Published: Nov. 23, 2025

The Thanksgiving In-Gathering, a worship celebration and our biggest donation drive 
of the year, is quickly approaching! Please consider bringing a donation to offer at either of the
worship services on Sunday, November 23. A specific list of needed items is available on our website.

Please consult the list as it contains the items that are most helpful in serving our neighbors. Thank you for your involvement in 
the work of alleviating poverty and homelessness in Rochester!

Visit asburyfirst.org/thanksgiving-in-gathering for a list of items most helpful in serving our neighbors.

Published: Nov. 23, 2025

Adult Sunday School and Coming Soon:
Advent Sunday School: Unwrapping Christmas
Sundays, 9:45 - 10:45, Fellowship Hall and Zoom

This Sunday, November 23, we are welcoming guest speaker Gary Doupe to talk about the history and present reality of the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis.

Beginning November 30,
Join us for four weeks in Advent as we take a deep-dive into the Christmas stories in our Bible for Advent Sunday School: Unwrapping Christmas. What does our Bible actually say about Christmas? Which books of the Bible share this story? And what role does tradition play in our celebrations and understandings of this season. All are welcome as we peel back the wrapping of these classic Christmas tales. 

Contact Mike Mullin with questions at mmullin@asburyfirst.org

Published: Nov. 23, 2025

December 7, 5 pm in the Sanctuary

Join us for Asbury First's Advent tradition, December 7, 5 - 7 pm in the Sanctuary! Come in your pajamas, enjoy breakfast for dinner, and celebrate with music and stories. All families are welcome. RSVPs are appreciated but not required.

To sign up or volunteer, click here!

Published: Nov. 23, 2025

After the 4 pm Christmas Eve Service in Fellowship Hall

Please RSVP to programs@asburyfirst.org by December 15. The cost of this meal is $10 and can be paid by cash, check, or Venmo.

Are you interested and able to help organize and run the event? Please email Rev. Kathy Thiel at kthiel@asburyfirst.org or call
(585) 271-1050 ext. 106 to help organize and celebrate this Asbury First tradition!

Published: Nov. 23, 2025

On Tuesday, December 2, our community will come together to ROC the Day, and the Asbury First Community Outreach Center is participating again. ROC the Day is a 24-hour giving opportunity to support all eligible not-for-profits in the nine-county greater Rochester area. Community members are encouraged to visit www.roctheday.org, a secure online giving platform, to contribute to any participating not-for-profit organization. All money given during ROC the Day stays local. Donors have the ability to make an impact by giving to one or multiple organizations to support their personal philanthropic passions.

Published: Nov. 14, 2025

In response to the sudden disappearance of SNAP and other assistance programs, and uncertainty around their reinstatement, we are initiating an ongoing emergency food & fund drive. Donations can be dropped off in the chapel on Sundays or at the Community Outreach Center M-Tu 9-3, W-Th 7-3, Fri 7-9. Monetary donations can be made online at asburyfirst.org/give-outreach. Thank you for your commitment to the health and well-being of our neighbors!

Published: Nov. 9, 2025

A new grief group is being offered starting on Wednesday, November 12. This is an opportunity for people to come together and talk about their loved one who has recently died (in the last five months, or even the last five years). All are welcome to join the group for one or every meeting. We will meet in the Red Room (1010) on Wednesdays from 4 to 5 pm. For more information contact Rev. Kathy Thiel at (585) 369-3170 or kthiel@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Nov. 9, 2025

Join us on Saturday, November 22, from 10 am – 7 pm at Barnes & Noble Pittsford (3349 Monroe Ave., Rochester) for a day of reading, shopping, and giving back. When you shop in-store or online at BN.com/bookfairs November 22 - 26, use Bookfair ID #12919783 at checkout, and a portion of your purchase will be donated to support Asbury First Library. Mark your calendars and help us make a difference — one book at a time!

Published: Nov. 9, 2025

Please join us Saturday, December 6, at 11 am in the Gathering Center, for the Asbury First Older Adult Christmas lunch, for a time of singing, laughing and sharing a holiday meal with friends.

Please RSVP to Barbara Eltinge for the lunch by Monday, December 1, at (585) 737-8775 or programs@asburyfirst.org. 

Published: Nov. 9, 2025

Saturday, December 6, 9 to 5 pm in Fellowship Hall

Come support the Storehouse with holiday spirit! Asbury First artisans and local craftspeople are bringing their wares to the Fellowship Hall for another Holiday Bazaar!

One day only. You'll be glad you put this in your calendar.

Published: Nov. 9, 2025

Beth and Dean Woolever would like to extend their most heartfelt thanks for all the amazing support from the Asbury community including prayers, visits, phone calls, cards and nutritiously delicious meals!

Published: Nov. 2, 2025

November 23, 7:15 pm in the Asbury First Sanctuary

Asbury First is proud to host Ambient Church, featuring a special performance by celestial music pioneer Laraaji, celebrating the 45th anniversary of his landmark 1980 collaboration with Brian Eno, Ambient 3: Day of Radiance, right here in the Asbury First Sanctuary. The performance will feature immersive architecturally-mapped projections, transforming the space into a living audio-visual environment. You won't want to miss this! To learn more, please visit the website here.

Published: Nov. 2, 2025

On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, at 11 am, Asbury First will be hosting the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Day Service. This service is the longest running of its kind in the United States, having begun in the post-civil war years. Clergy from the Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian, and Baptist congregations met to plan this year's service. A shofar will be blown, scripture from the Koran will be read, there will be prayer all in the spirit of gratitude for all of the blessings we have been given, and for the blessing of being able to worship as one, respecting each other and our varied and diverse traditions. All people are welcome.

Published: Nov. 2, 2025

Wednesdays at 6 pm in Wesley Hall and Zoom

Join us for a presentation on the fascinating history and good work being done at the Community Outreach Center's Dining and Caring Center, led by Bob Castle and Bill Lisi.

Wednesday Evening, November 5 at 6 pm in Wesley Hall and via Zoom.


Published: Oct. 30, 2025

Register by November 23 

Sign up for Asbury First's Christmas Eve Pageant! Open to children age 3 through 5th grade. Register by November 23 by clicking HERE. Rehearsals are Sundays at 11 am (Nov 30, Dec 7, 14, 21), plus Wednesday, Dec 17 (6 - 7:30 pm) and Saturday, Dec 20 (10 am - noon).

Questions? Contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.