Published: Nov. 5, 2021

Now that we are a couple months into our return to in-person worship, it has become clear that we are in need of additional volunteers in the Ministries of Hospitality — Ushers, Greeters, and Welcome Desk volunteers. These vital ministries help us put our best faces forward when members and newcomers alike enter our spaces on Sunday mornings. In addition, they make important contributions to the overall safety and comfort of those who use our spaces, meeting people where they are at and responding to immediate needs. If you feel called to one of these ministries, we hope that you will get in touch with us. Modest training will be required, but the rewards are many.

Call or send an email to: 
Brian White (Head Usher), bboru7@gmail.com, (585) 737-2827
Kathy Farrar (Greeters Coordinator), kathyfarrar@gmail.com, (585) 271-6528
Johanna Mahan (Welcome Desk), jsmahan@rochester.rr.com, (585) 746-2676

Published: Nov. 5, 2021

Are you interested in taking the next step in your faith journey, getting more involved in the life of Asbury First, or just in need of a deeper connection? We want to hear from you! After a year and a half of distance, we’d love to know who is out there poised for the next great adventure in the new creation that is Asbury First. Click here to fill out a form and share with us your interests.

Published: Nov. 5, 2021

Learn more Sunday, November 14, Gathering Center

The Racial Justice Advocacy Group (RJAG) is collecting ourselves to move forward. We did a lot of good work last program year so now we need to sustain the momentum. We are trying to re-raise awareness of our efforts and also to recruit some new members. To those ends, we will have a table in the Gathering Center on Sunday, November 14, to answer questions and sign up new talent. 

The RJAG provides great opportunities for new volunteers. Opportunities range from attending a town board meeting to curating a web page. There are tasks that involve meeting new people and jobs that involve sitting at a screen. There is no minimum commitment. Our effectiveness depends on a sustained effort; sustainable effort requires new people bringing their energy and ideas.

Published: Nov. 5, 2021

Tuesday, December 7, 12–5 pm, Gathering Center

There is an urgent need for blood donations at the moment. If you have not donated blood within 56 days of our drive on Tuesday, December 7, you are eligible to donate in the Gathering Center from 12–5 pm. We hope that you will be available to help support people in need of life-saving blood. To sign up, visit www.redcrossblood.org/give, input our 14607 zip code, and the date, then choose a time to donate at Asbury First. For more information, contact Ed Ristau at epr60@twc.com.

Published: Nov. 5, 2021

We’ve got just the place for you: The Asbury First Library

If you need a book for a devotion for your group, a Bible story, entertainment for children, a Sunday School class lesson or a look at a variety of different Bibles, the church library can provide all of these and more. Our library collection of 4,000 plus books, DVDs, and videos are available and may be checked out free of charge on an easy, self-serve honor system. To learn more about the incredible offerings of the Asbury First Library, click here.

Published: Nov. 5, 2021

With production winding down and a killing frost around the corner, the garden team recently put the garden to bed for the winter. All that’s remaining to do is add a nice, thick blanket of chopped up leaves to protect the soil over the winter. The little bit of green still growing is the carrots we’re leaving a bit longer. 

If you missed out on all the fun this year, consider joining us in 2022 as we plan and execute another garden season. We’ll probably start planning — choosing what to grow and ordering seeds — right after the holidays. If you’re game to help just once, or nearly every week, let us know. There’s plenty of gardening to go around. 

In the meantime, we want to say “Thank you!" to the many, many people who helped out this year, from children at the day care and in our children’s ministry and youth ministry, to various garden team members and volunteers, to guests and staff at the dining center, to Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation Service, and to the Monroe County Cornell Cooperative Extension. The food we raised was shared with the dining center and its guests, with recent refugees from Afghanistan, with two feeding programs in the city, and with VBS families. We had an amazing year and hope to do it all over again next year.

Published: Nov. 4, 2021

Just a reminder that Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 am this Sunday, so please remember to set your clocks back one hour Saturday night and plan accordingly if you are worshipping with us in-person or online Sunday morning.

We look forward to worshipping with you!

Published: Nov. 1, 2021

November marks the beginning of the season for gratitude and giving. Watch our "Giving for the New Creation" video by clicking here to see why we need your help to reconnect, foster new relationships, and support the vital ministries of Asbury First. Make your pledge to the 2022 Annual Budget today. To make your pledge, visit asburyfirst.org/pledge-online, or call the church office at 585-271-1050.

Published: Oct. 29, 2021

Sunday, November 21, 12 pm, 1010 Building

We are beyond excited to invite you to the Outreach Center Groundbreaking Ceremony! After many years of the Better Together campaign, we are on the precipice of achieving our dream of a new holistic Outreach Center. Please join us for the Groundbreaking Ceremony on Sunday, November 21 after the 11 am service. We are looking forward to sharing this joyous milestone with you. For more information about the Outreach Center and the Better Together campaign, visit asburyfirst.org/bettertogether.

Published: Oct. 29, 2021

Make your pledge to the 2022 Annual Budget today. With your help, we can Do More Good each and every day. Make sure to tune in to this week's Sunday worship for a special video about our need to reconnect, foster new relationships, and support the vital ministries of Asbury First. To make your pledge, visit asburyfirst.org/pledge-online, or call the church office at 585-271-1050.

Published: Oct. 29, 2021

Saturday, November 20, 10 am–8 pm, Barnes & Noble Pittsford Plaza 
Book Fair ID #12616231

Shopping for some intriguing literature or some fun fiction or a gift for a special person? You can buy books AND support the Asbury First Library at the same time during the Barnes & Noble Book Fair. A percentage of the sales goes to the Asbury First Library and is used to add to the library's book collection. Can’t make it to Pittsford? No problem. Books may be purchased online from November 20–24 at BN.com/bookfairs. Make sure to use the Book Fair ID #12616231. Thanks for your support of our incredible library!

Published: Oct. 29, 2021

Friday, November 12, 7 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, November 13, 7 pm, Fellowship Hall
Sunday, November 14, 1 pm, Fellowship Hall 

Asbury Youth are so excited to share their version of Annie, The Musical on Saturday and Sunday, November 12–14. Based on the popular comic strip, Annie tells the extraordinary story of a little orphan who ends up in the lap of luxury with Depression-era billionaire Oliver Warbucks. The story is a classic theme of how good wins out over evil and the honest innocence of a child. Tickets are $10. Our youth would love your support!

Published: Oct. 28, 2021

This week we sent the first packet of information out to people who are not able to receive our electronic communications. We included the FAQs document from last week's Governance Town Hall, and printed versions of the weekly email (which are also available in the Welcome Hall each Sunday), and the Committees in Action updates from a number of the committees. 

If you know of someone who would like to be on this mailing list, please email communication@asburyfirst.org or contact Deb Bullock-Smith at 585-271-1050, ext. 117.  

Published: Oct. 28, 2021

If you find yourself with a little too much leftover Halloween candy next week you can drop it off at the Welcome Desk on Sundays. We will share it with our guests who come for Sunday lunch.

Published: Oct. 28, 2021

You shop. Amazon gives! What simpler and more wonderful way to help support Asbury First, than to designate us as your charity on Amazon Smile. Log in to Smile.Amazon.com, choose Asbury First, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchase to Asbury First. Amazon Smile is the same Amazon you know with the same products, service, and prices. Please support our community by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com.