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?

Throughout the session, the image of a cedar tree from the Middle East, embraced and hugged by children from different parts of the world, was present on the main screen. Plenary moderator, Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the WCC central committee, explained how cedar trees are known for their strength and resilience. “They remind us of the bonds of our life over generations,” she said.

His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, leader of the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, also offered a keynote presentations. “Together as communities, churches, cities, and nations, we must change route and discover new ways of working together to break down the traditional barriers between peoples to stop competing for resources and start collaborating,” he said.

His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, delegate of the Coptic Orthodox Church, offered a keynote on reconciliation and unity in the Middle East.

Angealos compared the roots of a tree to that of the roots of the church. “Every part of a tree has importance and effectiveness,” he said. “The stronger the roots, the more that each and every part of that tree can express its effectiveness, purpose and function.”

His Holiness Pope Francis wished the representatives of the churches at the 31 August to 8 September assembly "a meaningful and fruitful meeting that deepens and strengthens the bonds of communion between the Churches and the ecumenical organizations present."

The pontiff said in advance greetings that he has a "pastoral interest in the work of the Assembly."

Pope Francis also noted that the Catholic Church has sent "delegated observers" to WCC assemblies since the WCC 3rd Assembly took place in New Delhi in 1961.

"I am glad that a delegation is also present this year, a sign of the strong relationship between the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches that has consolidated over time," the Pope said.