Susan Thompson

My earliest memories of church include regularly attending an Episcopal church with my family. I am grateful to my parents, Paul and Jean Cleek, for including me in their faithful journey.  Their experiences of the new prayer book, ordination of women, Cursillo, EfM, and church leadership provided me with examples of struggle, study, service, and joy.

 

I continued participating in church activities as part of a college Canterbury group and met another person raised in the Episcopal church, Trey Thompson.  We married and stayed active in a variety of church communities.  We have been members of St. Mark’s for about 20 years.

 

Early on, sitting in the pews provided a respite from the demands of teaching high school math and the responsibilities of parenting teenagers. They have since moved away from home, and I have retired from full-time work. This transition has allowed me to engage more deeply with the St. Mark’s community.

 

Currently, I serve on the altar guild, support outreach at Crockett Elementary, serve on the outreach committee for Magdelena House, and am completing my 4th year of Education for Ministry. EfM has provided me with the opportunity to learn about and practice listening deeply in an affirming way.  I feel this experience will carry over to the vestry as we listen and share with St. Mark’s clergy, staff, and members.

 

Attending weekly services at St. Mark’s uplifts and nourishes me. I am drawn to participate with others who strive to follow Jesus and hold onto hope in a broken world. Our core vocation outlines specific offerings of nourishment. The vestry is charged with promoting the menu.