Message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs in the first release of the council’s Weekly Newsletter

This is the unified weekly bulletin of the Middle East Council of Churches. Through it, we shall communicate to Church Leaders and parishioners, sisters and brothers of the International Ecumenical Family as well as individuals and organizations concerned with the MECC, its attitudes vis-a-vis what is happening in a world in turmoil and its actions in the different fields where its teams are intervening.

We named this bulletin Momentum.

Momentum is one of the three principles and operational values that constitute the pillars of MECC’s action: Synergy, Momentum and Effectiveness. These three organizational principles will guide the action of the MECC in the coming period and will govern its relationship to society’s needs. It is a journey towards the optimization in the use of the resources that are made available to MECC. They characterize the rapport of the Council to the Churches’ institutions as well.

In the field of relief and development, organizations, the Faith-Based ones like any other type, are supposed to make the best use possible of the resources the Almighty put at their disposal for the service of those to whom the Lord said: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:29). Wastage is a sin. Even a crime. If For-Profit- Organizations are called to be perfectly performing in order to get the best results for their shareholders, relief and development organizations are called to be more than perfectly performing in order to get the best benefits for their stakeholders and beneficiaries since these latter are the most vulnerable groups in society.

In this respect, organizations like the MECC are supposed to be equipped with the best human capital as well as the most effective tools which can be made accessible to them so that they accomplish their mission in the best thinkable way.

Communication at MECC is a program and not a service. It is a development tool and not just an information bureau. Communication is part of our struggle for a better society. Therefore, Momentum is meant to be a place where we can share with you what we are doing, what is our standpoint on burning issues and what we feel like sharing with you. It will be the cornerstone of the knowledge society we aim at building in the circles which include the MECC, the member Churches and their organizations and the concerned public at large.

May the Lord help us fulfill this mission.

Dr. Michel E. Abs

Secretary General