HISTORY OF REFORMATION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ASSOCIATE REFORMED FLAT ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA
On August 23, 1998 Dean Turbeville, the pastor of Hendersonville First Presbyterian Church, resigned. As a result, many of the members of First Presbyterian made the decision to find another place to worship, not because of the fact that Pastor Turbeville left, but because of the circumstances that caused him to leave. The session of the church was not supportive of the preaching of the whole council of God.
After the worship service on August 23 Charles and Bertie Toler began to hear of the decision of several members to leave the church. They had lunch with Robert and Maxine Hicks and began to list those who they knew were planning to leave. On that Sunday, Bertie began to call the members of First Presbyterian that she knew were definitely planning to not return. The purpose of the calls was to encourage each one to continue to worship at First church for three more Sundays, at which time the congregation was to vote on the severance package to be offered to Dean. The purpose was also to poll each family to see if they would be willing to meet together in order to discuss forming a reformed church in the area. For the next three days Charles and Bertie talked to 82 people. Each person called was eager to meet and pray for the direction that God would have them take, as far as where they should worship.
Bertie called Elizabeth Miller to see if James Miller III would be willing to moderate a meeting of concerned people whenever the date was set. Libby encouraged Bertie to seek out James IV since her husband was so very busy. James IV agreed to be the moderator and a meeting was set for September 14, 1998 at the Toms Park Activity center in Hendersonville. Jim sent a letter to everyone interested in meeting and on September 14 at 7 P.M. 82 adults were present to discuss their options concerning a place to worship. After the meeting those who wished filled out a survey that they had received. The surveys were gathered and the results were tabulated by Jim Miller, Bob Ronningen, Charles Toler, Cliff Gettys, and Griff Merchant. Jim Miller sent a letter itemizing the results of the survey to all those who attended the meeting. During the week of September 15 Jim Miller asked Dean Turbeville if he would consider pastoring a church in Hendersonville composed of the people who were interested in starting a reformed church. He also asked Dean if he would meet with the group on September 21 at Toms Activity Center and give his reply. After much prayer and discussion with his family Dean met with those concerned individuals. There were 103 adults and children present at the September 21 meeting. The meeting was opened by James Miller IV, who presented Dean with a call to help form and pastor a reformed church in Hendersonville, NC. Dean accepted the call and then conducted the rest of the meeting. Those present voted to associate with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian denomination. From a list of five names for the church (THE CHURCH OF THE ATONEMENT, GOOD SHEPHERD PRESBYTERIAN, REDEEMER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER, REFORMATION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH), those present voted to name the church REFORMATION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The first worship service was set for September 27, 1998 at 6:00 P.M. at the Bonclarken chapel. Bertie Toler volunteered to set up a nursery schedule and to find a paid helper to keep the nursery. Robert Ronningen volunteered his photocopying services. Dean selected the ushers to be Rod and Vicki Caldwell and Chris and Beth Hill. He appointed Cliff Gettys to be the treasurer and Charles Kuykendall to be the assistant treasurer. Charles Toler announced a church picnic for October 10 at the Nibble Nook in Bonclarken to celebrate this new beginning of Gods work in Hendersonville.
Arnie Uhrlass and Al Smith painted and carpeted the pastors office in Synodical Hall at Bonclarken. Maxine Hicks made the drapes for the office. Evelyn Uhrlass volunteered to be temporary secretary to the pastor.
Jim Miller III, Bob Ronningen, Don Mitchell, and Rod Caldwell were appointed to make up the Long Range Planning Committee whose primary job was to look for property where a permanent church home could be.
September 26, 1998 - An announcement appeared in the "Times News" announcing the formation of Reformation Presbyterian Church.
September 27, 1998 - First worship service is held at 6:00 P.M. in the chapel at Bonclarken. Maxine Hicks set up a prayer chain for the church. Reformation Church has committed itself to seeking Gods guidance and petitioning Him for the needs of the church as well as the whole world.
October 1998 - The congregation pays off the $25,000 house loan fund to First Presbyterian Church, Hendersonville, NC.
October 4, 1998 - Children came before the worship service started for a hot dog supper provided by Elizabeth Miller and began their catechism instruction. Parents were encouraged to help their children memorize the catechism during the week. Organist, Mrs. Todd Gillespie, and pianist, Mr. Todd Gillespie, assisted the congregation in worship. Before the worship service, the provisional elders were installed. After the worship service those who wished to place there names on the membership role of Reformation Presbyterian Church took vows and the following elders were appointed and ordained to oversee those members: Robert Hicks, James Miller IV, Michael Rhodes, and Charles Toler. The elders were chosen as provisional elders until a nomination committee could be established. They committed themselves to our primary document (The Holy Scriptures), and to our secondary documents (The Westminster Confession of Faith, our Westminster catechisms, the ARP Book of Standards).
October 6, 1998 - Dean Turbeville went to Gastonia, NC to be examined by the ARP committee of Examination and Worship.
October 10, 1998 - Church picnic was held at Nibble Nook in Bonclarken. The tables over flowed with dishes brought in from each household. R. J. Gore spoke to those present after the meal. He encouraged each of us in the endeavor to which God is calling us, noting that we did not divide any church by removing our membership, but we seceded from churches that were watering down Gods Word and Work.
October 11, 1998 - Name tags for all the members were provided by Rod Caldwell. After the worship service the visitors pads, which were obtained by Nicholai Ronningen, were collected by Jim and Marge Rafferty. Wilma Garnes was given the attendance and she began a computerized record of attendance and visitors. She gave a copy of her results to the pastor and Bonnie Hamilton. Bonnie and the pastor called each of the visitors to thank them for worshipping with us.
October 13, 1998 - Dean and all the elders went to Statesville, NC for Dean Turbeville to be inducted into the ARP denomination. By the vote of First Presbytery, the Reformation Presbyterian Church was joyfully welcomed into the ARP fold, and Dean Turbeville was added to the role of the presbytery.
October 15, 1998 - Second announcement appeared in the "Times News" newspaper.
October 22, 1998 - The first prayer breakfast was held in the home of Charles and Bertie Toler. Every Thursday morning since then the prayer breakfast continued. Sometimes it was held in different homes and sometimes in Synodical Hall, but it is now meeting regularly at the home of the Tolers.
October 25, 1998 - Before the worship service the following deacons were ordained to serve 6 year terms:
After the worship service the congregation enjoyed a time of fellowship and refreshments provided by Susan Selix. Susan continued to provide this special time after every worship service throughout the rest of October and during November and December.
October 30, 1998 - Third announcement appeared in the "Times News" newspaper.
November 1998 - Dave and Beth Battle moved to Alaska.
November 1998 - Bonnie Hamilton along with Dean Turbeville takes on the responsibility of calling all the visitors that come to the worship service. This is a wonderful way to let people know that their visit was appreciated.
November 4, 1998 - The Women of the Church met with Ann Brice in order to collect materials and discuss the make up of the WOC in the ARP denomination.
November 18, 1998 - Fourth announcement appeared in the "Times News" newspaper.
November 21, 1998 - The children of the church met at the home of Charles and BertieToler to make Advent Wreaths and study the history of the Advent symbols.
November 22, 1998 - The second group of charter members took their vows. There were 26 communicant members and 4 covenant children.
November 25, 1998 - Announcement appeared in the "Town Tooter".
November 26, 1998 - Announcement appeared in the "Times News" newspaper.
November 29, 1998 - Tom Sheppard spoke to the congregation during the morning worship service.
December, 1998 - The pastor and session made "Table Talk", a devotional booklet published by The Ligioner and edited by R. C. Sproul, Jr., available to each family in the church.
December, 1998 - Nelly Blackbourn was hired as part time church secretary.
December 1998 - Christie Blackbourn, daughter of Robert and Nelly Blackbourn, graduated from Western Carolina University.
December 2, 1998 - The congregation celebrated Dean Turbevilles 40th birthday with a covered dish dinner that was organized by Barbara Smith. Jim Miller IV presented some of the highlights of Deans life.
December 3, 1998 - Announcement appeared in the "Times News" newspaper.
December 5, 1998 - The Women of the Church at Pinecrest Presbyterian Church invited the Women of the Church of Reformation to a Christmas luncheon.
December 6, 1998 - Sunday School classes began at 9:30 A.M. in Draffin Hall at Bonclarken.
Teaching the "Applying the Westminster Confession to Daily Living" to 7th Graders through adults - Session and Minister
Teaching the book of John to adults - Tom Sheppard
Teaching children in 4th, 5th and 6th grades - Dick Hebach
Teaching Second and Third Graders - Elizabeth Miller
Teaching Kindergarten and First Graders - Margaret Miller
December 7, 1998 - First Women of the Church meeting led by Pauline Piatt.
December 10, 1998 - Announcement appeared in the "Times News" newspaper.
December 11,1998 - The Nominating Committee of the Women of the Church, made up of Wilma Garnes, Marge Rafferty, and Bertie Toler, met to seek out women who were willing to fill offices in the WOC organization. The slate of officers presented to the WOC were Pauline Piatt as President, Jean Wismer as Vice President, Fran Zarmer as secretary, Vivianne Henry as treasurer, Nancy Turbeville as Spiritual Life leader, Mary Cowden as Witness and Outreach leader, Shirley Ritzell as World Outreach leader.
December 12, 1998 - The congregation enjoyed a covered dish supper and White Elephant Party held in Convocation Hall at Bonclarken and organized by Bertie Toler. The fellowship was warm and the laughter was plentiful as we opened up presents that were castoffs from various homes.
December 13, 1998 - The church made a donation to the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee for human relief and rebuilding in Central America in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch.
December 14, 1998 - Announcement appeared in the "Times News" newspaper.
December 17, 1998 - Announcement appeared in the "Times News" newspaper.
December 20, 1998 - Several of the members of the congregation went caroling to shut-ins and friends of the congregation. Al Smith drove the Bonclarken van and others took their cars packed with adults and children who wished to share the Christmas gift of song.
December 24, 1998 - Announcement appeared in the "Times News".
December 24, 1998 - Christmas Eve Service that includeed The Lords Supper.
January 1999 - The deacons set up a "Handyman" service for the congregation. Anyone needing physical work done in their homes were encouraged to call on the deacons.
January 1999 - Tom Sheppard was hired as Assistant to the pastor. This would be a one year commitment.
January 9, 1999 - The children of Reformation and their families went to see the movie "The Prince of Egypt" and afterwards to Pizza Hut. Barbara Smith organized the party.
January 9,1999 - First picture taking day for the new directory.
January 10, 1999 - The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church held a reception at the Bonclarken Chapel to install Dean Turbeville as preaching minister at Reformation Presbyterian Church.
