Nearly 30 years ago, the Rev. David Thompson came to North Augusta from New York City.
Serving as rector of Saint Bartholomew's Episcopal Church beginning in August 1985, Thompson is now on the cusp of retirement. On May 30, the congregation of St. Bart's came together for a celebration for Thompson and his family to honor his 30 years of service.
"I feel overwhelmed. It's a blessing to see everyone here," Thompson said of the gathered crowd. "It's going to be hard, but I believe it's time for me to leave - for us and the congregation. I believe that's what God is asking us to do. We're ready for the next chapter in our lives, but this has been a real blessing."
Thompson and his wife, Virginia, were given tokens of appreciation - from a prayer blanket to a scrapbook and a hand-drawn illustration of St. Bart's.
"St. Bart's reached out to me to create a gift for Father Thompson on his retirement," said church member Eric Sisk. "Mike Osteen specifically mentioned a pencil drawing of the church as a gift."
Sisk has been a member of St. Bart's for 22 years, all during Thompson's time. He called the pastor an important figure in the history of St. Bart's.
"He's really held the church together," Sisk said. "I've never heard a bad word spoken about him, and we all look forward to his sermons on Sunday. For me, he's reached out to my family in times of need to make sure we were taken care of."
Virginia said the congregation at St. Bart's made her family feel at home, which allowed them to serve the church for such a long time.
"Everybody being so friendly and supporting whatever was going on in our lives," she said. "It's going to be an adjustment to go to a church where everybody didn't know you when you walk in the door. It's really going to be different to go to a church and not already be part of the congregation."
For instruction on the future, Thompson told the congregation to keep an open mind and open heart in finding its next leader.
"I came here as a 34-year-old," he said. "I came from New York City, I was a Yankee in the eyes of many people. But you, with grace, got to know me, accepted me and began to work with me. I pray that when you hire your next rector, you will be as much as a blessing to that person as you have been to me. I hope you give that person the chance to stumble, fall, be right and wrong and help that person get over the wrongs so that you as a congregation can see the rights and the blessings together."
For more information on St. Bart's, visit www.saintbart.org.