Global Ministries

The very last day of January saw an amazing thing happen in Lebanon. The
country, whose people had gone to the polls nine months earlier to elect a new
government, could finally say that they had one.

The services of the Department of Service for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) aim at enabling people to better organize their lives so that they can live with dignity in spite of the various difficulties and constraints that seek to inhibit them from "normal" living. Over 70,000 Palestinians benefit from the health clinics in DSPR areas of operation.

DSPR shares reflections on its work, written by Damaris, appointed by Bread for the World (Germany) to work with DSPR, following visits she made recently to Gaza, Lebanon, and Nazareth.

A message of thanks from the FDCD President, the Rev. Dr. Riad Jarjour

I am writing this message with a word of thanks and appreciation for all our partners and friends who have assisted in the Forum for Development, Culture, and Dialogue (FDCD)’s work and enabled us to fulfill our mandate in Lebanon and the wider region. FDCD has endeavored to carry out its programs and activities in the midst of a turbulent and fragile Middle East. Our staff has spared no effort in sowing the seeds of peace and justice and disseminating a culture of dialogue in our context. It goes without saying that FDCD has helped thousands of displaced people, alleviating their suffering through provision of aid in such a way that they can live in dignity. The same is true for programs which focus on peacebuilding and reconciliation, areas in which we have sought to gather people and build trust, promote forgiveness, establish respect, and foster equality throughout the region.

Wending our way through the narrow streets of Bourj Hammoud (just outside Beirut) this week, my son and I stopped at the shop of a childhood friend of Maria’s. Usually when I pass by this fellow’s tiny workplace he’s busy at one of his sewing machines, assembling parts for shoes that are manufactured there.

Praise be to God, the God of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Last year, the Forum for Development, Culture, and Dialogue (FDCD) in Lebanon began implementing a winterization project in Syria in partnership with Global Ministries. FDCD received many urgent requests for assistance in the areas of Aleppo, Hama, and rural Damascus as Syrians were preparing for a harsh winter. While food supplies are always an enormous need, families were very concerned about the cold winter ahead and the health of the household, children specifically. This is due to the fact that there are few organizations focused on helping Syrians prepare for winter. We planned to distribute 500 sets of children’s clothes, 400 blankets, and 200 heaters, assisting over 1000 families as colder months approached. FDCD also provided assistance to volunteers helping in distributions, extending the impact of the project.

Sea-Watch - Mediterranean Hope: "They are right: there is no safe port in Libya"

Rome (NEV CS/29), 13 June 2019 – “We agree with Sea Watch’s choice not to bring the migrants rescued and saved back to Libya,” says Paolo Naso, coordinator of Mediterranean Hope – the refugee and migrant program of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy, and Global Ministries' Board member. Read more...

Charge to the Graduates
by Dr. George Sabra, President
Near East School of Theology

There is a report, conducted and published annually by the Wharton School of the University of and a well-known global consumer insight firm that ranks countries. Thousands of people over 80 countries are asked to respond to questions on the basis of 65 country attributes, e.g., influence, power, citizenship and quality of life, in order to determine each country’s success as nation. The rankings are part of an analysis project called the “Best Countries Report.” In 2018, and for the second year in a row, Switzerland ranked as the world’s best country, followed Sweden, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, Sweden, Australia, United States, France, Netherlands.

Migrants Rescued by the Sea Watch: the FCEI Writes to the European, Canadian and US Churches

LEGGI IN ITALIANO “A Coherent and Sustainable Management for The Migration Flow of the Mediterranean Sea is Needed.” Rome (NEV), May 21th, 2019 – The president of the FCEI, pastor Luca Maria Negro, together with Paolo Naso and Fiona Kendall, the coordinator and legal advisor of the Mediterranean Hope project promoted by FCEI,  sent a letter to sister churches.  Read more...

Lectionary Selection:  John 21:1-19

Prayers for Lebanon:  

Dear Lord and Savior, Friend and Brother, standing by the edge of the water with your eye and heart fixed upon us, now hear our prayer as we immerse ourselves in the busy-ness of the day, trying to forget how abandoned we feel in this heartless world.

Though we wish to be with you today in Paradise, instead we find ourselves here on Earth, continuing the struggle to live each day no matter what may befall us, to serve you alongside the least of our sisters and brothers, to preserve hope in you amid every pressure to which we are subjected by powers, seen and unseen.

Remember your church in Lebanon today, as it carries your light to a society staggering under mistrust, corruption, selfishness, nearby wars, lack of reckoning with the past, abuse of nature and misuse of your name.

Open our ears as you lead us in casting our nets to gather an abundant catch of love and truth. Open our eyes to see that you have already prepared a table of fellowship to refresh and renew us. Open our hearts and our lips, to declare, even in our human frailty, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” And empower us to demonstrate that love with our whole lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Refugees: On March 28th a New Arrival from Lebanon Through the Humanitarian Corridors by the Protestant Churches and The Community of Sant’Egidio

LEGGI IN ITALIANO The 54 Syrian refugees will be welcomed by associations, parishes and communities in different Italian regions to immediately facilitate their integration. A welcoming event with press conference at the Fiumicino Airport on Thursday 28th Rome (NEV/CS19), March 25th, 2019 – On Thursday 28th  54 Syrian refugees will arrive in Fiumicino through the Humanitarian Corridors promoted by the FCEI.  Read more…