The lotus plant grows in muddy ponds but its flower rises above the murky water and opens beautifully, without blemish. In the same spirit, although women and girls all over the world face oppression and injustices of many kinds, with prayer and support they, too, can rise above these circumstances with dignity and grace.

Why is it called “Fellowship of the Least Coin”?

Often the name of the movement, called Fellowship of the Least Coin, puzzles people who hear it for the first time. Possibly the name sounds strange especially when we profess that this is an ecumenical movement of prayer for peace and reconciliation.

This movement emerged as a vision Mrs Shanti Solomon of India had when refused a visa to travel with a mission team to Korea in 1956 and is a discipline for finding peace within ourselves. After offering a prayer for peace and forgiveness, each member puts aside the least coin of their currency as a symbol of their covenant with God to forgive and love her enemies. The “Least Coin” never meant literally the smallest coin. Members can put in any coin of their currency, which can be given away without feeling the pinch of giving according to their economic status. Therefore, the least or the smallest coin has a significance for each member.

Secondly, the least coin is a tangible token of our equal status in fellowship with each other. No matter who and where the members are and their economic and social status, in this Fellowship all are equal. Together we are learning to love our enemies and have concern for everyone in need. The “Least Coin” is a reminder of its significance in this movement of prayer and becomes a visible token of our love, reaching out to the groups of women in their struggle for development, justice and peace as we share the concerns of women around the world. It binds the members together in Christian love and concern for each other and gives a platform for global solidarity among women.

GIFTS OF LOVE

It is to be remembered that FLC is not primarily a fundraising project. It is a movement of PRAYER for PEACE and RECONCILIATION and JUSTICE for all. It is difficult for women to find peace and justice in many countries of the world, but because of these “Gifts of Love”, these Least Coins, many women have learned to have the dignity of being able to earn a living. Grants have been given over the past decades for many projects throughout the world, where women have learned to read and write, tailoring and dressmaking, attended adult literacy classes, learned economics and other life changing skills.

The funds of FLC are administered by an International Committee, which meets annually. This Committee sets policies and guidelines for the administration of the funds, awards scholarships and selects projects. Priority is given to any projects initiated and administered by women. Block grants are given to regional and global ecumenical organisations. Grants are given to any Christian groups for programmes of literacy, health, social concerns and leadership among women. Programmes for world peace, justice and reconciliation are supported. Emergency grants may be available for relief programmes in cases of national disasters. A portion of the fund is used for ICFLC administration.

You may wish to visit the website https://www.fellowshipoftheleastcoin.org/flc to view PowerPoint presentations of the amazing range of 23 projects supported in 2020, 2 scholarship winners and recipients of emergency grants.

Church Women United Aotearoa NZ is responsible for the organisation and promotion of the Fellowship of the Least Coin on behalf of the International Committee. It is also the link for New Zealand women with the Asian Church Women’s Conference. CWU ANZ uses material provided by IFLC to hold an annual ‘Ingathering Dedication Service’ where local groups may bring their contributions, Every 2 years ICFLC publish the Circle of Prayer which includes 24 meditations and prayers written by Christian women from diverse backgrounds and traditions. Follow this link to see Circle of Prayer v.26 which has a reflection contributed by Rev Margaret Neate (former member of CWU ANZ Committee).

Please consider promoting the Fellowship of the Least Coin in your church or group as an ongoing project or having a retiring offering to raise awareness of this global ecumenical movement of prayer for peace and reconciliation.

Bank account details for donations – Bank – Westpac

Account Name – Church Women United in Aotearoa/NZ Fellowship of the Least Coin

Account No. – 03 1702 0106242 03 Please use YOUR NAME/GROUP NAME as reference

For receipt or further information please contact –

Jennifer Delaney billdelaney@xtra.co.nz – or – Lynne Scott scottieslb@gmail.com

Lynne Scott

Church Women United Aotearoa NZ

In this issue

Peace Sunday