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Fellowship of the Least Coin

FLC celebrates 50th anniversary

The Fellowship of the Least Coin Jubilee celebration, held at the Federal Hotel in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia from October 13- 15, was hosted by the Asian Church Women’s Conference (ACWC). Both organizations were founded by the same group of women in 1956 and 1958. The members of their boards and staff sit on each other’s councils and their work is commonly supported and encouraged. As the ACWC meets every four years, and their 50th anniversary date is 2008, it was celebrated early, at the same time as the FLC’s 50th.

There were 230 women at the ACWC meeting. The conference includes 20 countries: Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mongolia, Indonesia, Nepal, Singapore, South Pakistan). ICFLC members also attended, as their meetings were held following the ACWC conference. Along with the ICFLC representative, WICC President Megumi Matsuo Saunders, WICC Executive Director, Pat Allinson, and Past President, Claire Heron, also attended the celebration and annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Canada was also represented by Sylvia Lisk Vanhaverbeke, the Chair of the World Day of Prayer International Committee.

It was an overwhelming conference meeting, with 230 women from 19 countries from Asia and the Pacific worshipping, doing Bible study together, and discussing the issues they face in their situations:

• Violence against women
• How to deal with natural disasters
• HIV/AIDS
• Living in multi-faith communities in which Christians are a minority

We were so glad to share in the special joyous celebration of the 50th anniversary of FLC with so many people.  Megumi, Claire, Sylvia, and Pat proudly carried a beautiful banner created by Bernice Santor in the opening procession. People involved in FLC over the years were invited and a special anniversary book was produced which highlighted the rich history of Shanti Solomon’s vision of justice, peace and reconciliation.

The 26th Annual meeting of ICFLC started on Friday, beginning with worship, then reports from the Executive Secretary and the different regions.  Regional representatives present were: Battu Jambawai-Africa (Chair), Esther Byu - Executive Secretary, Ann Ferguson –substituting Honorary Treasurer, Jill King - Europe (Vice-Chair), Vala Palu - Pacific, Cora Tabing Reyes - Asia, Megumi Matsuo Saunders - Canada, Annam Arumanayagam - President ACWC, Shu-Wen Chiang - Executive Secretary, ACWC (ex officio), Yasuko – Japan, Esther Kilaghbian from the Middle East, Rose Njeri Musila from Africa, Gail CWU- USA,  Shirley Maginley-WCC, Sylvia Lisk Vanhaverbeke - Chair WDPIC. Observers:  Catrelia Hunter - Moderator, Presbyterian Women USA, Pat Allinson - Executive Director WICC, Claire Heron- Past President WICC.

Much of the time was spent dealing with Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws of the ICFLC.  Financial items, both present and future, were discussed. Allocation of project grants was discussed by going through each project and region.  This helped to decide allocation levels.
 
As Executive Secretary, Esther Byu is retiring, a search committee was formed to find a successor. 

WICC extended the invitation for the ICFLC meeting to be held in Canada in 2008, our 90th anniversary year, and it was very welcomed.  Next year’s meeting will be held in Tonga in the South Pacific when WICC’s Executive Director, Pat Allinson, will be the ICFLC representative.

~ by Megumi Matsuo Saunders and Pat Allinson