Women's group marks May Friendship Day

The 50th anniversary of the Fellowship of the Least Coin was observed.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
BOARDMAN -- Church Women United of the Youngstown Area demonstrated how its members give of themselves to help others, not just locally, but worldwide during May Friendship Day at Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Ave.
About 75 women attended the event Friday and brought with them offerings of some 500 Gift of the Heart Health Kits earmarked for Church World Service, which distributes them to victims of disasters.
"It's such a basic gift but important to those without a home," Kathleen Johnson, CWU vice president, said of the donations that women placed at the altar. The number was so great, many were stored in boxes. The kits include a hand towel, washcloth, comb, nail clipper with file, bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and bandages sealed in a gallon-sized plastic bag.
Joyce Rettenmier of Boardman Methodist Church said the pastor, the Rev. Ash Welch, is making arrangements for the kits to get to Church World Service.
The group also marked a milestone, the 50th anniversary of the Fellowship of the Least Coin. This worldwide movement is based on the power of prayer and setting aside the "least coin" of a country (a penny in the U.S.) to support world missions. CWU member Dorothy Washington asked women to come forward to give their donations. The total will be announced later.
"The visible tokens of heartfelt prayers are the presentations of the least coins," said Katherine Hays, program chairwoman and a past president of CWU. "Praise and prayer teach us life is sacred and puts us in touch with the mysteries of life and the mysteries of God.
Shirley Megown, CWU president, welcomed the women. She read a message from Jacqueline Burley, director of Protestant Family Services, who had been scheduled to speak. PFS, which had been located in Oakhill Renaissance Place, relocated after Southside Community Development Corp. announced the closing of Oakhill. A temporary reprieve has given tenants the chance to look for other space; PFS has already found a new location at Greater Mill Creek Community Center, 496 Glenwood Ave., Suite 115, Youngstown. Calls for assistance may be made to (330) 746-4600 beginning May 15.
Megown said PFS helps people with food, utility assistance and medicine.
Mentoring theme
"Signs of the Growth" was the program theme and explored the mentoring relationship in the biblical story of Naomi and Ruth. Representatives of Young Church Women United wrote the service on the importance of relationships between generations.
Readings from the Book of Ruth reflected on Naomi's role as mentor to Ruth, her daughter-in-law. CWU members Gertrude Roche, Sandra Watters, Ruth Abbott, Cossell Burton, Dorothy Washington, Ruby Yates and Doris VandenBosch read passages of women's varied roles. Florence Simon also read a Scripture passage.
Other program participants were Christine White, Ruth Ragan and Barbara Watters. Liisa DiBias provided music.
CWU is described as an international, ecumenical movement that brings Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other Christian women into one community of prayer, advocacy and service. The next major celebration will be World Community Day, Nov. 3, with the theme "Signs of Healing." World Day of Prayer took place March 3 with the theme "Signs of the Times."