Kathleen Hartwell receives Order of the Diocese of Quebec
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Local Kathleen Hartwell (Kay) received the prestigious Order of the Diocese of Quebec in a Dec. 3 ceremony at St. George’s in Lennoxville, recognizing her lifetime of service and commitment to the Anglican Church. Her laudable accomplishments are detailed in a nomination letter authored by Archdeacon of Quebec Edward Simonton. The significance of the Order is outlined in the letter of confirmation Bishop Bruce Myers sent to Kay in response.
Raised in Lennoxville and a lifelong attendee of St. George’s, Kay’s journey in faith and service began in her youth, states Simonton’s letter of nomination. She was actively involved in various church groups, including the Little Helpers, Junior Auxiliary, and Girls’ Auxiliary. Her dedication continued into adulthood, earning her the status of a lifetime member of the Anglican Church Women (ACW).
Kay’s contributions extended beyond her home parish. In the Greater Parish of Coaticook, she took on roles as a lay reader, pastoral visitor, and parish treasurer. Her administrative skills were invaluable in her role as secretary, where she prepared weekly bulletins and other essential parish documents.
After returning to St. George’s, Lennoxville, Kay continued to serve as a lay reader and pastoral visitor. She also held positions as a member of the Parish Guild, president of the Parish Council, and completed a four-year Education for Ministry course.
Her influence reached the diocesan level, where Kay was a delegate to the General Synod and Diocesan Synod. She contributed as a member and treasurer of the St. Francis Deanery Council, sat on the Diocesan Executive Committee, and was involved in various other committees. Notably, she served on the Companion Diocese Committee and joined Bishop Bruce Stavert on international trips to the Philippines and Ireland, representing the diocese.
Kay was instrumental in organizing intercultural exchanges, including a visit to Quebec by Irish youth in 2005 and facilitating a reciprocal visit for Quebec youth to Ireland in 2006.
The Deanery Ministry Committee highlights Kay’s unwavering faith and dedication as an Anglican Christian as the primary reason for her nomination. “This award would be a token of our love for Kay, who has given so much of her love to the Church,” Simonton expressed of behalf of the committee.
In response to the nomination, Myers formally informed Kay of her upcoming investiture as a member of the Order of the Diocese of Quebec. This honour, said Myers’ letter, established by the Synod of the diocese in 2012, is awarded to laypeople who have made significant contributions to the work of the church within the diocese over the years. Kay’s dedication and service have clearly met these criteria, he wrote.
Myers wrote that the Dec. 3 ceremony would be a fitting acknowledgment of Kay’s tireless efforts and unwavering faithfulness to the church’s life and work over the years, and recognize her as an exemplar of dedication and service within the Anglican community.
Kay officially received the honour Sunday at 11 a.m., halfway through the church’s regular service. The ACW presented her with flowers for the occasion, followed by a short speech by Lennoxville ACW President Ferne McConnell. The service was followed by a large reception in the church’s hall, with around 50 community members and clergy in attendance.