Télé Lumière and Noursat broadcasted the second episode of the "Season of Creation" series of episodes, entitled "Listen to the Voice of Creation", on Sunday 25 September 2022. It was prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches and presented by Ralph Tawitian.

The first segment revolved around the theological view of land, nature and environment in the Orthodox Church, in addition to many environmental issues. The guest was Father Bassam Nassif, Professor of Pastoral Theology at the University of Balamand - Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology.

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, and as part of the special episodes organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, Télé Lumière and Noursat dedicated an episode entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”. It is prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department and presented by Ralph Tawitian.

The episode was broadcasted on Wednesday 21 September 2022, and included many environmental, theological and youth segments and reports, with guests from various fields. In the first segment, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs highlighted the MECC work in launching the “Season of Creation” in the Middle East, and tackled the importance of the creation and environment, especially in the Ecumenical movement, in addition to the activities organized by MECC to celebrate this international event.

Rehabilitation of the St. Elias Home for Elderly in Aleppo

The Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches presents a video about the restoration and rehabilitation work implemented in the St. Elias Home for Elderly in Aleppo, which came back to life again. The project is within the “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria” program implemented by MECC in cooperation with Kerk in Actie in Netherlands, in various Syrian governorates. The video was prepared and filmed by the Middle East Council of Churches in Syria.

H.E. Archbishop Joseph Jabara: Creation has no mouth to speak, but it groans and needs someone to listen to it

Rev. Georges El Copti: When the Lord created us, He formed us with dirt and water and entrusted us with the care for creation

The Middle East is still celebrating the "Season of Creation" 2022, stressing the need to pray and work together for the protection of the creation and everything it includes.

In Jordan, the Churches celebrated the Season with an Ecumenical Prayer service held at the Redeemer Church for the Arab Evangelical Episcopal Church in Jabal Amman, in the capital of Jordan, on Monday 26 September 2022, under the title of “I have heard them crying out… I am concerned about their suffering… So now, go. I am sending you… I will be with you” (EX 3: 1-12). 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, on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022.

Positive parenting is something every mother aspires to implement while taking care of her children. In order to raise the awareness of parents on how to build a strong and healthy relationship with their children, MECC implemented positive parenting sessions targeting 300 mothers in Damascus and Rural Damascus.

During the three-day training, the mothers were introduced to parenting styles, the importance of positive parenting, the correct methods of dealing with exhaustion and self-care, the characteristics of different age groups, active communication, problem-solving, and how to provide support and motivate children.

As part of the series of celebrations organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with the “Danmission” organization, in various countries of the region, marking the “Season of Creation” 2022, the MECC and the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East/ Diocese of Jerusalem, held the “Season of Creation” Prayer service in Jordan under the title of “I have heard them crying out… I am concerned about their suffering… So now, go. I am sending you… I will be with you” (EX 3: 1-12).

The prayer was held on Monday October 26, 2022 at the Redeemer Church for the Arab Evangelical Episcopal Church in Jabal Amman, Amman. In attendance were clergymen, public figures, as well as people concerned with environmental affairs.

The Diakonia Department in Beirut Supports Refugee Children Psychologically

According to a UNICEF report, Lebanon has significantly lost its progress towards achieving children’s basic rights, especially their right to health, education, protection, play and entertainment. The report issued in August 2022, based on a UNICEF study on child poverty and a child-focused rapid assessment (CFRA), mentioned that reasons are due to the economic crisis and the outbreak of the Covid pandemic. As well as, the report noted that children in Lebanon are witnessing the crises’ repercussions on their lives, so they lost their hopes in a better future and even in their dreams. Children are thus suffering from mental health problems as they are not receiving the necessary care.

The environment is at risk! And we can start its protection from our own home. As we celebrate the "Season of Creation" 2022, the video highlights tips to reduce chemicals and make homemade fertilizer, which is necessary for the nature's growth, through the leftover vegetables and fruits consumed at home.

The video is produced by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, in partnership with “Danmission” organization. It is prepared and presented by the MECC Eco Justice committee member Father Elias Marswanian, from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, and edited by Ali Al Jarouch.

«Ustedes han hecho brotar la esperanza en medio de la mayor catástrofe del 4 de agosto, tras la explosión del puerto de Beirut»

Siguiendo su invitación, Su Excelencia el Arzobispo Boulos Abdel Sater, arzobispo Curial de la Arquidiócesis Maronita de Beirut, recibió a los responsables y representantes de las asociaciones, ONGs e instituciones eclesiásticas que cooperaron con la Arquidiócesis en el trabajo de campo de ayuda para la reconstrucción de las viviendas destruidas debido a la explosión del 4 de agosto y la financiación del proceso. Señalando que 2000 casas han sido destruidas. Su Excelencia Abdel Sater celebró la reunión en la Archidiócesis en Beirut, para expresar su agradecimiento a sus invitados.

A la reunión asistieron el Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio, representado por la Coordinadora del Departamento de Servicio y Ayuda de Beirut, Sra. Nina Hallak, y la Asistente del Programa, Yolla Jdeed, junto con la Congregación Maronita de Kuwait, World Vision, Cáritas Líbano, Aide à l'Église en Détresse, la Orden Mariamita y YMCA.

Humanity is facing many dangers threatening the environment and neighborhoods, and thus it is necessary during the “Season of Creation” and all the year to work together towards protecting our common land, especially through reducing the consumption of plastic. The video explains the danger of plastic to the environment, stressing that solutions are always available.

The video is produced by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, in partnership with “Danmission” organization. It is prepared and presented by the MECC Eco Justice committee member Father Elias Marswanian, from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, and edited by Ali Al Jarouch.

“You sorrowed hope amidst the biggest disaster on August 4, following the Beirut Port Blast”

Following his invitation, His Eminence Archbishop Boulos Abdel Sater, the Curial Bishop of the Maronite Archdiocese of Beirut, received the heads and representatives of associations, NGOs and Ecclesiastical institutions that cooperated with the Archdiocese on the relief field work for reconstructing the destroyed homes due to the 4 August Blast and financing the process. Noting that more than 2000 houses have been rehabilitated in cooperation between the Archdiocese and these associations, NGOs and institutions. His Eminence Abdel Sater held the meeting at the Archdiocese in Beirut, to express his appreciation for his guests.

The meeting was attended by the Middle East Council of Churches, represented by the Coordinator of the Beirut Service and Relief – Diakonia Department Ms. Nina Hallak, and the Program Assistant Yolla Jdeed, along with the Maronite Congregation of Kuwait, World Vision, Caritas Lebanon, Aide à l'Église en Détresse, Mariamite Order, and YMCA.

Qaa Heritage Revival Project - QHRP, Lebanon

As part of the series of videos podcasts launched by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, the department publishes the fourth episode, which you can watch it below. The guest was Mrs. Salam Kallas, who is specialized in information technology IT. During the episode she sheds light on her project “Qaa Heritage Revival Project – QHRP” in the Qaa Lebanese region, highlighting its various cultural, archaeological and environmental aspects.

Youth Initiatives to Protect the Environment

The Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches continues its series of videos podcasts on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022. The department releases below the third episode during which the guest was Christopher Daccache, a computer and environmental engineer. In the episode, Daccache highlights his environmental initiatives and many youth activities aiming at protecting our land.

The second episode of the "Season of Creation" program, entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”, will be broadcasted on Télé Lumière and Noursat, on Sunday 25 September 2022, at 9 P.M Beirut time and 6 P.M GMT. The episode is prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, and presented by Ralph Tawitian.

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 Council invites you to participate in the “Season of Creation” celebration which will be held on Monday 26 October 2022, at 6 P.M, in the Redeemer Church for the Arab Evangelical Episcopal Church in Jabal Amman, Jordan. As well as, MECC invites you to participate in the Ecumenical Prayer Service at the “Season of Creation” closing, on Monday 3 October 2022, at 6 P.M, in the Church of the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Peace, Racism and the Future of Humanity”, on the occasion of the International Day of Peace on 21 September.

Las Naciones Unidas han designado el 21 de septiembre como Día Internacional de la Paz, y para este año 2022 han adoptado el lema «Pon fin al racismo. Construye la paz». Las Naciones Unidas también celebrarán este día a través de diversas actividades que se han detallado en su página web, centrándose en las actividades para jóvenes.

No cabe duda de que las Naciones Unidas son pioneras en diversos ámbitos y constituyen un lugar de interacción intelectual y de coordinación operativa de actividades que abarcan todos los aspectos de la vida, siendo la paz y el racismo los más importantes y urgentes en la actualidad.

En esta época, en la que los medios de comunicación cubren el mundo, puede ser fácil establecer actividades intelectuales, culturales y educativas para combatir el racismo y consolidar la paz social y mundial, pero los mismos medios que se utilizan para el bien, los calumniadores e instigadores de grupos pueden utilizarlos para el mal.

The United Nations has designated September 21 as the International Day of Peace, and for the current year 2022 it has adopted the slogan “Ending racism and building peace.” The United Nations will also celebrate this day through various activities that have been detailed on its website, focusing on youth activities.

There is no doubt that the United Nations is a pioneer in various fields, and it constitutes a site for intellectual interaction and operational coordination of activities covering all aspects of life, peace and racism being the most important and most urgent ones today.

In this day and age, when the media and the means of communication cover the world, it may be easy to establish intellectual, cultural and educational activities in order to combat racism and consolidate social and world peace, but the same means that are used for good, slanderers and group instigators can use them for evil.

If the communication sites are replete with various types of sound and lofty campaigns, they are crowded with more campaigns of incitement, racial discrimination, abolitionist tendencies, hate speech and marginalization of the weak.

The international humanitarian organization ACT Alliance is holding its Gender Justice program and Humanitarian program teams’ annual meetings, in Lebanon between 18 and 25 September 2022. Hence, the Middle East Council of Churches, member in ACT Alliance, was the facilitator of the visit to Lebanon, and contributed to the support in some logistics matters, in cooperation with ACT Alliance Regional Jordan’s Office. Noting that participants were from different countries of the world such as Palestine, European Union, Kenya, Philippines, Pakistan, Brazil, UK, India, Columbia, and some other countries from Africa and Asia pacific…

During its tour in Lebanon, the Act Alliance delegation visited the headquarters of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut, on Wednesday 21 September 2022. The delegation was received by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, along with the Executive Assistant to the Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, and the Coordinator of the Beirut Service and Relief – Diakonia Department Ms. Nina Hallak.

21 September 2022 – 7 P.M, On Télé Lumière and Noursat

Watch a special “Season of Creation” episode entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”, tonight Wednesday 21 September 2022, at 7 P.M, on Télé Lumière and Noursat. Rerun on Saturday 24 September 2022. The episode is prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches.

A Salute to the Peacemakers, But…!

Amidst the outbreak of non-ending conflicts and wars which have a lot of repercussions and impacts on the world and on all levels, many initiatives are made for peace building.

Here comes a question: is there any outcome for peace initiatives? is it possible to achieve peace despite all obstacles? In fact, answers remain ambiguous, but it is certain that efforts need support and an international solidarity, in order to achieve results.

More needed work than expected is required towards the desired peace. This can be done through facing all types of racism and discrimination, promoting tolerance and rejecting violence, hate speech and intolerance. Hopefully, decision-makers and political parties may listen to their people and learn from their initiatives and endeavors! Participation of official parties is also essential in the path towards peace, in order to end conflicts and wars peacefully.