Published: Feb. 22, 2023

Devotionals for Lenten 2023 are now available!

Each week this devotional will serve as your guide. Commit to some intentional time to pray, meditate, reflect on whatever resonates with you, and then respond in love as your roots deepen. This practice may become your Lenten practice. 

Pick up a copy in the Welcome Hall, or visit asburyfirst.org/lent for an online version.

Published: Feb. 22, 2023

In-Person: Sunday, March 5, 12:30 pm, 1050 Dining Room, Lunch served.
Hybrid: Wednesday, March 8, 7 pm, Zoom (zoom.us/j/82498934913)

Are you interested in joining Asbury First? We are pleased to be offering the next round of New Members Classes for any and all interested in joining Asbury First. Our hope is to have everyone join on Sunday, March 12. 

You need not register to attend, but if you know that you will be there, we’d love to know! Simply email Deb Bullock-Smith at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org or call 585-271-1050.

Published: Feb. 22, 2023

Tuesdays, February 28–April 4, 6 pm, 1040 Room 201

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything” — Plato.

Join us for our Music, Meditation, and Imagination group to deepen your spiritual awareness through music. Each week the group will explore a Bible passage or spiritual text through meditation, music listening, and drawing/journaling for reflection. Bring a yoga mat, a blanket, and a pillow (although not required to participate.) Drawing materials will be provided. This hour-long group will meet on Tuesday evenings at 6 pm in Room 201 from February 28 – April 4.

For more information, please contact Chris Gold at goldcreativeartstherapy@gmail.com.

Published: Feb. 17, 2023

Wednesday, February 22, 4 – 5:30 pm, Rush Rhees Library, iZone, ground floor on the UR campus

Join us for a screening, conversation, and Q&A with local filmmaker, artist, activist, and donor Rashaad Parker, along with a screening of the short documentary ROC CITY SPEAKS: The Anti-Media Narrative. This timely video project presents street interviews with city residents to discuss the realities of racial injustice against Black people. Additional chapters of ROC City Speaks are in the works, including with UR students. 

Miranda Mims, Director of Rare Books and Special Collections, will be in conversation with Rashaad Parker about his archival project to document the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in the Rochester community and the impactful work being done to foreground this important part of our community history, capturing the voices and messages of the people who make this movement.
There will be a Q&A following the screening of ROC City Speaks and a reception with refreshments and conversation. 

This event is free, open to all, and is a great opportunity to learn about local history, activism, and the connections between archival work and activist work. Special thanks to UR students Dania Sofia Flores Lopez and Astou Kane; iZone’s Sarah Bennett and Yasmin Mattox, and RBSCP social justice collections curator Jessica Lacher-Feldman for their support for this event. 
 

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

Pie Pick up Dates: Sunday, March 5 from 3-4 pm and Sunday, March 12, 1040 Welcome Hall

The Asbury First Youth Group’s annual pie fundraiser pie is coming up! This is a huge event for the youth and the proceeds go directly to help defray the cost of our youth mission trips. This year they will have both our traditional apple crumb and lemon ice box pies available for $15 each. Click here to pre-order your pies. As mentioned above, you can pick them up on Sunday, March 5 from 3-4 pm or on Sunday, March 12 in the Welcome Hall. 

For more information, contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

Please join us for a time of Lenten worship and fellowship at one or more of the following times and locations:

• Wednesday, March 8 at 2 PM at St Johns Meadows

           1 Johnsarbor Drive (off of Elmwood Avenue)

           In the Briarwood Building, Multipurpose Room

• Thursday, March 9 at 2 PM at The Highlands at Pittsford

           100 Hahnemann Trail in the Music Room

• Monday, March 20 at 2 PM at Linden Knoll

           81 Linden Avenue in the lower dining room

Please RSVP for one or more times when you plan to attend (including date and location) to Barbara Eltinge at beltinge@icloud.com. We look forward to seeing you!

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

The first Sunday of each month after the 11 am service, the Church Library Bibliocart will meet you in the Gathering Center with a full selection of new library purchases and the theme of the month. For March, the focus is on Lent and Easter with numerous books on this topic. You can check out the books — for free — right there at the Bibliocart. Stop by and check us out on this first Sunday in March.

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

Rehearsal and work for the church-wide production of The Sound of Music is underway! Donations for any of the following are greatly appreciated:

• Black or white sheets – any size
• Military jackets - any size
• Suit-coats or jackets that can be made into military uniforms
• Prom dresses – floor length; any size or style
• Wooden cross necklaces – at least 3 inches tall
• Rosaries

Contact Robyn Gage at robynegage@gmail.com

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

RADIO
The last few weeks, our radio broadcast partner WRFZ 106.3 Rochester Free Radio has been in the process of moving offices. Due to the move, the radio broadcast is currently down. You can access the broadcast on their website at www.rochesterfreeradio.com. We understand this is inconvenient and ask for patience as we wait for this broadcast to return. 

PHONE
We have also recently had an update with our livestream broadcast over the phone. The service has implemented a change to avoid calls from spammers/ bots. When you dial our toll-free number (1-833-829-1050), you will be asked to press '5' to continue to the broadcast.

Please share these updates with anyone who might benefit from these additional ways to connect.

Published: Feb. 10, 2023

Are you as excited for the Community Outreach Center to fully open up as we are? Then come on over and learn about volunteering and join a COC Volunteer Orientation to help us get moving!

All of our outreach programs depend on volunteer time, energy and labor. We would not be able to offer our neighborhood the same kind of hospitality, solidarity and compassion without our dedicated community of servant-leaders. Learn about ways we can help as a community, and important safety information.

Questions? Contact the Rev. Pat Dupont at pdupont@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x136.

Published: Feb. 8, 2023

UMCOR has an International branch that addresses the devastating natural disasters, including what is happening in Turkey and Syria. UMCOR has released an initial solidarity grant to a longstanding humanitarian partner, International Blue Crescent (IBC), which has offices in Turkey. The grant will provide tents, heaters, blankets, warm clothes, ready to eat meals and basic first aid kits.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey at 4:17 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, the most powerful earthquake recorded since 1939. In the hours that followed, at least 78 aftershocks were reported, followed by a second earthquake of 7.5 magnitude. More than 5,000 people were killed, with deaths expected to rise. 

The earthquake also heavily impacted northwest Syria, where 4.1 million people depend on humanitarian assistance. The majority are women and children. At this time, Syrian communities are simultaneously facing an ongoing cholera outbreak and extreme winter weather events, including heavy rain and snow. The humanitarian response is overstretched due to the devastation and cold weather. 

Financial contributions make the biggest impact, especially when dealing with international disasters. Support UMCOR with donations 
to the International Disaster Fund. 

Click here to Donate to UMCOR

Published: Feb. 8, 2023

Check out this article from Spectrum News about the founder of the Help Me Read program, Bishop David J. Singleton. Click here to read the article.

The Help Me Read Program is a one-on-one tutoring program held at School 17 and School 45. Asbury First volunteers tutor students at these Rochester City Schools in reading. Asbury First also holds a yearly school supply drive to help students get the necessary materials needed for a successful school year. Click here to learn more and to sign up to help!

Published: Feb. 8, 2023

Sundays, 9:45-10:45, 1050 Teak Room

On Sunday, February 12, this class will begin a new study based on the book, The Women of Easter by Liz Curtis Higgs. All are invited to join us on a six-week journey of discovery into the lives of some of our faith’s original female pastors. In a very personal way, Ms. Higgs takes the reader on Christ’s journey through the experiences of Mary of Bethany, Mary of Nazareth, and Mary Magdalene. All three women are transformed by the Savior, and we will share in their faith journeys. For more information, please contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x105.

Published: Feb. 7, 2023

URGENT NEED FOR CARING CIRCLE MEMBERS and NEW CARING CIRCLE TRAINING!

We have need for TEN CARING CIRCLES to help support eight recently arrived families, and two more arriving on soon. There are single men, couples, and families in need.

We still need seasoned volunteers who can get new volunteers and families off on the right foot. Even if you only have a few days a month that you can assist, we can really use your support.

Please email Kristen at kristen@keepingourpromise.org if you would like to be assigned to a Caring Circle, even if your ability/availability is limited. We cannot support these individuals and families without each of you!

Caring Circle members are a support network and friendly face to help Afghans acclimate to the Rochester area. Duties range from weekly home visits, outings to explore all that Rochester has to offer, occasional rides for appointments and to get groceries, and familiarizing Afghans with common daily practices like paying bills, obtaining a library card, and more. Caring Circles can expect their support role to last approximately six months, though friendships are formed that last a lifetime.

Published: Feb. 6, 2023

Join us in February as we focus on Rochester Black History. Using scripture lessons from the book of Jonah — which is about someone not wanting to look at their own city (Nineveh) and what happens when we fail to do so — we will delve into a deep look at our own city's Black history. The first week will be about the great migration to Rochester and the challenges that came with it. The following weeks will continue to tell stories too often forgotten.

Bulletin cover features: Each week we will highlight a local Black artist or their work to showcase the incredible talent in our city, curated by Rashaad Parker of the Flower City Arts Center. Check out the inside, back page to learn more about each artist and their impact on the city and art scene.