As a follow-up to the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Iraq, Middle East Council of Churches President on behalf of the Catholic family and Patriarch of Babylon for the Chaldeans Cardinal Mar Louis Raphael Sako met with MECC General Secretary Dr. Michel Abs, Assistant Secretary General Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros and departments directors.

The Middle East Council of Churches General Secretariat issued its annual report for the year 2020, a year in review burdened by challenges and obstacles in the world in general, and the Middle East in particular. The East witnessed a never-ending cycle of crises for decades now.

The small open pickup truck, ladened with large boxes, made its way cautiously down Alexander Fleming street, an offshoot alley from Mar Mikhael road, just a few minutes of walking distance from the Beirut port.

"Hello! Hello!" Norma Irani warmly greeted JCC worker Elias Habib. "And you brought my new gas stove!"

Los preparativos para la Navidad y el nacimiento de Jesucristo, nuestro Salvador, en la familia de la Secretaría General del MECC comenzaron con el retiro espiritual anual titulado “La Estrella de Navidad”, que ha tenido lugar en el Monasterio Saydet El Bir, Bkennaya – Jal El Dib, Líbano.

The preparations for Christmas and the Birth of Jesus Christ our Savior in the MECC General Secretariat’s family started in an annual spiritual retreat entitled “The Christmas star”, and took place in Saydet El Bir Monastery, Bkennaya - Jal El Dib, Lebanon.

El Dr. Michel Abs, Secretario General del MECC, participó en una reunión de presentación virtual para conocerse, organizada por el departamento del Consejo para el Servicio de los Refugiados Palestinos (DSPR: Department for the Service of Palestinian Refugees), durante la cual expuso su plan de trabajo para los próximos cuatro años, en medio de los desafíos que el Consejo enfrenta hoy en día.

Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Secretary General, in a first acquaintance meeting with the DSPR team

El Departamento de DSPR representado por la Sra. Sylvia Haddad le deseó suerte a la Secretaria General Honoraria, Dra. Souraya Bechealany, en sus esfuerzos futuros y su misión futura. Le dieron un regalo: una bufanda hecha a mano de “Enaach”, un taller en el campamento palestino en el Líbano.

Through their ongoing activities, the Diakonia department and the Department for the Service of Palestinian refugees (DSPR) continue to serve the weak and the poor, especially during this exceptional period resulting from the widespread outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its economic and social repercussions on the Middle East.

As we approach Holy Week we are all reminded that staying at home is the safest way to celebrate our faith and to ensure that our traditions, communal prayerful rites and rituals would be sustained for years to come. Many of us at DSPR have been invigorated by the Services and Hymns on social media networks by our various faith communities. From the Pope’s exceptional prayer with his blessing for the City and the World to Hymns sung by the Greek Orthodox Mount of Lebanon Choir to the World Council of Churches statements and prayers which offered hope and solidarity.

In all the regions where DSPR/MECC works, there is total closure except for vital and necessary services to fight the virus. Measures are put in place to ensure responsiveness to those in need for groceries, medical attention other than infection, and procurement of medications.

The issue highlights the massive relief and development work carried out by the Department in the Holy Land, Gaza, Jordan and Lebanon.

A coordination and planning workshop in Istanbul

The Department of Services to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) in the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held a coordination planning workshop in Istanbul between 12 and 13 of May 2019.