Diversity Celebration 2006

Henry Thompson Receives Diversity Award

At Saint Mark’s 11th annual Diversity Service on Thursday, June 22, 2006, Henry Thompson was awarded the Saint Mark Diversity Award (formerly the Cordle Award) for his work over the years insupporting Saint Mark’s ministries, particularly our ministries to the LBGT community.

Henry joined Saint Mark as a child in the late 1930s and was a devoted member for more than 30 years. During the 1960s when many members left Saint Mark rather than support opening our doors to African Americans, Henry stayed and continued to support the work of the church.

He did worship elsewhere briefly, but returned to Saint Mark in 1980 at the request of the senior pastor and immediately began serving Saint Mark in various capacities. Within 10 years he came to be recognized as the unofficial “Mayor of Saint Mark” for his many activities on behalf of the church. Over the years he has held a variety of leadership positions, including chairman of the Administrative Council and chairman of the Finance Committee.

Many of us are aware of the difficult times the church experienced inthe mid to late 1980s as our membership aged and few people joined. Henry was one of the most dedicated supporters of the church during those difficult years. His love for Saint Mark never failed. On more than one occasion, he responded to a request to pay his pledge in advance so that the church could make its payroll forthe month. Without the dedicated support of Henry and other members at the time, Saint Mark could well have closed its doors and the “miracle on Peachtree” might never have happened.

Henry has also been an important supporter of and advocate for Saint Mark’s ministries to the LBGT community. When Mike Cordle became senior pastor, Henry as one of the top lay leaders within the church family, encouraged the church to reach out to the LBGT community. It was Henry who suggested some type of activity during the Pride Parade and that first year secured the banner that proclaimed “At Saint Mark All Are Welcome.” From that simple welcoming gesture and the handing out of water to parade marchers, thousands of people have become aware that Saint Mark’s red doors are open to all and hundreds have walked through to become a part of the “Miracle on Peachtree.”

As the scourge of HIV/AIDS devastated the gay community, Henry once again stepped up. In the late 1980s as a member of the Missions Committee, he encouraged the church to join the Atlanta Interfaith AIDS Network , thereby beginning his many years of service to Common Ground. From the start of Common Ground until the mid 1990s, Henry coordinated Saint Mark’s participation with Common Ground, making sure that we provided both fellowship and a good meal to the participants the first Thursday of every month. Henry continued to direct that ministry until late 2005 when health problems forced his retirement. During those years, Saint Mark also sponsored an HIV/AIDS support group and Henry attended each week, offering friendship and support to church members and others with HIV/AIDS.

Beyond offering prayers, praise, and service, Henry has also always offered his gifts to support the ministries of the church. Over the years, Henry has been among the most generous financial contributors to Saint Mark’s Pride Week activities.