Published: Feb. 24, 2022

Check out the new executive summary of the content, discussion, and meaningful actions of each of the February board meeting. While there are some aspects of our work 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. 

Read the latest summary

Published: Feb. 11, 2022

Wednesdays beginning March 9, 10-11:30, In-Person and on Zoom, zoom.us/j/8347173468

Many people think about giving something up for Lent. Last fall, Asbury First’s Wednesday morning study group joked about giving up the patriarchy when it chose to read Beth Allison Barr’s The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth during Lent. This book study will begin on March 9, and is a hybrid gathering. Some people gather in-person at Asbury First, and some join us online via Zoom. All are welcome as we embark on this new text to learn more about our faith, and to challenge some of the presuppositions of complementarianism. Contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org with questions or for more information.

Published: Feb. 11, 2022

Beginning Wednesday, February 9, 12:15 pm, Click here for the Zoom Link

Outdoor educator and field researcher Sara Dykman made history when she became the first person to bicycle alongside monarch butterflies on their storied annual migration – a round-trip adventure that included three countries and more than 10,000 miles. If you are concerned about saving the threatened monarch migration and learning more about these beautiful creatures, please read Bicycling with Butterflies with WOW beginning February 9. WOW is not a traditional book group: we read in small sections and discuss in depth to really gather the essence of the author’s message. By the way, did you know Asbury First has an official Seneca Park Butterfly Beltway Garden in the corner of the Day Care play ground?

Women on Wednesday (WOW) meets weekly from September to June to explore books of current and thoughtful interest. All women readers are welcome. There are no Asbury or any other membership requirements. Participants move in and out of the group as schedules and busy lives allow—just bring your curiosity and interest in the world of reading and sharing ideas. For more information please contact Mary Lynn Vickers at mvicker1@rochester.rr.com.

Published: Feb. 11, 2022

Sundays, March 6–April 10, 9:45 am EST, Zoom, zoom.us/j/8347173468

Atonement is a theological term that considers the death and resurrection of Jesus. When we consider how and why Jesus died for our sins, we are thinking about atonement. And while we may think that the church is very clear on what it believes concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus, it turns out that there are many different theories of atonement. Was Jesus’ death necessary? Was it a punishment? Was Jesus merely setting a moral example? As it turns out, no mainline denomination confesses any one theory of atonement as gospel truth—though they often imply there is only one correct answer. All are invited to join us in the Lenten wilderness as we embark on this six-week journey to the cross and Easter. During this time, we will consider the various theories of atonement and the implications they each have for our faith today. Please contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org with questions or for more information. 

Published: Feb. 11, 2022

Mondays, March 7 – April 11, 12–1 pm, Zoom, Click here to join Zoom

It can be hard to figure out how to navigate life in the best of circumstances. The pandemic and all of the restrictions on our lives have left each and all of us wondering whether we will ever know our best circumstances again. The stress of adjusting and readjusting to a virtual life is real.

If life has felt more challenging lately, if you are looking for a place to talk about the effects of COVID in your life, if you are frustrated with the pandemic-related changes in your world, or if you would like to learn some ways to find Light in the midst of darkness, then please join us.

We will be talking about ways to lessen stress, and find the Light amidst those parts of life over which we have no control. We will be meeting every Monday for six weeks, via Zoom, from 12–1 pm starting on March 7 and going through April 11. If you have questions please be in touch with Rev. Kathy Thiel by calling (585) 271-1050 x106 or send an email to Kathy at kthiel@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Feb. 11, 2022

Asbury’s Community Garden Committee has just started to plan the 2022 garden, and we’d like to invite you to join the fun! Helping to tend our raised-bed garden can be a delightful and COVID-safe chore as it’s all outside! Many hands make the work light, whether you’d like to help out during occasional group work days, or join a team that will do more intensive tending on a rotating basis during the growing and harvesting season. Prior experience in vegetable gardening is a help, but not necessary. Jobs include planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, pruning and delivering what we grow to various partner organizations. 

If you’re interested in doing a little gardening or a little more, contact Diana Louise Carter at DianaLouiseCarter@Gmail.com. 

Published: Feb. 4, 2022

February 4–25

Beginning February 4, URMC is offering a 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge. Similar to the United Way’s challenge, this challenge is intended as a self-guided learning tool for those who are at all stages and levels of familiarity with DEI initiatives and offers an open and safe environment for discussion and reflection. The daily challenges consists of either reading, listening and watching followed by learning, reflection and action. The site offers progress trackers and reflection tools. 

If you’re interested, you can get more information and sign up here at URMC Racial Equity Challenge.

Published: Feb. 4, 2022

Finger Lakes Opera (FLO) administrative staff have moved into has moved into Education Wing 2nd floor office suite (Room 200), previously occupied by the UMC Genesee Valley District Superintendent and District Assistant. We are beyond excited to have them on our campus!

Finger Lakes Opera produces full staged operas of the highest caliber, engaging with a varied roster of professional artists, directors, and designers. Through the Tomita Young Artist Program, FLO offers training and performance opportunities to emerging artists from all over the world and across a variety of backgrounds. FLO seeks to cultivate and develop an understanding and appreciation of opera, bringing the art for to new and diverse audiences within the community and through the region. Learn more about FLO at www.fingerlakesopera.org.

Published: Feb. 3, 2022

This Friday, February 4 at 1 pm, Flower City Habitat will dedicate a new house at 757 Jay street. The home was sponsored by Asbury First, partner Harvest Home Coalition churches and Thrivent Financial. Learn more about the event here.

The dedication will be streamed on FB Live: www.facebook.com/RocHabitat/Live.

About our homeowner: Natasha G.

Natasha applied for the home at 757 Jay Street as soon as applications opened, and not only was she extremely organized, but she was also very friendly and open with the staff about her desire to be a homeowner. When asked about her comfort level in adding sweat equity hours to her already busy schedule, “confident” was the word she chose, and it showed in her preparation and follow through. By the first meeting (before she had even been accepted into the program), she had already read the entire handbook and came prepared with questions and a plan for savings.

Natasha works at L3Harris, where her work schedule is four 10-hour shifts, resulting in more days that she was able to volunteer on the construction site, learn about homebuilding and get her hands dirty!

Though she has no major complaints about the quality of her current rental, her cost burden is almost 52% of her total household income, far above the 30% which is considered affordable. Natasha weighed the pros and cons of homeownership for awhile, and came to the firm conclusion that this is the best path for her and her children.

She is a working, single mom of two kids (a 10 year old daughter and 5 year old son) and her children have been sharing a bedroom since her son was born. She is very excited to have an affordable home where they can each have their own room, and plans to wait to tell them until the home is complete. Natasha foresees the unveiling of the new home to be a complete surprise to her children, with their rooms all furnished, decorated, and ready for them to enjoy! What a day to look forward to!

Published: Feb. 3, 2022

Updated February 23, 2021

Change doesn’t come one month a year. Please join us as we continue the conversation of Black History Month by reading together the book, 400 Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2020, edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain over the next year. The book is broken into ten sections and we will create venues to discuss one section a month. Whether you join us for the discussion or just read it on your own, this book is a wonderful way to know the past and begin to shape the future. 

We are happy to have received a donation of 400 Souls from a member that was purchased through Cerebral Kingdom Bookstore, a local Black-owned bookstore. If you would like one of these copies or want to purchase the book from the Cerebral Kingdom Bookstore book store, please contact the church office at 585-271-1050.

"Sign Up" to read the book at asburyfirst.org/400souls, so we can easily find a way of contacting interested folks for the conversation about the book. You can also call the church office at 585-271-1050 or email info@asburyfirst.org to show your interest.

Published: Jan. 31, 2022

Did you miss the Annual Church Conference on Sunday? Not to worry! You can read all of the documents as well as watch the conference by visiting asburyfirst.org/church-conference.

EDITED TO ADD:

To read the pertinent documents for the Annual Church Conference, please download the files by clicking the links below:

• 2022 Annual Church Conference Agenda
• Nominations Report
• Governing Board Nominee Bio
• Annual Report (including the Annual Operating Plan on page 16)

Published: Jan. 24, 2022

Join us for a quick look into one of our Outreach ministries, The Storehouse. From helping the Red Cross clothe people who have suffered loss due to fires, to providing clothes, books, and toys to a child in foster care, the Asbury Storehouse served 2,638 people in 2021 alone! Now, we need YOUR help as volunteers to continue this important service for the Rochester community.

Sign up to volunteer at asburyfirst.org/outreach-volunteer/.

Click here to watch the video

Published: Jan. 24, 2022

“Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.” (Acts 2:43-45, The Message)

On January 15, the eviction moratorium that has been in place for the duration of the pandemic was lifted. As a result, many of our neighbors who have been financially impacted by the pandemic are on the brink of eviction and homelessness. This crisis comes in the midst of both the coldest months of the year and the highest numbers of daily infections of the entire pandemic.

At Asbury First, we are already feeling the local fallout of this change. In January alone we have received over $20,000 of rental assistance requests as individuals and families seek ways to stay in their homes. We currently do not have the necessary funds available to meet the staggering amount of need in our community.

This is a crisis moment in which we as a congregation and community are called to respond:

• If you are in need of assistance or are in danger of losing your home, please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our pastoral staff. (585-271-1050)
• If you are in a financial position to contribute to our emergency rental assistance fund, please consider doing so. You can make a gift online here: asburyfirst.org/give-online. Please designate it for “Rent Assistance.”
• If you would like to learn more about, volunteer with, or donate to housing justice organizations who are working on long-term sustainable solutions to the housing crisis in Rochester and statewide, please contact Pat Dupont (pdupont@asburyfirst.org, 585-271-1050 x136).

May we embody our faith ancestors of the book of Acts in “pooling our resources so that each person’s need is met.”

Published: Jan. 21, 2022

Have you ever wondered what the Bible really says—and if it truly has any meaning for us in modern times? If so, then you’re not alone. Most Christians have never really read the Bible, and many wonder if its antiquated teachings truly transcend time. If you would like to grapple with these questions, then you are encouraged to sign up for a Disciple Bible Study. We will offer both Disciple I Bible Studies and Disciple II (for those who have previously completed Disciple I). Groups will be formed at the end of January, and will begin meeting in February for weekly, one-hour sessions. All of our groups will meet via Zoom this year, meaning that anyone can participate from anywhere in the world. Perhaps, this is the time to invite a friend or family member to come alongside you as you commit to a year of weekly Bible study (NB: we will take a break during the summer). Please contact Mike Mullin, mmullin@asburyfirst.org, with any questions, and use this link to sign-up for a Disciple Bible Study!

Published: Jan. 21, 2022

In December 2021, the Mission & Service Team welcomed Keeping Our Promise as an outreach ministry of Asbury First. A Rochester based non-profit, the organization’s mission is “To provide comprehensive resettlement assistance to endangered wartime allies who served U.S. interests in conflict and war zones.” Volunteers assist refugees through the complicated steps of finding and furnishing a home, registering children for school, finding employment and medical care, learning English and more. 232 individuals were assisted in 2021 and many, many more are anticipated in 2022. The Asbury First Grocery Bag Ministry and Storehouse are actively involved in helping our new Americans. Many in our congregation already support Keeping Our Promise by volunteering and/or financial support. Stay tuned for ways that you can become involved to Do More Good by caring for our wartime allies. Visit www.keepingourpromise.org to learn more, or feel free to contact Asbury First member and KOP volunteer Cindy Malone, who can be reached at (call or text) 585-645-4060 or by email at cmalone1015@gmail.com.