Looking back at last year’s January newsletter, I found that I spoke about LeValley and Berlin Center being new churches. This did not require new buildings or people, but we became part of a movement, a tribe if you will, of Global Methodists with a desire to remain rooted and grounded in the scriptures and the historic teachings of the Christian Church.
What warmed my heart about our new denomination was that it reflected what the doctrine, the beliefs and values, of these churches had always been, but now, we were no longer in agreement with the doctrine of the United Methodist Church, adapted to be aligned with culture.
The following was the last paragraph of that January, 2024, letter to you. We are not just entering into a new calendar year. We are entering into a new year as churches affiliated with a new denomination and a new year implementing new missions and visions for our churches (I hope). I can’t wait to see how LeValley and Berlin Center’s Year of Jubilee is implemented and the impact we can have on the world…as we bring the kingdom of God to earth.
Yes, we did begin the mission and vision process at both churches, but we still have work to do to fully implement them. I also mistakenly named 2024 as the Year of Jubilee, which is actually celebrated in 2025.
As much as I know we did have an impact on our communities and the world in 2024, I look forward to us having an even bigger impact in 2025 after officially being members of the Global Methodist Church for an entire year. Let’s celebrate the Year of Jubilee as 21st century Christians.
The Year of Jubilee, which came every 50th year, was a year full of releasing people from their debts, releasing all slaves, and returning property to those who owned it (Leviticus 25:1-13).This year was also dedicated to rest. During this year, the Israelites were not supposed to reap or harvest; it was a time for people to return to their families and loved ones.
In fact, the Israelites went into captivity because they didn’t observe these resting years (Leviticus 26). Because they didn’t trust that God would provide and dedicate time to resting, they reaped the consequences.
God also instituted the Year of Jubilee as a foreshadowing for his future work on the cross. Jesus relieves us of all spiritual debts and our slavery to sin by His death and Resurrection. We are freed from both and can commune with our heavenly family.
It would be rather difficult to ask your boss if you could take an entire year off. Although we can’t celebrate a year of Jubilee as non-Israelites in modern society, we can dedicate our year to the Lord. We can find times to rest, forgive others of their moral debts (however they’ve wronged us), and let God move so we don’t overwork ourselves.
And, we can remember that through Jesus’ work on the cross, we can have the chance to experience an eternal Jubilee in heaven.
The year of Jubilee for Christians is primarily celebrated by Catholics, but, to me, it is an event that could be recognized by the Protestant faith, as well. Jubilee years, which for Christians are celebrated every 25 years, emphasize the sacrament of reconciliation and restoring relationships with God. The year calls Christians to action.
So let’s be in prayer that this Year of Jubilee can be one of action, as well as rest, for both LeValley and Berlin Center. As we enhance our Christian action locally, nationally, and internationally, may we be encouraged each year in the future to enhance our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness to grow our faith, and the faith of others, in God.
Blessings, Pastor Nancy
