Published: April 25, 2022

Check out the new executive summary of the content, discussion, and meaningful actions of the April board meeting. While there are some aspects that will need to be kept confidential (particularly as it relates to certain personnel and legal matters), we believe this will go a long way toward improving the transparency of our actions and conversations. You can also read the updated Board Policy Book by clicking the button below.

Read the Latest Summary Read the Updated Board Policy Book

Published: April 22, 2022

Asbury First's Choir season will end in late May, but we are always happy to welcome new singers. If you've been thinking about choir membership, please contact Carl Johengen, our Director of Music Ministry, at cjohengen@asburyfirst.org. Sanctuary Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm in Wesley Hall (lower level of the education wing). Our final rehearsal for the season will be May 18th. In addition, watch for announcements about Summer Choir, coming soon.

Published: April 16, 2022

Click here to order online 

Place your orders by Wednesday, May 4
Pick up on Saturday, May 21 from 9:30 am–12 pm at Asbury First

It’s time to make your gardens beautiful this year while supporting the Asbury Storehouse! Fill out the form online and enter the number of 4 1/2" pots or 11" hanging baskets you'd like (you can select your hanging basket(s) when you pick them up). The flowers come from Chase’s Greenhouse in Rush, NY, and color options include red, white, purple sizzle, strawberry sizzle, and salmon. Thank you all for your orders and support for the Storehouse. For more information, email giving@asburyfirst.org or or call Deb Bullock-Smith at 585-271-1050 x117.

Published: April 16, 2022

Sunday, April 24, 11 am In-Person and Livestream

The Rev. Susan Shafer, our Senior Minister Emerita, will be preaching on Sunday, April 24. Some may remember that the Rev. Susan Shafer was installed as our Senior Minister Emerita on March 8, 2020—the week before the pandemic hit. After a long couple of years, we are thrilled to have her join us again for a message of hope and life.

Published: April 13, 2022

This year's "Envisioning the Passion" service focuses on the Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross. Each section is a meditation on the words spoken by Christ, incorporating other Bible stories to enhance the theme.
Art Director Lucy Winters Durkin gives a "behind the scenes" look at some of the images she chose for this year's service. Please tune in to our live stream on Friday, April 15 at noon for "Envisioning the Passion", or visit asburyfirst.org/easter for more information.

Click here to watch the video

Published: April 8, 2022

Wednesday, May 4, 5–6 pm, Gathering Center

Have you ever considered how you might support the mission and ministry of Asbury First even after you are gone? Do you have questions about estate planning? The Giving Team invites you to join us for a special information session on Legacy Giving on Wednesday, May 4 at 5 pm in the Gathering Center regarding estates, wills, and legacy giving. This program is intended for all ages, so whether you have never thought about a will or have your estate already planned, this session will have meaningful information for you. Questions? Call the church office or email giving@asburyfirst.org.

Published: April 8, 2022

Want a book about Easter? There are many for all ages in the church library.
The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith is a beautifully illustrated book for children that tells the story of Easter. Learn more about the incredible titles at asburyfirst.org/library, then come check out the Lenten and Easter displays in the church library. The church library is just off the Gathering space at the entrance to the Education Wing. It is free and open for your use when the church is open. Help yourself to materials of your choice by simply signing your name. 

Published: April 8, 2022

Saturday, June 4, 8:30 am–1 pm, Gathering Center

Asbury First’s next blood drive will be held on Saturday, June 4, from 8:30 am to 1 pm. If you can help with a life-saving donation, please call 1-800-733-2767, or go to www.RedCrossBlood.org for an appointment. There continues to be a high demand for blood, with a dangerously low supply. Your donation could really make a difference!

Published: April 1, 2022

Holy Week and Easter weekend are quickly approaching and we are preparing to welcome returning members and first time visitors to our wonderful community. 

We are looking for Greeters and Asbury Ambassadors to help provide warm hospitality to all who arrive on our campus from Maundy Thursday through Easter morning! Can you help? Might you be willing to offer a smile, provide some direction, and extend a warm welcome to all Asbury visitors during Holy Week? This is a very easy way to extend Christ's love in this moment when we all need it the most!

Emily Cady and Johanna Mahan are looking for YOUR help! We love our church and we want everyone who arrives on campus during Holy Week to feel welcome! We need YOUR help to do that!

Click here to sign up to volunteer and let your Easter spirit SHINE!

Published: April 1, 2022

Tuesdays, Beginning April 5, 12:30 pm, Tasteful Connections Event Room (1 Whipple Dr, Irondequoit), $30 per person

Asbury First’s Art Class will be learning to make textile collages with heat tools and unusual textiles. We will be heating up textiles like Tyvek and Wonder Under as well as organzas, craft felt, and other fabrics that melt or shrink when heat is applied. There is no sewing required in this class! However, sewing for art’s sake will be an option. And no experience is necessary.

The class meets Tuesday afternoons from 12:30–3 pm. We meet at Tasteful Connections Event Room, 1 Whipple Dr in Irondequoit. We will have lunch first and then move into our art. Sandra Holloway provides a light lunch for those who would like, and Rev. Linda Clemow facilitates the art. Every week we put out two free-will donation bowls for the chef and the art teacher. There is a $30 per person charge for the materials for the course. This class will begin on April 5th but you may join any time after that.

Published: April 1, 2022

April 18–20, visit gatewaysmusicfestival.org for full schedule

The Gateways Music Festival returns to Rochester April 18-20, bringing 120 Black professional classical musicians for two performances, a film screening, the Paul J. Burgett Lecture and two Young Musicians Institute programs. Renowned Hollywood conductor Anthony Parnther makes his Gateways and Rochester conducting debut and then takes the Gateways Orchestra on its first tour of New York City, including the Orchestra’s Carnegie Hall debut. For more information and tickets, visit gatewaysmusicfestival.org.

• Gateways Pianists — Hatch Recital Hall at Eastman School of Music — Monday, April 18, 7:30 pm
• Young Musicians Institute: Parent Chat — David F. Gantt R-Center — Tuesday, April 19, 4:30 pm
• Film Screening (The Caged Bird: The Life and Music of Florence B. Price) and Paul J. Burgett Lecture (Black Idioms in the Music of Florence B. Price, Cory Hunter, PhD) — Hatch Recital Hall at Eastman School of Music — Tuesday, April 19, 6:30 & 7:30 pm
• Young Musicians Institute: Masterclass with Students from Eastman’s Black Student Union — Eastman School of Music East Wing (EEW) 415 — Wednesday, April 20, 2 pm
• Gateways Orchestra Concert — Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre — Wednesday, April 20, 7:30 pm

Published: March 24, 2022

Next time you enter the Sanctuary, you will notice that some of the ropes blocking the pews have been removed. In order to accommodate additional seating as attendance increases, ropes on the Lectern side of the nave have been removed, allowing for seating in every row. Ropes will remain on the Pulpit side, preserving space for those wishing to maintain social distancing while seated during the service. Our masking policy continues to be “masks recommended” for the time being. For more information on our current COVID safety measures, please visit https://asburyfirst.org/news/2022/3/covid-masking-update/.

Published: March 24, 2022

Saturday, April 2, 7:30 pm, Livestream and In-Person, $20 GA

Join the choir for a fun romp through songs celebrating the contraptions that get us from here to there—and back again! Explore the deep human desire to travel for the sake of exploration, enrichment, curiosity, for seeing what’s out there—for just moving. Now in their 46th concert season, Madrigalia delights audiences with the beauty of sound and artistic excellence. Under the direction of Artistic Director Cary Ratcliff, the ensemble of highly skilled vocalists presents unique and challenging programs of choral music built around intriguing themes To learn more about Madrigalia and to purchase tickets, visit madrigalia.org.

Published: March 18, 2022

Two Options:
In-Person: Sunday, April 3, 12:30–2 pm at 1050 East Avenue
Virtual: Tuesdays, March 29 and April 5, 5–6 pm, Zoom, Click here to join Zoom

Are you interested in joining Asbury First? After more than a year hiatus, we are pleased to be offering two New Members Classes for any and all interested in joining Asbury First. For those who are comfortable being together in person, we will hold a class in person on Sunday, April 3 following the service from 12:30–2 pm. For those near and far interested in meeting (and potentially joining) virtually, we will hold two zoom classes on Tuesdays, March 29 and April 5 from 5–6 pm. Our hope is to have everyone join on Palm Sunday, April 10. 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.

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.