In Remembrance...
pages
Former Chaplain Lived His
Life Bravely, Openly
i'This editorial is a reprint from the
hnurary 17 edition of the
Winston-Salem Journal)
hy David Dalton
What's a community to think?
Frequently, in the pages of this
newspaper, one reads arguments
that homosexuality is inherently
irnmoral and destructive to the
family.
But then, yesterday, you may
have read in this same newspaper
of the death of Clark Thompson, an
Ordained Moravian minister, a
teacher of religion and philosophy,
n community leader. Thompson was
n gay man. He died of AIDS at the
age of 54.
Clark Thompson did not live two
Separate lives, as some gay people
oaust do, to avoid the pain and
problems that such openness can
oause. Clark Thompson lived one
hfe, bravely and openly, partly in
the hope that when communities
t*y to answer the question of
Whether some people or some
things are inherently bad, they
''^ill have something more than
f^lse myths to work with.
How could anyone say that Qark
Thompson was destructive io
family values, when he performed
the marriage rites for many
traditional couples and counseled
them to hold them together
through their inevitable times of
stress? He poured vast amounts of
his energy into this community- not
i^st the gay community, buf^he
entire community. ' "
What unusual thing did he aSk of
the community in return? To bring
the person he loved to church with
him on Sundays, to sit beside him
there, to sing from the same
hymnal.
Beyond that, the rest was
private, really, as it should be for
anyone.
Still, a community might wonder,
what was life like on the other
side of his front door?
There was a cozy living room, a
fireplace, an often-used dining room
lined with books, a busy kitchen.
There was an ear that was always
willing to listen to someone who
had a problem to tell, or a fear to
face, or a tough question to ask.
There was wisdom and nurture and
comfort.
Family.
A different sort of family, maybe.
But what better word can be found
for a group of people bound by love
who face life, and death, together?
This is not the place for moral
questions or theological questions W
political questions for which Cla^
Thompson would gladly have
offered some possible answers.
Much more important today, tjh^
day of his funeral, is the exampie
of his life, an example that offers
much to this community, both to
those who are gay and to those who
are not:
Live life bravely. Find love.
Look for better answers. Face
death. Help others live life.
Help others find love. Help others
look for better answers. Help
others face death.
To point one's finger and condemn
is quite an easy thing. To live a life
like Clark Thompson's is very, very
difficult
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Thompson - cont. from p. 1
The traditions of Salem and the
Moravians occupied a special place
in Clark Thompson's heart. He and
Dr. Litzenberg began the tradition
of a Senior class procession to Sister
Mary Oesterline's grave site in
God's Acre in the spring. According
to Dr. Litzenberg, Dr. Thompson so
loved the tradition that he walked
with the aid of a cane two years
ago and was driven by car to the
grave site this past spring.
Dr. Thompson's dedication and
seriousness shown through in his
observance of Moravian customs and
his involvement in local and global
social programs, such as OxFam out
of Boston, Mass. But Through his
good nature he had a joke with Dr.
Litzenberg. "He was the only
professor who would dress in
eighteenth century Moravian
clothes without embarrassment."
Dr. Clark Thompson brought
people together. Performing
Moravian love feasts, Christmas
Candlelight services, or Salem
convocations his presence
demanded attention and his words
demanded retention. In David
Dalton's editorial from the
Winston-Salem Journal describes
Dr. Thompson and his home this
way: "There was an ear that was
always willing to listen to someone
who had a problem to tell, or a fear
to face, or a tough question to ask.
There was a wisdom and nurture
and comfort."
Spr»0'RiE
Dr. Litzenberg has requested that this resolution be reprinted in The
Salemite.
Resolution of the Board of Trustees
of Salem Academy and College
WHEREAS Dr. Clark A. Thompson has served Salem College faithfully
and well for twenty-five years as professor of religion;
J/
WHEREAS he previously has served as well for three years on the faculty
of Saletp Academy;
j’C
WHEREAS he has provided spiritual guidance to this community as
Chaplain of the College;
WHEREAS he has twice served with great distinction as the Dean of the
College;
WHEREAS he is recognized as an accomplished scholar, a distinguished
teacher, and an admired administrator;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Salem
Academy and College hereby declares that Dr. Clark A. Thompson is
designated hereafter as Clarkson Shields Starbuck Professor of Religion and
Chaplain of the College Emeritus;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Salem Academy
and College hereby conveys its continuing affection, admiration, and support
for Dr. Clark A. Thompson.
Mary Bryant Newell
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Salem Academy and College
November 21,1989
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