My dictionary says jubilee is "a celebration held every fifty years in which all bondmen were freed, mortgage lands restored to the owners, etc.; a 25th or 50th anniversary."
It was customary to let fields rest on the Jubilee year. I've read (somewhere) that the number 7 means "complete" in Jewish lore, so the Jubilee would be a multiple of that. (Neil, please correct me if I'm wrong)What types of celebrations does the Bible talk about on "jubilee"?
So, I was thinking you could honor those in your congregation who have been married 50 years; you could do a scavenger hunt of 50 items; do a time-line of the last 50 years of your congregation; have birthday parties for those turning 50 (at least the ones willing to admit to that age! ) You could also explore mission efforts worldwide toward the crushing debt relief some countries are burdened with. (I have seen a video on this; I'll look to see who does it). Or, gather 50 pounds of pennies for a special mission project, locally or somewhere else.
I do like Neil's ideas of year-long activities.
Julie Burton