Jubilee Economics Minsitries

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Welcome to Economic Conversion

Central to Jubilee Economics Ministries is the change we make in our lives as we align with sustainable economic practices on Earth, our home. Like spokes from a hub, our activities go out from this center. The spokes are the practices and themes of an economics that is sufficient for everyone in our planetary household, an economics we call jubilee, but which goes by other names as well.

Our understanding of economics invokes the original meaning of the word. "Economy" comes from two Greek words oikos (household) and nomos (rules). Together they form oikonomia, meaning, guidelines for running our planetary home in ways that all people and species in the household have enough. The current meanings and practices of "economics" have strayed so far from this historic root that major conversion is needed in our time in order to express anew this historic wisdom.

Our use of the word "jubilee" refers to economic practices in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, sacred texts whose best economic wisdom both invites and commands sustainable practices in the institutions, businesses, congregations, and governments of our time.

We welcome you, then, to the work of economic conversion.

Proclaim liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof.

— Leviticus 25:10 — also inscribed on the US Liberty Bell

The changes that are now needed in society are at a level that stirs religious passions. The debate will be a religious one whether that is made explicit or not. The whole understanding of reality and the orientation to it are at stake.… [The solutions will be created] by those who can draw forth these deepest energies of the centered self and give them shape and direction. Getting there, if it happens at all, will be a religious event.

— from For the Common Good: Redirecting the Economy toward Community, the Environment, and a Sustainable Future by Herman Daly and John Cobb

Daly was a senior economist at the World Bank then became senior research scholar at the University of Maryland School of Public Affairs. John Cobb, professor of theology and philosophy at the ClaremontGraduateSchool, is now retired.

What's new on our

website . . .

Metanoia Stories: How do we encounter life's changes?

Educating for Change: New JEM program for leading groups through paradigm shift.

Sustainable Practices: Incorporating eco-awareness practices into daily living.

Travel with JEM: Sign up for an Eye Opening Adventure to meet and learn from Mayan communities struggling for self determination and economic independence.

Chiapas Articles: For background about Nuevo Ybeljoj, Las Abejas Civil Society, and Maya Vinic Coffee Cooperative, see the articles by JEM board member and DePaul University professor Marco Tavanti, Ph.D.

Available Opportunities

Shift Happens: Journey to Sustainable Behavior

Given the profound changes our planet is undergoing, we feel ourselves yearning to find the consciousness, the community of people, and the actions of transformation now needed. If you long for these too, please consider joining us in San Diego for this movement.

The two options for participation begin on:

Sat., Sept. 6, 9-11 a.m.

Mon., Sept. 15, 7-9 p.m.

Each meets every other week for 10 sessions concluding in February 2009 with a hiatus in December. Specific dates and location will be confirmed at the time of enrollment. The fee includes your personal 80+ page workbook that guides this interactive, reflective, and action-oriented design.

Early enrollment due by Aug.8 — $199.

All enrollments due by August 15 — $220 ($20 per session and $20 for the workbook)

Enrollment is complete by receipt of funds and your contact information(email, postal address, and tel. #)

For further information or to enroll, contact:

David Miller by email, or

Lee Van Ham, email, or 619.528.8075.

Send your enrollment info to Shift Happens, c/o Jubilee Economics Ministries, 3295 Meade Ave., San Diego, CA 92116.

For general information about Shift Happens, visit our Designs for Groups page.

Eye Opening Adventure to Chiapas, Mexico

July 27 - August 3, 2008

This trip will offer participants a unique living and learning experience. For more information download our flyer or visit the JEM Travel page.

Volunteers Needed at JEM

We are creating several volunteer positions in our office and invite you to consider making a gift of time and talent to help us continue to expand our ministry. To make it easy for you, we have defined the volunteer tasks and the time needed to fulfill these tasks.

Won't you take a minute to review these opportunities and let us know how you would be able to partner with JEM? Call us at (619) 528-8075 and let's talk!

Home | About JEM | FAQs | Donate | Contact

Metanoia Stories | Educating for Change | Sustainable Practices | Travel with JEM | Resources

Jubilee Economics Ministries

3295 Meade Avenue

San Diego, CA 92116