them warmth.

Some women struggle with mental health issues due to loneliness, violence, and cultural isolation. Luckily, the MECC Service and Relief – Diakonia Department, Beirut’s Office, was able to inspire positive change, with the help of international partners. As such, Psychosocial sessions were given to these women as an attempt to mend wounds. They were divided into two categories: those that can attend art technique sessions, and those that need greater mental health intervention.

Our Colleague Seta Hadeshian: His Holiness and the Armenian Cause

Վեհափառ ահայրապետը եւ Ազգային պահանջատիրութիւնը

The Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia published a book on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee and the 25th anniversary of the election and consecration of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia. The book is entitled “Արժեւորում եւ Վկայութիւններ”, “Appraisal and Testimonies”, and includes articles and texts written by 52 contributors from various fields such as religious, Ecumenical, academic, political, church administration, community leadership, which shed light on the journey of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the most prominent bright stations he passed through during this period.

“Listen to the Voice of Creation”

The Middle East will be soon celebrating the annual international Christian and environmental “Season of Creation”, which was launched by the Middle East Council of Churches for the first time in the region last year. This is through many environmental activities and an awareness campaign to protect the creation, in addition to translating the Season’s Prayer booklet into Arabic, which is adopted internationally and in different languages. Thus, the people of the East may also celebrate the Season’s activities with the whole world, from the 1st of September till 4 October.

The theme of this year’s Season is “Listen to the Voice of Creation” taking the slogan of “The Burning Bush”. Hence, MECC issues the booklet of the 2022 Season in Arabic and in two versions. A full version translated from the original English booklet, including all details and information related the season, in addition to prayers and suggestions for the celebrations... The second version is shorter and ready for printing and distribution.

“Social Justice” in Times of Crisis

Thursday 25 August 2022, 7 p.m

Save the Date!

As part of the series of monthly seminars launched last June, the Middle East Council of Churches invites you to participate in its second webinar entitled "Social Justice in Time of Crisis", on Thursday 25 August 2022, at 7 p.m.

This webinar comes within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” as part of the Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation Programs. You can participate in it through the following link: https://bit.ly/3T7PQNv.

Extends Its Deepest Condolences to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and the Coptic Orthodox Church Over the Victims of the Imbaba Church

With great sadness and pain, the Middle East Council of Churches, on behalf of its Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, extends its deepest condolences to the Coptic Orthodox Church headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, and to the families of the victims of the fire that ripped, during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, through St. Mercurius the Martyr Church in Abu Sefein, Imbaba district, in Egypt.

The death of the 41 victims, including the priest of the Church, while praying during the Virgin Mary’s fast, is a consolation and confirmation that they passed away to the Heavenly Father gaining eternal life, through grace and Prayer.

As prevention is better than cure, The Service and Relief Department – Diakonia at the Middle East Council of Churches office in Syria aims at raising health awareness to reach as many persons as possible in society through implementing health awareness trainings to women, who will, in turn, transfer the gained knowledge to their communities.

Health awareness trainings were implemented in Dara’a and Damascus for 15 trainees in each governorate. The trainees were introduced to the most common diseases; causes, treatment and prevention methods in addition to introducing the correct methods of using a blood pressure monitor in addition to the basics of first aid.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches you can find a news about the visit of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, heading a delegation from the General Secretariat, to His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. As for the weekly message of Dr. Abs, it is entitled “On their International Day: Youth, Challenges and Questions”, and is dedicated for the International Youth Day celebrated on August 12.

The issue also presents a news and pictures about the congratulatory visit held by Dr. Michel Abs, heading a delegation from the MECC General Secretariat, to Father Hadi Mahfouz following his election as General President of the Lebanese Maronite Order, besides the new General Presidency complex.

Dr. Michel Abs: Reactivating the work of the Dialogue Committee, is a necessity

Headed by its Secretary-General, Dr. Michel Abs, a delegation from the Middle East Council of Churches visited His Eminence Sheikh Al-Aql of the Unitarian Druze Community, Sheikh Dr. Sami Abi Al-Muna, to emphasize the relationship that binds the Council to the Unitarian Druze Community sect alongside its historical role in promoting the dialogue between the various religions and references in Lebanon.

The visit, which took place today, Thursday, August 11th, began with a word from the Secretary-General, Dr. Abs, where he spoke about the firm relations that were always present with Sheikh Al-Aql and the personal bond they shared while being part of the Islamic-Christian Dialogue Committee in Lebanon, in addition to attending meetings and other joint initiatives that took place in cooperation between both sides. The Secretary-General also stressed that the interest in Christian issues does not negate the important need to cooperate with our partners in our homeland.

The world celebrates on August 12 of each year the International Youth Day, and the interaction with this occasion varies between one country and another, and between one institution and another.

Young people rarely find the necessary attention for them, as society considers them a young, strong and solid group, capable of overcoming difficulties due to their age, health and aspirations. The social injustice that is clearly visible and which needs direct and, in most cases, urgent support.

As an educator for more than four decades, having lived through various categories of youth, I can simply consider that young people constitute a vulnerable and marginalized group, unintentionally excluded by society by virtue of the cultural and economic dynamics that govern the course of society.

There are many challenges facing the youth of our modern world, varying from one society to another in terms of the nature of these challenges and their weight on the lives of young people, their aspirations and, consequently, their future. However, in all cases, it bears a heavy burden on a social group that is silently marginalized and excluded under the pretext that it is a group that, because of its lack of maturity coupled with high energy, is able to withstand.

And Inviting the Maronite Church to Participate in the “Season of Creation” 2022 Celebrations

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs visited His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, heading a delegation from the MECC General Secretariat that included the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the Coordinator of the Ecojustice Unit Reverend Rima Nasrallah, and the Coordinator of the Rehabilitation of Social Capital project Professor Laure Abi Khalil. The visit was on Wednesday 10 August 2022, at the Patriarchal edifice in Al Diman, Lebanon.

During the meeting, Dr. Abs gave His Beatitude Patriarch Al-Rai a brief overview of the activities of the MECC 12th General Assembly, which was held under the theme of “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27), between 16 and 20 May 2022, at the Papal Logos Center in Egypt.

On the Occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Election of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia

Dr. Michel Abs: Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia: A leader of Principles and Challenges

On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee and the 25th anniversary of the election and consecration of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, the Catholicosate issued a new book entitled “Արժեւորում եւ Վկայութիւններ”, “Appraisal and Testimonies”. Hence, 52 contributors participated in the book from various fields such as religious, ecumenical, academic, political, church administration, community leadership, and highlighted the most prominent bright stations and achievements made by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I during this period.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs was among the participants.