Despatch Magazine Vol. 10:1
Despatch Magazine Vol. 10:1
What is Being Proposed?
The Jubilee Initiative is intended to take advantage
of this moment in history to strengthen the Churches' capacity to work
for social justice and ecological integrity and to facilitate theological
reflection, education and networking.
1) Production of a Jubilee Declaration This will situate
the Jubilee concept in the present context of justice issues and offer
a summary analysis of the themes of the Jubilee. *Release from bondage
Structural adjustment programs imposed on many nations and unjust working
conditions around the world from the new global economy are creating contemporary
forms of bondage.
*Redistribution of wealth - Underemployment, unemploy-ment,
and cuts to social spending increase the disparities between rich and poor,
between nations and within nations, even affluent ones like Canada.
*Renewal of the earth - Our earth is straining
under the demands and waste of human society, the over-use of fossil fuels,
depletion of the forests, and profound climate changes.
2) Participation in the Jubilee 2000 Campaign A central
expression of the spirit of Jubilee will be the participation in Jubilee
2000, an international campaign calling for cancellation of the unpayable
debts of the most impoverished nations. Churches and coalitions might also
work on and coordinate campaigns around other Jubilee themes.
3) Facilitation of Theological Reflection Understanding
of the social justice tradition in Christianity will be deepened through
theological reflection, bible studies, and participation in global exchanges.
4) Engagement for Education The Jubilee themes offer
an opportunity for local and national education for social justice in the
churches. Proposed is a series of interactive posters for parish and congregational
use as well as leadership training guides and regional training workshops
to help animate the Jubilee themes.
5) Supporting a Network of Jubilee Communities Groups,
congregations, and parishes can form this network by adopting the Jubilee
Declaration and creating connections through a newsletter, web page, use
of common Jubilee resources, and participation in national Jubilee campaigns.
6) Proposing a National Gathering In 2000, Jubilee organizations
and communities can gather to celebrate our work and renew energy to continue
our efforts into the next millennium.
What is the meaning of "Jubilee"?
The Biblical Jubilee:
An Alternative Social Vision The Hebrew scriptures tell
us of the Israelites' determination to celebrate a Jubilee every 50 years
as a witness to their belief in God's reign over all (Lev.25).The Jubilee
was intended to renew society, to restore equality and justice, and to
protect and nurture the land. This emphasis on Jubilee is central to Jesus'
preaching and teaching. He announced good news to the poor, release to
the captives, sight to the blind, and freedom for the oppressed. This is
the good news of the coming of God's reign in history.
Jubilee: A Vision for Our Time
The Jubilee tradition offers people of faith the
opportunity for renewal in all dimensions of life -personal and communal,
local and global, and societal and creational. What makes Jubilee so powerful
is that it recognizes the connections between these aspects of our world
and indicates that all must be attended to for our world to function according
to God's vision for us. Canadian churches and coalitions have been an integral
part of nurturing and sustaining social justice movements, giving voice
to the marginalized, working in partnership, and calling on governments
and decision-makers for change. The Jubilee is a moment in history when
we can join these efforts under a common banner and strengthen our work
now and for the future.
.
Which groups have expressed interest in
collaborating on the Jubilee Initiative?
CCC-Justice & Peace Commission
Anglican Church of Canada
CCCB-Social Affairs Commission
United Church of Canada
ELCIC-Office of Public Policy
Presbyterian Church of Canada
Ten Days for Global Justice
Women's Inter Church Council of Canada
Canadian Churches Forum for Global Ministries
Development and Peace
Citizens for Public Justice
Toronto School of Theology
Scarboro Foreign Mission
Project Ploughshares
Social Justice Committee-Montreal
Inter-Church Committee on Ecology
Inter-Church Committee on Africa
Ecumenical Coalition on Economic Justice
Canada Asia Working Group
Inter Church Action
Canadian Religious Conference -National
Inter-Church Committee on Refugees
Inter-Church Committee on Human Rights in Latin America
How can I/we become involved in the Jubilee?
At this point we encourage you to read and circulate the Jubilee documents:
A New Beginning:
An Invitation to Participate in the Canadian Jubilee
Intitiative & A New Beginning:
A Call to Jubilee: Draft Vision Statement. (copies
of both available on the net or from Despath or online from the above web
address) and bring them to your local churches for
endorsement.
They are available, in French and English, in text and
electronic forms, from the Jubilee office.
The Initiative will begin in earnest in May, 1998.
Additional resources and opportunities to participate will be forthcoming. Jan 12, 1998
Our world can wait no longer
for a new beginning.
The time is now.
Click
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despatch@mail.cth.com.au
despatch@mail.cth.com.au