FLC Messages and Reports 2011 - Fellowship of the Least Coin

CONTENTS 

Message and Greetings from the Chairperson 

Message from the Vice-Chairperson 

Message and Greetings from the Honorary Treasurer 

Executive Secretary’s Report 

Ecumenical Organizations’ Reports 

A Glimpse of the 30th ICFLC Annual Meeting 

FLC Project Grants 2011 

ICFLC Budget 2011 

The Fellowship of the Least Coin 

ICFLC Members and Contact Persons 2011 

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Dear Sisters and Brothers, 

It is my pleasure and privilege to send you greetings 

as Chairperson of ICFLC and representative of the World 

Council of Churches’ Women in Church and Society 

program. This year Christians all around the world will be celebrating the 

400th anniversary of the King James Bible, the book which changed the 

world. Since this English translated version of the Bible was ordered by the 

Church of England, in Britain, where I live, churches will be holding special 

services and events to mark the creation of this Bible read by people of all 

ages, backgrounds and in all countries around the world since its completion 

in 1611. 

In celebrating the Bible, I am reminded of Psalm 119 v.105 which says: 

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” In today’s world 

life for many people can be a daily challenge, particularly when we experience 

hurt, disaster and disappointment. But the Fellowship of the Least Coin 

teaches us about what the power of prayer can do in our lives. Through the 

stories we heard of women and men who trusted in God’s word and kept their 

faith in difficult situations, managing to overcome great difficulty in their lives 

and community, we can be inspired in our own situation. 

It does not seem too long ago that ICFLC held its annual meeting in Bogor, 

Indonesia where we also shared in the Asian Church Women’s Conference 

General Assembly. I was encouraged to see in a majority Muslim country, 

struck by many natural disasters and political tension, an active Christian 

community full of enthusiastic Christian women and men serving the church 

and community. 

Thank you for your support for FLC’s mission of prayer for peace, justice 

and reconciliation. I pray that you will continue to hold onto God’s word and 

be assured of His love for you so that you can be empowered to live the life 

following Christ’s example. 

Shirley Maginley 

Message and Greetings 

from the Chairperson 

1

Dear Sisters, 

My greetings come from Switzerland as the new vice-chair 

of ICFLC. I am very honoured for having been chosen for 

that post. We surely form a good team together with Shirley, 

Pat and Cora and shall try to guide the FLC boat safely through the year. 

The day I am writing this message is the day of the Twelfth Night, the visit of 

the Wise Men to Bethlehem. They followed a star although they did not know 

where it would take them. They took along gifts: gold, incense and myrrh. 

Gold--heavy and yet soft, symbol of our own softness and heaviness; incense 

rising towards heaven, symbol of hope and longing; myrrh, symbol of healing. 

For me FLC women very much remind me of the three Wise Men. FLC women 

donate their gifts to other women all around their globe, reminding us of our 

call to solidarity and healing. In this world in turmoil these donations are 

particularly valuable because they bring hope through not only the prayers 

but also through the least coin. Thank you to all of you who make it possible 

for us in the ICFLC to forward these coins and prayers to our sisters in all 

regions of our earth. 

I deeply felt solidarity and hope meeting so many Asian women when 

participating in the general assembly of ACWC (Asian Church Women’s 

Conference). It was overwhelming with how much power and capacity these 

women engage in church and social work, get involved with a healthy sense of 

reality in the manifold problems of their region. The truth though is that the 

problems do not differ very much from other areas in other continents, only 

in some cases the focus shifts. The hospitality of the Indonesian congregation 

we met and the insight they gave us in their joys and problems made once 

again visible how much Christian communities are faced with hostility and 

hate in countries where they are a minority. Our prayers should be with them 

every day! 

As the Wise Men, let us be Wise Women, following the star on our walk 

through life, bringing the gift of ourselves through solidarity, hope and healing 

not only with our prayers but also with our least coin. 

Blessings, 

Catherine Gyarmathy 


from the Vice-Chairperson 

2

Once again I have the pleasure and honour of writing in the 

pages of Messages and Reports as your Treasurer. Having just 

completed my second year in this role, I find the respect and 

admiration I feel for the work that is carried out around the 

world in the name of the Fellowship of the Least Coin grows 

with every passing day. 

When traveling to the Annual Meeting of the ICFLC each year, I have the privilege 

of meeting representatives of our prayer movement from many countries. I am 

approached by women who struggle every day to ensure their families have food, 

clothes to go to school, and a roof over their heads at night. Yet they cannot wait 

to find me to hand their group’s gathering of their “least coins” for this year. And, 

my friends, the amount does not matter. 

When I return home and deposit these offerings, I take the time to think about 

each woman I met and the country from where these coins originated. I think 

of the troubles experienced by women in many regions and how important our 

prayers for peace, justice and reconciliation are for these women. The Fellowship 

of the Least Coin is also cherished by women in many parts of our world that do 

not have a daily struggle for the basic dignities of life and, to these women, we 

must also pause to reflect on the love and compassion they share for their sisters 

with greater needs. 

My message to you this year would be to think about our women in small 

countries in Africa, and hostile environments in some Asian countries, who 

determinedly meet and pray and with great love and pride submit their least coins 

to spread the blessings they feel are theirs by being part of this global movement. 

We also owe much gratitude to the women in the financial offices at the World 

Council of Churches in Geneva who so diligently care for the offerings and tend 

to all the necessary banking transactions. As we provide funds for many projects 

around the world, there is a great need to pay attention to the details of transmitting 

those funds and ensuring they reach the intended recipient. Thanks to the WCC 

and their collaboration with our Executive Secretary, Cora Tabing-Reyes, you can 

all rest assured that every “least coin” travels to its intended source. 

We are entering a new year that once again calls for our fervent prayers in so 

many directions. We can pray and offer our coins with the assurance that as 

sisters around the world we are helping in the name of the FLC. 

Blessings to you all, 

Pat 


from the Honorary Treasurer 

3

Executive Secretary's Report 

for the Year 2010 

Introduction: 

Warm greetings of peace! Every year for me is a 

commemoration, a celebration, and renewal of commitment 

to the FLC vision and mission gifted by God to the East and shared with the 

world. The FLC is one of the two global prayer movements of Christian women; 

the other one being World Day of Prayer. Church women today are blessed 

with the legacy of these two movements that strengthen the body of Christ in 

our common faith and service in obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ. 

I. FLC as a Covenant in Faith, Love and Hope 

Building bridges and healing wounds. This was what was in the hearts of 

the 6 women and 2 alternate members of the Pacific Fellowship Mission 

who visited the war-torn countries in North East Asia in 1956, sponsored 

by the Presbyterian Women of the United Presbyterian Church in the 

USA. With Shanti Solomon’s vision after her reflections on her experiences 

and on biblical texts, the team made a covenant in faith to start a prayer 

movement based on the ideas of forgiveness, reconciliation and fellowship 

with a visible sign of setting aside a least coin after every prayer. (Many 

Prayer, One Prayer). 

Very soon the FLC became a covenant in love. Women in Asia formed 

the Asian Church Women’s Conference (ACWC) in 1958 and took up the 

responsibility for the promotion of the Fellowship of the Least Coin. The 

East Asia Conference of Churches (EACC) was requested to be involved 

with receiving, keeping and administering the FLC Fund. In 1960, the 

EACC requested that the FLC be open to all denominations and all 

countries. By 1961, contributions came from Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, 

Columbia, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, 

Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, the United 

States and Venezuela. As a covenant in love, twenty-four projects in five 

continents were blessed in less than 6 years since the prayer movement 

in faith started. By 1962 the World Council of Churches (WCC) was to 

disburse the monies that had to be credited around the world. 

The covenant in love was embraced by the Christian women’s movement 

of or within the 10 regional and 2 global ecumenical organizations, which 

led to the formation of the International Committee for the Fellowship of 

the Least Coin (ICFLC) in 1979 to accomplish the purpose of the FLC to: 

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Pray and act for justice, peace and reconciliation 

Promote and encourage global ecumenical relations 

Strengthen the faith in the living God who has the power to heal 

broken relationships 

Offer the “least coin” with prayer, as a sign of solidarity with others, 

regardless of economic status 

Alleviate suffering and help restore dignity and justice for all. 

(Constitution, Bylaws and Guidelines of the ICFLC pp. 1-2) 

Fifty four years since the inception of FLC and the contexts of Asia, and 

of the whole world, still need the same: building bridges and healing 

wounds. The gaps have widened and the wounded have increased in 

number as we can see in the global news and in our respective communities. 

Without going into details, we can say that our world is in global crisis 

socially, politically, economically, environmentally and spiritually. 

However, a crisis is an opportunity for creative possibilities for change. It 

is written in Jeremiah 29:11-13 NRSV: “For surely I know the plans I have 

for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you 

a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray for 

me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek 

me with all your heart.” 

We mark the strengthening of the covenant in faith and love and add 

covenant in hope. As FLC through the years has brought hope to many 

women and children through our prayers and grants, we are challenged 

to continue promoting to countries in respective regions and be counted 

as active participants in the Fellowship of the Least Coin through 

contributions to the FLC Fund. Then our future with God is a future 

with hope. 

II. Sustaining the Covenant in Faith, Love and Hope 

What follows is a sharing of what were done this year in the spirit of faith, 

love and hope. 

a. Regional ecumenical gatherings are always opportunities for letting 

people hear, know more and be inspired by the FLC ecumenical spirit. 

This year is time for Asia and Europe where ICFLC was given space in 

the program of CCA Pre-Assembly Women’s Forum, EFECW General 

Assembly for the promotion at regional level and ACWC Young Women’s 

Forum for passing on the FLC legacy to our young women. 

b. FLC web site www.flc.net.ph was launched in the first week of March 

2010 like FLC’s offering to our partnership with World Day of Prayer 

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and International Women’s Day. Through our web site participating 

ecumenical organizations can easily access FLC information and support 

each other in prayer. To this date the following web sites in English have 

FLC web site in their Links: 

Australian Church Women Inc. www.acwnational.org.au/ 

EFECW www.efecw.net 

CWU-USA www.churchwomen.org 

WICC www.wicc.org 

c. Publication of FLC Messages and Reports. 1000 copies were printed 

and distributed in the first quarter. Aside from the usual content, it has 

an article on the “WCC Finance Team for FLC” written by Elaine Dykes. 

Making FLC women know who partner with us in FLC Fund is a way of 

appreciating the work that our WCC sisters do for FLC. We have also 

introduced in this issue the FLC Scholarship Award for Young Women. 

d. Circle of Prayer Vol. XIX was translated to Mandarin in 2010 with the 

help of sisters in Singapore facilitated by Rev. Rita Wong and in Taiwan 

facilitated by Shu-Wen Chiang and Rev. Hsing Ling Lee. It was distributed 

through internet. This is also translated into Japanese although not the 

full booklet, according to Kyoko Burger. For this issue we have printed 

18,000 copies all done in the Philippines and distributed from our ICFLC 

office. 

The Circle of Prayer Vol. XX, on the theme “Pray and Act for Change” 

has 20 articles gathered from contributors from all the regions. The 

editing was work of love done by Joanne Instance and Fran Bartlett of 

Winnipeg WICC. 

e. Recipients of Fellowship of the Least Coin Scholarship Award for 

Young Women for 2010 are Ms. Karine Lawson of Togo and Ms. Jiko 

Uluvinaka Toroca of Fiji. 

f. FLC Project Grants –39 projects have successfully received grants with 

the help of the WCC Finance Team. One which goes to Dominican Republic 

is deferred in consultation with our partners in the region. A report form 

was prepared by the officers to be used starting 2011. 

g. Emergency Grants of US$2,000 each were sent to Chile, Pakistan, 

Indonesia and Haiti this year. Rev. Yamina Apolinaris gave update on 

the earthquake disasters in Chile and Haiti and enjoined us in prayer. 

Shu-Wen Chiang sent the update from Pakistan national representative 

to ACWC to which we have responded in prayer and grant sent to the 

Church of Pakistan Diocese of Peshawar, after communicating with the 

Rt. Rev. Humphrey S. Peter, Bishop of Peshawar. It was right after the 

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ICFLC Annual Meeting that disasters struck Sumatra. With our prayers 

the grant to Indonesia was sent to the Communion of Churches in 

Indonesia (PGI) To Haiti, the grant was facilitated by Pat Allinson through 

the Salvation Army. 

h. Promoting at the local level serves as a way of updating about FLC to 

new generation of leaders in the grass roots within Philippine area: 

- UCCP National Staff morning worship, (15 women and men) August 

9, Manila 

- Church Women United Philippines’ workshop on “Strengthening 

the FLC”, (19 ecumenical women leaders attended) September 17-18, 

Tagaytay City, Philippines. 

- Joint National UCCP Church Women’s Assn. and United 

Church Men Quadrennial Convention, May 22, Dumaguete City, 

Philippines 

- FLC Ingathering services at the conference and district level of the 

United Church of Christ in the Philippines and United Methodist 

Church 

III. Our Connection with WCC 

FLC partnership with WCC is dated back to the time of Madeline Barot, 

Executive Secretary, Department on Cooperation of Men and Women in 

Church, Family and Society of the WCC, played a very important role 

of keeping the list of the gifts received at Geneva, communicating with 

the East Asia Conference of Churches (now CCA), suggesting suitable 

projects to the working Committee of the EACC, and encouraging 

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ecumenical exchanges between Asian and non Asian groups, which are in 

the Fellowship with them. (“Procedures on the Funds of the Fellowship” 

in The Gift of Prayer, Bangkok: 1964, PP. 7-9) 

We participated in the consultative process towards “Living the fellowship- 

-Change and Renewal for the WCC upon invitation from Rev. Dr. Olav 

Fykse Tveit, WCC general secretary, to tell about FLC and the long history 

that we have with WCC, the role of WCC Finance Team and the hope that 

such partnership shall be strengthened for the sake of the ecumenical 

movement. 

Catherine Gyarmathy served as our ICFLC envoy and made a friendly 

visit to Geneva in October. 

IV. Introducing new ICFLC officers; welcome to new members 

(Addendum to Report to ICFLC AM) 

At the 30th Annual Meeting held in Bogor, Indonesia, the ICFLC elected 

Mrs. Shirley Maginley to serve as its new Chairperson for 2011-2012 

and Mrs. Catherine Gyarmathy-Amherd as Vice-Chairperson for 2011. 

Shirley, a member of Notting Hill Methodist Church in London, serves on 

ICFLC as representative of the WCC Programme for Women in Church 

and Society and was previously ICFLC Vice-Chair. Catherine had many 

years of experiences as a leader of the Catholic Women’s League in Zurich 

and in wider Switzerland and then as Co-President of the Ecumenical 

Forum for European Christian Women. She now serves on ICFLC as 

representative of the EFECW. 

Both Shirley and Catherine bring to the ICFLC and to the global prayer 

movement their gifts of a leader whose life and service in church and 

community show passion for what FLC stands for—justice, peace and 

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econciliation. Their ecumenical perspective, humility and management 

skills strengthen the role of ICFLC in promoting this spiritual fellowship 

as a church women’s contribution to the ecumenical movement and an 

alternative to the divisiveness and apathy in our broken and hurting 

world. 

Ms Pat Allinson, Executive Director of the Women’s Inter-Church Council 

of Canada, continues to serve as honorary treasurer of ICFLC, whose 

commitment to FLC is beyond measure. 

From 2007 to 2010, the ICFLC was blessed by the participation and 

contributions in many valuable ways of Mrs. Nareeboon Rachkeeree 

and Mrs. Pauline Yates as ACWC representatives to the ICFLC. And of 

course, the eight years (2003-2010) of Shu-Wen Chiang’s involvement 

with ICFLC as ex-officio member cannot be underestimated! Her 

documentation skills, humor and passion for ecumenical women’s work 

are gifts she never failed to offer. We thank them and wish them all God’s 

mighty blessings. 

As 2010 ends, the ICFLC welcomed the new 

ICFLC members, Capt. Donna Bryan of 

Australia, President of ACWC, Mrs. Devika 

Ukwatte of Sri Lanka, Vice President, 

and Rev. Lee Moon Sook of 

Korea, Executive Secretary, to all 

of whom Shirley Maginley wrote: 

“Congratulations on your new appointments and welcome to 

ICFLC! ACWC and FLC share a joint history of empowering women through 

prayer and action. We look forward to your participation in ICFLC and all the 

gifts and skills you will bring.” 

V. Tribute to Mrs. C. Maya Michael of India, member of Asian Church 

Women’s Conference Executive Committee and then President of ACWC 

(1986-1990), was ICFLC Chairperson from 1987-1990. Maya passed 

away last October 10, 2010 as shared by Shirin Samuel. We praise God 

for another sister whose commitment to FLC vision and mission is worth 

emulating. She lived a life worth living; offering her wisdom, devotion 

and skills beyond her family and personal concerns, to that of God’s 

household, the oikoumene, and particularly in leading the ICFLC with 

her patience, humility, valuing each one’s presence and contribution. 

In her welcoming address to the ICFLC AM in Geneva on Nov 25-28, 

1988, she said, 

“Time spent in prayer gives us peace for that moment and the time that 

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follows. Peace is so important for us; we all wish to live in harmony. We are 

aware of the conflicts in human minds and the waging wars on the face of 

this earth. It is difficult to have peace of mind and seems impossible to end 

fighting of nations. It had become a vicious circle there is violence because 

there is no peace of mind . . . . and there is no peace of mind because there 

is restlessness around us. We, the women are capable of accomplishing 

so many things within the four walls of our homes. We are considered 

the peace makers, the cement, the delivers, the feeders, the mothers of 

humanity. If we decide we want to have peace in our world, who can stop 

us?” 

Words of Thanks 

We cannot thank enough the Finance Team of World Council of Churches: 

Elaine Dykes, finance manager; Rosemarie Peclard, income accountant; 

and Yasmina Visinand, treasurer, for taking charge of the FLC Fund with 

integrity. 

Many thanks to all current ICFLC Members who show caring support for the 

administrative work that we do; to all ICFLC Members in the past who have 

unfailingly shared the FLC vision and have shared me their stories; to all FLC 

country convenors who have remained dedicated to FLC and supportive to 

those who have followed their steps; to all churches and FLC women who pray 

and set aside least coins for the love of Christ and his mission. “May the grace 

of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” (Galatians 6: 18) 

Cora Tabing-Reyes 

10

Ecumenical Organizations' Reports 

for the Year 2010 

1. Introduction 

ALL AFRICA CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES 

I bring you greetings from the All Africa Conference of Churches General 

Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Andre Karamaga and of all the women across our 

continent. 

The year under review has seen some changes in the AACC Women’s 

Programme whereby the Executive Secretary has to move to the AACC 

Regional Office in Lome. Our move was effective since March 2010, 

resuming fully our activities from April 13th, 2010. 

Apart from our responsibilities as the Executive Secretary of Women and 

Migration Programme, we found ourselves heading the AACC Regional 

Office as well. Those are two huge responsibilities and we will need your 

prayers. This report for the purpose of the Fellowship of the Least Coin will 

cover only activities run in the framework of the Women’s Programme. 

2. Context 

The AACC Women and Migration Programme derived its mandate from 

the last General Assembly held in Maputo in December 2008. The main 

thrusts around which the Assembly requested the Programme to work 

among other are the following: 

1. Women and Peace, Justice and Reconciliation Issues 

2. Gender-Based Violence (including HIV&AIDS and FGM) 

3. Socio-economic Justice 

4. Women Empowerment and Leadership in the Church and Society 

The Programme therefore has sought to address these issues together 

with the AACC Member churches and National Councils Women and 

Gender Desks. Below are some of the activities that we would like to 

share with you. 

3. 2010 International Women’s Day Celebrations 

This year International Women’s Day (IWD), which theme was ‘’Equal 

Rights Equal Opportunities – Progress to All’’, was observed at the AACC 

Headquarters with a Worship. This year’s celebration was particularly 

11

important for it marked the commencing of the Decade for Gender and 

Beijing +15, according to Keynote speaker, Ms. Joy Masheti. 

Prior to the Commemoration, the AACC Executive Secretary for Women 

and Migration Programme sent out a message to all the AACC Member 

Churches and NCCs across the continent exhorting them to celebrate 

the courage and resilience of women during the 2010 International 

Women’s Day and share with the AACC some of the activities that will be 

undertaken to mark the day. 

She underlined in the message that, there are several ways for a lasting 

progress for all but it is universally accepted that equal rights and 

equal opportunities are the only ways for sustainable development and 

progress for both women and men. No girl child should be denied access 

to education because she was born a girl neither should any woman not 

be allowed to express her views just because she is a woman. It is only 

within an environment of equal rights and equal opportunities that the 

energies and strengths of women can be harnessed for the betterment of 

our continent. Never before has Africa needed the contribution of women 

in its fight against poverty, wars and conflicts than today. 

3.1. Celebration of the 2010 International Women’s Day 

by the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone 

The Council of Churches in Sierra Leone celebrated the 2010 International 

women’s day (IWD) on the 15th of March 2010. The occasion was graced 

by women from all works of life including religious leaders and school 

children. 

To give the world theme a domestic flavor, three speakers were invited to 

talk on: 

• Religious Traditions as they affect Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: 

and Progress for All 

• International and National Instrument designed to promote equal 

rights, equal opportunities and progress for women 

• The Socio/economic and political realities of women in Sierra Leone. 

12 

Panelists addressing the 2010 

IWD in Freetown

4. Promotion of the Fellowship of the Least Coin 

The AACC Executive Secretary for the Women and Migration Programme 

worked on the promotion of the Fellowship of the Least Coin in Nairobi, 

Kenya, in Antananarivo, Madagascar and in Lome, Togo. 

4.1 Part of the celebration of the 2010 International Women’s Day was 

to run a Workshop on the Promotion of the FLC. It gathered women 

from the AACC Member Churches and National Council in Nairobi. 

They were taken through the DVD of the FLC that the ICFLC Executive 

Secretary, Mrs. Corazon Tabing-Reyes, graciously made available to us 

and also through the experiences of the members that have been active 

in the FLC, i.e. the Presbyterian Church of East Africa. Participants 

were very grateful that I could hold the Workshop before my move to 

West Africa. They promised to do their best to promote the movement. 

Positive feedback from the Methodist Church of Kenya was received and 

we do hope that other churches and organizations will follow. 

4.2 In Lome, Togo, soon after I resumed work in April 2010 two sessions on 

the Promotion of the FLC were also held; one was with the Leadership of 

the Methodist Church of Togo and the other one was with the Women’s 

Department. They did recognize that the Church was very active in 

the past in the FLC but lost interest along the way. They however, 

committed themselves to revive the movement. 

4.3 In Antanarivo, Madagascar, during the Women’s Consultation on Peace 

in May 2010, a session was dedicated to the Promotion of the FLC on 

the request of the Leadership of Tabitha after I had spoken with them. 

The AACC Women’s Programme made a financial contribution from the 

FLC Grant towards the Madagascar Consultation to assist women in a 

country that was coming out of wars and conflicts. 

13 

A view of the 

audience during the 

2010 Celebrations by 

the CCSL

5. Women’s Peace Consultation in Madagascar (9th – 13thMay, 2010) 

Tabitha, the Witness Arm of the Women’s Department of the Church of Christ 

in Madagascar (FJKM), commemorated their 10th Anniversary from May 

9th to 13th, 2001 by organizing a Women’s National Consultation under the 

theme: “Women, Peace and Environment”. 

In a context of complex socio-political realities, that very active arm of the 

Women’s Department wanted to make sure that the role of women in promoting 

peace is recognized and strengthened. The National Consultation was equally 

an opportunity for the Women of the Church to re- commit themselves to 

work for peace in their community and in their country. 

The presentation on “Women, Peace and Development – AACC Experiences” 

done by the Executive Secretary for Women and Migration was very interactive 

and participants wanted to learn more about traditional mechanisms of conflict 

resolution and how women could play a unique role in peace building. 

As recognition of their contribution to Development and Poverty alleviation, a 

colourful exhibition of all kinds of handicrafts, food transformation items and 

solar cookers by Tabitha Women from all over Madagascar, was inaugurated 

by the President of the Church, Rev. Lala Rasendrahasina. The outcome of 

the exhibition was very positive and could be a starting point for exchange 

visits between women from other countries and Madagascar in order to allow 

them learn from one another. 

An important part of the Consultation was the visits to different Tabitha’s 

and FJKM Projects in and around Muramanga District which was about 200 

kilometers from Antananarivo: Women’s Tailoring Workshop, Computer 

Science Class, Church Hospital in Muramanga, FJKM Tree Nursery 

In conclusion, it 

is important to say 

that the situation in 

Madagascar has not 

improved a great deal 

and women from all 

the AACC Member 

churches should be 

empowered to play a 

positive role in finding 

solutions to the 

Malagasy crisis. As 

we do know women 

and children are 

the most vulnerable 

during conflicts and 

Participants during the Women’s Peace 

Consultation in Antananarivo 

14

crisis and it is through their active participation that solutions can be found. 

6. Networking and Collaboration 

6.1. AWEPON (African Women’s Economic Policy Network) 

Steering and Management Committee 

It is a faith-based Organisation with its Headquarters in Uganda 

with about 150 member organisations in 18 countries across Africa. 

AWEPON owes its origin to the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) 

Women’s Desk. The Organization works towards attaining women’s 

empowerment and economic justice through research, economic policy 

analysis, capacity building, lobby & advocacy with a gender and human 

rights perspective. 

6.2. Using Regional Approach to Fight against Gender Based Violence 

and Advance a Shared Security for Women Empowerment in the 

Churches in West Africa (August 10th to 12th, 2010) 

Following the invitation of the Fellowship of Christian Councils and 

Churches in West Africa (FECCIWA), we attended the above mentioned 

Workshop in Accra, from August 14th to 12th, 2010. 

The Workshop intended to highlight the root causes of Gender Based 

Violence in West Africa, examine traditional and cultural challenges 

in the fight against Gender Based Violence in the region. Lifting up 

the Biblical Exegesis on the creation stories and the fall of man in 

Genesis Chapter One, participants discussed the role of the church 

and Civil Society Organisations in dealing with GBV perpetrators and 

then examine some of the constraints militating against the Church’s 

effective performance and silence on Gender Based Violence as 

Watchdog of Society. 

The Workshop aimed at breaking the chains of silence, building a 

campaign to reduce the high level of Gender Based violence and draft a 

Code of Conduct to guide the Campaign. This should be articulated by 

the churches in raising awareness on different levels. 

7. Conclusion 

The Programme has continued to try to improve networking with 

women and Gender/Women’s Desks Coordinators as well as with other 

organizations dealing with women and migration issues. A lot needs to be 

done but the Programme is committed to making networking a culture of 

work. The FLC Grant has assisted the Programme a great deal to carry 

15

out its activities and we are most grateful for that support. We also thank 

the Almighty God that more Women’s Groups are willing to revive their 

commitment to the FLC Movement and some are willing to start it. 

Vivi Akakpo 

Executive Secretary 

Women and Migration 

November 2010 

16

ASIAN CHURCH WOMEN’S CONFERENCE (ACWC) 

“Don’t Be Silent to the ICFLC” 

Peng-An (Peace)! On behalf of the ACWC, we want to present our appreciation 

of the FLC Grant for the ACWC Young Women’s Forum and the 14th ACWC 

General Assembly. 

Promoting the FLC Prayer Movement 

When I composed the report and 

compiled the files to transfer to the 

next Secretary, I titled the report to 

the ACWC members, “Don’t Be Silent 

to the ICFLC”. To the ACWC members 

the Least Coin Prayer Movement is 

the most popular faith activity they 

promoted in their countries. The 

ACWC also encourages them to report 

their activities to the ACWC and the 

ICFLC. 

Cambodia New Zealand 

* The 2010 KCWU Annual Meeting: The ACWC national body in Korea-- 

Korea Church Women United (KCWU) held the 2010 KCWU annual meeting 

on 19 May. I attended the opening service. The prayer session of the service 

was focused on the FLC Prayer Movement. When I received the reports from 

Japan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, New Zealand, Japan and the Philippines 

about how they promote the ACWC Day, they also shared the activities of 

the FLC Prayer Movement with the ACWC. Their sharing is presented in the 

ACWC Newsletter and the ACWC website. 

17 

Korea

* Translation of the Circle of Prayer 

From 2009 to 2010, Rita Wong (Singapore) and the Presbyterian Church 

Women in Taiwan had good suggestions of having the Circle of Prayer XIX 

translated into Mandarin so it could be shared with Mandarin-speaking 

people around the world. 

* Aid Taiwan members to produce a new design to promote the FLC Prayer 

Movement. 

Continuing, unfinished and future issues 

* For Mongolia: The ACWC received the FLC Grant for the seminar in Mongolia 

in July 2009. The ACWC, the ICFLC and the ACWC-Japan worked together 

for the mission and visitation. For details see the July-September/ October- 

December 2009 ACWC Newsletter. Frankly, Christianity and ecumenicity 

are new to Mongolia. They have passion but little experience. It may take 

considerable time to develop these concepts with our friends in Mongolia. 

* For Hong Kong: Although there are some ecumenical organizations in 

Hong Kong, the ecumenical sense especially for women’s issues has not 

been emphasized. Even the ACWC has worked hard in Hong Kong around 

three years, the membership in Hong Kong is not stable. One of the FLC 

pioneers was from Hong Kong, but it became history and there was little 

follow through. 

* East Timor: When I composed this report, East Timor reported to me that 

they will send two participants to the Assembly. For East Timor, the ACWC 

appreciates it that the CCA has involved us to be partners. Like Mongolia, 

East Timor has a long way to go to develop ecumenical relationships with 

outside church bodies. It is our privilege to work together with East Timor. 

The 30th ICFLC Annual Meeting should be the last meeting for me to be with 

you. I am surprised that 8 years have passed so fast. I will finish my two terms 

very soon by the end of 2010. I don’t care if people will remember me or not 

or how in which way my name is recorded. I only trust that the right persons 

for the ACWC’s future will be found. We are glad that the incoming ACWC 

Ex. Sec., (2011-2014) Revd. Moon-Sook Lee is here. The ICFLC Committee 

accepts her as the observer of this meeting. From my working experience, in 

the future I can tell that she will receive the strong support from the ICFLC as 

I have received from you. Thank you. God Bless the ICFLC! 

Shu-Wen Chiang, 

Executive Secretary of ACWC 

until 2010 

18

CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE OF ASIA 

Greetings from Christian Conference of Asia in the name of our liberator who 

was conceived in the womb of a simple Asian village woman, Mary. 

I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to ICFLC for the block 

grant. I also want to share that CCA as a regional ecumenical organization 

plays crucial role in promoting the FLC movement in most of the women’s 

leadership development and gender justice program, project and activities 

which we do in partnership with our member churches and 17 councils 

in Asia, Australia and New Zealand. We have also started promoting FLC 

movement among youth (female as well as male youth) in our youth programs 

and activities. 

In 2010 the block grant was used for the CCA WOMEN’S FORUM / PRE 

ASSEMBLY which was held in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur from April 10th -13th. 

The theme of this Forum was ‘CELEBRATING LIFE: WOMEN, PROPHETS, 

HEALERS AND RECONCILERS’. More than 70 women Church leaders 

from 17 countries in Asia including Australia and New Zealand attended this 

Forum. We also have few men leaders who are in solidarity and who encourage 

women’s ecumenical movement. 

Objectives of CCA WOMEN’S FORUM: 

Celebrating and recognizing the contributions of Asian women’s 

involvement in prophetic ministry, peace building healing and 

reconciliation. 

Strategizing to evolve joint action plans among member churches 

in Asia in women’s leadership development , promoting gender 

justice and involvement of women in decision making in Church and 

society 

Promoting Asian Women’s spirituality of justpeace which is reflecting 

in faith in action. 

Strategizing to promote men and women partnerships in overcoming 

violence against women, children and mother earth. 

Evolving a statement which will give direction to CCA to evolve its 

vision , mission and activities for the next five years 

19

Outcome: 

Strengthened Asian women’s ecumenical movement. 

Visibility of Asian women’s increased involvement in Church and 

society. 

Partnership for sharing human and material resources among 

member Churches , ecumenical partners and civil organizations to 

promote women’s leadership development , gender justice and peace 

building activities. 

Emphasis and joint action plans and engaging in advocacy in 

Churches to promote spirituality for women’s reproductive and health 

justice issues. 

Visibility and action plans for men and women partnerships to 

overcome violence against women, children and mother earth. 

I would also like to share that Mrs. Tabing-Reyes, the Executive Secretary 

of ICFLC, also accepted our invitation to attend this women’s forum. She 

also conducted morning worship and in her liturgy ‘Women Prophets of Asia’ 

she shared about Shanti Solomon and the FLC movement encouraging and 

reminding the women leaders to carry on their commitment of promoting 

FLC. She also moderated a creative workshop Session on Art and Dance 

Therapy, an expression of Asian women’s spirituality and theology of life 

‘WEAVING A TAPESTRY OF LIBERATION- FROM ASHES AND BROKENESS 

TO HEALING’. 

Moumita Biswas 

Executive Secretary 

Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice and Youth Empowerment Cluster 

CCA 

20

October, 2010 

“The fruit of justice will be peace” (Isaías 32:17 ) 

Greetings my sisters on behalf of hundreds of faithful Christian women that 

are committed to CLAI’s ministry through their involvement in the Women 

and Gender Justice Ministry (PMJG) and the Fellowship of the Least Coin. 

The presence of the PMJG is a serious challenge in the 20 countries of 

the continent where the machismo, patriarchal and sexist culture prevails 

through the exclusion and violence, marked strongly by discrimination in its 

various manifestations. 

Another aspect that we can not ignore, refers to the strong global crisis which 

brought a decline in resources from various international supporting agencies 

and the sending of remittances, affecting several programs, including the 

PMJG. 

However, we wish to emphasize the commitment of women who, regardless of 

the challenges that surround them, continue to find ways to pray, dialogue, 

strategize and work together with conviction and determination. 

Strengthening of the PMJG 

21

From the PMJG we have worked on strengthening what already exists and 

identify what needs to be put in place at the regional level. As we look at 

the past year, we want to share with you some examples of the opportunities 

made possible through the PMJG for the accomplishment of these goals. 

Regional Gathering: “DIACONIA and Gender Relations” 

From June 26 to 28, in the Casa de Jornada Pio XI House, São Paulo, the 

National Gathering of the PMJG/Brazil Region, was held. The theme that 

served as convener of the meeting was “Diaconia and Gender Relations”, 

with the participation of the churches and member organizations. The main 

presenter in the theme of gender relations, was Rev. Haidi Jarschel of the 

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil (IECLB), who has a long history in the 

topic of gender and violence in the work with churches, government and nongovernment 

organizations as well as in public policies in the region. 

Regional Gathering: How do we perceive each other: Gender and Identity 

On the afternoon of July 27, we met at CLAI’s in Quito, with women and men 

involved in the PMJG. It is a group that meets every two weeks. Present at 

the meeting were not only member-churches but also other organizations and 

Catholic institutions all from Quito. 

Regional Gathering: “Strengthening our networks” 

The regional meeting of the Andean PMJG was held October 3-4 in the city 

of Lima, Peru. Convened under the theme “strengthening our networks”, 

coordinators of the four countries of the regional PMJG participated in the 

analysis of the situation from the gender perspective of the national sociopolitical, 

economic, cultural and religious diversity of the countries of the 

region, as well as the reconstruction of the historical memory of the PMJG. 

22

Regional Gathering: Puerto Rico 

Optimizing my stay in San Juan, P.R. thanks to the support of the Fellowship 

of the Least Coin, we had two encounters with Puerto Rico PMJG sisters. 

The first was a lunch-meeting by the invitation of 5 prominent country leaders 

where we engaged in a pleasant dialogue on new directions for the new CLAI 

context and how this affects the participation of the PMJG in the country, as 

well as to share concerns and challenges of PMJG to the country and the 

continent. 

The second meeting was held on September 11 during a dinner meeting 

sponsored by CLAI and with the presence of more than 20 churches and 

agencies that make up the PMJG in Puerto Rico. It was eminently a moment 

to know us and share work, dreams and celebrations. 

Regional Gathering: “Stengthening our networks” 

September 12 to 13, were the 

dates for the regional meeting of 

the Caribbean and great Colombia 

PMJG in the city of Santo Domingo, 

Dominican Republic, convened 

under the theme “Strengthening 

our networks”, with the 

participation of the coordinators 

of the PMJG five countries that 

make up the region. 

The main focus was on the analysis 

of the national socio-political and 

religious diversity of the countries 

of the region, as well as the reconstruction of the historical memory of the 

PMJG. 

23

Significant time was spent in outlining the strategic lines and challenges in 

the region and creating mechanisms for a more fluid articulation that may 

bring about a better communication in the region and the continent. 

We thank the FLC for allowing Cecilia to hold this meeting, since the trip to 

Puerto Rico allowed her to stop in the Dominican Republic, thus optimizing 

resources available for the meeting that took place two days earlier in San 

Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Regional Gathering: Mesoamérica 

In the city of Managua, Nicaragua, from 16 to the 17 of October, took place 

the “Strengthening our networks” regional meeting of the Mesoamerica 

PMJG, with the participation of the coordinators of the PMJG from the seven 

countries that make up the region. 

One of the highlights of our meeting was the visit of the Woman’s Hospital, 

which is a reference in Managua and assists women with cancer, among other 

specialties. The FLC supports these women through the project “Open doors”, 

coordinated by the Rev. Blanca Cortés. 

Regional Gathering: Río de La Plata 

The city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 24-25 held the meeting of 

the regional PMJG of Río de la Plata, with the participation of the PMJG 

coordinators from the three countries that make up the region, as well as the 

Argentina coordinator and the Youth organization from the same region. 

Basic to the planning process was the strategic lines for the region and 

the creation of 

mechanisms that 

would facilitate the 

communication 

among the 

regional and 

c o n t i n e n t a l 

components. 

During both days, 

the women were 

invited by several 

g o v e r n m e n t 

and community 

e n t i t i e s 

participate of 

activities related to 

the International 

24

Day of “No More Violence Against Women. “ 

Fellowship of the Least Coin: 

During the second week of September, we, Cecilia and Yamina met in San Juan, 

Puerto Rico. This meeting made possible by the FLC gave us the opportunity 

to bring up to date the information for 20 countries in the PMJG on the 

submission of projects to the FLC. HMMP. We also designed strategies for 

presentation of funding requests from the regions; the process that would be 

followed; the requirements, such as the written support from CLAI’s regional 

“tables” and other communication and promotional strategies. 

We discussed the projects to be presented to the ICFLC for their appoval and 

agreed upon the information to be shared with the regional PMJG coordinators 

and leaders as well as the regional secretaries in order to emphasize on the 

support provided by the FLC to our churches and organization and how best 

to facilitate the sharing of information through the PMJG web page as well as 

the channels of communication within our regions. 

We have seen an increase in the number of churches and organizations 

seeking information and applying for the FLC grants. Yamina,, for example, 

has received invitations from several groups in Puerto Rico, to share about the 

history of the FLC. Most of these groups have not had any involvement in the 

FLC and have shared their interest in participating in prayer and the setting 

aside of the least coin. 

As we conclude this report, we want to express our deep gratitute to all of 

you, our ICFLC sisters for your solidarity in prayer and financial support on 

25

ehalf of our sisters and brothers in Haiti and Chile. We are reminded of what 

Cora keeps saying, this is not about the coins, it’s about prayer. Indeed it is 

all about prayer, the prayer that opens our eyes so that we may be able to see 

the suffering of the least of these, and respond according to the love of Christ 

which is in us and though us for the blessing of all of God’s children.. 

May God continue to bless you and work through you as channels of 

reconciliation and love by the same Spirit at work in Shanti. 

Paz y esperanza, 

Rev. Cecilia Castillo Nanjarí Rev. Yamina Apolinaris 

Continental Coordinator PMJG CLAI Representative ICFLC 

26

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED-USA 

To my Sisters of the International Committee for the Fellowship of the Least Coin, 

It is with a grateful heart that I, on behalf of Church Women United, USA 

greet you in appreciation for all that our outreach ministry has been able to 

accomplish to “Build A World Fit for All God’s Children.” 

Last year the two Project Grants that were approved for North America have 

made a world of difference in the lives of those children and their families. I 

would also like to thank our Executive Secretary, Cora, for excusing me one 

evening last year so that I could go and visit the I Can Fly International School 

which is located in the hills of Nairobi, Kenya (Machakos). The children and 

teachers were delighted to see another woman from America. The founder of 

the school is a young woman from America who was inspired by the Holy Spirit 

ten years ago to come to Africa and start a school. Some of the children walk 

an hour to school and an hour back home. The I Can Fly International School 

is the only school for the children who live high in the hills of Machakos. The 

Project Grant was for 7 computers with monitors, keyboards and modem and 

a generator to power it all. These computers will open up a whole new world 

for the children of Machakos. Please note the children and the computers are 

up and working. 

The second grant 

was for the Milk and 

Medicine Program 

for the children of 

Lusaka, Zambia. The 

Alliance for Children 

Everywhere has been 

helping children and 

families since 1969. 

In Lusaka there is a 

staff of social workers 

which interface with 

the hospitals to help 

with babies that are 

left by the mothers 

or their families. There are various scenarios as to why babies are left at the 

hospital and all of them are heart breaking. Zambia is one of the poorest 

27

countries in Africa, with 80% unemployment. The Milk and Medicine program 

goes out into the community once a month and leaves with the various families 

on the list a months supply of food supplements and the necessary medicine 

for the children. Truly this is a program that saves lives. 

The mission of Church Women United is still to be a light in our diverse 

society. For the 2008-2012 Quadrennial Priorities we have selected the 

following issues. Health: and to support programs that educate and 

encourage a healthy lifestyle and that will promote preventive health care. 

Environmental Care: God has given us dominion over creation. It is our 

responsibility as Christians to be our brothers and sisters keeper and to help 

create or maintain clean water and unpolluted air, to create or uphold all the 

laws that regulate a balance between humanity and nature. Peace: within the 

individual person, peace and harmony in our relationships within the family 

and with our fellow human beings. We are also addressing peace in our 

communities (non-violence against women and children) and internationally. 

Economic Justice: we are working with other community organizations to 

raise the public’s awareness about the unfair treatment of women in the job 

market as well as the unfair treatment of the older women in our society. 

Trafficking of our women and children is also being addressed. 

The Fellowship of the Least Coin is one of the favorite ministries of the ladies of 

Church Women United. At our local, state and regional meetings the offering 

container is placed on each of the dinner tables. As the ladies make their 

contributions a prayer is read from our “Circle of Prayer” book. It is rewarding 

to know that your small gift of love can come together with offerings from 

other women and they can make such a difference in the lives of women and 

children all over the world. 

Let us now invite you all to our 70th Birthday Celebration in December of 

2011. We are returning to the roots of our origin, Atlantic City, New Jersey. 

For 70 years Church Women United has been a light of love and compassion 

advocating for women, children and the family, and bringing the message of 

salvation in Jesus Christ. 

Margurite A. Carter 

National President 

Church Women United, USA 

28

ECUMENICAL FORUM OF 

EUROPEAN CHRISTIAN WOMEN 

“Pray and Act” - may I call it the slogan of FLC!? This “slogan” was filled 

with life during the ICFLC meeting in Nairobi. Why? Attending the meeting 

for the first time, I was deeply moved by the way the two words became the 

living token of faith and love when my husband suddenly passed away on 

the last morning of our gathering. With love, care, prayer and action both 

ICFLC members and the staff of the AACC Ecumenical Centre supported me. 

Gratefulness for this support carried me through the first year of mourning. 

Thank you! 

The economic crisis is still omnipresent also in Europe. The crisis hits especially 

women who lose their jobs but also threatens the social cohesion. Europe 

also experienced ecological disasters like huge flooding in Eastern/Central 

Europe and in these days the catastrophe in Hungary where a dam retaining 

toxic refuse broke and the toxic mud destroyed houses, fields and rivers. It is 

therefore important that the women’s organizations work for safeguarding the 

creation, combat social injustice, trafficking and migration. 

The most important event for EFECW was the General Assembly, a quadrennial 

event, Under the theme: “Participation and Responsibility – On the Path of 

Justice is Life” 166 women from 27 European, from different national and 

confessional background, from all walks of life and age groups came together 

in the Evangelische Akademie, Loccum, Germany. Besides business sessions, 

there was a rich offer of keynotes and workshops all related to the theme. 

The highlight was of course that ICFLC Executive Secretary Corazon Tabing- 

Reyes attended the meeting. Her presence brought a new dimension to EFECW 

by her bringing the message from Asia but also from all other regions of FLC 

involvements and to promote FLC. 

A new Coordinating Committee was elected with a majority of younger women 

now in action, one of them the head steward. This shows how important the 

steward programme is because it involves young women in the process of the 

assembly. The steward programme was headed by Jill King and received the 

financial support from FLC. EFECW is very grateful for this contribution. 

One of the final message’s statements says “Taking responsibility is the 

Christian way of ‘being here for others’!” This reflects the vision for the 

future engagement of EFECW to continue its advocacy for social, economic 

and climate justice and overcoming violence in cooperation with women 

organizations in other regions of the world. 

29

EPIL-- European Project for Inter religious Learning held its last module in 

Lebanon, February 2010. This project received support from FLC the year 

before. It is just mentioned here to show that the project came to a successful 

end. 

The Young Roma Women’s Programme, second phase, was held in Georgia. 

The Roma problem is not only present in Central/Eastern Europe but 

through migration now also quite strong in Western European countries. For 

the moment France is in the headlines for repatriating Romas from Bulgaria 

and Romania. The causes of migration are of course poverty, analphabetism, 

lack of education. This is why such programmes like proposed by ENYA 

Ecumenical Network of Youth Action are so important. The course gathered 

about 60 young women. It focused on social and economic injustice and 

the importance of education in order to encourage young Roma women to 

attend school, to acquire self-confidence and self-esteem which empowers 

them to engage in working for social justice and raises their awareness of 

‘false promises’ (danger of getting trafficked). This project was also supported 

by a financial contribution from FLC. ENYA thanks for the support. 

I look back on a very active FLC year. Participating in preparing the next 

Circle of Prayer was a new experience. The friendship, love and solidarity of 

the FLC world wide family gives another dimension to life; it’s inspiring and 

encouraging. 

Catherine Gyarmathy 

Representative for Europe 

30

As a sign of the historical sisterhood of ACWC and FLC, the ACWC 

invited the ICFLC in its 14th General Assembly on October 15-19, 2010 

prior to the 30th ICFLC AM, October 20-23. The two events were held at 

Kinasih Conference, Outbound &Resort in Bogor, Indonesia, hosted by the 

Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI). 

At the Opening Worship 

and Opening Ceremony 

of ACWC GA 

ICFLC with Mrs. Linda Amalia Sari, ACWC GA keynote speaker 

31 

Prior to and During the 30 th Annual Meeting, Bogor, Indonesia 

A Glimpse of the 

ICFLC Activities


32 

ICFLC Activ 

Prior to and During the 30 th Annual Meeting, Bog 

ICFLC with Asian sisters and some brothers —ACWC GA 

The ICFLC Scholarship Committee 

The ICFLC Finance Committee

ities 

or, Indonesia 

A gift of love, a new ICFLC banner, 

from Margurite Carter of CWU 

Rev. Dr. Lintje H. Pellu, 

ACWC GA bible study 

leader, received FLC 

materials 

ICFLC Celebration dinner:Asinate Samate of PCC, 

Karmila Jusup of PGI and Annette Poiter of WDPIC 

33

ICFLC Activities 


Prior to and During the 30 th Annual Meeting, Bogor, Indonesia 

Don’t worry, Pauline, FLC 

is in good hands! 

34 

Goodbye, Shu-Wen. 

We’ll miss you! 

Thank you, Rev. Krise Gosal of PGI, our host. 

Pat Allinson with Rev. Lee 

Moon Sook, new ACWC 

Executive Secretary

THE MIDDLE EAST COUNCIL OF CHURCHES 

Another year has passed and it’s a real pleasure to report to you again about 

God’s love and grace which fill our lives and our service to the Lord. 

It was a real pleasure for me to have contact with the churches and leaders in 

Palestine and Nazareth and to make FLC known to them. While representing 

ICFLC during the General Assembly of Fellowship of the Middle East 

Evangelical (Protestant) Churches many were introduced to Fellowship of the 

Least Coin. 

Women have continued having their prayers and putting their least coins 

aside especially in Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. I had the chance to introduce 

FLC also to leaders from Iraq and hopefully we’ll have a project from Iraq. The 

Middle East Council of Churches is still in financial crisis and is struggling 

for its survival. Church leaders are working on the renewal and revival of the 

council. 

May the light of FLC continue to reach many and may we continue to be 

faithful followers of Jesus Christ. 

Let’s continue to pray for each other and for peace, justice and 

reconciliation. 

Yours Prayerfully, 

Esther Kilaghbian 

Representative of the Middle East 

35

PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES 

Greetings from the islands of the Pacific conveyed to you 

by our Pacifika song: 

Chorus: Pasifika! Pasifika! 

With throbbing reef and coral shore 

For fish and shell and mighty whale 

For your gifts our thanks we pour. 

FLC Pacific Regional Committee Meeting 2010 

On 22nd June 2010, the members of the FLC Pacific regional committee, 

namely: Rev. Valamotu Palu, Mrs. Titilia Vakadewavosa, Dr. Namulauulu Potoi 

and Dr. ‘Asinate Samate met at Nuku’alofa Hotel in Tongatapu. The meeting 

coincided with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ordination of 

women ministers in the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (FWCT) to which all 

the committee members were invited to attend. But one was absent in the 

meeting. 

The following needs, issues and concerns were raised: 

need to improve communication with the PCC Office in Suva, Fiji, and 

to have more effective ways of money transactions for FLC expenses 

and accessing funds from the block grant; 

need to improve communication with women leaders in the rest of the 

Pacific Region; 

need to recruit more Pacific women leaders to serve in the FLC regional 

committee; 

to organize more promotion of FLC in the Pacific such as Ingathering 

Service, dissemination of information, distribution of promotional 

materials and collection of least coins for project funding. 

FLC Ingathering Service 2010 

Some of the ingathering services to promote FLC in the Pacific in 2010 were 

organized to coincide with the International Day of Prayer for Peace organized 

by WCC and by the United Nations. In Fiji, a special ceremony was held at 

Davuilevu Theological College on September 21 to commemorate that event. 

Some of the leaders of the church and government attended. 

Also in Fiji, Mrs. Titilia Vakadewavosa, organized an FLC ingathering service 

on September 24th at Nasese Methodist Church of Muanikau Circuit. Women 

36

from different churches and occupations participated. They used the FLC 

liturgy, distributed coin boxes and promotional materials, collected the least 

coins, recruited new members and talked to interested people, followed by 

lunch. 

The Ingathering Service, held in consultation and solidarity with the Englishspeaking 

Christian congregation of Tonga, was on 19th September at Moulton’s 

Hall, Free Wesleyan Church Center in Nuku’alofa, attended by around 70 

people. The Anglican Youth Choir of St. Paul’s Church led the singing. Sister 

Dr. Keiti-ann of the Roman Catholic Church did the message. During the 

prayers for women of different regions, the readers lighted a small candle 

from a big candle as a sign of FLC shining out into the world in promoting 

prayers for peace, justice and reconciliation. Dr. Asinate Samate spoke on the 

history of FLC, meaning of the logo, and the work of FLC in the Pacific. The 

service ended with everyone pasting a flower to a traditional garland called 

“tuituivao” symbolizing Tongan women with different gifts, talents, abilities, 

ideas and understanding who are bound together with the unbroken bond of 

love. 

FLC promotional materials, coin boxes and a copy of the Liturgy for the 

Ingathering Service were sent out to some of the other Pacific islands such 

as Niue Island through Mrs. Vailita Pihigia. More promotional work for FLC 

in the Pacific Island nations will be planned to coincide with the PCC Pre- 

Assembly meetings in late 2011 and early 2012. 

FLC Projects 2010 

For 2010, three projects were approved for the Pacific Region. Reports are 

awaiting from the Goroka Project (Women/Girls Human Rights Project) from 

PNG. 

1. Project Translation and Publication of Curriculum on Violence 

against Women to be taught in theological colleges around the 

Pacific. A progress report on translation work in Fijian, Samoan, 

Tongan, Kiribati, Pidgin and Tahitian languages was received from 

Mrs. Titilia Vakadewavosa. Three translators’ meetings have been 

organized. As Titilia commented: “ It is encouraging to see and realize 

the amount of effort they are putting on this work in terms of reaching 

the right concept and meaning, right and relevant words, especially 

when you are dealing with sex, culture and theology. They have to 

be commended for their perseverance and hard work towards the 

valuable resource book.” (email on 4 September 2010) 

2. Project Celebration 2010 (Tonga). Fifteen women ministers of the 

Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (FWCT) either residing, studying or 

37

working in England, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Tonga attended. 

Six Tongan women ministers invited from other denominations in 

USA, Australia and NZ also came. The celebration started with a 

retreat on the week-end of 18th-20th of June at the Good Samaritan 

Beach. During the FWCT Annual Conference a day was spent for the 

anniversary programme starting with a 6 a.m. morning service where 

the first ordained woman minister preached. The activities were a 

three hour fasting programme run by the 15 women ministers on 

the theme “YOU, THE CHRIST, IN US”. Presentations consisted of 

drama, poetry reading, musical performance, power point and verbal 

presentation, and intercessory prayers. 

The Queen Mother then launched the two books written by women 

ministers and theologians, entitled: “Kaunanga” (Women ministers in 

the ministry of serving) and the “Voices of Tongan Women: Theological 

Reflections”. The books were published with FLC and WCC funding 

and part of it was to promote FLC. Sales of the books will become 

seed money for more writing and publications by women in Tonga, in 

the Pacific region and beyond. 

Current Pacific Issues 

The island nations of the Pacific are vulnerable to many external factors—be 

they political, economic, religious, social or national disasters. The tsunami 

victims of the Solomons, Samoa and Tonga are still recovering from the 

aftermath. People of Fiji and the Methodist Church are currently affected 

by the military rule of the government. The Solomon government is still 

negotiating with Australia regarding the RAMSI Project. Tonga will be facing 

the challenge of a new government after the November election. The political 

and economic impact of the presence of China in the Pacific. The increasing 

use of the Pacific countries in the trafficking of drugs and dangerous goods. 

And many more! 

May I urge FLC to pray about food security in the Pacific and the detrimental 

effects of global warming and climate change especially on the low-lying fat 

atolls of Tuvalu, Kiribati, Niue, Tokelau, Marshalls, Nauru, Palau, Guam, 

Tonga and many others , which years from now, may be drowned and 

disappear under water. 

There is a need for both governments and people, on policy-making, planning, 

educational and on every level, to work together on alleviating factors that 

worsen the situation such as burning rubbish, cutting down trees, removing 

sand from beaches, destroying mangroves, emptying toxic wastes into the sea 

and lagoon, using pesticides and sprays which flow into the sea and seep into 

underground water and depleting marine resources for mass exports. 

38

To promote a healthy lifestyle and to protect the environment, we have to 

act responsibly and make small moves starting from our daily lifestyle such 

as plating a mangrove plant, sorting out our rubbish and recycle them, not 

burning plastics, doing organic farming, installing cleaner energy sources 

such as windmill, solar power and wave power and promoting our traditional 

diet of sea foods, greens, root crops, tropical fruits and home-grown chickens 

rather than depending on the unhealthy imported processed foodstuffs from 

other countries. 

FLC Scholarship Award for Young Women (SAYW) 

Information on the FLC web site and FLC SAYW application forms were sent 

to the FLC Pacific regional committee members and some contact persons in 

various countries. As a result, two women from Fiji applied for scholarship 

award. However, there is a need for better management, advertisement, 

communication and dissemination of information regarding this in the 

future. 

Words of Thanks 

We, FLC Pacific, would like to show our thanks and appreciation to ACWC 

for the invitation to attend the 14th Assembly and enjoy a small part of the 

beautiful country and people of Indonesia; to Cora Tabing-Reyes and the 

Executive Committee, to ICFLC members, to the Pacific Regional Committee 

and those who have given support to FLC Pacific and make them feel welcome 

into the prayer fellowship of the wider FLC Family. It is our prayer that the 

God of peace and justice will fill and empower all of s as we live and share the 

FLC message with our sisters and brothers all over the world. 

Thank you and May God bless us all 

‘Asinate F. Samate 

39

WOMEN’S INTER-CHURCH COUNCIL OF CANADA 

Greetings and blessings from Canada! Coming from my little 

island Province, Newfoundland, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in Canada, 

it is quite an honour for me to be your representative on the International 

Committee for the Fellowship of the Least Coin. Actually, though, it was 

from attending my first church women’s group meeting in Grand Falls, 

Newfoundland in 1975 that I first experienced pennies being collected for 

the Fellowship of the Least Coin. This led to my first ingathering service 

the next spring in that town, attended also by groups from other religious 

denominations. I was awestruck by the story of how it all first began, what it 

does and what it is continuing to do. Even more amazing, is the fact that I 

now represent Canada on this International Committee. 

Across our country, we now have 516 groups participating in FLC and more 

are joining each year. To these participants is sent each September a mailing 

with the following: Ingathering Service, FLC jar labels, list of that year’s grant 

recipients, prayer cards, FLC brochures, Circle of Prayer booklets and order 

forms. There is also information about how to order additional resources at 

minimal cost. One of the best resources I find helpful when introducing FLC 

is a quick fact sheet which – in a page – tells how we came into being, what we 

are about and how to be a part of this great mission to women. 

Of course, this free information also comes with a price tag for us which 

is greatly alleviated by our Block Grant of $5,000. WICC proudly covers 

the additional costs of being the voice of the FLC in Canada. We feel it a 

wonderful and worthwhile use of the grant – to spread “our good news.” Our 

Women’s Interchurch Council of Canada office has great staff who look after 

our resources well and promote FLC in many ways. 

The Ambassador Kit, assembled in recent years, also serves us well and it’s 

valuable information is distributed at group meetings, seminars, ingathering 

services, on our website and in our Riding the Waves publication printed three 

times yearly and with a distribution of 5,000 copies. We are proud to have 

this venue to tell others the good news stories regarding our FLC grants as 

well as other great news about our organization as a whole. We are especially 

proud of the inclusion of topical stories from youth, who share their insights 

into our changing world and show they care. 

From the Canadian World Day of Prayer offerings received at WICC, we are 

pleased to fill the needs of many grant requests. We were deeply touched this 

40

year by the response in this area, which, as late monies arrived for WDP, gave 

us the ability to allocate them to immediate needs - $10,000 for Pakistan and 

an additional $2,000 for Haiti. 

Another new initiative this year at WICC, is the sale of a limited edition print 

of a painting donated to us by a renowned Canadian artist, David Alexander 

Risk. The painting is named “Awakening” and is a beautiful “evening by the 

lake” scene that the artist gives us the privilege of naming. The proceeds 

from the sale of the prints will be awarded to assist our First Nations women’s 

groups in their endeavours. This year, to date, we expect to give $3,000 

towards aiding them in their worthwhile projects. 

I thank you, most sincerely, for the opportunity to represent Canada and 

WICC on this International Committee. To join with like-minded sisters in 

spirit, doing God’s work of love and caring for others, is a blessing and a 

privilege. 

Inez Penney 

41

WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES 

Women in Church and Society Programme 

World Council of Churches’ (WCC) Women in Church and Society (WICAS) 

Project as part of WCC Programme 1: Ecumenism in the 21st Century focuses 

on integrating a gender perspective to the WCC’s vision of just peaceable unity 

by creating space for women’s participation and voice as part and parcel of 

the ecumenical movement. The women involved come from different Christian 

traditions, regions and age groups. 

Whether in theology or the living of their faith in genuine spirituality, these 

women’s meaningful participation in church and society is often threatened 

by violence, racism, feminization of poverty, disease, ecological degradation 

and other human caused and structural crises. With an accent on advocacy 

to address the scandal of violence against women in the framework of the 

Decade to Overcome Violence, and commitment to accompanying women as 

they live their spiritualities of resilience, healing and wholeness, WICAS offers 

a space for creative pedagogical dialogue between women’s diverse voices and 

experiences across regions and denominations. 

With the acknowledgement that most of the violence that women suffer is 

directly caused by men, WICAS has been collaborating with World Communion 

of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in a process of involving men in positive 

masculinities for partnership. Through consultation, training and journeying 

together, WICAS and WCRC have developed a gender training manual from 

men’s perspectives with men in mind, which is currently being published and 

is expected to be out mid-November 2010. This has been possible partly by 

the meaningful support that FLC has given to WICAS and therefore we are so 

grateful to be partners for a just peace community of women and men. 

Women’s Programme focus for 2009-2011: 

With the focus on developing a just peace community of women and men 

where violence against women is history, WICAS has been working to achieve 

the following objectives: 

• Developing a clear theological rationale based on each region’s contextual 

principles of communitarian co-existence and interdependence of female 

and male so as to curb violence against women and children; 

• Facilitating regional consultations aimed at gender justice awareness, 

advocacy and training; 

42

• Developing a gender training manual from male perspective (with men 

in mind) as a theological resource which will outline methodologies, 

strategies as well as content for gender justice awareness, advocacy and 

training for churches and church-based organizations; 

• Developing from a 10 minute video produced by Chedza media, produce 

a 48 minutes video project capturing stories of transformation from being 

perpetrators of violence against women and children to gender equitable 

men; 

• To enhance the women’s experiences and spiritualities as authentic and 

essential contribution to the ecumenical movement and development of 

positive masculinities as a direct contribution to addressing gender-based 

violence, focusing on the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) and the 

process towards the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC). 

• Share some good practices through workshops and seminars at the IEPC 

event in Jamaica, May 2011. 

• Networking women’s regional initiatives that aim at addressing violence 

against women especially at the IEPC event in Jamaica, May 2011. 

A signature of gratitude 

The production of the gender training manual from the process of gender 

awareness training that had started in 2007 until January 2010 is a result of 

the positive collaboration that has been taking place between ICFLC and WCC 

especially through WICAS. It is both a sign of hope that is deeply rooted in the 

power of women’s solidarity and networking, but it is also a committed prayer 

from the bleeding hearts of women and men who have seen enough suffering 

and victimization of women and children by those who have the tendency to 

abuse power: A prayer of faith to a God of justice and love, who hears and 

answers prayers. Committed to the ecumenical vision for just peace unity, we 

can boldly declare with Audre Lorde: 

“When I dare to be powerful—to use my strength in the service of my vision, 

then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid!” 

Dr. Fulata Moyo 

Programme Executive 

43

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE 

The annual block grant from ICFLC for the year 2010 will be applied to 

the travel and accommodation expenses of the WDPIC Executive Committee 

that will meet before the 2012 WDPIC International Meeting to be conducted 

in New York City. This is the long standing practice of WDPIC and WDPIC 

expresses its deep appreciation for the partnership with the Fellowship of the 

Least Coin, which has been mutually supportive in our joint commitment to 

reconciliation and peace. 

Ecumenical Partnership 

During this year, 2010, WDPIC has been concerned that the Centennial 

Anniversary of the Edinburgh Conference in 1910 not overlook or marginalize 

the major role that women played then and now in the ecumenical movement. 

Already by 1910, women in the United States were preparing for a Golden 

Jubilee of protestant women’s missionary organizations and ecumenical 

partnerships. 

With regard to the Edinburgh Conference in June 2010, WDPIC worked with 

United Methodist Women and with WDP National Committee in Scotland 

in celebrating women’s contributions by participating in a parallel event, a 

worship service in a local church. 

WDPIC has advocated with the National Council of Churches of Christ in 

the USA that women have a visible place at their November 2010 annual 

assembly which is also a celebration of the Edinburgh Centennial. WDPIC will 

give a greeting at the opening session. 

Our respective movements are rooted in women’s contributions to ecumenism 

and we honor this legacy as a source by which we press forward to fulfill the 

Gospel challenge in building the kingdom of God now, a world at peace and 

people reconciled with one another. 

Promotion of Fellowship of the Least Coin is supported in the following ways: 

In the annual WDPIC Journal there is a section on our ecumenical 

partnership with Fellowship of the Least Coin. 

Promotion by many WDP Committees and by WDPIC Chairperson and 

coordination of special projects by WDPIC office. 

Eileen King 

Executive Director, WDPIC 

44

Fellowship of the Least Coin Project Grants 2011 

AFRICA 

1. Operating Millet Grinding Machine for Empowering Women, 

Burkina Faso, $5,000 

The project aims to operate a community-based millet grinding machine 

to save women from painful handwork and at reduced cost; provide 

employment to women who will operate the machine; and contribute to 

organize women for other social projects. A millet grinding machine will 

allow women of Nongsom to make flour out of corn, millet or sorghum. 

The flour is then used to cook a mashed dish called “sagbo,” staple food in 

Burkina Paso. Some women (female committee members) will be trained 

to operate the machine and to manage the other linked activities. 

2. Workshop on Gender-Based Violence, DR Congo, $5,000 

With this project, the United Methodist Church aims to equip women 

leaders with relevant skills to provide trauma healing and prevent 

gender-based violence and fight against HIV/AIDS. As the war has made 

thousands of victims in women and children rapes, there were many 

divorces, contested pregnancies and babies, and women HIV/AIDSinfected. 

The church wants to provide trauma healing and prevent GBV; 

thus 30 women leaders, 10 youth leaders and 10 pastor leaders will be 

equipped with relevant skills in order to face this challenge. 

3. Domestic Violence: Focus on Children, Ghana, $5,000 

The project of Institute of Women in Religion and Culture aims to 

investigate how religion and culture are implicated in the trafficking of 

children and the marriage of minors and sensitize women of faith to act on 

behalf of children. The project is a follow-up to what was already done by 

the IWRC for almost a decade of creating awareness and sensitizing faith 

communities in Africa regarding issues that women raise. IWRC plans 

a national conference of 100 women and men on the theme: “Domestic 

Violence: Focus on Child Trafficking and Marriage of Minors.” 

4. Empowering Women through Leadership Training, Kenya, $5,000 

The project of the UMC Women Fellowship is organizing 3 training 

workshops in different regions of Kenya for empowerment of 60 younger 

women leaders. They would in return take their rightful leadership 

opportunities in the families, church and society, providing leadership 

45

and making informed decisions. Their lives would be improved and those 

of the disadvantaged groups in the community like the women, children, 

disabled and youths. 

5. Participation in World YWCA Council Meeting 2011, 

Kenya, $2,500 

The support being requested from ICFLC is to facilitate the participation of 

1 delegate from YWCA Kenya to the World YWCA Council 2011 in Zurich 

from 10th-16th July 2011. In line with the Council theme “Women 

Creating a Safe World,” it is imperative that YWCA Kenya delegates attend 

the meeting to share their perspectives of the theme and to contribute 

towards the World YWCA Strategic Plan for the next four years following 

the Council 2011. 

6. Esther, Sierra Leone, $5,000 

The project will empower 60 Muslim and Christian women and 30 

selected men in Metropolitan Freetown and selected rural communities in 

Kenema District, through inductive approach of adult learning in series 

of workshops to advocate for peace, justice and reconciliation among 

families, community and social environment. This project will complement 

previous projects carried out by the Human Rights and Social Service 

Department of Council of Churches in Sierra Leone on implications of 

Gender Act and Child Rights Act, the role of the church in ending HIV/ 

AIDS stigmatization and care of persons and families living with HIV/AIDS, 

and Gender Justice initiative among Christian and Muslim women. 

7. Women Literacy Project, Togo, $4,500 

The project aims to give facilities to 50 Methodist women to write and read 

the Bible in their local language and offer them skills to manage their 

socio-economic activities. The literacy project will be located in Kante 

where main activities of the population are based on agriculture—planting 

staple food and cash crops and raising domestic animals. 

8. Capacity Building for Women Leaders in Economic Literacy 

Programme, Togo and Benin, $5,000 

The project, which is one of the mandates of the AACC Women’s 

programme, aims to: 

Build the capacity of 20 Women Leaders from 4 member churches 

in Togo and Benin in Economic Literacy Programme to help them 

overcome poverty; 

Train them in matters of peace, especially before and after elections, 

46

so that they play an active role in Peace Building; 

Raise awareness on how to handle Gender-Based Violence that is 

increasing in the region. 

9. Sensitization Workshops on Women’s Bill, Gambia, $5,000 

The project of Women’s Affairs and Family life Sub-Committee of The 

Gambia Christian Council aims to enable Christian women to participate 

fully in the advocacy for changes in laws which affect them as women and 

as Christians in particular. Through series of workshops the project will 

educate Christian women on The Women’s Bill, the laws of The Gambia 

i.e. the Constitution and other women related laws. This will provide a 

forum for Christian women to discuss and debate on issues/laws which 

constrain the enhancement of their status in the Church and society, and 

make recommendations for change. 

EUROPE 

1. Project “Needle”, Poland, $5, 000 

The project of “Polska YWCA” aims to help strengthen a group of out-ofwork 

and marginalized women, of Bielorussian origin and belonging to 

Orthodox Church, by training them to sew and open small enterprises 

with sewing services. It is a continuation of the training started in 1998 

for women in the marginalized area of “Poland B” to learn to repair clothes 

for poor people. Now the thrust is for the women to have their own 

economy activity to overcome their poverty. Especially such activity is 

needed in the area close to the East boarder of Poland, close to Bielorussia. 

Women living here are much less educated and have much less access to 

education and other forms of trainings. 

2. Applying religion to encourage recognizing similarities among 

differences, Bosnia $5,000 

This project of Citizens’ Association Medica Zenica aims at education 

of women through wealth of their own experience to be able to see 

similarities through differences in religions. It involves gathering 75-100 

women of different professions who can through their work and activities, 

influence and advocate for human rights and elimination of gender 

inequality. Women, through 5 group workshops in 5 places and a followup 

big group meeting, would get to know each other, share experiences, 

behold similarities through differences in religions, become empowered 

through religious bases and gain knowledge about gender-based violence. 

Their discussion sessions would foster the idea that no tradition supports 

violence in family and community. 

47

3. Ecumenical Theological Seminar on Genesis 1, Russia, $5,000 

This seminar of Ecumenical Forum of European Christian women for 30 

Christian women of different denominations, members of EFECW national 

and local organizations, aims to understand the Christian call for the care 

of the Creation and good stewardship from a women’s perspective: 

To define the Christian call and women’s role and responsibility in 

the care of Creation and develop ecological awareness in our civil 

societies throughout Europe 

To present a diversity of theological perspectives on Creation and how 

they are connecting to Ecology 

To discuss and experience diverse forms of spirituality inspired by the 

Creation story of the Bible and its interpretation as liberating (and 

not oppressing) women and nature 

To discover / present national realities of positive and negative 

examples in safeguarding Creation 

To ensure both cognitive and experiential learning 

4. European Project for Interreligious Learning Study Course III, 

Switzerland, $5,000 

EPIL- an alternative discourse on Christian-Muslim relations in Europe, 

aims to enable Christian and Muslim women to learn to live together and 

to deepen their knowledge of each other; to overcome historical images of 

enmity between Christians and Muslims in Europe; and to face the new 

challenges of migrants often perceived as threats. Peaceful living together 

is possible. 

EPIL focuses on women who are often bypassed in official dialogue efforts, 

but who bring a wealth of competence in shaping and managing everyday 

situations of living together. EPIL wants to strengthen this competence. 

NORTH AMERICA 

1. Church Women United 70th Birthday Celebration, 

New Jersey, USA, $5,000 

The project aims to enable eight women to attend the 70th Birthday 

Celebration of CWU USA in Atlantic, New Jersey. Each CWU Regional 

Coordinator will select a candidate from her region to attend this Assembly 

in December 2011 The eight women selected will serve as messengers 

taking the work of CWU back to their local, state and regional events. The 

Assembly is coming together of Christian women from all over the United 

States from over 20 denominations to share in the CWU mission and 

quadrennial theme: “Building a World Fit for All God’s Children.” 

48

2. Southwest Ecumenical Emergency Assistance Center, Atlanta, USA 

$5,000 

The Southwest Ecumenical Emergency Assistance Center (SWEEAC) 

was founded in 1988 with the encouragement of the Christian Council of 

Metropolitan Atlanta to address the heavy demands of emergency services 

requested by members of the church community. The center provides 

food, clothing, food stamps enrollment, health care services, employment 

assistance and back to school supplies for children. Many of those served 

are households headed by single female, seeking to strengthen themselves 

financially, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

3. Grants to American Indians in Nebraska (GAIN), 

Nebraska, USA, $5,000 

Grants to American Indians in Nebraska (GAIN) is an ecumenical body 

that facilitates/oversees the granting of financial support to proposals 

benefiting American Indians in Nebraska in areas of recognized needs. 

These areas are: food and nutrition, health and medical services, emergency 

assistance, alcohol rehabilitation, and programs to modify structures and 

attitudes which perpetuate the suffering of American Indians in Nebraska 

(e.g. counseling and referral, employment opportunities, educational 

services). GAIN assures funding sources that applications for grants to 

projects ministering to American Indians are valid and appropriate. 

MIDDLE EAST 

1. Mission for Youth in the Holy Land, Jerusalem, 

West Bank, Jordan, S$5,000 

Being an important activity within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 

Jordan and Holy Land (ELCJHL), we try to alleviate the burdens our people 

face daily in the light of political, economic and social hardships. Given 

this situation, the ECLJHL does its best to move with its witness and 

mission among its congregational members and also among Christians 

of other affiliations. We therefore consider holding retreats, conferences, 

training courses, workshops and other rallies for our people, especially 

for young people as contribution form our part to promote spirituality, 

evangelization, and furthermore hinder emigration of Christians and the 

impact of drug addiction and other abuses among the youth, in particular 

and Christian families, in general. 

2. Evangelism among Women, Syria, $4,500 

The Armenian Evangelical Union has 7 active churches in Syria. Each 

49

church has its women’s group meetings and worship services. Further 

we have some joint meetings for worship and prayer. During summer we 

have 1 joint camp in Kessab village. The need for revival among women 

considers that they are guides of their children and families. Hear the 

good news, grow spiritually and serve the Lord. This is a reach out plan. 

To go beyond the boundaries and reach out to women who are desperate, 

neglected, spiritually impoverished and unproductive outside of their 

families. 

3. Women of God Reaching Out to Others, Lebanon, $5,000 

This is a project of Christian Education and Women’s Studies Resource 

Center of the Near East School of Theology aiming at training 10 women 

leaders who will come from churches in Baghdad, Karkouk, Basra and 

Mousoul of Iraq. This is a sequel to a women’s seminar conducted in 

April 2010 on “Women for Peace.” It aims to equip women leaders in the 

churches in Iraq to be able to better serve and minister in the churches 

especially among women and children. 

4. Prevention of Juvenile Female Delinquency at Nabaa Center, 

Lebanon, $5,000 

The project of Beit-el-Nour is a response to the effects of years of war in 

Lebanon and subsequent deterioration of the social and economic situation 

in the country and displacement of people. The specialized prevention 

program is being conducted at the suburbs of Bourj Hammoud-Nabaa, 

north of Beirut and among the most disadvantaged areas of Lebanon. The 

program helps young girls irrespective of race, color or religion, who have 

experienced traumatic situation of sexual abuse, physical maltreatment 

and moral abuse; psychological difficulties like slightly mentally retarded, 

psychological and behavioral disturbances; physical health problems 

due to lack of hygiene and illnesses; identity problems such as being 

illegitimate child or no identity card; social integration problems like 

difficulty in communication, work and schooling. At the family level they 

may have health problems, psychological, financial and social problems, 

drug taking, alcoholism, conflicts and imbalance in family relationships. 

At the community level they have environmental problems, promiscuity, 

gangs and lack of leisure centers for young people. 

5. “Blessed Mothers Assuming Wonderful Roles”, Lebanon, $5,000 

The Zvartnotz Center for Mentally Handicapped Children is the unique 

center in the Armenian community in Lebanon which aims at caring 

for all types of mentally disabled children with or without physical 

handicap, regardless of religious or ethnic consideration. The student 

50

ody is composed of 32-35 students aged 6-45. The main concentration 

is among those born between 1975 and 1994 i.e. 26 youth 50 % of which 

may be gradually trained to join non-sheltered outside market place. The 

project is to enhance the determination of a group of 12-15 committed 

mothers for self understanding, self esteem awareness, and assurance of 

the ability to make a difference individually and as a group of parents and 

families to improve their present and future conditions. 

CARIBBEAN 

1. Caribbean Link Ranger Gathering, Trinidad, West Indies, $5,000 

The project aims to give girls and young women of the Caribbean Link of 

Guiding an opportunity to meet and share experiences related to social 

issues they care about and to help them create positive, practical responses 

to deal with them. The Caribbean Link of Guiding is a sub-group of the 

Western Hemisphere Region (WHR) and part of the World Association 

of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). It comprises twenty Member 

Organizations (MOs) of the Caribbean. The purpose of the Link is to foster 

mutual cooperation and facilitate training as required for the growth and 

development of its members. 

PACIFIC 

1. Fellowship of the Least Coin Workshop, Niue Island, $5,000 

The project will bring together through two workshops Christian women 

in Niue to build and renew links in prayer, which brings everyone together 

in reconciliation, peace and justice. The workshop will cover issues that 

will reflect on the lives of women of Niue, e.g. strengthening knowledge of 

Christian ways, ways of maintaining healthy eating and healthy lifestyle 

within the homes, promotion of income generation activities for women to 

provide financially for home, community participation and involvement in 

ministry work, etc. 

2. Mitna Community Women/Girls Access to Education, 

Papua New Guinea, $5,000 

Mitna Community Women’s Group was formed in the 1990’s to address 

the issues of women’s lack of access to education, business opportunities, 

and development due to the strong tradition of male dominance resulting to 

suppression and denial of women and girls’ rights. MCWG is focusing this 

time on raising awareness of the importance of Access to Girls Education 

to parents and issues relating to women rights, helping girls who dropped 

out of the mainstream education with opportunity to continue their 

51

education through distance learning; provide literacy program to women 

and girls who have not had formal education. 2,500 women and girls will 

directly benefit from the project. 

3. Shelter Livelihood Program, Western Samoa, $4,820 

Samoa Victim Support Group Inc., the sponsor of the project, is the only 

organization in Samoa to offer emergency shelter for victims of domestic 

violence and sexual abuse. It is SVGS’s aim that the shelters will not 

only provide safe and secure accommodation but also enable victims to 

access the following facilities: counseling, legal assistance, public health 

resource, safe transport to school/medical facilities/court, etc; schooling; 

and livelihood training opportunities to break the vicious cycle of poverty 

and victimization. 

4. Strengthening Ecumenism thru Women’s Ecumenical 

Harmony Formation, Fiji $5,000 

The project, sponsored by the Pacific conference of Churches, is about 

strengthening ecumenism in the community through the ecumenical 

learning and formation of the women ministry leaders in the churches. 

There will be pilot workshop done in Fiji, with the aim to replicate this 

model in at least one other country, the Federated States of Micronesia in 

the Northern Pacific/Micronesia sub region in 2011. 

ASIA 

1. In God’s Image Journal, Indonesia, $5,000 

In God’s Image is a theological journal published by the Asian Women 

Resource Centre for Culture and Theology since 1982. Its purpose is to 

create a forum through which Asian women can share their theological 

thinking with the hope that it will be a growing medium of communication 

between theologically orientated women in Asia. It is also aimed at 

encouraging Asian women to articulate their theological thought in a 

variety of writings towards developing women doing contextual theology. 

The journal serves as a resource and theological reflection material 

to women engaging in theologizing in their daily living as well as in 

seminaries. 

2. Sinag Kababaihan Program, Philippines, $5,000 

Sinag Kababaihan is a project which aims at addressing the endemic 

problem of woman and child prostitution in Quezon City area and finding 

out how the church can effectively and concretely respond. The United 

52

Church of Christ in the Philippines has put up a center in the area through 

which the program is administered. The program includes the following 

components: Information, education, awareness and capability building; 

Contact building-organizing; Services- sanctuary care giving for women 

and children; Research and documentation; Advocacy and networking 

with agencies, institutions and churches; Monitoring and evaluation. 

3. Empowering Ecumenical Young Women for Service 

and Leadership, Philippines, $5,000 

The project, sponsored by the National Council of Churches in the 

Philippines, aims: 

1. To build and nurture the capacity of young women to deepen their 

ecumenical engagement and equip them with necessary tools needed 

in responding to the different issues and challenges of the time. 

2. To provide young women with opportunities for education, leadership 

skills training, and building capacity for issue advocacy and campaign 

as well as building networks and linkages. 

The components of the program are: Education and Empowerment thru 

Women’s Formation Courses and Seminar on Gender and Sexuality; 

Equipping Women through Skills Training: Theater Arts & Creative 

Writing Workshops, Leadership Training for Young Women; Advocacy 

and Publications; Networking and Linkages. 

4. Life River Project, Japan, $5,000 

Life River helps poor patients pay their hospital bill in Christian Hospital 

Chandraghona (CHC) and Community Center for the Handicapped 

(CCH) run by the Taize Community, both in Bangladesh. It started 15 

years ago when Dr. Kentaro Hatano, a medical missionary sent to CHC 

and Christian Leprosy Centre in Chandraghona, Bangladesh by Japan 

Overseas Christian Medial Cooperative Service, was about to leave there 

after ten years of service. Having had so many patients who were unable 

to get an operation or proper treatment due to their financial difficulties, 

he established a poor fund system by which a poor patient can receive 

fund for his/her hospital expense. A hospital staff responsible for this 

fund examines the patient’s financial state, and when the patient is found 

to be eligible to receive the fund, he/she gets support from the Life River. 

In the case of a hospitalized (in-patient), he/she is encouraged to pay as 

much as he/she can afford. Therefore according to a patient’s ability to 

pay, the Life River contributes part of patient’s hospital cost. This system 

works totally based on the relationship of mutual trust between Life River 

and CHC’s staff. The hospital sends patient’s report to Life River in Japan, 

and it sends these reports to the contributors of Life River. At present 

there are 320 supporters, and by receiving donation from them, Life River 

53

sends funds to these institutions in Bangladesh. The number of patients 

who have received the fund in the last five years are 2,622 in in-patient; 

21,222 in out-patient (both in CHC); and 320 in CCH. 

5. Awareness Raising on Women’s Health, Nepal, $5,000 

This project of Nepal Mahila Bishwasi Sangh (YWCA of Nepal) aims 

to give an intensive 5 day- training for two groups of 20 women in 

reproductive health, cervical and breast cancer awareness and uterine 

prolapse prevention. One other day would be practical exposure visits 

to a gynecological unit and to a hospice. This project is a response to a 

finding that 

a large number of the underprivileged population is unaware of primary 

health care, reproductive health and need for health education. Cervix 

and Breast Cancer are diseases that mostly affect women. However, they 

do not have easy access to prevention and cure. 

6. Marginal Women’s Assistance Program, Bangladesh, $5,000 

This project, sponsored by the Women Department of NCCBangladesh, 

aims to empower rural communities, especially women group, create and 

strengthen livelihood, improve nutritional status and reduce the poverty 

of landless, marginal and small rural households through boosting 

agricultural production. Women have always actively participated in their 

local economies. So the primary beneficiaries of the project are small and 

marginal farmers (women) engaged in production of crop vegetable. They 

will directly benefit from increased production, employment and income 

generated through the project. The project will include: Motivation, 

awareness and training of the beneficiary women; providing improved 

seeds, fertilizers and insecticides; providing agricultural machineries, 

livestock, animal feed and housing. 

7. Darkhan Tailor Shop, Mongolia, $5,000 

The Tailor Shop was established in 2008 with one tailor and one assistant 

and has been operating since then. We have tailored animation characters’ 

costume, dolls, (king and queen dolls dressed in Mongolian traditional 

costume), souvenir dolls, the church concert clothes, and etc.. The goal of 

our tailor’s shop is to renew our technologies and techniques, to increase 

labor productivity, to make the children’s ministry exemplary to others, to 

improve our resource base, and to support our church financially. We are 

aiming to make baby blanket as Mongolian brand product and to meet 

the needs and requirements of the customers. Darkhan-Uul aimag has 

population of 100,000 people and 1500-1600 babies are born annually. 

We hope to bless these new born babies in God’s name and wrap them 

54

up with beautiful blankets. In the future, we hope to sell our products to 

Mongolians living abroad. 

8. Seth Sevana - A drop in centre for women, Sri Lanka, $1,075 

The project of the Sri Lanka Baptist Women’s League aims to provide a safe 

place during the day for women guardians/mothers of students in nearby 

schools who drop their children in the morning and wait till classes end, 

and women who wait for lunch time visit in nearby hospital and again 

the 5 p.m. visit. Seth Sevana is opened on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. 

to 4:30 p.m. The services rendered are: Prayer Tower—prayers are said 

every morning and afternoon; Teaching English through the Bible - every 

Thursday morning; Counseling for those who need to make decisions in 

life, made through biblical perspective; Legal awareness - assist women to 

contact Law enforcement agencies; Vocational training for economic selfreliance—sewing, 

cleaning, craft, beauty saloon techniques; Education - 

English is taught as a second language to help women in finding jobs and 

for use in their daily lives. 

LATIN AMERICA 

1. Weaving New Nets (Networks), Argentina, $4,500 

Presbiterio Sur Argentino de las Iglesias Evangélicas Valdenses aims to 

promote and coordinate spaces for women’s groups and their leaders to 

come together and develop leaders for the attention and intervention in 

gender violence situations. These groups are born from the need of women 

to come together to deal with the issues dealing with drug addiction, drug 

and human trafficking. They are all indicators of families living “on the 

margins”. The margin which marks the boundary between a hub and the 

gates of Patagonia, Argentina “margins” life stories: desert, wind, drought, 

migrations and poverty. When we accepted the challenge of weaving new 

nets to new fishing adventure, we did it because we know, and we suspect 

that in the margins are written notes of history, of what happens, “what 

we wrote there, because we must not forget”. 

2. Women and AIDS: Preventive actions through Religious Communities, 

Brazil $5,000 

The project of KOINONIA – Ecumenical Presence and Service aims to 

develop actions to promote gender equality and overcoming racism and 

violence against women; to make possible the formation of women as 

community health multipliers within the religious communities in the 

Sao Paulo city in the State of Sao Paulo, based on the perspective of the 

affirmation of rights focused on the prevention of HIV-AIDS, considering 

55

gender relations in religious contexts, seeking to overcome cultural 

and religious obstacles. The main goal is to contribute to overcome the 

cultural and religious barriers that impede much needed changes in riskbehavior 

making all persons but particularly women more vulnerable to 

HIV-AIDS. 

3. Routes for Change, Uruguay, $4,750 

In Uruguay, just like in other places around the world, violence is present 

in everyday life. In terms of gender violence and domestic violence, it is 

imperative to look for exit roads for Uruguayan women that need the 

intervention and support that come from different areas. 

The “La Teja” Methodist Church has decided, through the implementation 

of this project, to make a contribution that will positively affect the quality 

of life of the women. The project is geared to the formation and training 

of a group of ten women. They should be working out of the domestic 

violence situation. The Project will comprise three stages of training in 

three different areas; hairdressing, sewing and computers. This will 

provide them with the tools for job placement. 

4. “Woman, it is” Bolivia Ciego de Avila, Cuba, $4,885 

The project “women, it is” arises from the existence of Center “Juana Esther 

Pérez” in the municipality of Bolivia, the province of Ciego de Ávila, which 

has had a history of support to families in conflict situations, and dealing 

with issues such as gender equity, training and ecumenical involvement 

through the exchange, service and learning. This has been an opportunity 

to find spaces of realization of courses, workshops, conferences, seminars 

and other activities. This project has several objectives: 

(1) Training through workshops and seminars on the topic of gender 

equality by promoting issues of women’s leadership, participation of 

women in conflict resolution and the ecumenism. 

(2) Foster sharing and learning from these thematic meetings 

(3) Create groups of confidence among the women. 

(4) Involve women with disabilities in this theme. 

(5) Stimulate women search for a new life project, including the experience 

of the older adult. 

56

ICFLC Budget 2011 

I. SUMMARY OF FLC PROJECT GRANTS 2011 

Region Amount 

1. AFRICA 42,000 

2. ASIA 36,075 

3. CARIBBEAN 5,000 

4. EUROPE 20,000 

5. LATIN AMERICA 19,135 

6. MIDDLE EAST 24,500 

7. NORTH AMERICA 15,000 

8. PACIFIC 20,000 

TOTAL $181,710 

II. BLOCK GRANTS 2011 

Ecumenical Organization Amount 

All Africa Conference of Churches 10,000 

Asian Church Women’s Conference 20,000 

Christian Conference of Asia 10,000 

Caribbean Conference of Churches 10,000 

Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women 10,000 

Latin American Council of Churches 10,000 

Middle East Council of Churches 10,000 

Pacific Conference of Churches 10,000 

Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada 5,000 

Church Women United USA 5,000 

World Council of Churches Women in Church & Society 10,000 

World Day of Prayer International Committee 10,000 

TOTAL $120,000 

III. TOTAL BUDGET 

Project Grants 181,710 

Block Grants 120,000 

Emergency Grants 15,000 

Circle of Prayer 10,000 

FLC Scholarship Award for Young Women 5,000 

Administration and Programme 96,000 

$427,710 

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The Fellowship of the Least Coin 

WHAT IS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE LEAST COIN? 

The Fellowship of the Least Coin is a world-wide ecumenical movement of 

prayer for peace, justice and reconciliation. Through this movement Christian 

women around the world seek fellowship with each other and are reminded to 

live a reconciled and forgiving life with others. 

HOW AND WHEN IT BEGAN 

The idea for the Fellowship of the Least Coin emerged as a vision from God 

to Mrs. Shanti Solomon of India. She was part of the Pacific Mission Team of 

seven women from different countries that traveled in Asian countries after the 

World War II, in September 1956. It was organized by Dr. Margaret Shannon 

on behalf of the women of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. 

Shanti Solomon, who was refused a visa to Korea, went to Manila, Philippines 

while other members of the team proceeded to Korea. She reflected on the 

experiences of their travel in the war-torn countries of Asia and was inspired 

to promote reconciliation, justice and peace. 

On the return of the team, she suggested that prayer could transcend every 

national boundary. She challenged the Christian women of Asia and the 

women from the Presbyterian Church of the United States to combine their 

efforts and resources and launch a project of justice, peace and reconciliation 

on an international basis. It was to be a project of Christian prayer and 

positive action in which every Christian woman could participate, no matter 

what her economic position was. Every time a woman prayed she was to 

set aside a “least coin” of her currency. It was an encouragement to the 

women of the team to demonstrate their unity in Christian faith, regardless 

of their country or economic circumstances. They all accepted it as their 

sincere desire to express their solidarity with suffering humanity and with 

women of every nation. In 1958, at the first Assembly of the Asian Church 

Women’s Conference (ACWC) held in Hong Kong, the ACWC agreed to launch 

the Fellowship of the Least Coin. At the second Assembly in Thailand in 

1962, the Assembly voted to make the promotion of the FLC a basic outreach 

programme of the ACWC. The East Asia Christian Conference (EACC), now 

known as the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) administered the FLC fund 

from 1958-1970. In 1970 Mrs. Shanti Solomon, the founder, was named the 

Executive Secretary of the FLC and of the ACWC. From then on the ACWC 

took the responsibility to administer the FLC Fund. 

58

FLC LOGO 

CIRCLE OF PRAYER 

The idea for the FLC logo came from the late Mrs. 

Rayann Ma from Hong Kong, the first Chairperson 

of the first Assembly of the ACWC. The actual 

design was the gift of her brother-in-law, James 

Ma, a commercial artist. It is folded hands in 

prayer, encircling a small plum flower, and which 

form a lotus flower. Lotus plant grows in the 

muddy pond but its flower rises above the murky 

water and opens beautifully and without blemish. 

Feeling the need to reaffirm prayer as the vital element of the FLC, the ACWC 

asked the women of Hong Kong to prepare a booklet of prayer: “Circle of 

Prayer” to be used as prayer is offered and the least coin is set aside. Since 

then, the “Circle of Prayer” has become an important part of the FLC. Twenty 

to twenty-four meditations and prayers are written by women around the 

world and published by the International Committee for the FLC every two 

years. 

IT’S GROWTH 

The idea of the FLC quickly gained acceptance not only among the women of 

Asia to whom it was first presented, but among women of all the continents 

in the world. In 1966 when the FLC celebrated its tenth anniversary, women 

from 24 countries participated in the movement. By 1980, at the time of 

its Silver Jubilee, women from 75 countries had already joined the FLC. In 

1986, women from over 80 countries around the world celebrated the fortieth 

anniversary of the FLC; and in 2006, its Jubilee Anniversary. 

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE FLC (ICFLC) 

Because the FLC prayer movement became truly world-wide and the grants 

were made to the programmes and projects all over the world, an International 

Committee for the FLC (ICFLC) was formed in 1979 to administer the 

promotion, the interpretation of the movement and the allocation of the FLC 

grants. The International Committee comprises representatives of world-wide 

ecumenical women’s organization and of regional ecumenical Conferences/ 

Councils of the Churches. The ICFLC decides what programmes and projects 

are to be funded each year. Year after year the ICFLC learns to trust God 

more and more and to work in faith. The Committee meets every year to 

share the miraculous work of the FLC around the world and to decide on FLC 

grants for the following year. Application forms for project grants are received 

59

four months prior to the meeting. The members of the Committee study the 

application forms, pray about them, and discuss and decide on each project 

without knowing how much FLC funding will be available for the grants they 

wish to allocate for each year. The least coins from around the world come 

in with prayers, quietly and gradually, to meet the needs for each year. Our 

gentle, loving and compassionate God never fails us. God does great work 

through the humble, the least, the marginalized and the poor. That’s the 

strength, the promise, the beauty, and the surprise upholding the FLC prayer 

movement. 

Every year ICFLC is invited by different regions to hold its meeting in their 

country. An exposure and a visitation programme is added to the regular 

business meeting in order for the representatives to know more about the 

region and to be aware of the issues and the concerns of the people there. The 

ICFLC considers linking its meeting every fourth year with the Quadrennial 

Assembly of the ACWC. 

FLC GRANTS 

Each year about 35 to 50 projects are given project grants. Regional ecumenical 

organizations women’s programme, the World Council of Churches Women in 

Church and Society and the World Day of Prayer International Committee 

are given block grants to enhance their work and to strengthen ecumenical 

solidarity. Emergency grants for disaster relief and rehabilitation are given 

to show loving concern. And the latest is FLC Scholarship award for Young 

Women. 

(For guidelines for these grants, please see www.flc.net.ph) 

THE UNIQUENESS OF THE FLC 

The FLC Prayer Movement is simple, yet significant and unique. 

1. It brings Christian women together in a fellowship of prayer without 

any discrimination of race, nationality, culture or denomination. 

The Christian women of the world have solidarity with each other 

through their common concern and love for humankind and creation. 

Women throughout the world are bound together in both giving and 

receiving. 

2. The offering is unique because all, whether rich or poor, educated or 

illiterate, urban or rural women, give only the smallest coin of their 

currency. All are within the same discipline and share the common 

concerns of women around the world. 

3. It is stewardship, both of the idea as well as of the Fund. These least coins, 

when put together, become a large amount in the same way individual 

prayers offered by many members throughout the world become a strong 

force in bringing about reconciliation, peace and justice. 

60

The uniqueness of the Fellowship in prayer, which binds us together in both 

giving and receiving, teaches us to appreciate differences; to understand and 

forgive one another; to live and work together inter-dependently as equal 

partners. 

The Least Coin teaches us to be humble, to value the least and to trust that 

nothing is impossible for God who can do great things from out of the least 

and the unexpected. 

Our concern and yearning for peace in the wounded and broken world, which 

moves us to spontaneously pray and give, becomes a powerful healing source 

for our own pain as well as for the pain of those whose lives have been touched 

by our prayers and gifts. 

The inclusiveness of the Fellowship, which embraces us in a simple, yet 

profound act of prayer accompanied by a gift of love- “least coin”, encourages 

wider participation and provides resources for making peace and restoring 

broken relationships. 

The God who promises to be with us always provides for our needs and never 

fails to love, to guide and protect us. 

For sending your FLC contributions to FLC Fund c/o WCC 

Bank: UBS SA 

Address: 1211 GENEVA 2, SWITZERLAND 

Account name: World Council of Churches 

Account No.: For USD: 240-695149.60X; For CHF: 240-695149.00A 

IBAN USD: CH85 0024 0240 6951 4960 X; 

IBAN CHF: CF37 0024 0240 6951 4900 A 

BIC SWIFT CODE: UBSWCHZH 80A 

NOTE: -Reference text with the transfer should include the words 

“Fellowship of the Least Coin” or “FLC”: 

incoming funds may then be easily identified. 

Contacts at WCC finance department: Elaine Dykes, finance manager; 

Rosemarie Péclard, income accountant; Yasmina Visinand, treasurer 

61

International Committee for Fellowship of the Least Coin 

Members and Contact Persons 2011 

AFRICA 

Ms. Vivi Akakpo 

Executive Secretary, Women and Migration 

All Africa Conference of Churches 

Bureau Regional CETA 

1235, Rue de la Paix 

Be Chateau, Lome, TOGO 

Tel: 228 222 05 69 

Email: vivi@ceta-aacc.org 

ASIA 

Rev. Lee Moon Sook 

Executive Secretary, Asian Church Women’s Conference 

Academy House, San 76, Suyu 6-dong, Ganbuk-gu 

Seoul, SOUTH KOREA (142-714) 

Tel: 82-10-2355-3550 

E-mail : acwc2011@gmail.com; http://acwc.blogspot.com 

Captain Donna Bryan 

1/38 Aberdeen Rd 

Blackburn South VIC 3130, AUSTRALIA 

Tel.: Home: (61) 398996744 

Mobile: (61) 0408361134, 

Work: 61 388784745 

E-mail: donna.bryan@aus.salvationarmy.org 

Devika Ukwatte 

Vice President, Asian Church Women’s Conference 

96/18 Kottanuwatte Road 

Nugegoda, SRI LANKA 

Tel: 0094-11-2821962 Mobile: 0094-777-154007 

Email: premndev@gmail.com 

Ms. Moumita Biswas 

Joint Executive Secretary for Ecumenical Formation, 

Gender Justice and Youth Empowerment, Christian Conference of Asia 

c/o Payap University, Muang, Chiang Mai 50000, THAILAND 

Postal address: P.O. Box 183, Chiang Mai, Muang, 

Chiang Mai 50000, THAILAND 

Tel: +66 (0) 53 243906 • 243907 Fax: +66 (0) 53 247303 

Email: moumita@cca.org.hk 

62

CANADA 

Ms Inez Penney 

Representative of Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada 

P.O. Box 104, Moreton’s Harbour, NL A0G 3H0, CANADA 

Email: inez@mail2cancer.com 

Ms Patricia Allinson, Honorary Treasurer of ICFLC 

Director of Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada 

47 Queen’s Park Crescent East, 

Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C3, CANADA 

Tel: 416-929-5184 • Fax 416-929-4064 

Email: wicc@wicc.org; allinson@wicc.org; www.wicc.org 

CARIBBEAN 

Dr. Oluwakemi Linda Banks 

President, Caribbean Conference of Churches 

P.O. Box 85 

The Valley, ANGUILLA 

Tel: (264) 497-2911(0) • 497-3456 (h) 

Cell: (264)235-3456 

Fax: (264) 497-3911 

Email: oluwakemi@anguillanet.com 

EUROPE 

Ms Catherine Gyarmathy-Amherd, ICFLC Vice-Chairperson 

Representative of the Ecumenical Forum 

of European Christian Women 

Pestalozzistr. 7, CH 8032 , Zurich, SWITZERLAND 

Tel. +41-44-252-9967 

Email: cgy@bluewin.ch 

LATIN AMERICA 

Rev. Yamina Apolinaris 

Representative of Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI) 

Women’s Ministries and Gender Justice Desk 

P.O. Box 6445 

Caguas, PUERTO RICO 00726-6445 

Or 

#78 Gautier Benítez 

Caguas, Puerto Rico 00725 

Cell phone: (787) 598-3014 

Work: (787) 745-4605 • (787) 745-3335 • (787) 744-2870 

Fax: (787) 744-2920 

Home: (787) 653-5798 

Email: yapolinaris@gmail.com 

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MIDDLE EAST 

Ms. Esther Kilaghbian 

Representative of the Middle East Council of Churches 

Armenian Evangelical Church 

P.O. Box 80758, 

Bourj Hammoud, LEBANON 

Email: esther.k@hotmail.com 

Tel.: 009611-442596 

Mp: 0096170984927 

PACIFIC 

Rev. Dr. ‘Asinate Samate 

Representative of FLC Regional Committee, 

Pacific Conference of Churches 

P.O Box 304 

Nuku’alofa, TONGA 

Email: asinates@yahoo.com 

Tel: (676) 19175 or (676) 22750 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

Ms. Margurite Carter 

National President, Church Women United-USA 

8805 Grambling Place 

Carson, California 90746 

United States of America 

Mca5845634@aol.com 

1(310)352-4339 

475 Riverside Drive, Suite 243 

New York City, New York 10115 

United States of America 

cwu@churchwomen.org 

1(212) 870-2347 

WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES 

Ms. Shirley Maginley, ICFLC Chairperson 

Representative of World Council of Churches, 

Programme for Women in Church and Society 

9 Denbigh Road, London, W112SJ, UK 

Tel. 020 7727 3116 

Email: maginley@btinternet.com 

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WORLD DAY OF PRAYER INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE 

Ms. S. Annette Poitier 

Chairperson, World Day of Prayer International Committee 

P.O. Box SS 19870, Nassau, BAHAMAS 

Tel.: 242-325-4543 

Home: 242-328-5962 (Work) 

Email: sapoitier59@gmail.com • wdpic@worlddayofprayer.net 

Ms. Eileen King (Contact person) 

Executive Director, WDPIC 

475 Riverside Drive, Room 729 

New York, N.Y. 10115, U.S.A. 

Tel: 212-870-3049 

Fax: 212-864-8648 

Email: wdpic@worlddayofprayer.net 

ICFLC OFFICE, PHILIPPINES 

Ms. Corazon Tabing-Reyes 

Executive Secretary, ICFLC 

c/o Union Theological Seminary 

Palapala, Dasmariñas City 4114, PHILIPPINES 

Mp: (63)- 917-526 7010 

Email: icflcph@gmail.com; www.flc.net.ph 

Ms. Lalaine Perea- Toledo 

ICFLC Office Assistant 

Mp: (63) 906-5470126 

Email: lalaine_toledo@yahoo.com 

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FLC Messages and Reports 2011 - Fellowship of the Least Coin

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