News

  • Asbury First Hoedown!

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    Published: Oct. 4, 2024

    Date: October 26
    Time: BBQ Dinner at 5:30 pm, Dancing starts at 6:30 pm

    Mark your calendars and dust off your boots! Join us for a night of fun and fellowship at the Asbury First Hoedown. Enjoy a delicious chicken BBQ, followed by an evening of square dancing with a live band in Fellowship Hall!

    RSVP to Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org by October 21 or stop by the Welcome Desk any Sunday in October.

  • Join the Visitation Team

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    Published: Oct. 4, 2024

    Join the Visitation Team!

    We invite you to our upcoming meeting on Tuesday, October 22 
at 4 pm in the Red Room (1010). Whether you’re already visiting parishioners or interested in learning more about this rewarding experience, we’d love for you to attend! Come share your stories, ask questions, and connect with fellow visitors. Your presence makes a difference!

    For more information, contact Rev. Kathy Thiel at (585) 271-1050 x106 or email kthiel@asburyfirst.org.

  • Asbury First Older Adult Fall Gathering

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    Published: Sept. 27, 2024

    The Asbury First Older Adult Gathering

    Join us for a time of faith, food, fellowship and fun in the Fall! The Asbury First Older Adult Fall Gathering will be held Saturday, October 19, starting at 11 am with Worship in the Sanctuary, and followed by Lunch in the Fellowship Hall at noon. 

    RSVP by Friday, October 11 to Barbara Eltinge at (585) 737-8775 or email her at beltinge@icloud.com.

    (Please note in your email any dietary restrictions
you may have).

  • Asbury Orchestra

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    Published: Sept. 13, 2024

    October 6 is the first rehearsal of the Asbury Orchestra! If you play or have played any band or orchestral instrument, you are invited to join the group on Sunday, October 6,  9:30 - 10:30 am in Wesley Hall. All ages and levels of proficiency are welcome (two years of music reading experience is advised). We will share our music at the 11 am worship service on November 10. Reach out with any questions to Laurie Kennedy at cellokennedy@frontiernet.net.

  • Art and Spirituality

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    Published: Sept. 13, 2024

    Wednesdays, September 18 and 25, 6 - 7 pm in Wesley Hall and on Zoom, explore the profound connection between creative expression and our spiritual journeys. In the following two sessions we will look at the Spiritual Visions of Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Vincent Van Gogh. We will experience their art through spiritual lenses.

  • Asbury First's Columbarium

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    Published: Sept. 13, 2024

    Asbury First Columbarium Niches Available

    Asbury First is a place of worship, community and celebration of life from baptism to confirmation, marriage and memorial services. We recently broke ground on the Columbarium project – a sacred, consecrated outdoor space designed to provide a final resting place for the remains of our loved ones.

    If you are interested in knowing more about how Asbury First can be your final resting place, please call the Church Office at (585) 271-1050 or visit asburyfirst.org/columbarium.  

  • Thank You Asbury First!!

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    Published: Sept. 6, 2024

    A BIG thanks to everyone who donated school supplies. Asbury First continues to show us time and time again how generous they are and we could not be more grateful for your support. Thanks to you, your generosity will make
a difference to the students at School 17!!
There is still time for you to join the Help Me Read Tutors. To sign up please contact John Smalt at 924-8624 or at jhsmalt@gmail.com.


    RETURNING TUTORS: Please call Ms. Linda
at 766-8440 to schedule your start date.

  • Upcoming New Member Classes

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    Published: Aug. 30, 2024

    If you are interested in joining Asbury First, we will be having four New Members classes in the next several months. These classes take place over two consecutive Monday evenings, and will teach about the history of Asbury First and United Methodism, while also providing an opportunity to meet other new members of Asbury First. The first pair of classes are September 30 and October 7. If you are interested, please contact Deb Bullock-Smith at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org or by calling the office at (585) 271-1050.

  • OUTREACH GIVING

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    Published: Aug. 30, 2024

    As reported to the congregation two weeks ago, funding for the Community Outreach Center (COC) is facing a shortfall of $80,000 to continue our current services to those in need. So far, we have raised nearly $20,000 
which means we still have $60,000 to go to close the gap. We can cross the finish line together.

    Your gift will help the Community Outreach Center DO MORE GOOD!

    Your gift of $250 provides 140 hot meals for neighbors who depend on our Dining and Caring Center.


    Your investment of $500 provides 62 bags of groceries delivered to poor neighborhoods and refugee families.

    Your $1,000 gift provides 50 warm blankets for those in need or who have lost everything in a fire.

    Give what you can or pick a level of your choice: 

    $1,000 level (looking for 30)
    $500 level (looking for 40)
    $250 level (looking for 50) 


    Please donate online, by Venmo or by check, and designate
COC in the memo line or comment box. Thank you for helping
us to Do More Good. The goal is to bridge this gap by the end
of October.

  • BANNED BOOK CLUB

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    Published: Aug. 30, 2024

    Join us for a discussion of our inaugural Banned Book Club book, "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood!

    Monday, September 16, 7-8 pm

    1010 East Avenue,
Red Room OR by Zoom

    To register for Zoom, email Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org

    Future Dates: Nov. 18, Jan. 20, Mar. 17, and May 19

    Books to be chosen by participants

  • Spam/Phishing Warning

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    Published: Aug. 30, 2024

    We have reports of a new scam going around claiming to be Michelle. Please hover over the email to make sure it is from an @asburyfirst.org email account. The Asbury First staff will never ask you to send cash immediately or to give your personal information over an open email.

    Here are a few guidelines to recognize scam/phishing emails or texts:

    • Be suspicious of urgent demands for information
    • Often spoofed e-mails will make some form of urgent request.
    • Look for misspelled words or grammatical errors in the message or link
    • Avoid e-mailing personal or financial information
    • Be watchful of general greetings


    Contact Asbury First directly to verify the request before responding.

    Staff will only contact you using official email addresses.

    For more information, please contact David Strong at dstrong@asburyfirst.org.

  • Freed Between the Lines

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    Published: Aug. 23, 2024

    Join the Asbury First Banned Book Team for Sunday school on September 22 and 29, 9:45-10:45 am, in the Red Room (1010, COC) for a discussion and update on censorship in America in support of the American Library Association Banned Book Week, which runs from September 22-28, 2024. September 22 will focus on the national level. On September 29, Adrienne Pettinelli, Director of the Henrietta Public Library, will facilitate discussion on what is happening at the local level and how we can be advocates for the freedom to read in our schools and local libraries. Class will be held in person and on Zoom. Contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org for details. 
     

  • Uncover the Truth Behind Gun Violence

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    Published: Aug. 23, 2024

    Join us for a compelling discussion on American Carnage: Shattering the Myths that Fuel Gun Violence by criminologist Thomas Gabor and Parkland father Fred Guttenberg.

    This weekly series runs every Wednesday in October from 6-7 pm in Wesley Hall, (1040). Whether you've read the book or not, you're welcome to participate. Come early for dinner at 5:30 pm and stay for this powerful conversation. Books are available for purchase in the Welcome Hall starting in September. Can't make it in person? Join us on Zoom HERE(passcode: 578697)

  • Bereavement Support Group

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    Published: Aug. 23, 2024

    We are each born of God, and when we die, we return to God. Death is a part of our earthly lives, and yet it is not our favorite part. When someone we love dies, our lives change forever. We grieve and we question and we suffer. Asbury First is offering bereavement support in the form of group meetings beginning this October. If someone in your life has died and you would like to be part of a loving and supportive group of others who are grieving the death of a loved one, please contact Rev. Kathy Thiel about joining a bereavement support group. Please call (585) 271-1050 x106 or email kthiel@asburyfirst.org. God Bless You.
     

  • Children's Music Ministry

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    Published: Aug. 23, 2024

    Children’s Music at Asbury First begins Wednesday, September 11 and we’d love to see your children for some musical fun and fellowship! We offer a community dinner at 5:30 on Wednesdays in the Gathering Center to make the night a little easier for parents. We also have great adult classes throughout the year from 6-7 pm if you'd like to drop your child off for music and then enjoy one of the classes. Click HERE to register. For more information contact Holly Temming at htemming@asburyfirst.org

    Hallelujah Kids (Room 201, 1040),
    Wednesdays, 5-5:30 pm
    Music fundamentals class for ages 4 through 1st grade. 
    Playful music, percussion instruments, dance, and games designed to foster creativity and develop a love for children’s music and classic church songs.

    Wesley Singers & Ringers (Room 201, 1040),
    Wednesdays, 6-7 pm
    Vocal & Handbell Choir for children in 2nd - 5th grades. 
    Singing, handbells, chimes, and percussion instruments will be used to foster creativity and develop a love for children’s music and classic church songs. We end the year with a children's musical in May.