Jubilee San Diego: Celebrating Bill Harman’s 70th

By Neil Watkins 

This weekend, I was in San Diego to attend a special birthday party and to pay tribute to two long-standing leaders of the Jubilee movement in the US – the birthday boy, Bill Harman, and longtime Jubilee leader Bill Lesher.

More than 60 “Friends of Bill Harman” gathered on the evening of July 11th at the home of Jean O’Leary, the dedicated leader of Jubilee San Diego, to honor the two Bills’ service to Jubilee and to raise money for Jubilee USA.

      

It was a festive gathering with food and drink, music, and several tributes.

Both Bills have given much to Jubilee over the years. In the tribute I shared, I told the crowd:  

I know firsthand their contributions to the Jubilee campaign for debt cancellation:

Bill Lesher:

    * built an extensive Jubilee presence and strong base of Jubilee Congregations in the SF Bay Area.
    * He chaired the Jubilee USA development committee and helped raised funds for the national campaign at a critical time in its evolution
    * He also successfully made Jubilee a major subject of interfaith dialogue on a global level through his leadership role in the Parliament of the World’s Religions,

For those and many other contributions that go unspoken, we thank and salute you.

Bill Harman:

    * Sparked and created the network of Jubilee Congregations in the San Diego, which is one of the broadest Jubilee networks in the country.
    * Served on the Jubilee national Board offering valuable leadership and input into our strategic planning process
    * And much like Bill Lesher, he also set his sights globally as well, ensuring a strong Jubilee presence at the German Kirchentag, which brings together 10,000s each year.

In short, the two Bills have been a dynamic duo for Jubilee justice. For those incredible contributions to the Jubilee movement and for their lifes’ work for justice, we celebrate Bill Harman and Bill Lesher tonight.

It was a great evening, and it reminded me that the Jubilee movement is where it is today because of the work of great leaders like the “Two Bills.”

On Sunday morning, I had the opportunity to attend services at a Jubilee Congregations – University Christian Church, a Disciples of Christ Congregation. I went to church with Jean and met up with Jubilee supporter and longtime University Christian member (she’s been a member for 50 years!) Jonnie Wilson. We enjoyed the sermon and the great musicians led by Paul, who played excellent music the night before for Bill’s party as well.

Before heading back to DC on Wednesday, I’ll be joining the monthly lunch meeting of Jubilee San Diego tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it!  San Diego is full of great energy for Jubilee justice. - N