‘Small Church’ Makes Big Moves for Jubilee Act
Yesterday my parish, St. Stephen’s, Episcopal, did indeed celebrate Jubilee Sunday. Thirteen people signed the post cards about the Jubilee Act. (This was at least half of the adults present in the congregation — we are a small church.)
Since the house vote is coming up tomorrow we carried the cards to Rep. [Earl] Pomeroy's local office here in Fargo, where we spoke with his [legislative assistant], who said he would notify the representative today of our action and interest, and would forward the postcards in their next packet. We expect him to inform us of Mr. Pomeroy’s action.
Not knowing when the Senate action will come, we also hand delivered the cards to the local offices of Senator [Byron] Dorgan and Senator [Kent] Conrad and spoke briefly with their office managers, who agreed to send on the cards.
I shared about half of the cards with a local Lutheran church.
Joanne Droppers
St. Stephen’s Episcopal in Fargo, ND
Message in the Music: Inspiring the Spirit of Jubilee
We were blessed to have about 80 members from First United Methodist Church in Los Altos, most of them teens, who were on their way to Tijuana for a week of homebuilding. Pastor Tim encouraged them to take the step of becoming a Jubilee Congregation.
Paul Svenson, our music director for the first service, led us in a song about Jubilee that he happened to have in his repertory. He intends to send it on to you for distribution to other congregations. The song really "primed the pump" for Tim's sermon.
I'm attaching the sermon herewith so that you can see how beautifully he segued from the initial subject of baptism to Jubilee. He was able to succinctly describe the results of debt burdens in Third World countries lifted through debt cancellation, then to show how many more countries need this debt relief, and describe how the Jubilee Act will enable that. It was clear, concise and empowering.
After the service, Paul asked everyone to remain in their pews as he was recording a new CD of protest songs. We sang "We Shall Overcome," a fitting sendoff after our Jubilee service, with a great moment "immortalized" digitally! Pretty cool, huh?
We had included in our church bulletin the Jubilee insert suggested by [the national Jubilee office]. Earlier in the week an e-lights Extra — UCC's online bulk messaging that gives a preview of coming events — was sent that showed a portion of the United Church of Christ website stating their commitment to Jubilee and offering the opportunity to electronically send their [members of Congress] and senator a message to support the Jubilee Act.
Jonnie and I have been gratified to see all the support of Jubilee this past year. When the Jubilee Act becomes reality, we will know we have made a difference.
Joan Loomis
First United Methodist Church in Los Altos, CA
Good Results & A Prayer
We had a report at our meeting last night of seven congregations holding Jubilee Sunday events and two more to hold them shortly. Good results it seems. We’ll be watching CSPAN & praying tomorrow.
Chris Laing
Parish of St. John the Baptist in Portland, OR
Postcards, Postcards, Postcards!
I just sent 115 postcards in to Congressman Denny Rehberg's office this morning. We had an incredible Jubilee Sunday service, and people responded by signing those postcards. I'll save the other postcards to send in to our Senators' offices when the Jubilee Act passes in the House! Take care, and hope all is going well for you and the staff at Jubilee USA!
Cherilyn Devries
Bozeman UMC in Bozeman, MT
Mobilizing the Church & the Family
Just to let you know, our church will be celebrating Jubilee Sunday. We will have a bulletin insert that you email, with additional information on the other side about what we as a church have done so far. We will have a 'Temple Talk' about Jubilee. We will use some of the prayers and will be singing the Jubilee Hymn. I have been encouraging our Social Justice members to get on the phone to Congressman Larson.
I also have encouraged relatives in Minnesota to make phone calls. They have called Representative Michelle Bachman's office, although they don't think she is very supportive.
Gary Hart
Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Connecticut
