By Galen Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Though she says the work she does to benefit St. Marys and the people who live here is often behind the scenes, Rev. Gwen Ament and her tireless community efforts were in the spotlight March 11 as she received a King Charles III Coronation Medal.
At the start of the regular St. Marys council meeting, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae and Mayor Al Strathdee took some time to sing Ament’s praises before they officially presented her with the medal, which has been awarded to Canadians of all ages from all walks of life who have made a difference in their communities, provinces and territories, or country to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on May 6, 2023.
“As everyone here this evening will know, Gwen is a longtime advocate for inclusion in the Town of St. Marys, helping settle Syrian refugees and, more recently, Ukrainian refugees,” Rae said. “She’s also an advocate for reconciliation with Indigenous members of our community and, of course, Gwen is one of the key organizers of the annual To St. Marys With Love community dinner, among many other initiatives.”
Ament, the minister at St. Marys Presbyterian Church, has also actively worked to support Camp Kintail and other local organizations that support families and people in need, and she served as the leader of the St. Marys Ministerial Association, helping to coordinate several charitable initiatives in the community.
Ament was nominated for the King Charles III Coronation Medal by Strathdee and Paul Dunseith.
“It’s a true honour to recognize someone who’s done so much for the community,” Strathdee said. “Not only at large but on a personal level, I can say I’ve asked for Gwen’s counsel on several occasions, and she’s been a pillar of strength to me. She’s also had a big effect in the community beyond her work in the church, reaching out and telling us when there’s things we should be doing like reconciliation and helping those in need like the Syrian refugees. She’s been a true leader and someone I have great respect for, and I’m really thrilled that Gwen and her family and friends could attend tonight to see this because certainly, St. Marys is a better place because of Gwen Ament.”
“It’s wonderful in a small community such as St. Marys to recognize somebody such as Gwen who’s doing so much more than the average citizen,” Dunseith added. “When you talk to Gwen and you meet her and you find out just how gentle she is and how she speaks to everyone, you realize there’s something there. And then, when you see and hear what she’s done, it brings it all to light.”
On receiving the medal, Ament told those gathered she isn’t used to having the spotlight shone on the work she does in the community.
“It’s hard to sit and hear those things. It would never be my first inkling to be out in the front; I like to be behind the scenes and helping,” Ament said. “ … We’re all born into community. In spite of the fact that some would like to divide us up, we have to learn how to function together and we do that best when we hear and make space for everybody at the table, whatever they are coming from as a background. I have to say, we’re so fortunate in St. Marys. There are so many wonderful people who help and contribute in so many ways, right down to councillors and people who help like that and people who provide service.
“It’s been part of my goal in life; there’s a little phrase in a song that I sing, ‘Did you put more love in the world today and more love on the way to the setting sun?’ All that matters is when you answer that question. I hope I put more love in the world.”
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