Published: March 18, 2022

Saturday, April 2, 9 am

We're seeking volunteers to help pick up twigs and rake leaves. If you have a favorite rake, please bring it! Each year we assemble to clean up all the debris of winter and bring our campus back to its usual beauty. All are welcome—you don't need to have a green thumb to help out. Questions? Contact David Strong at dstrong@asburyfirst.org.

Published: March 18, 2022

Wednesday, March 30, 5–6 pm, Zoom (zoom.us/j/85385379148)

Join us for an opening discussion of this year’s church-wide read, Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 on Wednesday, March 30 from 5–6 pm. We will be meeting over zoom to make sure as many people as would like have access to the conversation. You don’t have to have read the entire book to come. Our plan is to begin a discussion about the Introduction and Part One. All are welcome!

Published: March 16, 2022

This Lent we are focusing on "Seeds in the Wilderness" and what it means to be fruitful while lost in difficult times. Working with The Upper Room, a part of the Discipleship Ministry of the United Methodist Church, we have a curated selection of devotionals that support the themes of planting, growth, and wilderness. You can sign up for a free login to The Upper Room by clicking here and read wonderful devotions, find guided prayers, and much more.

Published: March 11, 2022

Look no further.

The church library, off the gathering space, has copies of the books being read at the church classes and they are free for your use.

Books currently being studied by our church groups can be found in the church library (The Making of Biblical Womanhood for Mike’s Wednesday class, Bicycling with Butterflies for Women on Wednesday group, and the church-wide read book 400 Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019).

And, if you are looking for books on atonement for use in the new Sunday School class, take a look at the wide variety of Bibles in the church library. While you are there, you could also find the book by Maggie Smith—Keep Moving—the subject of a Sunday School class being taught by Emily Cady.

The church library is open when the church is open. Checking out a book is easy; you simply sign the library card in the front of the book and deposit the card in the box on the library desk. The book is yours for the reading. Come check us out!

Published: March 11, 2022

Tuesdays, 2:30-3:30, beginning March 22, Zoom, Click here to join Zoom

A new Disciple II group will be starting on March 22. If you have previously participated in Disciple I, you know the rigor and reward of committing to study the Bible over the course of a year. Disciple II continues this study, but with significantly shorter reading assignments. This allows participants the time to digest and delve into each week's text. This class will spend the spring focusing on Genesis and Exodus, take a summer recess, and then return in the fall with a focus on Luke and Acts. If you would like more information—or if you are ready to sign-up—please contact Mike Mullin, mmullin@asburyfirst.org.

Published: March 11, 2022

Weekdays, 10 am–4 pm, Drop off donations at SEAC's Tool Shed, 1255 University Ave. C010 (Lower Level)

In partnership with the South East Area Coalition (SEAC), we are asking for support for the Tool Shed. SEAC's Tool Shed relies on donations to provide local communities with the tools they need to create the change they want to make. The Tool Shed accepts all tools that are in good working order and are safe to use. Please note that they do not accept building or construction materials or any tool that is rusted, broken, or deemed unsafe. For more information, visit seacrochester.org.

Published: March 11, 2022

Saturday, March 26, 7:30 pm, In-Person and Livestream

Asbury First is delighted to host Voices in a performance of J.S. Bach's monumental "Mass in B Minor," featuring chamber choir, soloists, and orchestra. The concert will take place on Saturday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Founded and directed by William Weinert, Voices is a professional chamber chorus consisting of Western New York’s finest ensemble singers. They have appeared in concerts and broadcasts, performing music from the Renaissance through the twenty-first century. City Newspaper described the ensemble’s sound as “a sonic cloudburst,” and noted that “Voices marks a new era of choral vitality in Rochester.”

A free-will offering will be taken to benefit Ukraine relief, with all donations going to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). If you've been looking for inspiration to contribute, here's a great opportunity, AND you'll be able to enjoy a stunning performance.

Published: March 8, 2022

After nearly two years of COVID-19 in our community, we are heartened to see that infection rates have decreased dramatically, with Monroe County now in the “low risk” category according to the CDC. As a result, we are now ready to adjust our masking policy from “masks required” to “masks recommended.” This policy is reflective of the updated CDC guidance and in line with what is happening in other public venues in our area.

We recognize that while many people are ready to get rid of masks altogether, many others would prefer to keep wearing them. We will be respectful of both decisions as we move forward. Further, to help promote the safety of the community during worship, we will continue to keep every other pew roped off in our sanctuary to allow for better social distancing. Because of the tight quarters, we will also maintain a masking requirement in the chancel for now.

If the last two years of the pandemic have taught us anything, it is that flexibility is essential. As the situation changes, we will continue to make decisions with the health and safety of the community in mind. Over the next few weeks, we anticipate slowly making other adjustments to our policies, including adding refreshments back into our Sunday morning routine.

One way that you can help us is by staying home if you are unwell or have recently had a known exposure. While physical presence is an important part of our life together as a worshiping community, we also know that we remain connected as the Body of Christ even over great distances.

Thank you for your patience and your grace as we continue to find our way through this strange moment.

In Christian Love,
The COVID-19 Task Force

Published: March 7, 2022

Sunday, March 20, 9:45 am EST, Room 201

Did you know that a monk created the first pretzel in A.D. 610 as a reward to children for learning their prayers during Lent? The three holes in a pretzel are said to represent the Trinity: one God in three persons. We hope your children can join us for Pretzel Sunday on March 20 during the Sunday School hour from 9:45 am - 10:45 am in Room 201. We will learn all about the history of the pretzel and make and bake some pretzels of our own.

If you are inclined to make some dough for our event click the link below for recipe and instructions.

Click here for recipe

Published: March 6, 2022

Ukraine Relief

March 3–10, Click here for a list of donation locations

In partnership with the Greater Rochester Community of Churches Faith in Action Network, we are collecting items to send to the Ukraine for relief.

Items Needed:

• Sleeping bags
• Socks & underwear
• Baby diapers & wipes
• Adult diapers
• Feminine hygiene
• Toothbrushes
• Medical gloves

Please note that they do NOT want clothing, shoes, liquids, foods, toothpaste, or shampoo.

For more information about the relief effort, please visit intervol.org.

UMCOR's Ukraine Reflief

Would you like to send monetary donations to help the the United Methodist Committee on Relief's (UMCOR) Ukraine special advance?

You can give online at asburyfirst.org/give and note "Ukraine", or mail a check to the church office at 1050 East Ave. We will collect these special donations and send them on to UMCOR. 

Published: March 5, 2022

Sundays, beginning March 6 – April 10, 9:45 am EST, Room 201

It’s Lent 2022…..Which means it is time to reflect, reconnect, and reignite our faith! COVID has kept us apart — but let’s safely reconnect and reclaim fellowship!

Join Emily Cady as she leads a new, in-person class on Sunday mornings at 9:45 am. 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 will begin THIS Sunday at 9:45 am, but you can join in anytime! Please come and experience the gift of this moment….together! Any questions, please contact Emily Cady at emilycady@gmail.com.

Published: March 4, 2022

Pick up Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13, Click here to fill out the order form

Our youth are excited to be making and selling pies in honor of Pi Day (March 14; 3.14). In addition to selling the pies after the service on Sunday, March 13; we will also be offering the opportunity for pick-up or delivery of pies on Saturday, March 12. You can pre-order pies, and sign up for delivery or pick-up options via the link above. All proceeds will go to support our youth and the return of our summer mission trips (you can learn more in the link). Questions and orders may also be sent to Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org or (585) 271-1050 x105.

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!