CRC Members Honored With Coronation Medals for Community Service

Two Christian Reformed Church members, one in British Columbia and one in Ontario, were among this winter’s recipients of a King Charles III Coronation Medal. Chantal Huinink, a member of Waterloo (Ont.) CRC, was presented with her medal by Mike Morrice, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre. Eleanor McComb, a member of Willoughby CRC in Langley, B.C., was selected by Tako van Popta, MP for Langley-Aldergrove.

Honoring 26,000 civilians for “significant contributions to the country, a province, territory, region, or community, or an achievement abroad that brings benefit or honour to Canada,” the medal program was created to commemorate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada. The first of the medals were presented in ceremonies May 6, 2024, the first anniversary of the coronation and continued during the anniversary year. Members of Parliament from across Canada selected worthy recipients.

Huinink is a speaker, author, and social justice advocate who has worked toward affordable housing, sustainable and accessible public transit, and improvements to the Canada Disability Benefit. She worked with Morrice on that last initiative in a nationwide push for improvements. Huinink said, “I was humbled to receive the award especially because there were 19 other community leaders receiving it at the same time. The other recipients seemed to be working much longer toward human rights and justice for various marginalized populations. My community is great because of the strong community leaders who have come before me and laid the foundation for myself and others to be honoured for who we are and expand upon their work.”

At Waterloo CRC, Huinink has served in the youth group, GEMS girls club, Sunday school, and as a pastoral elder and chaplain.

McComb is part of Willoughby CRC’s refugee settlement committee, and her advocacy has contributed to the safe passage, welcome, and settling of more than 50 refugees to the Langley area.

Working closely with World Renew, a sponsorship agreement holder in Canada, McComb has also encouraged and supported other groups, helping to navigate the documentation required for private and shared sponsorships.

“I feel very honoured to receive this award,” McComb said. “I receive it as a representative of many others who welcome strangers to their communities and work to make Canada a welcoming place.”

In a letter informing McComb of the recognition, MP van Popta said, “Your dedication embodies the very values that the King Charles III Coronation Medal seeks to recognize: selflessness, resilience, and service to others.”