Doug Thompson
Class of 2020
Building and Grounds (Liaison),
Mission, Personnel, Congregational Care

How long have you been a member at CSPC? Why did you join? Since early 1995, our daughter Grace-Marie was 5 months old and Crystal and I both wanted to become more active in a church closer to home.  We liked the family atmosphere and really enjoyed Mike Brewer’s sermons. There were members then that went out of their way to acknowledge and welcome us, and I am happy to say, some of them are still doing that today with our visitors!

What is your favorite memory at CSPC? This is like asking me what my favorite food is, or what was my favorite raindrop—there are so many great memories and I cannot say one was ever my favorite!

Do you have a favorite scripture, hymn, or praise song? What makes it your favorite? Kind of like the previous question as there are so many favorites but for the moment I will say Matthew 6:21 (my email handle), Be Thou My Vision, and I Will Rise. I believe that this scripture is as profound as it is simple, and for trivia buffs it is the sole Bible quote in the original series of Harry Potter books. I am Scot-Irish in my family history and I imagine the skirl of a lone piper whenever I hear Be Thou My Vision. I Will Rise always lifts me up and sometimes chokes me up. It is powerful.

What is one thing CSPC is doing that you are excited about? I see many good things, some small and some more obvious, but am really thrilled with the Food for Thought mission. It really makes a difference in the lives of the children involved. Recently Jim Burdick and I heard how some of the children at River Ridge, upon returning to school, have already asked when they will get the “brown bag” because it is so important to them.

Is there something about you that would surprise people? Hidden talents, past lives, quirky interests? I used to work for Jerry Springer! I have a commemorative silver bowl and a signed letter thanking me for helping in his 1970’s Cincinnati council campaign which led to his brief mayoral stint.

Tell me about a place where you feel close to God. Many places; but most easily in the outdoors, whether in a heavy forest, on an ocean beach or a stark desert, the abundance of life and the majesty of all creation, everything, everything, calls one to God.

How about a time when you felt close to God? In the 1980s I used to go backpacking by myself in Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas. On one trip I got very sick from drinking bad water while I was in a remote section of the park during the hottest period of the year.  I had a high fever and I drifted in and out awareness of where I was. I tried to sleep, but it was over 95 degrees at night and I could not get cool. When dawn colored the sky, I drove to the closest settlement to where I was, and checked into small motel so I could get into air conditioning, and to shower. In the few lucid periods I had, I found myself praying for healing and help. I was the only guest at the motel and the owner saw how ill I was, and the next day brought me some soup. Until then I had not eaten in four days. I thanked God I had received help in that cup of soup and finally fell into a restful sleep. I awoke to the sound of a tremendous thunderstorm and the electricity went out. I opened the door and watched sheets of rain sweep across the surrounding desert. The wind increased and the rain changed to hail the size of garden peas, for about five minutes. The sun suddenly burst through, illuminating the desert which looked as if it were covered in snow, and the last of the falling hail created the brightest rainbow I had ever seen. It was such an amazing experience I momentarily forgot how bad I felt and was exhilarated. The next morning, still in awe of what I had seen, I drove the 350 miles to the airport for my flight home, still very sick but strongly feeling the presence of God in the kindness of a stranger, a cup of soup and the glory of the creation.

Tell me about someone who mentored or inspired you in faith. My pastor at White Oak Presbyterian, the late Robert K. Denny. I learned so much from him and he was the first to really open my understanding of the Bible. Also, the leaders of Young Life Cincinnati, while I was in high school, they really introduced me to the Church where my fellowship was with Christians from many different branches, Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, etc. Young Life was very engaging and a vibrant ministry.

Other than Presbyterian, have you spent time in other faith traditions? On a church mission trip as a teenager I worshipped once at a large Southern Baptist church, in Biloxi, Mississippi, with a choir numbering in the 100s and it was a gospel celebration lasting hours. I used to go occasionally with my best friend to his family’s Methodist church in Wichita, Kansas and here in Cincinnati attended Beth Messiah, a messianic Jewish congregation in Pleasant Ridge for nearly two years which was my longest departure from the Presbyterian church. Crystal and I have also attended Christmas midnight Mass at Mother of God in Covington and have visited other churches.

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Bonus! Pastor’s Bragging Rights: Doug has a huge and humble heart for ministry. He can be found working behind the scenes in so many areas of the church, always with an eye towards serving others. I’m so grateful for his presence on session and in this congregation!