Art and Gwyn Montgomery met in elementary school and were both in the band together at Selinsgrove High School. After high school, they both went away to different colleges. During summer break, Art returned to Selinsgrove and arranged to meet with Gwyn. They married in 1970 and will celebrate 50 years of marriage this year!
Art and Gwyn both attended Garrett Theological Seminary in Illinois. Gwyn has a Christian Education degree and Art received a Master of Divinity degree. In 1973, they were assigned to oversee five small United Methodist churches in Benton. They stayed there for four years before they were assigned to Lewisberry for six years and then it was on to Tyrone. Next, they moved to Millerstown and eventually Shermans Dale. Art and Gwyn retired in 2010 and moved to RiverWoods Senior Living Community in 2018.
Even though they were retired, Art continued to serve as a pastor in Middleburg for 18 months and then in New Berlin for two years, assisting pastors who were ill. Art also still serves as a mentor for area pastors.
Art and Gwyn both love music and played for many years in the Greenwood Community Band and the Sunbury City Band. They are now also joining the Selinsgrove Adult Band. Art is part of a musical group called “Three’s Company Trio. The trio visits senior living communities and performs live music. They also visit nursing homes, senior centers and local churches to perform.
Art served as the president of the board of directors for Selinsgrove Meals on Wheels for six years. He and Gwyn both visit “The Soup Place” in Sunbury to serve meals to the needy on Thursday evenings. They serve between 40 to 80 people at a time, and have been doing that for about three years.
At RiverWoods they enjoy helping to bring nursing home residents to Sunday church services on campus. Art explained, “I think both she and I find the time we spend with them on a Sunday morning extremely rewarding and the best part of our day. We do a lot of joking around with them and get them to smile. You try to learn who these people were before they came to the nursing home. We just really enjoy listening to their stories. We sing songs with them and talk with them.”
They also love to bring their dog Dodger to the nursing home to visit with the residents. Gwyn said, “They love to pet him and he jumps into their lap to make it easier for them to reach him. He enjoys it as much as they do!”
Art and Gwyn Montgomery are a shining example of being called to serve, and Albright is proud that they are part of our family. Albright invites you to continue your mission by joining us at one of our six locations. Visit albrightcare.org for information on senior living, day programs, giving or volunteering.
