The Council’s Message and the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium on Télé Lumière and Noursat

The Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar was the guest in an episode of the program “Al Nour Maana” (the “Light is With Us”), broadcasted on Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, on the morning of Thursday 12 October 2023. Hence, you can watch the full interview in the video.

During this interview, Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar presented an introduction about the Middle East Council of Churches and its goals, in addition to an overview about its history.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, which title is “The girl child between aspirations and bitter reality”. Dr. Michel Abs’ address is for the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child that was indicated by the United Nations on 11 October in the World Calendar. Dr. Abs condemned, in his message, the injustice that girls are facing, stressing the need to educate the girl child, preserve her dignity and rights, and prepare her to be a good mother, by whom the future generations of humanity can be raised.

The United Nations has designated October 11 as International Day of the Girl Child.

Between 1995, when the World Conference on Women’s Affairs was held in the Chinese capital, and countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most crystallized program for advancing the rights of women and girls - and this declaration was considered the first agreement on girls’ rights - and 2011, when the United Nations General Assembly decided to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, humanity has taken tremendous steps forward in the field of protecting the rights of girls in light of the challenges she is facing in our modern times.

According to the United Nations page dedicated to this occasion, the International Day of the Girl Child aims to empower girls to address the challenges they face and raise their ability to maintain their rights under international laws and conventions.

Middle East Socioeconomic Overview

Report: September 2023

During September, the IMF released an unsettling report using which it warned of an imminent debt crisis that would impact the Middle East.  According to the agency, the region will witness a systematic default and economic collapse not seen since the start of the Lebanese financial crisis in 2019. Separate findings by both the IMF and Bloomberg economists have identified Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and Bahrain as critically vulnerable countries that could default on their sovereign debt obligations, with potentially catastrophic implications for their economies and populations.

Within the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium

Between the environment and Theology, researchers and specialists gathered at the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium organized by The Middle East Council of Churches, in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME). Its sessions were held on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) - Lebanon, following an Ecumenical Prayer Service for the occasion of the “Season of Creation”, and on Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut.

During the Symposium, speakers and participants explained that the issue of creation is at the core of our faith. They also stressed the importance of the Church’s role in reducing injustice to the environment. Hence, you will find, in the video, some opinions and aspirations from the Symposium’s participants.

Details about the Ecumenical Prayer Service and the Symposium’s first day

Details of the Symposium’ second day

And the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation”, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held an Ecumenical Prayer Service on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University, Kaslik (USEK) - Lebanon. As well as, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME) organized “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium, on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University – Kaslik (USEK), and Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) – Beirut.

The “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium, organized by the Middle East Council of Churches in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), was an important opportunity to shed light on the role of the Church towards the environment, based on the environmental Theology and our Christian faith. This is what the Symposium’s participants focused on. Thus, you can find some of their opinions and experiences in the video.

Noting that the Symposium’s sessions were held on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) - Lebanon, following an Ecumenical Prayer Service for the occasion of the “Season of Creation”, and on Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut.

Details about the Ecumenical Prayer Service and the Symposium’s first day

Details of the Symposium’ second day

Written by Mr. Fouad Hassoun and Translated by Father Dr. Michel Kanbar

Dar El Mashreq published the book “I Forgave” in Arabic, written by Mr. Fouad Hassoun, who is blind, and translated by Father Dr. Michel Kanbar, Executive Secretary of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), Priest of Saint Joseph Parish El Hajjeh – Lebanon, and University Professor.

The book signing took place on Tuesday 10 October 2023, in the Humanities Campus at Saint Joseph University (USJ) - Beirut.

About the book, Father Kanbar says, “This book, entitled with a four-letter word, is not only a book for reading, but rather a book for contemplation and consideration. It is a school for life, a school for learning forgiveness and living a life of forgiveness, because it is the Passover of every Christian.”

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Jordan announces the beginning of new vocational training courses that aims at empowering vulnerable young men and women in order to create job opportunities for both from the neediest communities of refugees and locals.

By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, MECC aims to showcase the power of unity and collaboration in the communities. These courses have been specifically designed to provide opportunities for young women and men, by learning and working.

In the vocational courses implemented by MECC, the team equips the participants with valuable skills which have the potential to make profound behavioral changes, investing in the potential of our participants to be leaders of positive change that can contribute to the well-being of their families and communities.

And the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium

On Télé Lumière and Noursat

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2023 ending, the Middle East Council of Churches organized an Ecumenical Prayer Service under the title “Let Justice and Peace Flow”, on Wednesday 4 October 2023, hosted by the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) – Lebanon, with the participation of Church Leaders from various Ecclesiastical Families.

Stemming from its belief in the importance of preserving God’s creation, working to protect our common home, and enhancing environmental Theological awareness, the Middle East Council of Churches, in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), organized a Symposium entitled “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change”. Its sessions were held on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), and on Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut.

The video presents a report broadcasted on Télé Lumière and Noursat, which includes a highlight of the Ecumenical Prayer Service and the Opening of the Symposium. The report was prepared by the journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find two Editorials by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. The first Editorial is entitled “Between the gift of the Creator and the futility of creature... the search for justice” and it is the Welcoming speech that Dr. Abs delivered at the conference “Ecumenical Approaches to Climate Change”, in the Holy Spirit University – Kaslik, Lebanon - October 4, 2023. The second Editorial is entitled “Again, on the Path of Spiritual Renewal facing Challenges”, and it is the speech that Dr. Abs delivered at the Opening of the General Assembly of the Association of Theological Seminaries in the Middle East at St. John of Damascus Theological Seminary, Balamand, Lebanon - October 3, 2023.

You can also find details, photos and a video about the Ecumenical Prayer held by MECC on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University – Kaslik (USEK). In addition to details, photos and a video about the symposium entitled “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change”, which was held by MECC in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University – Kaslik (USEK), and Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) – Beirut.

The Middle East Council of Churches, in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), organized the “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change” Symposium, which sessions were held on Wednesday 4 October 2023, at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) - Lebanon, following an Ecumenical Prayer Service for the occasion of the “Season of Creation”, and on Thursday 5 October 2023, at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut. During the Symposium, the participants stressed the importance of the Church’s role towards the environment, which is a gift from God the Creator. Hence, you can find some of the participants’ opinions and aspirations in the video.

Written by Mr. Fouad Hassoun and Translated by Father Dr. Michel Kanbar

Tuesday 10 October 2023 - 7 pm, at the Humanities Campus at Saint Joseph University, Beirut

Dar El Mashreq published the book “I Forgave” in Arabic, written by Mr. Fouad Hassoun, who is blind, and translated by Father Dr. Michel Kanbar, Executive Secretary of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), Priest of Saint Joseph Parish El Hajjeh – Lebanon, and University Professor.

The book signing will take place on Tuesday 10 October 2023, at 7 pm Beirut Time in the Humanities Campus at Saint Joseph University (USJ), Beirut, Building C – conference room.

1- Between the gift of the Creator and the futility of creature... the search for justice

2- Again, on the Path of Spiritual Renewal facing Challenges

Welcoming speech by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches

Dr. Michel Abs

At the conference “Ecumenical Approaches to Climate Change”

Holy Spirit University - Kaslik - October 4, 2023

And Speech of Dr. Michel Abs

Delivered at the Opening of the General Assembly of the Association of Theological Seminaries in the Middle East

St. John of Damascus Theological Seminary, Balamand - October 3, 2023

(ATIME)

Holds Its General Assembly Meeting Hosted by the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology - Balamand, Lebanon

With the blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME) held its General Assembly meeting in its first regular session for the academic year 2023-2024, on Tuesday 3 October 2023, hosted by the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology - Balamand, Lebanon.

Attendees were the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, President of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East, and Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute at the University of Balamand in Lebanon, Archimandrite Dr. Jack Khalil, and the ATIME’s Executive Secretary Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, alongside Deans of 18 Institutes from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.

Organized by MECC in Cooperation with ATIME

Environmental Lectures Combining Theology and Science

For the second day in a row, the symposium “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change”, continued its sessions at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut, at the invitation and organization of the Middle East Council of Churches in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME). It was held in the presence of their Eminences Bishops and Priests, Nuns and Monks, the President of the Saint Joseph University in Beirut Father Professor Salim Daccache, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Professor Michel Abs, alongside Deans, Professors and students from different Institutes of Theology, as well as specialists in the topic of environment and climate, and attendees concerned with the issue of climate and social justice.

The first part of the second day began with a speech delivered by Father Professor Salim Daccache, President of the Saint Joseph University in Beirut, in which he said “Your initiative is truly appreciated amidst the environmental problems that are threatening our world and the countries of our region. You have made a lot of efforts to organize this symposium. I am certain that the solidarity and cooperation of the Middle East Council of Churches and ATIME has led to this achievement that we witness today, which encourage the Church to prepare a policy of initiatives that concern the environment. The environmental issue is not marginal, but rather a responsibility to protect nature and creation."