Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Asbury First Community Theatre presents:
Seussical, November 13, 14 and 15

This November, get ready for a mad-cap musical of Seussian proportions! Imagination runs wild as beloved characters from Dr. Seuss’s stories come together in one fantastical tale. With humor, heart, and show-stopping songs, Seussical is a celebration of friendship, individuality, and the power of standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.

Reserve your seat now for ACT's latest in Fellowship Hall, November 13 and 14 at 7 pm, and Sunday November 15 at 2 pm by clicking here.

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Trans Youth Book Talk with Author Nico Lang
November 21 at 3 pm in the Gathering Center

Join author Nico Lang for a critical conversation on how to be an ally to trans kids during a turbulent era. November 21 at 3 pm in the Gathering Center. From the tip of Florida’s conservative panhandle to vibrant queer communities in California, and from Texas churches to mosques in Illinois, American Teenager gives readers a window into the lives of eight teens who, despite what some lawmakers might want us to believe, are truly just kids looking for a brighter future.

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Habitat for Humanity Pie Sale

Dream of Thanksgiving dinner with a slice of Apple Crumb, Pecan, Strawberry Rhubarb, Pumpkin, or Rumbleberry Pie? Pies are $20 each, baked by Special Touch Bakery (School of the Holy Childhood), and freeze well for Christmas. Order and pay in the Welcome Hall on Sundays, October 25, November 1, and 8. Pick up your pies there on Monday, November 23, 1-5 pm. Every pie supports Asbury First’s work building homes with Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity’s annual fundraiser.

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Dining In For Outreach podcast episode 2 now available

Get ready for Dining In For Outreach with our new DIFO podcast! In the second episode, host Diana Louise Carter sits down with Bob and Barb Castle to talk about over a decade of dinners for Dining In For Outreach. A new episode will be released each week leading up to the November 8 Celebration, so be sure to tune in. To listen to this week's episode, visit our youtube channel by clicking here.

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

The Storehouse Holiday Bazaar Returns!
Saturday, November 21, 9 am to 4 pm in Fellowship Hall
 and Sunday, November 22, 10 am to 1 pm

Come support the Storehouse with holiday spirit — Asbury First artisans and local craftspeople are bringing their wares to Fellowship Hall (below the Sanctuary) for our annual Holiday Bazaar. Join us November 21 and 22 and celebrate another wonderful year of the Asbury First Storehouse!

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Chat with the Pastors

October 25 in the Gathering Center following both services

New to Asbury First? Thinking about membership? Curious about who we are and what it means to be part of this community? Join us for Chat with the Pastors, an informal monthly conversation where you can meet our clergy, learn more about Asbury First and the United Methodist tradition, ask questions, and explore whether membership might be a next step for you. Find us in the Gathering Center following both worship services. No pressure and no commitment—just conversation, connection, and a chance to learn more.

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Wednesday Evening Classes
Wednesdays, 6 pm, Wesley Hall and Zoom

Join us Wednesday, October 28 for The Masks We Wear and a history of Halloween with Pastor Dee Finch. Questions? Email Pastor Dee at dfinch@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Trees for Christmas

Last Christmas, our congregation’s generosity helped bridge the gap for neighbors affected by SNAP cuts and bare pantry shelves. This year, we invite you to help us glow a little brighter. A generous donor has already provided the tree for the front of the church, but your donation will bring a Christmas tree to the Gathering Center and may allow us to purchase large artificial trees for the Sanctuary, so that everyone who gathers here feels the warmth of the season. 

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Banned Book Club reads George Orwell's 1984
Monday, November 16 at 7 pm in the Red Room and via Zoom

The Banned Book Club meets Bi-monthly to read and discuss a different Banned Book. Join us Monday, November 16 at 7 pm in the Red Room (in the Community Outreach Center) as we dive into Orwell's vision of a dystopian world unnervingly similar to our own. 

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Table Saw Wanted!
Donate your lightly used tools to the Monday Morning Crew

The Monday Morning crew is seeking a replacement for our ancient table saw. If you would like to donate your no longer used 10" or 12" table saw, please contact Dave Kennedy (programs@asburyfirst.org or call him at (585) 339-8940).

For safety reasons, any donated saw must have a blade guard and riving knife available.

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Palestinian Resistance through Existence
Buy goods to benefit struggling communities in Palestine

In conjunction with Third Presbyterian, we invite you to partake in a sale of goods from Palestine, to support the cause of "Palestinian Resistance through existence" and keep Palestinians visible. We have a variety of goods for sale from a Palestinian company, Al'ard - last year's products included olive oil, za'atar, freekeh, olive oil soap, ceramic bowls, and a Zeki storyboard (for kids).

The online order form goes live 10/30/26 (watch this space for a link) and the order deadline is 11/16/2026. Product delivery is 12/6/2026 to Third Presbyterian; Bonnie Kay will bring orders to Asbury First on December 13. Contact her with any questions at programs@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Oct. 20, 2026

Asbury First's Sunday School Forum meets weekly on Sundays in Fellowship Hall between services to discuss a range of topics including current events, social justice, and discipleship practices. All are welcome to gather with us as we learn more about ourselves, our community, and the world around us. Each week stands alone, so come as you are able! Pastor Dee and Jo will be coordinating and facilitating this group.

October 4: A Communion Deep Dive
In celebration of World Communion Sunday, we’re doing a deep dive into the communion liturgy. We’ll explore the historical roots of the sacrament, how the practice of communion has evolved, and what communion means for us today. 

October 11: Weekend to End Homelessness
We’ll discuss our inalienable human rights, including a right to shelter, and the barriers to shelter that those in our community (and around the world) face. 

October 18: Children’s Sabbath
We’ll discuss the origin of children’s rights in our political context and discuss current issues facing children. 

October 25: Seeing the Lord Face-to-Face
As we reflect on the death of Moses in this Sunday’s scripture reading, we’ll discuss religious experiences throughout time and how our culture experiences them today. 

November 1: Stories from the Exodus- The Underground Railroad
As we remember the saints who have gone before us, we being our series on liberation movements inspired by the Exodus story, beginning with abolitionists in the antebellum United States. 

November 8: Stories from the Exodus- The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
We’ll trace the centrality of the Exodus story in Judaism before exploring an example of the fight for Jewish liberation in Nazi-controlled Poland. 

November 15: Stories from the Exodus- Latin American Liberation Theology
We’ll explore the history of colonialism in the Americas and how twentieth-century Latin American liberation movements used the Exodus story in their theology of salvation. 

November 22: Stories from the Exodus- Joshua and Indigenous Americans
We’ll explore the conversation between the conquest narrative of Joshua, the role of the Canaanites in that story, and the theological justifications for the violent oppression of Native Americans during European colonization. 

November 29: Waiting on God- The Present State of the World
On this first Sunday of Advent, we’ll gather together a list of what we think is broken or wrong in this world and ask ourselves if God is still at work among us. 

December 6: Waiting on God- Every Mountain Made Low
On this second Sunday of Advent, we’ll explore the terms equality, equity, and justice and the prophetic imagination of Isaiah 40. 

December 13: Waiting on God- The Year of the Lord’s Favor
On this third Sunday of Advent, we’ll learn about the history of the Jubilee, its connection to Jesus’s ministry, and what this practice could look like in today’s world. 

December 20: Waiting on God- A House for the Lord
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we’ll discuss where God dwells today, in the world after the Incarnation, Resurrection, and Pentecost. 
 

Published: Oct. 14, 2026

Governing Board Meeting Rescheduled for October 19

Previously scheduled for October 12, the latest Governing Board meeting has been rescheduled for October 19, 5:30 pm in the Red Room. The Governing Board, in conversation with the congregation, sets the church’s policy and direction, handles its fiduciary and Disciplinary responsibilities, and empowers ministry teams to carry out the work of the congregation. For more information about the Governance of Asbury First, visit asburyfirst.org/governance.

Published: Oct. 14, 2026

Wednesday Evening Classes
Wednesdays, 6 pm, Wesley Hall and Zoom

Can AI Help Us “Love Thy Neighbor”? AI, the Future and Faith. Join Dr. Larry Dugan Wednesday, October 21 at 6 pm in Wesley Hall for a hopeful conversation about artificial intelligence and human wisdom. Explore how AI, guided by our faith, compassion, and lived experience, can help us serve our neighbors. Through practical examples, we’ll consider how these tools can support meaningful human connection and church life. No technical experience needed.

Published: Oct. 14, 2026

Farewell to Johnny Colón

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of Johnny Colón, our Director of Property Care. Johnny has accepted a similar property management position elsewhere, and his last day with Asbury First will be November 1, 2026. Johnny’s service over the past couple of years has been quiet but consistent, and so much of what he does goes unnoticed because he does it so well. If you’d like to thank him, please write a note or drop off a card in the box in the Gathering Center, where notecards are also available.