The Middle East Council of Churches Implements a New Session
Of the Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling Program in Lebanon
Spiritual and Psychological Support for Churches’ Ministers and their Assistants
You can find some photos below the text.
Amidst the difficult living conditions that the countries of the Middle East are witnessing due to the various crises that cast their shadows over the region, people have become burdened with the daily life concerns and the challenges that surround them. Thus, they are searching for a space of hope that will alleviate their pain and sorrow for them positive vibes away from the troubles and negativities of this world.
In this context, many people of the region are in need of spiritual and psychological support to relieve the pressures that inbound them and reduce their usual activities. Therefore, the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches seeks to implement the “Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling” program in various countries of the region, as it held a new session in Lebanon entitled “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6: 21).
This session extended over a period of five days between Sunday 26 and Thursday 30 November 2023, at the Saint Augustine Center in Kafra region, in which participants were a group of Churches’ ministers and their assistants, both consecrated and lay people, who lived harsh experiences due to the various crises and difficult conditions that the region is suffering from, or they accompany, in their turn, people who have experienced trauma in their lives.
This session aimed at supporting Churches’ workers and activists on a personal level, and to support them psychologically and spiritually so that they can complete their mission and perform their tasks in a better way. Noting that the session included times of Prayer and meditation, group participation meetings, as well as individual spiritual and psychological counseling sessions, in addition to recreational periods and religious tourism activities. The participants were also accompanied by a team of Fathers spiritual guides, and specialized psychologists with experience in this field.
This session is part of a series of sessions implemented by the theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches within the “Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling” program, emphasizing that our only hope rests in heaven in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ, and stressing that mental health must be one of Human priorities. Moreover, it is noteworthy that this program extends over a period of two years and includes countries in the Middle East, where similar courses were previously implemented in Iraq, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan.
