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MECC
9th General Assembly will
convene
on the 27th |
Under
the theme:
“So we are ambassadors for Christ, God
making his appeal through us”
(2
Corinthians 5:20), Heads and Leaders of Churches in the Middle East,
representatives of member churches (Eastern Orthodox, Oriental
Orthodox, Catholics and Evangelicals), former Executive Committee
members, partners, guests, staff and media are gathering at the MECC
9th General Assembly in Paphos/Cyprus (November 26 – 30).
The
Assembly is convening at a time when critical political situations
are undergoing in the region. The Presidential vacuum in Lebanon,
the Annapolis conference for peace, and the insecurity situation in
Iraq, which all feed into situations of instability and fear for the
people of the Middle East. The presence of Christians, however, is
mostly affected by these situations.
The
Assembly is the highest ecumenical governing body of the Council
which convenes regularly every four years to evaluate the work
achieved, to identify priority issues and programs, and to elect the
Presidents of the Council for the next four years, nominate and
elect new members of the Executive Committee, and finally elect the
General Secretary. The Assembly is also considered an occasion for
spiritual meetings between Heads and Leaders of Churches. They
assemble in worships, panels, and general discussions. Official
letters from different Christian churches and ecumenical
organizations as well as from Muslim communities will be read during
the Assembly.
The
Middle East Council of Churches as a fellowship of churches brings
into its membership churches from Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Jordan,
Palestine, Iraq, and Cyprus. Established in 1974, still continues to
witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ through ecumenical partnership
with these churches. It ecumenically serves the churches’ needs as
well as of Christians’ need for unity, solidarity, diakonia,
education, advocacy and dialogue.
Worships and Bible reflections will set the spiritual guidelines for
the Assembly.
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