(From August 2002 Nativity newsletter)

Pennies

I decided to look for the word "penny" in my Bible Concordance, not expecting to find it. What I did find was the use of the word "denarius" (RSV, 1 denarius equals about 20 cents) and, more often, "coin" (RSV) or "silver coin" (Good News). But, to my surprise, I found the above quotes in my Chain Reference Bible.

This morning, I found a penny on the sidewalk as I was walking into a restaurant. Last night, as I was sitting in the movie house awaiting the upcoming show, I noticed a penny laying on a step beside my seat. On the way into the cinema, I had found four pennies laying on the tarmac and one on the curb where they had been dropped. While in New York City a few weeks ago, I found many pennies in various spots throughout the busy city. I've heard people today find the penny has so little value that when they drop one, they don't bother to pick it up. Not me!! I the last month I've picked up at least 25 cents worth of pennies. That's a quarter of a dollar!! All to be deposited in the red basket on the table in the dining room at Church of the Nativity.

Often when I pick up a penny, I have to explain to the person I'm with why I make the effort for such a small coin. It's easy to tell them how quickly these coins add up ... and that the monies help spread the Good News all over the world ... How books are provided for seminary students, tapes for schools, etc.

As of the end of June, we've collected a total of $99.20 and I have more to deposit soon. I hope you, too, will find those pennies where you may. For those of you away from Florida for the summer, I hope you are gathering your pennies as well ... maybe in a small (better still, a large!) jar or box to bring back when you return to us at Nativity. (That is if your northern church doesn't have a fund.)

Happy hunting! May you find God's joy as you think about what these small pennies can do!

— Liz Stoner