“Women are half the society”. Many countries in the world are making efforts aiming to integrate women into all productive and economic sectors. However, the recent security, political, health conditions, and the outbreak of the Corona pandemic, have negatively affected their lives, especially in the Middle East, which is sinking into escalating crises.

In the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, for example, the Department of Statistics mentioned that the female unemployment rate has increased to 31.5% in the first quarter of the current year compared to last year. Another country report issued in 2021 shows that women's economic participation has decrease by 3.3%, after it recorded the highest rate of 17.3% in 2017.

A Field Tour Held by MECC and “Kerk in Actie” in the Netherlands Delegation

Eleven years have passed since the outbreak of the severe war in Syria which have took the lives of thousands of Syrians. Not only people have been affected but also stones and buildings. The war has caused massive damage in infrastructure and impacted the economy. As well as, house, religious, educational and medical institutions have been destructed.

If stones in Syria could speak, it would talk about a history and civilization which goes back thousands of years, witnessing for a Christianity which was spread from this country to the world.

Amidst this deepening human crisis, the Church's first challenge was to shine a light in the darkness and sorrow hope in the midst of despair.

A Solemn Funeral at the Cathedral of the Apostle Barnabas in Nicosia

The funeral service of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus, was held on Saturday 12 November 2022 at the Cathedral of the Apostle Barnabas in Nicosia, Cyprus, after he passed away on Monday 7 November 2022.

During the funeral, Churches’ bells rang in Cyprus and flags outside Churches and on all public buildings flown half-mast. The service was presided over by His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople and New Rome. The body of the Archbishop of Cyprus was exposed for public pilgrimage in the Cathedral of the Apostle Barnabas, from Thursday 10 till the morning of Saturday 12 November 2022. In addition, a Book of Condolences was opened at the Office of His Beatitude the late Archbishop Chrysostomos II.

En 2001, la UNESCO designó el 10 de noviembre como Día Mundial de la Ciencia para la Paz y el Desarrollo. «Este día pone de relieve el importante papel de la ciencia en la sociedad y la necesidad de que el público en general participe en los debates sobre las nuevas cuestiones científicas. También hace hincapié en la importancia y la relevancia de la ciencia en nuestra vida cotidiana», según se indica en la página web de la organización en cuestión.

Además, este día pretende «vincular más estrechamente la ciencia con la sociedad», así como «garantizar que el público en general esté informado sobre los avances científicos».

Este día también responsabiliza a los científicos de «ampliar la percepción sobre la Tierra en la que vivimos y su fragilidad, lo que motiva la acción para hacer nuestras sociedades más sostenibles».

ACT Alliance Has Many Messages to the Climate Summit, What Are They?

ACT Alliance has released many key messages to COP27 climate summit in Sharm El Sheikh. It includes: General ACT Climate Justice messaging for COP27, role of ACT as a faith based organization, climate finance, loss and damage, Paris Agreement, climate ambition and mitigation, gender & human rights, and migration.

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 mourns passing of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus, who passed away on Monday 7 November 2022. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Modern man between science and ignorance”, which is for the occasion of the World Science Day for Peace and Development celebrated on 10 November.

In 2001, UNESCO designated the 10th of November as the World Science Day for Peace and Development. “This day highlights the important role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in discussions on emerging scientific issues. It also emphasizes The importance and relevance of science in our daily lives” as stated on the website of the organization concerned.

In addition, this day aims to "link science more closely with society" as well as to "ensure that the general public is informed on scientific developments."

This day also holds scientists responsible for "expanding perceptions about the Earth we live on and its fragility, which motivates action to make our societies more sustainable."

As part of the annual partners meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches, which was held on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 November 2022 in Beirut, the MECC General Secretariat organized an Ecumenical tour to the Churches in Lebanon, on Saturday 5 November 2022. Participants were a delegation of representatives of MECC partner organizations and institutions, alongside the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the Executive Assistant to the Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian and the Social media Officer Chady Chata.

It is with great sadness that the Middle East Council of Churches received the news of the death of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus, at the age of 81, on Monday 7 November 2022. His Beatitude passed away after his struggle with illness which he faced with a Christian courage and faith, witnessing to the depth of God’ love, our Lord Jesus Christ.

With the absence of His Beatitude, the Middle East Council of Churches will miss a Church leader with whom MECC had many Ecumenical occasions and achievements recorded in the history of the Ecumenical movement in the Middle East. His Beatitude has generously hosted the MECC 10th General assembly held between 29 and 30 November 2011 in Paphos, and many MECC Executive Committee meetings, such as the latest one convened with him between 21 and 22 January 2020 in Larnaca.

Towards Continuous Cooperation and a More Sustainable Role in the Region

Under the title “Partners Accompanying MECC in the Ecumenical Journey”, the Middle East Council of Churches’ General Secretariat resumed its annual meeting with the MECC partners from international and regional organizations and institutions, on its second day, Friday 4 November 2022, in Beirut.

Attendees were representatives of these partner organizations and institutions from all over the world such as USA, Canada, Europe and the Middle East… They exchanged views and experiences with the participation of the MECC team and the departments’ directors, headed by the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, along with the MECC Associate Secretaries General, and members of the Executive Committee.

Sunday 6 November 2022 - 4:30 EET

On the occasion of the COP27 Climate Change Summit in Sharm El Sheikh between 6 and 18 November 2022, the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC invites you to participate online in an interfaith celebration and discussion it organizes on Sunday 6 November, at 4:30 EET, at the local Coptic Church of Sharm El Sheikh.

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 details and photos about the first day of the MECC annual meeting with its international and regional partners, on Thursday 3 November 2022, in Beirut. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Concerned Ecumenical Partners”, and was the speech he delivered at the opening of the MECC annual partners meeting.

The issue also includes a news about the second day of the Middle East Committee of the Act Alliance Forum’s annual meeting, held with the participation of MECC and many humanitarian and international organizations, between Sunday 23 and Monday 24 October 2022, in Amman.

Over the next two days, we are holding the usual annual meeting of the ecumenical partners of the Middle Eastern churches, after nearly three years of interruption due to the pandemic that afflicted the world, which paralyzed the global travel movement and turned people to the "online" syndrome, which, truth be told, has solved many problems and significantly facilitated people’s lives.

This meeting takes place a few months after the end of the Twelfth General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches, which was delayed by nearly two years due to the pandemic as well. Moreover, it is being held two weeks before the meeting of the MECC Executive Committee, which will discuss basic directions in the strategies of the Council and will translate the recommendations of its General Assembly into programs and projects, according to the availability of resources.

The First Day of the MECC Annual Partners Meeting in Beirut

Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs: Your feelings that exude through our interaction together do not go unnoticed

The General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches held its annual meeting with its international and regional partner organizations and institutions, on its first day on Thursday 3 November 2022, ending on Friday 4 November, in Beirut, under the title “Partners Accompanying MECC in the Ecumenical Journey”. Participants were 18 representatives of these partner organizations and institutions from all over the world such as USA, Canada, Europe and the Middle East... As well as, attendees were the MECC Associate Secretaries General, members of the Executive Committee, Directors of departments and the Council’s team headed by the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs.

Youth Are Ringing the Alarm Bell and Getting Ready with Act Alliance

The environment is at risk and humanity is suffering due to the effects of climate change! It is a bitter truth that we cannot conceal as long as it became a lived reality threatening the future of our generations who may inherit an uninhabitable world. However, some hopes were witnessed the past years, as voices were raised, especially with youth calling on governments and international concerned parties to work hard and faster to save people's lives and achieve the required and urgent change. But is anyone listening to all these young voices?

In fact, states’ presidents, diplomats, experts, and environmental activists meet each year in an international awaited environmental event which is the COP Climate Change Summit. It is the Conference of the Parties which aims at discussing urgent climate issues and taking all possible measures for a safer and more sustainable future. This year, the COP27’s activities will be held in the Egyptian city of Sharm El Sheikh, starting on Sunday 6th of November and ending on Friday 18th of November. The summit will include many activities and sessions tackling the voices of people yearning to live in a healthiest environment, and focusing on various sectors of life.

Report: October 2022

With the world still in shambles because of the war in Ukraine, many countries are looking for energy reserves that can satisfy their consumption demands. Luckily there are untapped gas fields in the Middle East that have yet to be put to good use. This is why all eyes are turned towards the area and diplomatic efforts have been underway to preserve peace in the region. As such, ME nations can expect heightened cooperation with Western nations which will lead to a more prosperous future.

The MECC General Secretariat in Beirut Prays with the Evangelical Church

“Witnessing for the God of Life Amidst a Suffering World”

On the occasion of the Evangelical Reformation Day, which is entitled this year “Witnessing for the God of Life Amidst a Suffering World”, the team of the Middle East Council of Churches’ General Secretariat, headed by the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, participated in a special Prayer Service, presided over by Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah, from the Evangelical Church in Beirut, and Coordinator of the MECC Ecojustice Unit. The Prayer was held on Tuesday 1 November 2022, at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut.