The Middle East includes many of the most important places of worship and Prayer centers in the world, such as the Anaphora Center in Egypt, which is distinguished by its environmental location in the heart of nature. So, what are the meanings behind this place? What is its importance? And why was it created in a simple environmental way?

Psychological and Spiritual Support Sessions in the Heart of the Lebanese Nature

The MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department implemented a new training as part of the “Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling” program for a group of youth at the Convent of the Congregation of Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family in Akoura, Lebanon, from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 September 2021. The training was organized by the program coordinator Sister Emilie Tannous in cooperation with the coordinator of the department's programs Jean-Pierre Eid.

As the Middle East is celebrating for the first time the international "Season of Creation", it worth highlighting the Anaphora environmental center, home of the Coptic Church, in Egypt.

The video presents an introductory report about this center for retreat and Prayer, its main objectives and the sections it is formed with.

Within the activities of the Vocational Program, MECC implemented vocational training in Damascus for 32 persons between the ages of 18 and 33.

The three-month training included the basics of men’s hairdressing and cosmetology, which were followed by a five-day business start-up courses that addressed the methods of starting – up a small business. At the end of the courses, every participant received a tool kit including all the necessary items to start working.

The importance of serving the weak and poor by sharing the Gifts of God, and the necessity of living together with love and equality.

A video prepared and presented by the committee member Father Elias Marswanian, from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, and edited by Ali Al Jarouch.

The third episode of the program "Days of the Season of Creation" 2021 was broadcasted on Thursday, September 16, at 8:30 pm Beirut time and 5:30 GMT, and reran on Friday, September 17, 2021. The program is prepared in cooperation between Télé Lumière and Noursat and the Middle East Council of Churches. It is launched in the context of the international celebrations of the “Season of Creation” and will be broadcasted throughout the month of September. The content is prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department.

The new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, presents the full video of the second episode of the “Days of the Season of Creation” on Télé Lumière and Noursat prepared by the Department; as well as the promotion video of the third episode’s topics and guests. As for the weekly message of the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it was entitled "Bkerke was the destination".

Ha transcurrido un año desde mi elección como servidor en el cargo de Secretario General.
Debido a la imposibilidad de convocar la Asamblea General del Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio, se decidió sustituirla por una reunión de los dirigentes del Consejo a fin de completar el urgente proceso constitucional y evitar un vacío en la dirección del Consejo a nivel ejecutivo a partir de la revisión de la referencia legal en el Consejo.
Asistieron los presidentes y los miembros del Comité Ejecutivo, llenos de fe y anhelo de servicio ecuménico, algunos de ellos personalmente y otros participaron a distancia. También asistieron todos los empleados del Consejo.

Escuela de Verano para que los niños aprovechen positivamente su tiempo

Dada la importancia de impartir una educación infantil diferente a la rutina escolar de invierno, el MECC organizó una Escuela de Verano para 250 alumnos de entre 6 y 13 años en la escuela Al Asieh de Jaramana, en la zona rural de Damasco.
La escuela de verano se dirigió a los alumnos con bajo rendimiento académico y a los afectados por la crisis siria, además de a los niños que perdieron a uno de sus padres o que viven en familias desintegradas, con el fin de ayudar a todos ellos a liberarse del estrés y de las presiones sociales y educativas.

Una delegación de la organización humanitaria internacional Danmission visitó el martes 14 de septiembre de 2021 la sede del Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio en Beirut, Líbano. La delegación incluía a la consultora de Programa para el Diálogo y la Educación Teológica, la reverenda Agnete G. Holm y al Asesor de Programa, Teología y Desarrollo de la Iglesia MENA, el sr. Ekkardt A. Sonntag.

A year has passed since my election as a servant of allegiance at the rank of General Secretary.

Due to the inability to convene the General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches, it was decided to replace that with a meeting of the Council's leaders in order to complete the urgent constitutional process and avoid a void in the leadership of the Council at the executive level based on a review of the legal reference in the Council.

The presidents and the members of the Executive Committee attended, full of faith and yearning for ecumenical service, some of them personally and some of them participated from a distance. All employees of the council also attended.

A Youth Campaign to Clean-Up the Raouche Beach in Beirut

Saturday, September 18, 2021

As part of the “Season of Creation” 2021 activities, and under the patronage of the Middle East Council of Churches, a Raouche Beach clean-up campaign is being organized in Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 8 am till 11 am, Beirut time.

Summer School for Children to Positively Invest Their Time

Given the importance of delivering child education that differs from the winter school routine, MECC organized a summer school for 250 students who were aged between 6 and 13 in Al Asieh School in Jaramana in Rural Damascus.

The summer school targeted students with poor academic attainment and those affected by Syrian crisis in addition to the children who lost one of their parents or are experiencing dysfunctional families in order to help all of them to release their stress and social and educational pressures.

As part of the new television series about the “Days of the Season of Creation” 2021 launched by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, the third episode will be broadcasted on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 8:30 PM Beirut time and 5:30 GMT on Télé Lumière and Noursat, and will be reran on Friday, September 17, 2021, late morning. The content is prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department and presented by Ralph Tawitian.

Report: 15 September 2021

Severe cases of the delta variant were reported at a higher rate during this reporting period. This came during a time where local health professionals deemed the situation as not dangerous and is under control.