Together Towards Environmental Advocacy and Awareness!

The international Climate Summit COP27 on climate change will be held very soon between 6 and 18 November 2022, in the Egyptian city of Sharm El Sheikh, and the preparations have begun. Hence, the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department participated in an international online meeting at the invitation of ACT Alliance Communication Department, and with the participation of other international organizations, on Wednesday 14 September 2022.

The meeting aimed at exchanging ideas and suggestions, as well as discussing experiences and opinions in order to prepare and implement online marketing campaigns as part of the COP27 summit’s activities. Topics of discussions were centered around issues related to the environment and justice. It was also an opportunity to build new relationships between employees in the fields of communication, media and programs in various organizations.

During my attendance at the General Assembly of the World Council of Churches between August 30 and September 8 in Karlsruhe, Germany, I held some meetings with Christian religious leaders from different countries of Europe, during which we discussed the path of European Christianity and its current status in light of the social changes taking place in the ancient continent.

What I deduced from the discussions and from field observations, which I added to the readings I make during my work as General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches, brought me to a conclusion that I can neither say is satisfactory nor positive for Christianity in Europe.

Municipal records, where European citizens apply for their Christian religion to be removed from their personal record, churches that are closing, sold or rented, Christian institutions that are declining and the level of donations is declining, are all indications of a shrinking Christian extent in the faith map in Europe.

This shrinkage is not the result of competition between religions, nor of a religious campaign carried out by one religion against another, nor of the temptations offered by the missionary institutions to attract people from Christianity to it.

Fadi Al Halabi: “Nothing about us without us”

Let us break barriers and raise awareness on the role of persons with disabilities in the Church

The Middle East is still far from any type of inclusion!

Their rights are not different from the rights of other citizens, and their effective participation in spiritual, social and economic life... is necessary. Persons with disabilities are important for building and developing societies. But why are they marginalized today? Answers for the question are many. But, what is surely important is the hope they sorrow through their talents and blessings amidst all despair and challenges. Through their continuous determination, persons with disabilities are able to reduce discrimination and emphasize their presence and special role in the Church and society.

Shouldn't the Church be more inclusive by integrating all people, no matter how different they are! Within this context, the World Council of Churches (WCC) launched the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (EDAN) in its 8th General Assembly. Its vision is “A church of all and for all, an epitome of a truly inclusive society”. EDAN aims at improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities through advocating for their inclusion, and active participation in all spiritual, social, economic and structural lives of Church and society.

On the commemoration of the 100th years after the Burning of Smyrna, Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, MECC President for the Evangelical Family, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, and President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, invites you to a lecture he will held about this painful event and the remembrance of Rev. Hagop Yeranian. The lecture will be convened on Tuesday 20 september 2022, at 7 P.M, in Haigazian University Auditorium.

In order to strengthen the support of the Middle East Council of Churches’ partners, a delegation from the international Church organization “Act Church of Sweden” visited the headquarters of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut, on Monday 12 September 2022.

The delegation met with the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs online, along with members from the General Secretariat who participated in the meeting in person and online.

Simon Awad: We cannot achieve food security and our land is still in danger!

People in the Holy Land are prevented from the access to water resources and renewable energy in order to kick them out from their land

“For this is what the Lord says — he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: I am the Lord, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:18). God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them for the good of the world and mankind. He infused His creation with goodness, and provided in such a way that mankind's success could be guaranteed. God's creation glorifies His name. How beautiful is the work of His hands! The Church blesses all God’s creatures, prays for their protection, praises the Creator and thank Him for all the blessings. The role of Man at the center of the Church and the world is essential for the care for God’s blessed creation.

Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca to the Family of Late Gabi Habib and the Middle East Council of Churches

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) has embarked on a wide-ranging Season of Creation campaign this year. Thanks to their efforts, the Season of Creation Celebration Guide has been translated into Arabic, and is available on their website along with Spanish and English versions. MECC is also planning a series of activities to mark the Season of Creation, which begins September 1, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.

“Our campaign includes prayer services in the entire Middle East with Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon as highlights,” says Rev. Dr. Rima Nasrallah of MECC’s Eco-Justice Unit and a member of ACT’s Governing Board. “There are also youth-oriented activities and forestation projects.” Short videos, podcasts and interviews will be aired on regional television and social media.

To find out more about Middle East Season of Creation activities, follow the hashtag #SeasonOfCreationME on Twitter (MECC, @MECChurches) and Facebook (@MECChurches). ACT’s Twitter account will share MECC’s Season of Creation activities.

The last week has begun in a special way in Jerusalem. A festive procession of priests, monks, nuns and people young and old filled the streets of Jerusalem's Old City, joyfully singing and dancing and waving basil branches as they brought the icon of Mary from her tomb at Gethsemane to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Christian quarter of the Old City was lovingly decorated with lots of greenery. His Eminence the Archbishop Dorotheos of Avela - from the Greek Orthodox Church - carried the icon of Mary in front of his chest all the way from Gethsemane to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

It is beautiful to see important cultural rituals and traditions being carried out in a dwindling Palestinian Christianity, allowing the rising generations to integrate them into their lives and preserve their Christian identity. Apart from the religious significance, these special celebrations far away from the hardships of everyday life are also important to find new energy for life again. Mary, who grew up in simple circumstances, knew flight and rejection, as well as prejudice and hostility.

Joy Kennedy: Como abuela, digo que el cambio climático pone en peligro a hijos y nietos

La época de la creación está llena de esperanza y las iglesias deben trabajar por la justicia climática

Antes de la COP 27 en Egipto y la COP 28 en Dubai, muchas promesas aún no se han cumplido

Huguette Salameh, Karlsruhe - Alemania

El mundo sufre hoy muchas crisis sociales, de vida, de salud y de seguridad... pero los problemas medioambientales y de cambio climático hacen sonar la alarma. La humanidad se enfrenta así a un futuro desconocido. Por lo tanto, es necesario escuchar a los grupos más necesitados y vulnerables, y acompañarlos en medio de nuestra crisis ambiental global. De ahí que las Naciones Unidas estén trabajando, a través de sus diversos programas y asociaciones internacionales, para lograr la justicia climática hacia un futuro mejor.

En este contexto, la Iglesia también tiene un papel importante, especialmente en la sensibilización y el trabajo para la protección de sus hijos contra las repercusiones del cambio climático. Señalando que la Iglesia celebra el «Tiempo de la Creación» y subrayando la importancia de preservar nuestra casa común. Por su parte, el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) trabaja por la justicia climática, ya que el cuidado de la creación es una de sus prioridades más importantes. De hecho, la Biblia enseña la integridad de la creación y nos llama a cuidar el jardín del Edén (Gn 2,15). El Dios de la Biblia es un Dios de justicia que protege, ama y cuida a los más vulnerables entre sus criaturas.

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.