Published: Feb. 18, 2025

Let’s have a reunion! In 2005 our youth performed the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. All the youth and their families from then to now are invited on Saturday, March 8 for a viewing and gaming party. We'll have board games (provided by Chris Chan) at 4:30 pm, pizza at 6 pm, and the famous “chownies” for dessert! 

Please RSVP to pdugan@asburyfirst.org by March 6. This event will be able to be zoomed in for those who have moved away. 

Published: Feb. 17, 2025

Prostate Cancer Support Group

Tuesday, February 25 at 5:30 pm
Red Room, Community Outreach Center 
and Zoom

We are better together, most especially when we can be present for each other in the tough times. It is in this spirit that we are forming a support group for individuals with prostate cancer - if you have just been diagnosed and are being treated, if you are a survivor, or if you are somewhere in between, you are invited to join us the 4th Tuesday of each month in the Red Room of the Community Outreach Center. Wholistic care makes a huge difference in helping individuals with cancer achieve levels of remission or enhanced functionality, and we are glad to offer a way to connect to spirituality to be supportive. Please come and bring a support person if you would like. If you have any questions, please contact Joe Stankaitis (jstankaitis@hotmail.com), Kathy Thiel (kthiel@asburyfirst.org or 271-1050 ext. 106) 
or David Strong (dstrong@asburyfirst.org or 271-1050 ext. 110) with any questions.

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

This Sunday, we will have frozen quarts of soup for sale for $10. This is the leftover soup from our Souper Bowl fundraiser, and all proceeds will support our Youth Missions. So, if you missed out last week, or you want to grab some seconds for a snowy day, stop by after church on Sunday to grab some soup! We have Chicken and Rice (gluten free and dairy free) and Broccoli Cheddar (Gluten Free and Vegan; contains coconut). Contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org for more information. 

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

Sunday, February 23, and March 2, 9:45-10:45 in Fellowship Hall and on Zoom

Guest Speaker, Ted Adams, will be leading two sessions on Cultural Awareness. As he articulates, "we don't see things as they are, we see things as we are." For two weeks, we will engage with and seek to expand our own worldview; with a particular focus on what privilege and implicit bias looks like for us.

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

If you are looking for more ways to help be an ally – particularly in these moments when our Trans and non-binary siblings are particularly at risk – we hope you will join us 6 - 7 pm each Wednesday in February as we discuss The Savvy Ally and consider how we each may become more savvy, and more impactful. 

Join us in-person in Wesley Hall (lower level of 1040 East Avenue) or on Zoom

Published: Feb. 5, 2025

Wednesday, March 12, at 6:30 pm

The world-renowned Morehouse College Glee Club will again fill the Asbury First sanctuary with powerful and expressive choral music on Wednesday, March 12. Doors will open at 6 pm. This fundraising performance is sponsored by the Gamma Iota Boule Foundation, Inc.

Tickets will be available from Bill Davis in the Welcome Center following the 11 am service.

You can purchase your ticket HERE.

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

We're spreading the word about the good work being done at the Community Outreach Center (COC), and we could use your help. Invite a friend, colleague, business owner, or relative to join us for 1010 Tuesdays – a monthly guided tour of the facilities, a light breakfast in the Dining & Caring Center, and an open Q&A session. We want to tell more people about the COC, and we want to learn new ways we can be effective in the community. Join us Tuesday, February 11 at 8 am at the COC. Space is limited so reserve your spot today!

Visit asburyfirst.org/1010tuesdays or call the office at (585) 271-1050 x117.

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

Visitors from the Gandhi Institute for non-violence will be leading a workshop in the Lower Level of the Community Outreach Center on Monday, February 10 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. These are helpful skills for us all to be able to offer our neighbors and community! All are welcome.

Please register in advance by clicking HERE.

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

Sundays beginning February 9, 9:45 – 10:45 am, Fellowship Hall and Zoom

Join us for two Sunday school hour presentations on our community's housing crisis and how we can work towards solutions.

February 9: “Understanding the Scope and Cost of Local Homelessness: Working Towards Solutions” Presented by Janelle Duda-Banwar, founder and director of On The Ground Research; and Patrick Hanna, Board member of REACH Advocacy

February 16: “Smart Growth: Zoning and the Benefits of Housing Options” Presented by Bill Price, Landscape Architect and Urban Planner

Published: Jan. 23, 2025

Throughout 2025 we are going to pair worship with action in a new way.

Each month we will collect different needed supplies for the ministries of the Community Outreach Center. This February, you are invited to bring to worship donations of Hats, Gloves & Handwarmers. Please drop them off near the rail in front of the Children's Chapel before or after services. Thank you for caring for our neighbors!

Published: Jan. 23, 2025

Celebrate Valentine's Day with a very special event! Books will be gift wrapped with a few descriptive words on them, keeping the title and book covers hidden! Take the book home, unwrap it, and treat yourself to a surprise Valentine. You might even find that you will Fall in Love with a Book!

Visit the bibliocart in the Gathering Center, Sunday, February 2 to pick up your mystery book. 

Published: Jan. 23, 2025

Sunday, February 9th, 12:15 – 1 pm, Fellowship Hall

Please join us for a soup lunch and a presentation from our youth about our 2024 Summer Mission Trips. Our Senior High travelled to Chicago, Illinois to participate in various urban mission projects, and our Junior High assisted with similar projects locally in Rochester, before embarking on overnight to NYC. If you can't stay for the presentation, we will still be offering quarts of soup "to-go" as a fundraiser for our 2025 Mission Trips.

Published: Jan. 23, 2025

Construction begins this spring!

Asbury First's Columbarium and Memorial Garden will begin to take shape this spring after years of planning. The Memorial Garden will be a sacred place to pray, reflect and meditate. Niches can be bought for yourself, a loved one, or can be reserved for those who may be unable to secure a spot in the future. 

To learn more please visit: asburyfirst.org/columbarium

Published: Jan. 23, 2025

Sunday, March 2 after the 11 am service

Asbury First's Governing Board conducts Town Hall meetings throughout the year, inviting the congregation to weigh-in on a variety of important topics. The next of the sessions will be March 2. Mark your calendar!

Join us in the Sanctuary, or via livestream, after the 11 am service for updates on topics important to the daily operation of Asbury First.

Published: Jan. 15, 2025

School is open and tutors are wanted for the
Help Me Read program at School 17, grades K-4.

New Tutor Training/Orientation:

Tuesday, January 21, at 9 am - 10:30 am
Monday, February 3. at 9 am - 10:30 am

All orientations are held at 1000 North Winton Rd, Rochester NY, 14609. Call Ms. Linda at School 17
to register (585) 766-8440. If you are interested
in tutoring please contact John Smalt at jhsmalt@gmail.com or at (585) 924-8624.