Published: June 14, 2026

The Library Prepares For Summer

Summer is coming — time to return your library books and find some new ones! Stop by the Gathering Center on June 14, where the bibliocart will be stocked with great summer reads. You'll also find a table with tips on native plants and garden prep.

Return your books, grab a new one, and get your garden ready to enjoy it in!

Published: June 14, 2026

Join Summer Choir!

Sunday, June 14, Asbury First's Summer Choir kicks into gear! Join the choir for the whole summer or for any individual Sunday! Summer Choir gathers at 10 am in Wesley Hall to rehearse accessible music that will be sung at the 11 am service. No need to be a member of Sanctuary Choir — but basic choral singing experience is recommended. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Director of Music Ministry, Carl Johengen at cjohengen@asburyfirst.org.

Published: May 14, 2026

Summer Schedule begins May 24!
9 am Worship will take place outdoors on the East Ave lawn

Asbury First's summer tradition of hosting our 9 am worship service outside on fair Sundays continues this year from May 24 to September 6 (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). We will assemble in front of the 1050 building. We ask that you bring your own lawn chair or lawn blanket if at all possible—toss them in your trunk now!

Published: May 14, 2026

Asbury First Community Theatre presents:

"Don't Drink the Water!"

Tickets now available for June 12, 13 and 14

Tickets are now available for Asbury First Community Theatre's production of Woody Allen's "Don't Drink the Water!" Click here to reserve your seat today for this comedy about American tourists trapped behind the Iron Curtain. 

Note: This production of "Don’t Drink the Water!" is presented in the spirit of separating the art from the artist, and does not reflect an endorsement.

Published: May 14, 2026

The SPRC invites you to celebrate Kathy Thiel and Mike Mullin as they conclude their time with Asbury First. Kathy will preach at the 9 & 11 am services on June 14, followed by a reception in the Gathering Center; Mike will preach at the 9 & 11 am services on June 28, followed by a reception in the Gathering Center.

To honor both, we are creating Memory Books — submit photos or memories to communications@asburyfirst.org — and collecting farewell monetary gifts (also known as a purse); make checks payable to Asbury First UMC, noting "Kathy Thiel Purse" or "Mike Mullin Purse," and mail to 1050 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607, place in the offering plate, or donate online by clicking here.

Contributions are due by June 7 for Kathy and June 21 for Mike.

Published: May 14, 2026

You're invited on Saturday, May 30 to Keeping Our Promise's annual Road to Resilience Gala: Rooted in Community, held at the Irondequoit Country Club. This special evening celebrates the enduring partnership between our faith community and the Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa families who have made Rochester home, and raises vital funds to support the 190 families still navigating the challenges of housing, employment, and stability. The night will feature keynote speaker Shawn VanDiver of AfghanEvac, remarks by emcee Brighton Town Supervisor Bill Moehle, inspiring family stories, dinner, and a live auction with travel experiences to destinations including Greece, Iceland, Scotland, and an Alaska cruise. Tickets and sponsorship information are available at keepingourpromise.org.

Published: May 14, 2026

Published: May 13, 2026

Our youth have once again decorated envelopes and are asking for your support to help subsidize the costs of our mission trips. If you would like to participate, all you need to do is take an envelope from the display this Sunday, May 17, in the Welcome Hall, and return it with the dollar amount equal to the number of the envelope you take. You will also find more detailed instructions inside the envelopes. If you have questions, or you would like to support from afar, please reach out to Jo Urriola-Schonewolf at jurriola-schonewolf@asburyfirst.org or Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org

Published: May 13, 2026

East Avenue Music Festival Returns!

Sunday, June 14 at 1 pm

Asbury First will once again take part in the East Avenue Music Festival on the afternoon of Sunday, June 14. We hope you'll join us at 1 pm for a 30-minute mini-concert featuring our own Music Ministry. Then join the procession down East Avenue to enjoy mini-concerts at our four neighbor congregations: Church of the Annunciation (2 pm), St. Paul's (3 pm), Incarnate Word (4 pm), and Third Presbyterian (5 pm). Food and ice cream trucks will be outside Asbury First starting at noon, so you can plan to stay after the 11 am service and join the fun. For more information, visit eastavenuemusicfestival.com

Published: May 13, 2026

Sign up or just show up to give blood on Saturday, June 20 from 8:30 am to 1 pm in Asbury First's Gathering Center. Please call Ed Ristau at (585) 223-4356 or call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule your appointment.

Please remember to bring your ID.

Published: May 6, 2026

Volunteers Wanted!

We're seeking a volunteer (or a team to share responsibilities) to check all first aid kits and AED devices on campus on a regular basis and refill as needed. If you're interested or would like more information, please contact Deb Bullock-Smith at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org, or at 585-271-1050, ext. 117.

Published: May 6, 2026

Memorial Service Volunteers Needed!

Want to make a meaningful difference? Join our hospitality ministry and help families feel welcomed during Memorial Services! You'll assist with setting up the Gathering Center, prepping beverages, plating food, and tidying up afterward — about 4 hours per Service.

Weekday and weekend availability is a plus (sometimes on short notice), but all are welcome! Reach out to hospitality@asburyfirst.org to get involved.

Published: April 30, 2026

This Sunday, May 3, is Children's Sunday!

Join us at 11 am on Children’s Sunday, May 3, as the children lead us in all aspects of worship from ushering, reading scripture, leading prayer, singing and ringing bells and presenting a “sermon”, a children’s musical, titled By The Sea.

Come show your support for these young people so eager to participate in worship!

Published: April 29, 2026

Accessibility at Asbury First: Hearing Loop Active

We are pleased to offer a hearing loop system for those with hearing loss. This system delivers audio directly from our microphones to your personal hearing aid or cochlear implant.

Please switch your device to the 'T' (Telecoil) setting.

If you do not have a T-coil, please see an usher to borrow a portable receiver.

Published: April 29, 2026

Grocery Bag Ministry

Now Meeting the Second Saturday of Each Month
 

For over 12 years, Asbury First's Grocery Bag Ministry has assembled thousands of grocery bags for families in need across Rochester. Join us the second Saturday of each month at 8 am in the Dining & Caring Center to help pack 80 bags distributed to partner churches and refugee families through the Keeping Our Promise program.

Our next gathering is May 10. Come feed your neighbors.