The Order of the Diocese of Toronto, an award created in 2013, honours members of the laity in the diocese who have given outstanding service over a significant period of time in their volunteer ministry. We give thanks to God for the work and witness of these faithful people who, in the exercise of their baptismal ministry, have demonstrated that “their light shines, their works glorify.” [Courtesy the Diocese of Toronto website]

 

 

 

In 2015, our recipients came from the Parish of Coldwater-Medonte. This parish incorporated the churches of St. George, Fairvalley; St. John, Matchedash (now closed); and others over its long history. In 2019, our recipients came from the new sole-church Parish of St. George, Fairvalley. Recipients were presented with their medallion at St. James Cathedral, Toronto on January 1 of their respective year.

Mrs. Coombs now regularly attends St. George, Fairvalley. Mrs. Reid and Mr. Walker, our newest ODTs, their families and friends attended the 2019 Bishop’s Levee and ODT awards presentation. Mrs. Reid is the mother of Mr. Reid, one of our 2019 recipients.

Recipient Biographies:

2015 Recipients

Janet Coombs, ODT
Parish of Coldwater-Medonte
Mrs. Coombs was nominated by the congregation of St. John, Matchedash, for her long, faithful service and for providing key leadership as churchwarden, Sunday school teacher and board member over the past 34 years. Through difficult days in the life of St. John’s, she has been “a beacon of hope and perseverance.”

Edna Evelyn Reid, ODT
Parish of Coldwater-Medonte
Mrs. Reid was nominated by the congregation of St. George, Fairvalley for her 66 years of faithful service as a member of the ACW, as well as her inspiring life of professional and volunteer service to those in her community. Her particular gift to the church has been her ministry of invitation, hospitality and pastoral care. She reaches out in Christian love to all she meets and is held in deep affection and high regard by both her church community and the Oro-Medonte area, where she has lived and worked for almost all of her 96 years. She epitomizes the Gospel call to see and serve Christ in each person.

Donald Walker, ODT
Parish of Coldwater-Medonte
Mr. Walker was nominated for his long and faithful service to the church, holding many key positions, including being a churchwarden, for over 30 years. He is an example of quiet, competent and steadfast leadership, and of a spirit of friendly cooperation. His ministry reminds the congregation of the Christian teaching of Paul: “Render service with enthusiasm as to the Lord, not to men and women” (Ephesians 6:7).

2019 Recipients

Rosemary Athron, ODT
St. George, Fairvalley
Ms. Athron was nominated for her 50 years of dedication to her parish. She has served on the ACW, the altar guild,
the parish executive, the congregation advisory board, the Huronia Cluster Ministry, the worship committee, the luncheon group,
the service bulletin, computer screen and Christmas parades committees, and as deputy churchwarden, treasurer,
Synod member, outreach mission chair and pastoral visitor. She is a devoted mother and loving grandmother.

Don Reid, ODT
St. George, Fairvalley
Mr. Reid was nominated by the Archbishop for being a dedicated member of St. George, Fairvalley and the community for
over 55 years. He has served on the parish executive, congregation advisory board, Huronia Cluster Ministry, cemetery board, Christmas parade committee, maintenance and as churchwarden, and has supplied any heavy equipment when needed.
As a full-time farmer, he has raised a herd of over 200 beef cattle, volunteers with the Coldwater Fall Fair and is a man of amazing understanding of God’s good earth.