ABOUT US
OUR VISION
Trinity is a family of faith, trusting and following Jesus Christ, welcoming and nurturing all people, reaching out to serve the needs of our communities near and far, and doing these things humbly and joyfully, believing that the greatest commandment is LOVE.
FIND US
Trinity Presbyterian Church
900 Blythe Street, Hendersonville NC 28791
A part of the Reformed tradition, PCUSA is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States. Established in its current form in 1983, PCUSA is characterized by a progressive stance on doctrine and a spirit of inclusiveness.
Trinity is a proud member of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, which includes 103 congregations with over 15,000 members, and spans to the east to Gastonia, north to Banner Elk and west to the Tennessee line.
In January 2020, Trinity officially joined More Light Presbyterians, an organization within PCUSA working toward the full participation of LGBTQIA+ people in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) – and in society.
In 2006, in celebration of Trinity's 40th anniversary, we established a partnership with our sister church, Fuente de Vida in Suchitepeque, Guatemala, to provide yearly scholarships for children and young adults in the congregation.
OUR PARTNERS
MEET THE STAFF
Rev. Dr. Mark Stanley
Pastor & Head of Staff
The Reverend Mark Stanley was born in West Jefferson, NC, and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Mark attended St. Andrews Presbyterian College where he majored in philosophy and graduated in 1983. Shortly thereafter, Mark entered Union Seminary, where he met his wife, Becky, also a student at Union. They were married in 1987 and have served three pastorates in Virginia, Goochland, Hampton, and Staunton. They have two daughters, Elizabeth and Emily.
In 2008 Mark completed the Doctor of Ministry program in Arts and Theology through Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
Rev. Dwight Christenbury
Associate Pastor
(828) 692-6114
Dwight Christenbury grew up in the Presbyterian Church in various cities, towns, and campsites throughout Virginia. His faith was shaped not only by the local congregation but in the church-without-walls of Camp Hat Creek, the outdoor ministry center of the Presbytery of the Peaks (Lynchburg, Va.).
Dwight met his wife, Carol Steele, when they were both on the staff of Camp Hat Creek. They found themselves called to professional ministry in the church through their camp and conference experiences and, later, through their membership and involvement in the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C.
Following their time in Washington, Carol and Dwight attended Union Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (Richmond, Va.), from which they graduated in 2005. They moved to western North Carolina when Carol was called to the position of Senior Associate Director of the Center for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Montreat Conference Center.
In addition to his work at Trinity, Dwight is a writer of Christian Education curriculum for youth for the
We Believe series, published by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Stephen Klein
Music Director & Organist
(828) 696-9921 (home)
Stephen Klein studied music and dance at Florida State University where his piano professor was Carlisle Floyd. Since coming to Hendersonville in 1976, he has taken part in many local musical entities in various functions including singing, playing various Renaissance musical instruments, pianist, organist, director, piano technician. He has been a happy musician for Trinity Presbyterian Church since 1983.
NOTE: Choir rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7:30pm
Sally Beghtol, CP
Minister of Visitation
Sally Hetland Beghtol was born, raised, educated and married in Wisconsin. Her career took her to Iowa in 1970.
Sally’s 33 year career included teaching all levels of Special Education, liaison for Title 1 Reading and coordination of Exceptional Education. She also has a degree in counseling.
After retirement she and her husband Roger moved to North Carolina in 1998.
After she was widowed the second time she went back to school and became a Presbyterian Lay Pastor. She has been a member of Trinity for 21 years.
Sally has a daughter Kim, son in law Russ and a grandson Jack.
Sally is a recent cancer survivor and has cold caps, ice boots, ice mittens and prayer shawls for anyone who would benefit from them.
Katie Cilluffo
Administrative Assistant
& Soprano Soloist
trinitypresbyterianpcusa@gmail.com (work)
katiecilluffo@gmail.com (personal)
(828) 699-1218 (church cell)
(828) 692-6114 (office)
Katie studied music at Interlochen Arts Academy and the University of Michigan. Originally from Michigan, she has lived in WNC for over a decade and can be found around town performing anything from jazz to opera to progressive rock.
Katie has been singing at Trinty for over four years and loves being an active part of her church family.
In addition to her activities at Trinity, Katie is an adjunct professor of voice at Warren WIlson College in Swannanoa, NC.
Gene Carlson
Custodian
(561) 706-0711 (mobile)
Born and raised in Florida, Gene went to Auburn University after which he worked in banking for over 30 years as a mortgage loan officer. He relocated to the Hendersonville area where he met his lovely wife Lin. When not at Trinity, Gene and his wife run their own business, "Mimi's Mountain Mixes" which sells beer bread baking mixes at regional grocery stores, food exhibitions, and specialty shops throughout western North Carolina. In their free time, they enjoy spending time travelling to visit with their 12 grandchildren.
Beth Pensiero
Alto Soloist
Beth came to live in Henderson County with husband Frank Burzio in May 2012. She and Frank moved here after working and living for many years in the New York Metropolitan area. They worked for decades as ensemble singers at New York City Opera in Lincoln Center. Before Beth’s tenure at NYCO, she worked at Opera Company of Philadelphia as well as at a number of churches and synagogues in Philadelphia and New Jersey. She is happy to have been a choir section leader at Trinity since 2014 and hopes to continue in the future. In addition to dabbling in community theater and concertizing in the area, Beth teaches English as a Second Language and is active in other local service organizations.
Frank Burzio
Bass soloist
Frank Burzio, a longtime resident of New York City worked in the classical music field for over 40 years. He performed with many of the New York City arts organizations and served as a tenor soloist with numerous churches and temples in the area. In 1977 he joined the New York City Opera as a member of the ensemble working under Maestro Julius Rudel, Beverly Sills, and Christopher Keene. Upon retiring from the company in 2012, he and his wife, soprano Beth Pensiero moved to North Carolina. In 2014 we joined the Trinity Presbyterian Church Choir and have made many wonderful friends over the past few years.
Eric McAnallen
Tenor Soloist
Eric grew up in Thailand with missionary parents, Victor and Marian McAnallen, who were very active members of the Trinity family. He studied Music Business and Vocal Performance at Geneva College where he was also involved in numerous instrumental and vocal ensembles. In 1988 and 1989 he toured with The Continental Brass & Singers to Colombia, Brazil, Tahiti, Fiji, Australia and the US.
Following college Eric spent 10 years in Pittsburgh and another 14 years in Houston participating in numerous ensembles before making the move to WNC in 2014 to care for his aging parents. He has been very active in the area music scene and has sung the Asheville Symphony Chorus, Asheville Symphony Chamber Chorus, Blue Ridge Sacred Chorale, Cantaria Men’s Chorus, the Asheville Choral Society and Tempus.
In addition to serving as Tenor Lead at Trinity, Eric is an Implementation Specialist & Operations Analyst for the UnitedHealthcare/Optum Health.
MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Presbyterians are led by a "Session", a group of church members who are ordained to help guide the church.
They are also the volunteers who make Trinity go!
OUR ELDERS
Clerk of Session: Kathryn Forsythe
2021
Kathryn Forsythe
Ron Howard
Jeffrey Sheffield
Ed Spencer
Judi Weeter
2022
Diane Bowers
Julie Carter
Molly Garnett
Jim Smelker
Fitz Sthreshley
2023
Steve Culp
Pat Dienst
Leslie Nissen
Mark Slaughter
Dan Donovan
Administration - Ed Spencer
Building and Grounds - Mark Slaughter
Christian Nurture - Molly Garnett
Fellowship - Julie Carter
Finance and Stewardship - Diane Bowers & Jim Smelker
Global Missions - Dan Donovan
Local Missions - Leslie Nissen
New Member - Tom Bridges
Personnel - Fitz Sthreshley
Worship - Judi Weeter
Building Use Coordinator - Jeffrey Sheffield
Endowment Fund Committee - Steve Culp
Hannan Committee - Mark Slaughter, liaison; Tom Bridges
Nominating Committee - Ron Howard
Deacon Liaison - Nancy Kisner
Presbyterian Women Liaison - Diane Bowers
Memorial Garden Liaison - Duane Johnson
OUR DEACONS
Moderator: Mary Louise Forsythe
2021
Helen Dearborn
Linda Dillon
Judy Groff
Jane Presseau
Linda Stokes
2022
Andy Nissen
Barbara Pickwoad
Norie Sanchez
Cheryl Spencer
Carolyn George
2023
Mary Culp
Mary Louise Forsythe
Billie Hicklin
Harry Petersen
Nancy Sheffield
Jocelyn Tolleson
OUR HISTORY
Trinity Presbyterian Church has been a vibrant part of the Hendersonville community for over 50 years!
What began in a little cabin moved out into a new sanctuary,
and continues to spread out into our greater community on a daily basis.
Please join us anytime. We'd love to meet you.