Christ Church is a Center for Jubilee Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
What does that mean?
A "Center for Jubilee Ministry" (or, "Jubilee Ministry Center") is a specific designation of an Episcopal congregation, or group affiliated with the Episcopal Church, maintaining a targeted focus on specific outreach ministry work. These local congregations and affiliations, along with their Diocesan Jubilee Officers, create a network of shared Jubilee vision through education, communication, collaboration and advocacy. There are more than 600 Jubilee Ministry Centers within the Episcopal Church. Christ Church was designated a Jubilee Ministry Center in 1997.
What is "Jubilee" Ministry?
Jubilee Ministry is an organizing principal for understanding and interpreting Christian ministry -- making a direct link between the talk of our faith and the walk of our faith. Through Jubilee Ministry, people are empowered locally and the Church is provided the opportunity to live out its commission, to: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the imprisoned (Mathew 25:35). Jubilee is about advocacy and action -- serving the oppressed wherever they may be found, to: do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).
What are the specific Jubilee Ministries at Christ Church?
The Jubilee Ministry Commission at Christ Church continually assesses its priorities while recognizing and supporting the ongoing personal ministries of our church members. At this time, specific and focused Jubilee Ministries of Christ Church include (click each to read more):
How are Jubilee Ministries finacially supported at Christ Church?
Jubilee Ministry receives a portion of the Christ Church financial budget, according to the pledged contributions of our members. From this allocation, we are able to financially support ministry tied to the work of Jubilee. From the 2010 budget, in addition to our focused ministry areas we are able to financially support the Ecumenical Community Center and Helping Hands; the Neighborhood Meals and Enrichment Program; the Community Health Free Clinic; and continue our support of prision ministry through different agencies and programs.
The budget allocation doesn't fully support all the work that Jubilee would like to include. In supporting the individual outreach ministries of our church's members, Jubilee assists in helping others plan education and awareness of other opportunities to serve and helps with the discernment of direct outreach fundraising.
What other activities support the financial work of Jubilee?
The following Christ Church-supported activities financially support the Jubilee Ministry network -- locally and internationally (click each to read more):
Doesn't everything we do as a Church involve "Jubilee" Ministry in some way?
Yes! That's exactly right. Whenever you are "walking the talk" of Matthew 25 or Micah 6, you are doing Jubilee-style work. Some of this Jubilee-style work at Christ Church is:
- The Pastoral Care Commission sponsoring the Prayer Shawl Ministry, where our members create shawls for the sick, homebound, hospitalized, and anyone who may need the comfort.
- Sunday School outreach projects, including the giving of their weekly "piggy bank" offerings, their UTO prayer boxes; and the educational opportunites these projects give our children.
- The dedicated time our clergy and laypeople give to hospital and prison ministry.
- JustFaith, a new program study happening in collaboration between the Christian Formaition and Jubilee Ministries Commissions.
- Vacation Bible School collecting school supplies as their annual outreach to Johnson Elementary School of the Arts.
- The use of our facilities by community groups involved in Jubilee-style work of their own -- including the Arc of East-Central Iowa and Boy Scout Troop 2.
These are just some examples of Jubilee-style work that happens at Christ Church, and the reason we choose to label our church a Jubilee Ministry Parish.
Find YOUR Jubilee Ministry
Click on links above to extend your understanding of Jubilee Ministry and find your place in serving the poor and oppressed, wherever they may be. The Diocesan Jubilee Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, Leslee Sandberg, is a member of Christ Church and our Jubilee Ministry Commissioner. You may contact Leslee through the parish office (363-2029) for further conversation about finding your Jubilee Ministry connection.