Momentum, the Weekly Newsletter from the Middle East Council of Churches
In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches, Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find a message via video delivered by His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan Moussi, Greek Orthodox Bishop of Byblos, Batroun and Dependencies (Mount Lebanon), during the seminar organized by MECC on the 10th yearly commemoration of the abduction of the Archbishops of Aleppo, under the title “The Issue of the Abducted and Forcibly Absented, Violation of Human Dignity”, on Monday 24 April 2023. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Freedom of the press and the martyrs of the word”. Dr. Abs talked about the World Press Freedom Day, which the world celebrates on 3 May of each year, describing the positive impact of the "word" and the repercussions resulting from it.
The issue also presents a news and photos about the reception of the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs for a delegation of German tourists and pilgrims at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut, on Thursday 27 April 2023.
As well as, you can find a news about the election of Reverend Rifaat Fikry for a second term as President of the Dialogue Council of the Evangelical Synod of the Nile, in addition to his biography.
The issue also includes a news about the visit of Dr. Peter Makari, the Global Relations Minister of the Middle East and Europe Global Ministries humanitarian organization, which is an MECC partner, at the head of a delegation from the organization to Our Lady dispensary affiliated to MECC and located in the Sabtieh region, Lebanon, on Friday 21 April 2023. The delegation was received by the Coordinator of the Lebanon’s Office of the Service and Relief - Diakonia Department Mrs. Nina Hallak, and the dispensary team. Noting that the delegation, visited the beneficiaries of the Business Rehabilitation Program implemented by the Service and Relief – Diakonia Department, Lebanon’ office.
Moreover, you can find an invitation from the Near East School of Theology in Beirut to participate in a public lecture entitled “What Does Climate Change Have to Do with the Christian Faith?”, delivered by Clive Pearson, Senior Research Fellow in Public Theology at Charles Stuart University, Former Principle of United Theological College in Sydney and Head of the School of Theology. It will be held on 4 May 2023, at 5:30 pm, in the campus of the Near East School of Theology, Sourati Street (off Jeanne D’Arc), Hamra, Beirut.
In addition, the issue includes many reports issued by MECC under the name of "Rescue Syria Update" which will keep you informed about the developments of MECC action as well as the overall situation in a context analysis perspective. The MECC will be also publishing other periodical and updated reports.
The issue also presents a photo album showing the difficult humanitarian situations in Syria, the Ecumenical Calendar for May 2023 issued by the Middle East Council of Churches, Communication and Public Relations Department, Ecumenical reports, the weekly Prayer, videos, and news of the Middle Eastern Churches.
Additionally, the issue presents a socio-economic overview of the Middle East during March 2023 and the latest updates of the Coronavirus in the region.