Let’s give a shout-out to the incredible people working in the Jubilee Circles! Throughout the pandemic, they have found ways to do vital ministry. Even when scheduled activities shut down, the Jubilee Circles in San Cristobal and San Mateo, Mexico, rendered humanitarian aid and spiritual solace. Then, as soon as health protocols allowed, a schedule of activities gradually began again, adjusting as necessary.
Recently, the Simpler OneEarth Living Podcast had a conversation with a feminist economist. It was so informing. Rich. Brenda Wyss (Weess), professor of Economics and Coordinator of Development Studies at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, explains how she and colleagues study and teach what’s missing in “orthodox” economics. Hear her answer to the question, “What is feminist economics?”
The big zoom into the July San Diego/U.S. Jubilee Circle happened when Lindsey zoomed in from San Cristobal, Mexico. Lindsey Mercer-Robledo is part of the San Cristobal Jubilee Circle and a JEM board member. It was great to get updates from her on Jubilee ministries in Chiapas following the complete shutdown because of Covid in March of 2020. Limited reopening, with mask protocols, began six months later, in October.
In 2000, a group began a nonprofit, 501(c)3, Jubilee Economics Ministries, inspired to action after reading the book by Ross and Gloria Kinsler, The Biblical Jubilee and the Struggle for Life. That book was shaped by Ross and Gloria’s Latin America experiences, including the question many Latin Americans asked them, “Why is U.S. policy so regressive in Latin America, supporting dictators more often than democracies?”
The climate emergency isn’t coming, it’s now … and it’s been with us for some time. We have a deadline. 2030, the year that hundreds of international scientists have agreed is the deadline for actions to keep Earth from heating over 1.5° above pre-industrial levels. Beyond that, Earth will force our lives to change far beyond anything we want. And the changes will be beyond our control. Some congregations, faith organizations, and faith-based campuses are hurrying to develop actions that help save life on our planet. Others aren’t.