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, MECC presents in cooperation with the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Institute of Coptic Studies, a video in which Dr. Isaac Ibrahim Ajban, Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies sheds light on the Holy Family's flight into the land of Egypt, stressing that it is a biblical fact, a historical fact, and an archaeological fact. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Hate Speech and Social Development”, in which he talked about the forms and spread of hate speech in our Levantine and Middle Eastern societies, in relation to the work of operating humanitarian agencies through programs and projects that they implement in various countries of the region.

The issue also presents an interview via video with His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Tobji, the Maronite Archbishop of Aleppo and the Head of the Ecumenical Relief Committee for Relief in Aleppo, which was formed following the earthquake that struck the North of the Antiochian Levant, by MECC initiative with Churches’ representatives in Syria, aiming at supporting the affected people and help them restore their homes. His Eminence highlighted the difficult circumstances that the Syrian people are passing through, and the work of the Ecumenical committee.

As well as, the issue includes a news about the visit of the ACT Alliance Regional Representative – MENA, Mrs. Rachel Luce, to the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, on Monday 12 June 2023, at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut.

In preparation for the “Season of Creation” 2023, you can find an interview with Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department, and member of the International Steering Committee for the "Season of Creation", who was the guest of the journalist and Lawyer Roy Jreish, within the program "On Time", broadcasted on Mariam TV, on Tuesday 12 June 2023. Father Dr. Antoine highlighted the history of the “Season of Creation” and its importance, in addition to the MECC activities in this context.

You can also find a news announcing that the MECC Honorary Secretary General Mr. Gergis Ibrahim Saleh received the Degree of Honorary Doctorate from the Coptic Orthodox Holy Sophia University at the USA.

In addition, the issue presents a news about the participation of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs in a meeting to honor the CEO of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), Mr Zaven Khanjian and his spouse, with the Presence of Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, MECC President for the Evangelical Family, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, and President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and the Church Reverend Pastors. It was held on Monday 12 June 2023 at Haigazian University.

The issue also includes details and photos about the activities of the MECC Service and Relief – Diakonia Department, Jordan Office, especially the courses it implemented about elderly companion care, and sewing art.

Moreover, the issue includes many reports issued by MECC after the earthquake that hit the North of the Antiochian Levant, 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. This is in addition to photo albums showing the difficult humanitarian situations in Syria.

Furthermore, the issue includes the international “Season of Creation” guide 2023 entitled “Let Justice and Peace Flow” in Arabic and English. Noting that MECC has translated it into Arabic. You can also find the Ecumenical Calendar for June 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 May 2023 and the latest updates of the Coronavirus in the region.