Published: Feb. 6, 2023

1st Sunday of the Month, Gathering Center near piano, Bibliocart

Need a good book?

Look for the newly added Library Bibliocart the first Sunday of every month in the gathering space by the piano. Books featured here are new purchases, the event or topic of the month, and staff recommended books. They can be checked out right at the Bibliocart staffed by Library committee members. 

Also, stop by for a visit. The Church Library is just off the Gathering Center at the entrance to the Education Wing. The library is free and open for your use when the church is open. Help yourself to materials of your choice by simply signing your name, phone number and date. Books may be borrowed for a period of three weeks, but may be easily renewed. 

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.

The collection ranges from information on religion and science, the Bible, theology, spirituality, church history, and Christian Education topics to books specializing in parenting, marriage, aging, sexuality, diversity of peoples, and conservation of the earth. There are books for children, youth, large print needs, holidays and special topics, and a variety of fiction and non-fiction books. 

Published: Feb. 6, 2023

Wednesday, February 22, 7 pm, In-Person and Livestream

Join us as we begin the holy season of Lent together with our pan-Methodist siblings from around Rochester. We are delighted to hold this service in person again and look forward to worshiping with Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church, Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and New Bethel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Published: Feb. 6, 2023

Wednesdays in March, 6-7 pm, Fellowship Hall and Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468 PWD 200)

Led by The Rev. Frederick David Carr, Ph.D.

Masks are required for this event.

This March, we invite you on a Lenten journey of Transformation as we consider some of the letters of Paul from our New Testament. This class was inspired by Dr. Carr’s new book, Being and Becoming: Human Transformation in the Letters of Paul, which is available in our church library. Dr. Carr is an Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Northeastern Seminary, and he joined the Asbury First community when his family relocated to Rochester in 2019. We are excited to have the opportunity to highlight David’s work, and we hope that you will join us in March as we consider how Paul’s words may continue to invite us to transform our lives today. 
Questions and comments may be directed to Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Jan. 27, 2023

For those who don't already know what a columbarium is, here is a brief explanation:

"A columbarium is a sacred, consecrated location where urns of cremated remains are placed, completing the circle of life." 

Asbury First is a place of worship, community and celebration of life from baptism to confirmation, marriage and memorial services. Members of the congregation have expressed an interest in having a columbarium at Asbury First for many years. Learn how Asbury First can be your final resting place. 

For more information, please call 585-271-1050 or email columbarium@asburyfirst.org. 

Published: Jan. 27, 2023

Wednesdays, February 1, 5, and 8; 6-7 pm in Fellowship Hall, and Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468)

Led by The Rev. Stephen M. Cady II, Ph.D. You may have heard some of the rumblings about The United Methodist Church splitting — or more aptly, splintering. You may know that this stems from decades of debate concerning the full inclusion of our LGBTQ+ siblings in Christ. And perhaps you would like to feel a bit more informed on this topic, as it continues to be news-worthy — even outside the context of United Methodism. All are invited to join us for the first three Wednesdays in February as we highlight some of the conflicts and challenges facing The United Methodist Church today. We will spend one week looking at the history of what brought us to this point, one week highlighting what is actually happening right now, and one week thinking about what The United Methodist Church might look like in the future. We hope you will join us for these compelling conversations.

You may reach out to Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org with any questions and comments.

Published: Jan. 27, 2023

Sunday, February 12, 12 pm, 1040 Welcome Hall

The Youth of Asbury First will once again be selling soup on Super Bowl Sunday to raise money for their 2023 summer mission trips. This year, our high school youth will be traveling to Tucson, Arizona to have an immersive service-learning experience on our country’s southern border. Our middle school will once again be volunteering with our Vacation Bible School program, and with other local mission agencies. Following their week of service, our middle school youth will travel to Niagara Falls, Canada for an overnight of fun and fellowship. To help defray the costs of these trips, our youth have made soup to sell to our congregation. You can show your support — and enjoy a delicious meal — by purchasing a quart of soup for $10 from our youth on Sunday, February 12.

Questions and comments may be sent to Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Jan. 27, 2023

Sunday, February 12, 9:45-10:45 in Fellowship Hall

Led by the youth and adult mission trip participants 2022 marked the first time in three years that our high school youth were able to embark on a summer mission trip. We spent a week working in Northeastern Kentucky helping to repair homes, and learning more about the Appalachia region. We are looking forward to sharing our experiences with Asbury First, and hope that you will join us in Fellowship Hall on February 12.

Please contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org with any comments or questions.

Published: Jan. 27, 2023

Economic conditions for the working poor are worsening, and more people are on the edge of economic disaster. The time for action is now, and, since 1976, Eastern Service Workers Association (ESWA) has built a strong organization fighting to end government policies that put profits above people. ESWA unites low-income workers, students, professionals, local business owners, and others to forge a long-term solution.

To raise the necessary support for the Campaign, ESWA members and volunteers are holding our annual Super Bowl Sunday Tamale Benefit. Chicken, pork, and vegan tamales are available on Super Bowl Sunday and are a suggested donation is $20 per dozen or $10 per 1⁄2 dozen. Order now while supplies last! Also, for those who would like to volunteer to help make tamales, we will need help on Thursday 2/9/23, Friday 2/10/23, & Saturday 2/11/23. We will be turning Corpus Christi Church at 864 Main St. into
a ‘Tamale Factory’ for those 3 days!

Please call ESWA’s office at 234 Bay St. to schedule yourself or your group at (585) 654-9640. Thanks for your support!

Published: Jan. 26, 2023

This Sunday, immediately following the 11 am service, we will have our Annual Church Conference during which time we will vote to approve our budget, our nomination’s report, and minutes from previous meetings. Click the links below for the materials.

The Attorney General’s office for the State of New York has informed the Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church that in order for a Church Conference to be counted as “official” it has to be either fully in person or fully virtual, but not hybrid. Because we have not had an “official” Church Conference since January of 2020 due to the pandemic, we feel the need to make sure that this one is in proper order. To that end, the official portion of this Church Conference will be in person. However, because we honor and care about those who are with us virtually, we will still provide a virtual voting option that we will report in real time, but which we cannot hold as official. As always, only members are allowed to vote during a Church Conference.

To vote virtually (but unofficially) on Sunday go to:

• Slido.com and enter the #Asbury2023
• For a full set of instructions, please click here.
• If you have questions that you’d like to raise during the Church Conference, please email us at questions@asburyfirst.org.

The pertinent documents for our Annual Church Conference are available on our website at asburyfirst.org/church-conference, including:

• 2023 Annual Church Conference Agenda
• Nominations Report
• 2023 Governance Board Nomination Bios
• Annual Report (including the Annual Operating Plan on page 21)
• Church Conference Minutes 2020–2022

Published: Jan. 25, 2023

Due to poor weather conditions, the Wednesday evening events are cancelled. Stay home, stay safe, and we'll see you on Sunday for worship and our Annual Church Conference. 

Grace and peace,

— Asbury First Staff

Published: Jan. 19, 2023

Congratulations to our own Kayla Sconiers, who was awarded the prestigious William Warfield Scholarship from the Eastman School of Music! Kayla is in her junior year at Eastman, and will receive the award at a benefit concert on Sunday, January 22nd at 3:00pm in Kilbourn Hall. 

“Being the recipient of the William Warfield Scholarship is an immense privilege and self-confidence boost for me as an African American performer in the arts,” says Kayla. “This network of trailblazers inspires me to achieve my goals and aspirations. As I grow and gain new knowledge from the program, I will carry the experience with me – forever – by encouraging others along the way.”

Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, and can be purchased at EastmanTheatre.org. You can support the WWSF by donating here: williamwarfield.org/contribute.

Published: Jan. 19, 2023

January is the perfect time to consider adding something new to your routine, so if you've ever thought about investigating one of Asbury First's musical ensembles, we hope you'll get in touch!

Sanctuary Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9 pm in Wesley Hall and sings regularly at the 11 am service through late May. Our membership includes singers with a wide range of experience and training - all that's required is the time commitment and a desire to learn! Contact Dr. Carl Johengen at cjohengen@asburyfirst.org for more information.

Published: Jan. 19, 2023

Starting Sunday, January 29, 9:45 am, 1040 Room 201

Starting Sunday, January 29, we have a new class for families! We will watch an episode of "Bluey" together and then parents will break for a discussion on parenting based on the episode, while the kids will learn and play lessons that tie our faith with the values that are taught to us by Bluey. Come join us at 9:45 am in room 201.   

Questions? Email Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org or call 585-271-1050 x111. 

Published: Jan. 19, 2023

Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6-7 pm, 1040 Room 201

Wesley Singers is beginning to rehearse for their Spring Musical, Table for Five Thousand by Tom S. Long and Allen Poe and it’s not too late to join us. All children 2nd through 5th grade may participate. We rehearse in Room 201 from 6 - 7 pm on Wednesdays. We will present this show during the 11 am service on Sunday, April 30.

For more information contact Holly Temming at htemming@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Jan. 12, 2023

Saturday, February 18, 8:30 am -1 pm, 1040 Gathering Center

Please call Ed Ristau at 223-4356 or call 1-800-RED CROSS or www.redcrossblood.org to schedule your appointment. Please bring ID!!

Maximize your blood donation. Help more patients. If you are eligible type O, B - or A - donor, consider making a Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component.

Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment.