Timber Ridge "Old Stone" Presbyterian Church
Yoked Together with
Timber Ridge "Old Stone" Presbyterian Church Yoked Together with
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| Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 (NRSV) BELL CHOIR Bell Choir meets on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary
The Timber Ridge Presbyterian handbell choir was started in the fall of 1991, by Mrs. Jean Goshorn. Mrs. Goshorn has been musically inclined all her life, involved with numerous handbell and children's choirs even leading a youth bell choir on the ellipse near the White House in DC, a part of many other church music programs at various churches, and was the organist at TRPC for a number of years before her retirement from this capacity in 2004, and from directing the bell choir in 2005. Her husband, Dr. Bob Goshorn, is a retired Presbyterian pastor. In 1959 they were at a retreat at Montreat where they experienced a handbell choir in person which was the start of many years of Mrs. Goshorn's interest and involvement in bell choirs. After the Goshorns returned from Montreat to the church where they were serving at that time, they decided to purchase a set of bells. They borrowed the $345 to purchase the set of bells which was quite a lot of money in 1959 and what wonderful things God has done with these bells. Mrs. Goshorn modestly states that this old set of bells is responsible for starting eight bell choirs but we know that if it were not for Mrs. Goshorn's expertise, wisdom, desire, and talent it is likely none of the bell choirs would have been come to fruition. The Timber Ridge choir used these "old clunkers" (as Jean refers to them) for their beginning and their debut was on Sunday November 24, 1991. Now the handbell choir uses Malmark bells which are unique in that they had the first successful hand-adjustable clapper which means the tone can be changed with a twist of the clapper. This was a great improvement over having to use a screwdriver to change the tone - something a bit awkward in the midst of a song. The handles of these bells are colored according to pitch and match the black or white coloring of piano keys which makes identification of the bells much easier. The first octave of these Malmark bells were purchased by TRPC with memorial funds donated by the Williams family and friends in memory of Sue Williams. Other bells have been purchased with gifts in memory of loved ones. Inside the handles of the bells are inscriptions of the memorial information. Those interested in donating other bells may do so by contacting the church at trpc@rockbridge.net or the Worship committee chairman the information for which can be found on the Committees page of this website. When the Goshorns first purchased the old handbell set in 1959 there was no handbell music available, so she composed, stenciled, and mimeographed original handbell music. Today thanks in great part to Mrs. Goshorn's generosity and the gifts of others the Timber Ridge handbell choir enjoys an abundance of handbell music, clear music stands, and very nice music notebooks. Thanks to the talent of three seamstresses - Suzanne Crawford, Jean Beard, and Ibis Chambers - the choir has very professional-looking handbell table covers. The TRPC bell choir shares the joy and beauty of its music not only with those who worship at Timber Ridge but also at other churches and functions. They participate in the handbell festival at Lexington Presbyterian Church. Their music has been for a number of years and continues to be a wonderful blessing to the many who are privileged to hear them play.
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