Dear Friends for Jubilee:
This letter brings what the biblical Jubilee always proclaims: Good news in the face of perils that threaten life. With a speed that has shaken humanity and our powerful systems, a tiny microbe has arrived like a prophet to the world, saying forcefully: “You must find a new way of living.”
Jubilee and its kin contribute to this new way. We do not wait for the powers to shape the future for us. We implement Jubilee because we know that Jubilee’s ways are intent on wellbeing, truth, compassion, wonder, love, and justice for all species. All of life calls us to devote ourselves to those ways and their widening practice.
We count on your partnership—a partnership that (1) is financial, (2) makes Jubilee your spiritualal practice, and (3) tells others about this good news. Over the 20 years since JEM began, won-derful partnerships have brought us to where we are. Let’s expand that in our 20th Anniversary Year as we implement Jubilee in the next decade.
Early developments in our 20th Year give strong reason to believe breakthroughs are underway even in the midst of present perils. However, those breakthroughs will stall without you and our collective efforts.
In San Diego, the 20th anniversary is planning for the critical decade ahead.
- The Jubilee Circle in San Diego has launched an effort to add $30,000 to our recent annual budgets of around $48,000, and to add 40 new donors. This effort has two purposes. All three Circles are working to: (1) develop new leadership and (2) add capacity to meet criti-cal needs of planet and peoples.
- And here’s great news: $8,000 has already been given! Plus, 4 new people have donated for the first time. We have an image of walking 600 miles at $50/mile to get to $30,000. That means, we’ve already walked 180 of those miles. Catch your breath … and become part of this walk to 600.
- On Leap Day, February 29, 17 people gathered to learn about Chiapas, Mexico, one of the primary destinations of our Jubilee trips to Mexico. The gathering focused on the Zapatista movement among Indigenous people in Chiapas where the Jubilee Circle of San Cristobal works creatively and vigorously in the way of Jubilee. Of the 17, George, John, and Dan are planning to travel to Mexico on the June 6-14 trip. Four others are hoping to as well. Of course, the coronavirus could force rescheduling.
In San Cristobal, Chiapas, MX, your donations help serve the underserved.
- As the JEM budget increases, the three Circles work in partnership on how to redistribute the funds. San Cristobal, for example, will receive $1000/mo starting immediately, an in-crease from the $800/mo previously.
- In the San Cristobal Circle, Gloria continues extraordinary work empowering women eco-nomically and politically. She live streams a show each week on Facebook. Her work with women is through a program begun in Latin America, communitarian feminism, and changes the lives of scores of women.
- Many of these same women are part of the Plaza Communitaria (somewhat like a farmer’s market that also offers free workshops and cultural activities). Lindsey and Isai facilitate the Plaza making sure each event runs smoothly. The Plaza improves the women’s options by selling handmade, artisan products—a bit of income for their scarce livelihoods.
- Pedro develops leadership for small congregations through the Yobel School that he and Dan Swanson started. Yobel collaborates with other Chiapas institutions to bring top leadership to teach seminars and workshops in reading the Bible in the local context (often called decolonizing the Bible) and care of creation.
In San Mateo, Puebla, MX, you sustain life-changing work on a really low budget.
- Jacqueline has joined the Circle and makes sure the Centro Cultural and the new dry toi-lets are functioning in top shape.
- Angelica, a doctor in the Circle in San Mateo, sees patients worried about Covid-19 and checks their symptoms. She teaches biology at her son’s school. She says, “I have had the opportunity to educate young people about caring for the environment, valuing our natural resources, searching for ways to create sustainable development, preserving the flora and fauna of our community, and fighting against the voracity of the human being.”
- Artesanas Shalom continues to be a place where women find and hone their artistic and business abilities. They are celebrating their 3rd Anniversary as a cooperative of women artisans, even at a time when women are experiencing an uptick in violence and death for being … women.
- As the annual budget of the three Circles grows, the San Mateo Circle is eager to add leadership to provide the classes and cultural activities for children, youth, and parents at the Centro Cultural Dan Swanson. All activities meet urgent local needs.
Donate to JEM by mail or on our OneEarth Jubilee website. You will help Jubilee be stronger as we breakthrough to life beyond Covid-19. Regular donations are especially helpful. May we all be able to receive the wisdom, power, and love the Spirit is offering.
Lee Van Ham and John Michno for everyone in the Circles
