Miles y miles de refugiados huyeron de sus países debido a los graves impactos de las guerras y los conflictos, buscando un refugio seguro en un país que protegiera a sus familias con dignidad. Sin embargo, los refugiados del Líbano sufren hoy, como todos los libaneses, unas condiciones de vida difíciles. También fueron privados de sus derechos básicos y se enfrentan a un futuro desconocido. De ahí que las mujeres se hayan convertido en los grupos más afectados y vulnerables, ya que se enfrentan a muchas dificultades, sobre todo a nivel económico, para hacerse cargo de sus hijos y familias.

En medio de todo el estrés de la vida diaria, las mujeres refugiadas se enfrentan a muchas presiones psicológicas que les afectan desde todos los ámbitos de la vida. Por lo tanto, el Departamento de Servicio y Ayuda - Diakonia, Oficina de Beirut, en el Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio, busca durante todo el año, acompañarlas y apoyarlas para superar sus desafíos, a través de diversos programas.

Report August 2022

With tensions brewing in other parts of the world, the Middle East, with the exception of Lebanon and Occupied Palestine, seem to be heading towards a future lit with cooperation. This is evident from the Arab Summit which was held on the 22nd of August in which five Arab states convened to discuss several regional issues including Palestine. The general atmosphere was positive and the attendees focused on cooperation especially in the energy and food security domain.

An Environmental Christian Celebration in "Anaphora" Glorifies the Creator

On the occasion of the ongoing “Season of Creation” 2022, the “Anaphora Center”, the Eco Friendly House of the Coptic Church, in Wadi El Natroun, Egypt, held a Christian environmental celebration, on Sunday 11 September 2022. It was under the auspices and supervision of Anba Thomas, founder of the Anaphora Center, and Bishop of Al-Qusiya and Mir, Assiut, Egypt. The event was part of the series of celebrations organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, in various countries of the region.

Priests, believers, and interested people in the Church environmental issue, participated in the celebration. As well as, participants were the Egypt Council of Churches, Dr. Gerges Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, and Rev. Rifaat Fikry, MECC Associate Secretary General, President of the Evangelical Conference of Cairo, and Head of the Council for Dialogue and Ecumenical Relations in the Evangelical Church in Egypt.

On the occasion of the "Season of Creation” 2022, the “Anaphora” Center for Prayer and Retreat, in Wadi El Natroun, Egypt, held a Christian environmental celebration, on Sunday 11 September 2022. It was under the auspices and supervision of Anba Thomas, founder of the Anaphora Center, Bishop of Al-Qusiya and Mir, Assiut, Egypt. The event was part of a series of celebrations organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, in partnership with the “Danmission” organization, in various countries of the region. The video, prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, sheds light on the activity of this celebration.

Thousands and thousands of refugees fled their countries due to the serious impacts of wars and conflicts, searching for a safe shelter in a country that would protect their families with dignity. However, the refugees in Lebanon are suffering today, as all Lebanese, from difficult living conditions. They were also deprived of their basic rights and are facing an unknown future. Hence, women have become the most affected and vulnerable groups, as they face a lot of difficulties, especially on the financial level, in taking caring of their children and families.

Amidst all the stress of daily life, refugee women are facing many psychological pressures that impacted them from all walks of life. Therefore, the Service and Relief Department - Diakonia, Beirut’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches, is seeking throughout the year, to accompany and support them in order to overcome their challenges, through various programs.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, the MECC General Secretariat mourns the MECC Former Secretary General Gabi Habib who passed away to the Heavenly Father. As for the weekly message of the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Pilgrimage to Saydnaya”, on the occasion of the birthday of our Lady, the Virgin Mary.

The issue also presents details and pictures about the regional Middle East meeting moderated by Dr. Abs, during the 11th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches, held in Karlsruhe, Germany, from 31 August to 8 September 2022, under the theme "Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity."

As well as, the issue includes an interview with Joy Kennedy, an environmental activist and moderator of the WCC working group on climate change, during the participation of the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department at the General Assembly in Karlsruhe. The interview is entitled “At the World Council of Churches General Assembly in Germany, Joy Kennedy: As a grandmother, I Say that Climate Change Put Children and Grandchildren at Risk, The Season of Creation is Full of Hope and Churches Should Work for Climate Justice, Before COP 27 in Egypt and COP 28 in Dubai, Many Promises Are Not Yet Achieved.”

Today is the birthday of our Lady, the Virgin Mary, the lady of the ladies whom the Almighty God favored over the women of the world and chose her to embody in her heart the Master who came to deliver humanity from sin and from the petty self that commands evil.

On the eighth of September, the world celebrates this great occasion, which is great in its effects and in what resulted from it. On the night before the Eid, people from all the religious communities of the nation make a pilgrimage to the monastery of Our Lady of Sadnaya, in Syria, for blessings, prayer and meditation. There, man feels close to his Lord, his Creator, his Prime Mover, the One who breathed into his dust the breath of life , the Almighty who takes care of him and who protects him.

Visiting the monastery and contemplating its venue is an unparalleled experience. The pilgrims begin by lighting candles in the ‘Shaghoura’ shrine and crown it by taking pictures of themselves in front of the murals of Anna and Joachim, the parents of the Virgin, in whose womb the Father has deposited the Incarnate.

In hopeful artistic movements, he threw his hands in the air and spun around his wheelchair. Fadi El Halabi danced with his partner Karen Abi Nader, symbolizing the joy that can only be felt when fighting against limiting the freedom of persons with disabilities. Through the performance, he denounced all forms of racism and discrimination, towards the inclusion of everyone in the society and the Church.

The dance, which you can enjoy and watch it in the following video, was part of a fourth thematic plenary entitled “Affirming justice and human dignity”, on Tuesday 6 September 2022. It was convened during the World Council of Churches 11th General Assembly, taking place in Karlsruhe, Germany, from 31 August to 8 September 2022, under the theme "Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity."

With faith and hope, the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches mourns Gabi Habib, former Secretary General, brother, father and teacher, who passed away to the Heavenly Father. Habib worked for ecumenism and made many sacrifices over 17 years in order to raise the voice of the Eastern Churches together. From the East to the world!

The world will always remember Gabi Habib, as he always worked to strengthen the MECC mission and role. History will remember him as role model for ecumenical work and an example of a loving, honest and devoted person.

Joy Kennedy: As a grandmother, I Say that Climate Change Put Children and Grandchildren at Risk

The Season of Creation is Full of Hope and Churches Should Work for Climate Justice

Before COP 27 in Egypt and COP 28 in Dubai, Many Promises Are Not Yet Achieved

The world is today suffering from many ​​social, living, health and security crises... but the environmental and climate change issues are now ringing the alarm bell. Humanity is thus facing an unknown future. Therefore, it is necessary to listen to the neediest and most vulnerable groups, and accompany them amidst our global environmental crisis. Hence, the United Nations is working, through its various programs and international partnerships, for achieving climate justice towards a better future.

In this context, the Church has also an important role, especially in raising awareness and working for the protection of its children against climate change’s repercussions. Noting that the Church celebrates the “Season of Creation” and stress the importance of preserving our common home. From its end, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is working for climate justice, as the care for creation is one of its most important priorities. In fact, the Bible teaches the wholeness of creation and calls us to take care of the garden of Eden (Gen 2:15). The God of the Bible is a God of justice who protects, loves and cares for the most vulnerable among his creatures.

A Workshop in Karlsruhe, Towards Peace, Justice and Reconciliation in the Holy Land

As part of the ongoing World Council of Churches 11th General Assembly taking place in Karlsruhe, Germany, between 31 August and 8 September 2022, under the theme "Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity", a workshop entitled “Palestinian Christian Church, Witness and Theology”, was organized on Tuesday 6 September 2022. It included two sessions on the topic at hand, moderated by the Head of the Lutheran Evangelical Church in Jordan and The Holy Land His Eminence Archbishop Sani Ibrahim Azar, the Pastor of the Lutheran Church in Amman Reverend Imad Haddad, and the Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College Reverend Munther Isaac.

Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs: The Church is Being a Leader and Role Model in Defending Humanity

Our role in the region, the Cradle of Christianity, Is Very Important, and Love Is Essential for the Salvation of Societies

The 11th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches is being held today, at a time the world is witnessing dangerous human, social, health and climate challenges… The Assembly is taking place in Karlsruhe, Germany, from 31 August to 8 September 2022, under the theme "Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity." It dedicated a special session for the issues of the Middle East region, as part of a series of regional meetings and discussions.

The Middle East meeting was moderated by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, on Friday 2 September 2022, with the presence of more than 50 participants and specialists. Dr. Abs presented a detailed lecture on the circumstances of the Middle East and its ongoing challenges based on a Church perspective. Noting that the Church organizations are concerned with the neediest groups and affected people due the difficult living conditions. They are responsible in accompanying them, regardless their religious, ethnic and political affiliations…

As part of this year's "Season of Creation" activities, youth movements and Church groups are organizing many activities to celebrate this annual Christian and environmental season. The Social Work Committee at the Orthodox Youth Movement - Mount Lebanon Center decided to celebrate the season, as well as the Orthodox Environment Day, in a special activity in the heart of Lebanon’s nature.

The activity included a visit to the Holy Archangel Michael Monastery for the Greek Orthodox in Baaqata, on Saturday 3 September 2022. The Social Work Committee met with the Head of the Monastery Archimandrite Youhanna (Chahine) with whom they discussed environmental issues.

The World Council of Churches 11th General Assembly is being held in Karlsruhe, Germany, from 31 August to 8 September 2022, under the theme "Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity". The Assembly organized a Networking Zone dedicated for vibrant music, a lively dialogue, calming atmosphere, or a quiet coffee, and aimed at engaging participants to communicate together in a more relaxed and social zone away from the plenaries.

In fact, the Networking Zone presents four different stations and three spaces devoted for interaction. The Protestant Church in Switzerland—the birthplace of the Reformed churches—is one of these stations. It exhibits, as the World Council of Churches website mentioned, “key figures and some challenging histories in its development as a church. The space also offers a variety of conversations on topics such as carbon footprints to gender justice. The talks include practical activities and games to help the information sink in.”

As part of the “Season of Creation” 2022 activities, the Middle East Council of Churches and its Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, invite you to participate this year in a series of celebrations that will be held in various countries of the region. You can find below the full program. This year’s theme is “Listen to the Voice of Creation” and its slogan is “The Burning Bush”. Let us pray together to God the Creator, and listen for the voice of each creature declaring His glory!

From the heart of nature in the Kfardebian region, Keserwan Lebanon, the youth of Lebanon from various Church families and youth movements inaugurated the celebrations of the “Season of Creation” 2022 in the Middle East. The international theme of this year’s season is “Listen to the Voice of Creation” and its slogan is “The Burning Bush”.

Young people gathered and prayed together to God the Creator and stressed the importance of protecting our common home. They participated in a youth environmental activity organized by MECC and Danmission, on Saturday 3 September 2022. How was the activity? And what it included? The following video, prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, presents a brief overview of this special youth event. A celebration that glorified and praised the Creator from Whom all blessings flow.

Youth of Lebanon Starts the “Season of Creation” 2022 in the East with MECC

An Environmental Activity in Kfardebian Invites Us to Listen to the Voice of God's Creation

From the North and South of Lebanon, young people woke up early with enthusiasm and were ready for their activity. They had one goal: listen to the voice of creation. Youth women and men, from different Church families and youth movements in Lebanon, headed together to the Lebanese region of Kfardebian in Keserwan, on the morning of Saturday 3 September 2022. They participated in a youth environmental activity organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, and were accompanied by a group of clergy. In kfardebian, they met with nature, and inaugurated the series of celebrations that will be held in many countries of the Middle East for this year, on the occasion of the international “Season of Creation” launching.

The slogan of the activity was “We Walk and Listen to the Voice of Creation!”. The program included many environmental youth segments, but most importantly it motivated the participants to look deep into nature with all their senses and discover the richness of the Lord’s Gifts. In fact, the youth stressed the need to listen to the creation and save it from danger. They raised their voices and emphasized that we live in a common home and it is our responsibility to protect it.

Ecumenical Young People Raising their Voices to the World

A Youth Protest at the WCC 11th General Assembly

"Stop water and air pollution! Stop environmental crime! There’s no Planet B! Green Faith and Better Future!...”. These slogans were raised by young people from all over the world during a youth protest held, Friday 2 September 2022, in Karlsruhe, Germany. In fact, the Ecumenical Youth Gathering (EYG) at the World Council of Churches expressed the need for common work towards achieving climate justice. Noting that the “Season of Creation” 2022 is launched worldwide.

Today, youth are suffering from many issues. But the climate issue is now their most important priority. Their purpose is to highlight the danger of climate change, and invite all people for effective work in order to find practical solutions to protect the earth and their common home. But is anyone listening to them?

The MECC General Secretariat Prays for Creation

Teach us, O Lord, to contemplate your creation, and listen for the voice of each creature declaring your glory!

The international “Season of Creation” 2022 has started in the Middle East and its theme for this year is “Listen to the Voice of Creation”. The Season begins on September 1 and ends on October 4 of each year. Hence, the Season invites us this year to listen to the voice of creation, which is suffering due to many factors. So we unite in prayer, thanking God for all His blessings and glorifying His Holy Name, “faith comes from hearing.” We also unite and share a common call to care for our Lord’s creation. We are co-creatures, and part of all that God has made. Our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth.

On the occasion, members of the MECC General Secretariat’s family who were present in Beirut, gathered and prayed for God the Creator, on Thursday 1st of September 2022, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut. MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs and a delegation of Directors were absent due to their participation in the WCC 11th General Assembly taking place in Karlsruhe, Germany, as well as others were busy due to many conferences.