� e Congregational Church of Tryon (United Church of Christ)

Our Church Family Photo AlbumAugust 2012

125Years

of Worship & ServiceA Commemorative History

September 2016

PART ONE

PART 2

This supplemental history has been prepared by R. Anderson Haynes

August 2016

DEDICATION

This supplemental history of our Congregational Church is dedicated to its members and staff, past, present, and future. In compiling our story I reviewed twenty-five years of annual reports and Chimes newsletters. I was amazed and overwhelmed by the energy, zeal, and diligence of so many in the service of our Lord, our congregation and our community, near and far. The totality of work assigned and accomplished by you is beyond measure and efforts to catalog it only scratch the surface of the good done. It was for you that the Master said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE YEARSOur Heritage from the Past

AndOur Promise for the Future

1891-2016

This history from mid 1991 through mid 2016 is to supplement the history of the first hundred years of the Congregational Church of Christ in Tryon, Inc. set out in the publication prepared by Franklin C. Basler in 1991.

Since its founding in 1891 our church in Tryon, North Carolina has been an independent entity governed by its congregation. We are affiliated with the United Church of Christ (“UCC”) which is our “denomination.”

The UCC, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is made up of many confer-ences. Within each conference are associations, each consisting of a number of churches. The Southern Conference includes Eastern Virginia, Eastern North Carolina, and Western North Carolina.

The Southern Conference provides support and advice to us. The larger UCC meets periodically in a General Synod to address issues of concern and develop proposals for the future.

Our local church is affiliated, but not controlled, and this contributes to its circumstances identified by our former pastor, Fred Kurkowski: “Someone once called the United Church of Christ a heady, exasperat ing mix” and that’s what we are. In this church as well as in our denomi nation, we’re not all the same…and we don’t expect to be. Each of us brings gifts, to be added to the mix, creating such diversity that sometimes we’re not sure if we’re really understanding each other. “But when we do share the blessing of understanding, by getting to know and respect each other, then something wonderful happens. We find that in spite of all the things that could divide us, we draw strength from making the choice to be together.”

The Reverend Fred Kurkowski reminded us that

“It’s something to belong to a church; it really is something very special to be this strange, unique and wonderful community.” A hundred

years of worshipping, learning, serving, and caring have shaped an extraornary entity here on Melrose Avenue.”

Detailed in the following pages are the hallmarks of that entity: the care and concern we have among our members for each other and our social outreach to others in the community.

RECENT HISTORY OF PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

Since 1991 five pastors and three associates have served the church:Frederick E. Kurkowski (October 1983-February 1996)Steven W. Bridges, Associate ( July 1990-September 1994)Ronald Stegall (May 1996-July 2000)Clairnel Nervik, Associate (April 1999-July 2002)Wallace C. Matsen (September 2000-March 2002)Robert K. Barrows (March 2002-June 2016)Lance Smith, Associate ( January 2013-July 2016)Richard D. King ( July 2016- Present)

In August of 1992 our Minister Emeritus, Richard Jackson (1973-1983), was killed in a train accident near his home in Tryon. The congregation and community mourned the loss of this wonderful man who did so much for our church.

Our associate minister, Steve Bridges, resigned in September 1994 to take the pastorate of the First Congregational Church in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. His youthful energy and his ability to connect us with the natural world would be missed.

The congregation observed the 35th anniversary of our senior minister, Fred Kurkowski, with a surprise celebration in June 1995.

Before and after 1995 the Reverend Dr. Joseph Emery filled our pulpit as needed for vacationing or retiring staff. All who heard Joe were comforted and inspired by his mellifluous voice and reassuring message. He later served as Minister of Parish Visitation (1997-2000) and reported, as was typical of this selfless servant:

“In parish visitation the greatest blessing always comes to the one mak ing the visit. The enrichment that has enhanced my life as I have had contact with many of you during this year is beyond measure.”

In February of 1996 Fred Kurkowski resigned his position as Senior Minister after thirteen years to become Pastor of St. Marks UCC in Easton, Pennsyl-vania. The congregation felt sorrow in seeing this man of God go. He was, ac-cording to a colleague, ideally suited to serve a church of strong personalities:

“Fred Kurkowski is not a limelight seeker, and if he ever was driven by the desire for power, he had learned humbly to stand aside and let others lead, year after year, quietly enhancing our lives by his peaceful and enabling form of support.

“Fred taught much, by example, in the way of allowing the inspiration of those around him to flow.”

He was best as a counselor, with the gift of listening and receiving the pain of confusion of others, maintaining peaceful assurance, recognizing God as the ultimate healer.

Following Fred Kurkowski, the Reverend Doctor Ronald Stegall was called as Interim Minister. Ron came from Colorado with a wide experience in a variety of church situations: twelve years at a large suburban church in New Jersey, fifteen years at a small suburban church in New Jersey, and six years at small town and rural churches. He identified himself as a man who loved to preach, and explained his theology to the congregation:

“In terms of theology, I am rooted in the Christian tradition, although my own pilgrimage has made me grateful for spiritual truth wherever it may be found. While I am grateful for a Biblical theological perspec tive, I believe the spiritual experience of God is more important than any theological dogma or doctrine. “For me, the core challenge of the Christian life is to seek to follow Jesus Christ as the way, the truth, and the life in all the dimensions of living.”

Ron was truly a gifted preacher and was all the more impressive speaking with-out notes. His topics ranged from a service on the various familiar prayers in Christianity to five sermons on each of the five senses. In April of 1997, he was

elected to the position of permanent minister. Thereafter two Sunday services were conducted.

In 1996 the church had hired a full time Director of Christian Education, Clairnel Nervik, who had served in similar capacities in large UCC churches in Indiana and Maryland and who held Degrees from University of North Carolina (BA) and Wesley Theological Seminary (MA). Clairnel proved to be a capable and energetic DCE, handling all phases of religious education, youth group activities, and mission trips near and far. She became licensed as a minister in 1997, and in 1998 our church recommended her ordination by the UCC. In April of 1999 an ordination service for her was conducted in Tryon, and she was called as our Associate Minister. Thereafter she continued her Christian education duties as well as preaching and visitation.

In July 2000 Ron Stegall, who had recently married, decided to retire from the ministry. The congregation was sorry to lose such an impressive preacher. His messages throughout his tenure were inspiring, educational, and thought provoking. Fortunately companionship was not missed as he remained in Tryon, and his message continued through a thoughtful column in the Tryon Daily Bulletin.

In September of 2000 the Reverend Dr. Wallace C. Matsen was appointed Interim Minister to fill the vacancy. Wally came out of retirement to serve our congregation, and he brought us a wealth of experience in planning and administration as well as spiritual leadership. He greatly helped us with the search process for a new permanent Senior Minister.

With Dr. Matsen in place, Clairnel Nervik resigned as Associate Minister in July 2002 to accept a conference position in Colorado after six years of exem-plary service to both adult and youth members of the church.

In his position as Interim Minister, Wally Matsen provided us with thought provoking messages, Bible study class, a senior parish program, new ideas, good humor, and good fellowship. He gave us much to think about. Because of the two year work of the search committee, it was time for the Interim to re-retire in early 2003. In the word of church president Roger Traxler, “We will miss Wally’s preaching, teaching, New England salty remarks, suggestions, leadership and his devotion to this congregation.”

Wally Matsen’s departure occurred upon the election of the Reverend Dr. Robert K. Barrows to the position of Senior Minister who arrived in March

2002. Bob and his wife, Lisa, a college English teacher, came to us from the First Christian UCC in Burlington, NC.

At the time of their move into the church manse, they had two grown chil-dren, Ashley and Emily. Bob grew up in parsonages in Connecticut and New York and received a B.A. in philosophy from Wake Forest University in 1975 and graduated from Duke Divinity School in 1978. He served churches in Caldwell County, N.C. and Henderson, N.C. prior to moving to Burlington. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in 1995.

In 2002 Lance Smith had been hired as our part-time Director of Christian Education. He was married to Heather Campbell Smith who had grown up in our church and had served as our Director of Youth Activities, church secretary, and in a variety of other roles. Having become full time CE Direc-tor, Lance successfully developed a broad range of activities such as Hands of Change Youth Group, Fun and Learning Nights, and Mission Trips. In addition to teaching Sunday school, conducting children’s sermons, directing Rogers Fund Super Sunday events, organizing fund raisers for youth trips, he also lead the yearly Crop Walks to raise awareness about global hunger.

In November 2008 he was recommended by the Deacons for ordination train-ing. While working full time as our CE Director, he completed his studies , and at a worship service on January 20, 2013, Lance Smith was ordained as a minster of the UCC and called as our Associate Pastor. This event was another in our church’s role in fostering and facilitating spiritual growth.

The year 2016 marked a transitional year in the life of our church. After faith-fully serving us for thirteen years Bob Barrows decided to retire so that he and Lisa could move to Ohio to spend more time with their family. Bob’s tenure with us encompassed significant changes for our church and our congrega-tion. Some of the shifts had the potential to divide and seriously weaken our organization. The chancel redesigns, the changes in the music program, and the adoption of Open and Affirming (detailed in the subsequent pages of this history), were difficult issues with which we struggled. Fortunately, under the guidance of Bob’s wise and sensitive hand, the way was made clear and we emerged with acceptance and love all the stronger for our trials, united to serve. As he preached, “God’s good word to God’s good people,” we were the beneficiaries of Bob’s life and ministry.

In continuance of the changes, our Associate Pastor, Lance Smith, was called from our church to become senior pastor of Zwingli United Church of Christ

in Monticello, Wisconsin. At a farewell service on July 10, 2016, we bid a sad goodbye and a heartfelt Godspeed to Lance, Heather, Isaac, and Ezekiel Smith. As he continued on his journey of faith begun in Tryon, we thanked Lance for his fourteen years of dedication to the people and programs of our church.

To chart a path through our transition, we were pleased and excited to call as interim minister the Reverend Richard D. King in July 2016. Rick grew up in Alliance, Ohio and was most recently pastor of Longmont United Church in Colorado. He attended Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio and received his undergraduate degree in English and Philosophy from Mount Union College. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School in 1989 and was ordained in the Eastern Ohio Association’s First Im-manuel UCC in Alliance in 1990. Rick’s wife, Linda, was born and raised in Ames, Iowa. Linda has her Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Carolina. The Kings, parents of Elijah, Samuel and Gabriel, reside in Colorado but Rick will occupy our manse in his interim service. He brings a wealth of experience and is perfectly suited to assist in our search for a settled minster.

BUILDING PROGRAMS

The building programs and facilities enhancement reported in our first hun-dred years continued into the 21st century.

Although no action was taken, the congregation met in October 1991 to discuss the possibility of linking the 400 Melrose property to the main church buildings. Then in June 1992 a special congregational meeting resolved to unify the church properties as follows:

•constructfirestairsandanelevatorbetweenthebuildingstoconnect 400 Melrose and all levels of the church •addamotorentranceoffMelroseavenuetothechurchbuildings

•relocatethechoirroomandrestrooms

Holland Brady was the architect and Roger Traxler acted as supervisor. The joinder work began December 1993.

In 1998 the church nursery was completely refurbished with a grant by the Long family in memory of Mary Long. The kitchen was modernized through

the generosity of the Ken Yeager family in memory of Nancy Yeager. Also in 1998 the long-awaited courtyard and fountain were installed courtesy of a gift in memory of David Wells by his wife, Kathy Wells.

At the turn of the century, Renovation 2000 consisted of a total refurbishment of the cottage; redesign of the Fellowship Hall with new flooring, lighting, storage, seating expansion and elimination of the stage; sanctuary changes including hard wood floors in the chancel. The dedication was held for the project on Palm Sunday in April 2000.

By 2002 the sanctuary roof was replaced after years of dealing with its issues.

The church parking lots and driveways were repaved and improvements added, thanks to the generosity of members Robert and Wanda Veh.

In 2007 the church library was expanded with the addition of a special children’s section given as a gift by Carol and Bob Meeske in memory of their daughter, Jenny.

On behalf of the chancel and hand bell choirs, the deacons presented to the 2008 annual meeting a proposal to reconfigure the chancel, to move the altar forward, have the choir face the congregation and have the organ console be moveable.

Subsequently, in 2009 the trustees appointed a study committee, and it identi-fied chancel issues in addition to reorientation, such as lighting, sound system, acoustics, mildew and reredos deterioration. A chancel liaison task force was then formed to gather information and solicit congregation input on an issue on which opinions differed.

After focus groups and power point presentations, the congregation voted to proceed with the redesign of the chancel in 2010.Following many months of discussions, prayerful consideration, and construc-tion work under the direction of Mark Byington, the chancel renovations were dedicated on October 23, 2011. The redesign consisted of an adaptable semi-circular choral configuration, widened chancel entrance, replacement of reredos with wooden panels and stained glass windows, and a new moveable organ console with divided pipes on the front wall. A Steinway console piano was installed in the chancel as a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Carroll P. Rogers Jr., the grandson of church founder Charles Erskine, in memory of their son Carroll III.

GOVERNANCE AND CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE

In early 1993 a significant issue of governance loomed before us. For more than 100 years our church was one that was structured and governed loosely by design, we did not have a central authority, either within the congregation or outside of this fellowship. Our three Boards, (Trustees, Deacons and Christian Education) were largely independent of each other—as was the Women’s fel-lowship and other significant organizations.

But this decentralized structure was causing problems that were highlighted in a message to the congregation from our Senior Minister Fred Kurkowski:

“As the ministers of this church, we have certain leadership responsibili ties, but we are not the church’s decision makers. That responsibility is spread out among the Boards, special committees, other staff, and ultimately, the congregation itself. Democracy, as we practice it, is pre cious…but it is also agonizing, and sometimes it just doesn’t work as well as we would like it to. Some structural changes seem to be needed, in order for our leaders to more effectively carry out our mission and still be accountable to the entire congregation. During the past several years, many church leaders have called for revisions in our structure which will preserve our congregational principles while making more effects the decision-making process.”

Thus the matter of constitution reform, always a complex undertaking, was put squarely before us. Would we consider changing our historically loose governing structure? As in so many cases in the past, our difficult decisions were addressed with education and prayerful consideration. As a result, after a year’s study and discussion, a special congregational meeting was scheduled in December 1993 for the purpose of acting upon a motion to adopt a revised church constitution. The revisions provided for a new nine-member Church Council, with a President, Vice-President, and Member at Large elected by the congregation. Other members of the Council were the Women’s Fellow-ship President and the heads of the church Boards, which would be increased in number from three to five. The two new Boards, in addition to the present Boards of Christian Education, Deacons and Trustees would be the Board of Outreach and the Board of Parish Life. All these proposed changes would make it possible for our congregation to operate more effectively as we grow into the twenty-first century.

The motion was passed, and the new structure was implemented January 1994, streamlining and modernizing our administration and giving official channels through which to present new ideas to the congregation.

In a 1996 technical adjustment, to the Constitution was amended so that the Board of Outreach, initially set-up to attend to the needs of both local and the world communities, could be responsible for disbursing the emergency as-sistance funds formerly known as “the Deacons Assistant Fund.”

The new council governing arrangement has been in place for almost a quarter of a century, works very smoothly, and it is probable that few in the congrega-tion miss or even remember the former unstructured system.

MUSIC PROGRAM

The robust music program of our church under the direction of Joseph and Kathleen Erwin as detailed in the earlier history continued into the years after 1991. Joe conducted a memorable Bach concert to commemorate the hundred year anniversary, and in subsequent years more classical and traditional offer-ings were presented.

As a sign of the times in 1993 the General Synod of the UCC placed in devel-opment a newly revised and updated hymnal to be offered to congregations in the future.

Joe Erwin was recognized in September 2002 for twenty-five years of service to our church as organist and choir director; he being ably assisted in his duties by Kathleen Erwin who had conducted the bell ringers and performed on violin. Also in September 2002 the congregation affirmed the selection of a new hymnal, “Hymns of Truth and Light,” which was first used at the Easter Service in 2003. The new publication edited certain hymns to include neutral pronoun references.The biggest event of 2006 in our musical department was the retirement of Joe Erwin after twenty-nine years of exemplary service as organist and choir direc-tor. The entire congregation affirmed the wonderful assessment of the Erwins’ service, both personal and musical, as presented by Bob Barrows:

“We are given the opportunity to remember and celebrate the mul titude of ways Joe and Kathleen offered the precious gift of music to this church and community. It is astounding to consider the myriad of ways their music ministered to the needs of others. Just think of

the number of worship services, weddings, memorial services, and com munity services where their gift was shared. How wonderful it was to remember and offer thanks for Joe and Kathleen’s love and faithfulness.”

In 2006 Margaret Leach of Hendersonville was appointed Choir Director and Diane Pickens of Spartanburg was selected as organist. These energetic and talented musicians worked as a team to provide a new approach to the church’s music program.

In December 2010 as an economizing measure, our organist, Diane Pickens was given the job of Organist/Choir Director, consolidating those jobs. The result was a return to more traditionally based musical offerings.

In her ten years of service, Diane did a superior job of maintaining our excel-lent music program. With her connections at Converse College in Spartan-burg, SC, she enhanced our programming with vocal and instrumental soloists and was a gifted musician in her own right. By April 2016 she found a position closer to her Spartanburg home at the First Presbyterian Church in Laurens, SC, and we thanked her for her years of dedication to us.

With the departure of Diane Pickens our congregation’s own Carole Bartol was appointed Interim Organist and Choir Director. Carole is no stranger to this role, because for several decades she has been most gracious and able in filling in for Joe Erwin or Diane Pickens whenever needed. We are so fortunate to have such an accomplished musician in our midst, and both the choir and the congregation have been enriched by her talents.

As of June 2016 John Mullaney of Brevard, NC had been called to be our permanent organist and choir director. John is a native of New York City but now resides in Hendersonville, where he has been an active substitute in area churches. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists and has served in a leadership capacity within that organization. When planning a service John likes to focus on a theme along with the minister, so that “when people leave they know what that service was about.”

John states that he is

“Interested in building relationships and cooperation” because “without these two key ingredients, nothing can be successfully achieved.”

He states that

“It is my aim to associate myself with people and churches that have a seriousness of purpose and intent and are willing to make a commit ment to whatever it takes to create and nurture a quality music pro gram.”

CHURCH OUTREACH

Since our beginnings as a church, benevolent outreach has been a focus of our existence. The years following our hundredth year observance saw a passionate continuation of that mission.

Extending its work in 1992, the Hunger Concern and Action Now established a relationship with the county Department of Social Services to develop a training program called “Experience Education” for job training by volunteers.

The church formed the Family Partnership Committee in 1996 to support a needy family in Polk County via economic support and transportation coordi-nated with local social support agencies.

In 1999 a new group called WHO (We Help Others) started in response to the Long Range Planning Committee’s request for a project that could involve many members of the congregation. This involved small repairs and/or clean-up activities for persons unable to physically or financially do these things themselves. The group worked with the Thermal Belt Outreach Minis-try. Expenses were paid from the Board of Outreach budget. Projects involved building ramps at homes of disabled persons, clean-ups, fixing small electrical problems, and preparing homes for winter.

A program which came to be known as “The Grandfather Home Project” was launched in 2000 to assist a grandfather who was attempting to raise 5 grand-children by doing home renovations and providing other support.

The Outreach Board completed a furniture drive for Ashley Meadows af-fordable housing project and in 2004 initiated a successful fair trade coffee program, sales of which continue to aid farmers of small coffee concerns in Latin America.

Following hurricane Katrina in 2005, the church raised and contributed $13,000.00 for relief. In May 2006 the church sent twelve members led by

Manfred Walter and Dr. Barrows to New Orleans to assist with rebuilding af-ter Katrina. The participants worked on the house of Debra Joseph who came to Tryon later in October to share her experience and thank the congregation. The team returned to New Orleans in 2007 to continue work on damaged houses, and a third trip was made in 2008.

The WHO program was renamed “Operation Helping Hands” and became reenergized in 2008 under the leadership of Cliff Joens. Cliff and his team of volunteers reached out to repair homes, build ramps, and make visits to the lonely. This program has proved to be a blessing to the community and has assisted many, many families.

The year 2011 marked our church’s participation in the “Stop Hunger Now” meal packing program for global famine and our participation in the “Feed A Kid” project to enhance local nutrition for school children on summer break, since there are eleven weeks of summer recess during which the children on school lunch assistance would otherwise go hungry. In 2015 fifty volunteers worked to feed 100 children in the three month break.

A summary of 2015 Outreach activities includes most of the programs report-ed in this history as well as visitations and music by the White Oak Singers, Angel Tree Christmas gift support and Share the Warmth coat collection.

PRESIDENTS

Board of Trustees (1992-1993)

Church Council (1994-2016)1992 Holland Brady1993 Roger Traxler1994 Homer Carder1995 Harold “Bud” Shively1998 Petie Kaericher2000 Richard “Dick” Long2002 Roger Traxler 2004 Joe Cunningham2006 Clara Rogers2008 Gregory Carroll2009 Cherie Brooks

2012 Manfred Walter2014 Mark Byington2016 William “Bill” Boone

CHURCH PARTICIPATION, MEMBERSHIP, AND INCLUSION

The special contributions of our members, their participation in the activities of the church, and our welcoming of others into our spiritual life were early earmarks of our fellowship and they have continued.

The significant event of 1991 was the September 15th celebration of Anniver-sary Sunday commemorating the church’s 100th year. A sermon by the Rev-erend Dr. Paul Sherry, President of the UCC denomination was followed by a festive dinner. Attendees heard the recollections of the long-time members Iola Jackson, Tootsie Arledge, and Eva Missildine Thayer. Especially moving was a testimony of appreciation by Rosario Fernandez, a former Cuban refugee whose family had been given a fresh start by our church in 1963. Other an-niversary recognitions were Joe Erwin’s program of the Life of Christ in the music of Johanna Sebastian Bach, the publishing of our Centennial Hymn composed by Joe Erwin and Steve Clement, and the preparation of a “Time Capsule” by church youth to be stored in the attic of 400 Melrose.A pictorial directory was initiated in March 1991, and assisted the members in getting to know one another better.

A 9am service began in October 1991 providing options in timing and format of worship.

Our congregation was blessed in 1993 by a very special gift from three of our members. Miss Katherine Kirby and Dave and Adie Kirby made arrangements through the Polk County Foundation to provide a grant to our church each year, through which we would be able to offer one or more special events for our members in the community.

In 1998 the church recommended participation in the Stephen Ministry Pro-gram, a one to one ministry to church members by trained lay people. By 1999 the Stephen Ministry was launched so that the needs of our members in times of stress would be met in a loving and caring way. Linda Haynes and Clairnel Nervik attended an intense training session in Orlando, Florida, to enable them to teach volunteer Stephen Ministers. After training is completed these

volunteers work under supervision and are able to give help and care to person going through traumatic events in their lives.

In May of 2001 a meeting was held to form a new group called “Senior Parish.” This program was developed by Dr. Wallace Matsen in his doctoral program and is designed as a way of ministering to those of our church who are no lon-ger able to fully participate in the life of the church. Members of Senior Parish each visit a different person every month. Senior Parish was led by Karen Killough, initially.

In September 2003 an early service at 9am was reinstituted by Dr. Barrows.

The closing of the Stephen Ministry Program in December 2011 marked a milestone for the congregation. Over ten years 31 caregivers had been trained and had served care receivers weekly, a blessing to our church.

In July 2005 the Council held a special meeting to consider a resolution passed by the twenty-fifth General Synod of the United Church of Christ. It read as follows:

“Therefore let it be resolved that the twenty-fifth General Synod of the United Church of Christ affirms equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender and declares the government should not interfere with couples regardless of gender who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and com mitment of legally recognized marriage, and let it be further resolved that the twenty-fifth General Synod calls upon congregations, after prayerful biblical theological and historical study and considering adopting wedding policies that do not discriminate against couples based on gender.”

The council discussed this issue at length and issued a statement that our church welcomes ALL people. This initiative was to become known as “Open and Affirming (ONA).”

In May 2013, the Deacons began a discussion of exploring and, perhaps, adopting an Open and Affirming Statement by our congregation. They voted unanimously to open the discussion of Open and Affirming status with the Church Council. With Council approval, the Deacons were encouraged to or-ganize and conduct exploratory meetings. In October the Deacons welcomed Rev. Barbara Rathbun, who had great experience with ONA. In November

plans were made to create small “focus” groups of congregation members for ONA discussion and possible adoption, with gatherings to be under the direc-tion of Dr. Barrows and Dawn Forward, chair of Deacons.

The process of meetings allowed for a diversity of education and discussion op-portunities for the congregation, and enabled the Council to make a thought-ful decision to bring the matter to the congregation for a vote in late October 2014. An overwhelming majority (over 90%) voted in favor, and by so doing this church is now recognized in the UCC as being an Open and Affirming church. The statement our church adopted reads:

“The Congregational Church of Tryon welcomes persons of all ages, races, social and economic circumstances, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender ex-pressions, abilities and church backgrounds to participate in the life and ministry of our church.”

In 2013 the Women’s Fellowship, an integral part of the life and financial support of the church marked its 100th year of good works. This historic milestone was recognized at a celebration service on May 5, 2013, however, this milestone also marked a farewell. After faithfully and generously serving the community and the church for a century, the Women’s Fellowship was dis-solved in June 2013. A corollary organization, Women of Worship (WOW) was instituted to replace some of the functions in response to the changing role of women in today’s society. WOW planned a Board of five members, three mission projects, and one fundraiser. An intergenerational aspect of WOW is to provide special fellowship for both women and girls of the church.

To further advance participation of women in the church, the Lydia Circle was formed inviting all women to share in projects for good works.

So many people have contributed to the life and work of our church that it is perilous for the historian to mention specific names. However as was the case with Franklin Basler’s 1991 compilation, the church records point out several names which deserve special mention (even while recognizing that their efforts have been matched by others here unnamed).

Earl Foy is remembered as “Mr. Usher,” ready, willing and able to serve at a mo-ment’s notice. He also was the man who for decades scaled the Erskine holly tree to string Christmas lights for the entrance to our church. Our former grounds keepers and custodians, Isaac Mills, Raymond Waters, and Tony Hamilton kept us looking good for a combined sixty years. As Trustee for

facilities Miles Southworth provided yeoman service as he was seen shirtless and shoeless on Sunday mornings to mop up flooding waters. Carol and Bob Meeske were organizers and gracious hosts of numerous Easter Sunrise Ser-vices at their home. Many have provided food offerings but the contributions over the years of Linda and Jack Campbell to the delight of our palates will be long remembered.

Office staffers, Pat Taylor, Laura Miller Bowman, Sherry Godfrey, Paula Mierop, Jaymee Frole, and faithful volunteers Kathy Wells, Ann Franklin and Dolores Mhyre have kept us organized and informed. Donna Southworth has been a church clerk par excellence.

Finally the church historian must give credit to those who preserved the chro-nology presented here. Since Franklin Basler in 1991 the following have served as church historians: Clarke Taube, Ann Inks, Millege Hahn, Bob Meeske, Carolyn Brady, Dawn Forward and Alex Poe. The reports, scrapbooks and photographic albums preserved by these custodians are our legacy.

THE FUTURE

If the past is “prologue to the future” our church will continue to be a place of worship filled with diverse participants who are caring, community minded, and ecumenical. Out of our diversity will come a wide variety of experiences and expectations that are the mixture of our Christian traditions; but in that diversity we will in the coming years, as we have in the past, resolve to love one another and unite to serve our Lord and our world. With our combined strength and the guidance of our God no future challenges will be too great for us to overcome. We will continue to stand by and be faithful to our conviction:

We are a church that believes life is worth living, people

are worth loving, and God is worth trusting

The Congregational Church of Tryon (United Church of Christ)

210 Melrose AvenueTryon, North Carolina 28782

828-859-9414