Published: March 4, 2022

"Helping Hands: Triplets!" is a KOP initiative designed to support one of our recently arrived Afghan couples who welcomed triplets on February 9! They live in the Brighton/Rochester area. We are reaching out to our community to mobilize a group of women volunteers willing to offer hands-on help in caring for the babies. Helpers will have the support of Keeping Our Promise volunteers: Lin Vanderstyne and Deb Abell.

While the arrival of the triplets is surely delightful, we also respect the complexities of caring for three infants. We are conducting this outreach volunteer request in advance of them being discharged home, and are mindful that we may need to adjust course. Specifically, we are seeking women to do one or more 'shifts' per week or every other week. We are hopeful for consistency for the couple and the babies. Ideally, a shift would be four hours; however, there is certainly flexibility. We ask that volunteers be fully vaccinated, including boosted, and masked when in the home. Helpers must be willing to register as a volunteer with Keeping Our Promise—a very simple process. 

Thank you for considering this deeply meaningful volunteer opportunity to care for these dear little ones. If you are interested in volunteering with this family or if you have any questions, please contact Keeping Our Promise volunteer, Jordan Bontrager at Jordan.keepingourpromise@gmail.com.

Published: March 4, 2022

The Monday Morning Crew (MMC) is in need of electric drills. It is a tool utilized by the MMC and our Property Care team to exact repairs. If anyone is interested in donating a used electric drill, we’d greatly appreciate it. We can use both corded or cordless. Please drop them off at the church office (1050 East Ave) during the week, or refer to Dave Kennedy at dakennedy@frontiernet.net.

Published: March 4, 2022

Sundays beginning March 6, 9:45 am, Room 204

As we prepare for Easter, Asbury First Children's Ministry is excited to return to in-person Sunday School on March 6th at 9:45 am, for children age 4 through 5th grade. Our Sunday School theme this Lenten Season is Growing in God and some of our activities will include planting Easter gardens, making donkey crafts, artwork with ashes, making pretzels and re-enacting the Last Supper.

And if parents are looking for something to do at the same time, you can join Emily Cady as she leads a new, in-person class on Sunday mornings at 9:45 am in Room 201. This class will be focused on Maggie Smith's NEW book Keep Moving - The Journal: Thrive Through Change and Create a Life You Love. If you took last year's class, you'll love this new journal!

We can't wait to see you and your children face-to-face again soon!

Published: Feb. 28, 2022

Sunday, March 27, 2–4 pm, Temple B'Rith Kodesh, 2131 Elmwood Ave

The women of the Temple B'Rith Kodesh (TBK) sisterhood cordially invite us to hear five Afghan women share experience from Afghanistan and their new lives in Rochester. The event is from 2–4 pm, but an optional tour of the temple will take place at 1:30 pm. Please RSVP no later than Friday, March 18 to Liza Robbins-Theuman at ltheuman@yahoo.com with your name and all those in your party to ensure there are nametags available at Door F. 

TBK's COVID policy requires everyone entering the temple to be fully vaccinated and boosted (if eligible), showing proof of vaccination. Masks are requried. The service of coffee, tea, and pastries will be determinged closer to the event date and will be based on the lates COVID guidelines and rates.

Published: Feb. 24, 2022

Check out the new executive summary of the content, discussion, and meaningful actions of each of the February board meeting. While there are some aspects of our work that will need to be kept confidential (particularly as it relates to certain personnel and legal matters), we believe this will go a long way toward improving the transparency of our actions and conversations. 

Read the latest summary

Published: Feb. 11, 2022

Wednesdays beginning March 9, 10-11:30, In-Person and on Zoom, zoom.us/j/8347173468

Many people think about giving something up for Lent. Last fall, Asbury First’s Wednesday morning study group joked about giving up the patriarchy when it chose to read Beth Allison Barr’s The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth during Lent. This book study will begin on March 9, and is a hybrid gathering. Some people gather in-person at Asbury First, and some join us online via Zoom. All are welcome as we embark on this new text to learn more about our faith, and to challenge some of the presuppositions of complementarianism. Contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org with questions or for more information.

Published: Feb. 11, 2022

Beginning Wednesday, February 9, 12:15 pm, Click here for the Zoom Link

Outdoor educator and field researcher Sara Dykman made history when she became the first person to bicycle alongside monarch butterflies on their storied annual migration – a round-trip adventure that included three countries and more than 10,000 miles. If you are concerned about saving the threatened monarch migration and learning more about these beautiful creatures, please read Bicycling with Butterflies with WOW beginning February 9. WOW is not a traditional book group: we read in small sections and discuss in depth to really gather the essence of the author’s message. By the way, did you know Asbury First has an official Seneca Park Butterfly Beltway Garden in the corner of the Day Care play ground?

Women on Wednesday (WOW) meets weekly from September to June to explore books of current and thoughtful interest. All women readers are welcome. There are no Asbury or any other membership requirements. Participants move in and out of the group as schedules and busy lives allow—just bring your curiosity and interest in the world of reading and sharing ideas. For more information please contact Mary Lynn Vickers at mvicker1@rochester.rr.com.

Published: Feb. 11, 2022

Sundays, March 6–April 10, 9:45 am EST, Zoom, zoom.us/j/8347173468

Atonement is a theological term that considers the death and resurrection of Jesus. When we consider how and why Jesus died for our sins, we are thinking about atonement. And while we may think that the church is very clear on what it believes concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus, it turns out that there are many different theories of atonement. Was Jesus’ death necessary? Was it a punishment? Was Jesus merely setting a moral example? As it turns out, no mainline denomination confesses any one theory of atonement as gospel truth—though they often imply there is only one correct answer. All are invited to join us in the Lenten wilderness as we embark on this six-week journey to the cross and Easter. During this time, we will consider the various theories of atonement and the implications they each have for our faith today. Please contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org with questions or for more information. 

Published: Feb. 11, 2022

Mondays, March 7 – April 11, 12–1 pm, Zoom, Click here to join Zoom

It can be hard to figure out how to navigate life in the best of circumstances. The pandemic and all of the restrictions on our lives have left each and all of us wondering whether we will ever know our best circumstances again. The stress of adjusting and readjusting to a virtual life is real.

If life has felt more challenging lately, if you are looking for a place to talk about the effects of COVID in your life, if you are frustrated with the pandemic-related changes in your world, or if you would like to learn some ways to find Light in the midst of darkness, then please join us.

We will be talking about ways to lessen stress, and find the Light amidst those parts of life over which we have no control. We will be meeting every Monday for six weeks, via Zoom, from 12–1 pm starting on March 7 and going through April 11. If you have questions please be in touch with Rev. Kathy Thiel by calling (585) 271-1050 x106 or send an email to Kathy at kthiel@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Feb. 11, 2022

Asbury’s Community Garden Committee has just started to plan the 2022 garden, and we’d like to invite you to join the fun! Helping to tend our raised-bed garden can be a delightful and COVID-safe chore as it’s all outside! Many hands make the work light, whether you’d like to help out during occasional group work days, or join a team that will do more intensive tending on a rotating basis during the growing and harvesting season. Prior experience in vegetable gardening is a help, but not necessary. Jobs include planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, pruning and delivering what we grow to various partner organizations. 

If you’re interested in doing a little gardening or a little more, contact Diana Louise Carter at DianaLouiseCarter@Gmail.com. 

Published: Feb. 4, 2022

February 4–25

Beginning February 4, URMC is offering a 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge. Similar to the United Way’s challenge, this challenge is intended as a self-guided learning tool for those who are at all stages and levels of familiarity with DEI initiatives and offers an open and safe environment for discussion and reflection. The daily challenges consists of either reading, listening and watching followed by learning, reflection and action. The site offers progress trackers and reflection tools. 

If you’re interested, you can get more information and sign up here at URMC Racial Equity Challenge.

Published: Feb. 4, 2022

Finger Lakes Opera (FLO) administrative staff have moved into has moved into Education Wing 2nd floor office suite (Room 200), previously occupied by the UMC Genesee Valley District Superintendent and District Assistant. We are beyond excited to have them on our campus!

Finger Lakes Opera produces full staged operas of the highest caliber, engaging with a varied roster of professional artists, directors, and designers. Through the Tomita Young Artist Program, FLO offers training and performance opportunities to emerging artists from all over the world and across a variety of backgrounds. FLO seeks to cultivate and develop an understanding and appreciation of opera, bringing the art for to new and diverse audiences within the community and through the region. Learn more about FLO at www.fingerlakesopera.org.

Published: Feb. 3, 2022

This Friday, February 4 at 1 pm, Flower City Habitat will dedicate a new house at 757 Jay street. The home was sponsored by Asbury First, partner Harvest Home Coalition churches and Thrivent Financial. Learn more about the event here.

The dedication will be streamed on FB Live: www.facebook.com/RocHabitat/Live.

About our homeowner: Natasha G.

Natasha applied for the home at 757 Jay Street as soon as applications opened, and not only was she extremely organized, but she was also very friendly and open with the staff about her desire to be a homeowner. When asked about her comfort level in adding sweat equity hours to her already busy schedule, “confident” was the word she chose, and it showed in her preparation and follow through. By the first meeting (before she had even been accepted into the program), she had already read the entire handbook and came prepared with questions and a plan for savings.

Natasha works at L3Harris, where her work schedule is four 10-hour shifts, resulting in more days that she was able to volunteer on the construction site, learn about homebuilding and get her hands dirty!

Though she has no major complaints about the quality of her current rental, her cost burden is almost 52% of her total household income, far above the 30% which is considered affordable. Natasha weighed the pros and cons of homeownership for awhile, and came to the firm conclusion that this is the best path for her and her children.

She is a working, single mom of two kids (a 10 year old daughter and 5 year old son) and her children have been sharing a bedroom since her son was born. She is very excited to have an affordable home where they can each have their own room, and plans to wait to tell them until the home is complete. Natasha foresees the unveiling of the new home to be a complete surprise to her children, with their rooms all furnished, decorated, and ready for them to enjoy! What a day to look forward to!

Published: Feb. 3, 2022

Updated February 23, 2021

Change doesn’t come one month a year. Please join us as we continue the conversation of Black History Month by reading together the book, 400 Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2020, edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain over the next year. The book is broken into ten sections and we will create venues to discuss one section a month. Whether you join us for the discussion or just read it on your own, this book is a wonderful way to know the past and begin to shape the future. 

We are happy to have received a donation of 400 Souls from a member that was purchased through Cerebral Kingdom Bookstore, a local Black-owned bookstore. If you would like one of these copies or want to purchase the book from the Cerebral Kingdom Bookstore book store, please contact the church office at 585-271-1050.

"Sign Up" to read the book at asburyfirst.org/400souls, so we can easily find a way of contacting interested folks for the conversation about the book. You can also call the church office at 585-271-1050 or email info@asburyfirst.org to show your interest.

Published: Jan. 31, 2022

Did you miss the Annual Church Conference on Sunday? Not to worry! You can read all of the documents as well as watch the conference by visiting asburyfirst.org/church-conference.

EDITED TO ADD:

To read the pertinent documents for the Annual Church Conference, please download the files by clicking the links below:

• 2022 Annual Church Conference Agenda
• Nominations Report
• Governing Board Nominee Bio
• Annual Report (including the Annual Operating Plan on page 16)