Published: July 1, 2026

JOIN IN THE FUN on Sunday, July 12, following 11 am worship, as we celebrate and welcome several new members of our Asbury First staff team! We will have a picnic, lots of games, and a few special surprises. Come help us offer a warm Asbury First welcome as we celebrate this new season of ministry better together!

In addition to welcoming Rev. Dee Finch, our new Minister for Nurture and Discipleship, we will also welcome staff who have come on board in recent months to fill important roles in the life of the church: Jo Urriola-Schonewolf, Coordinator for Age-Level Ministries; Austin Retzlaff, Communications Assistant; Jordan Cole, Hospitality Coordinator; Dan McInerney, Operations Associate; and Alex Hunt, Associate for Age-Level Ministries.

Many of these staff members are stepping into positions vacated by departing staff, and we are grateful for the gifts, energy, and care they are already bringing to our shared ministry.

Published: July 1, 2026

Chapel Challenge: Bottled Water

July's Chapel Challenge will help keep our neighbors hydrated during these hot summer weeks. Bring in packages of bottled water for distribution by the Dining and Caring Center. 

Please drop them off near the rail in the front of the Children's Chapel before or after services. Thank you for caring for our neighbors!

Published: July 1, 2026

Get your craft hands ready! Join us Tuesday, July 7 at 6 pm in the Dining Room at 1050 for a Pride Float Flower-Making Party, where we'll create colorful tissue-paper flowers for Rochester's Pride Parade float. Pizza and drinks are on us, so come hang out, meet fellow volunteers, and help bring some serious color to this year's parade. RSVP to Chris at cgoldmt@gmail.com by Monday, July 6 to save your spot. 

Then bring your handmade flowers to life on Saturday, July 18 at 11 am, when we march in the Pride Parade alongside Balloon Jesus! Line up begins at 10 am at Science Parkway, and free parking with shuttle service is available from MCC lot A. T-shirts are available for purchase by scanning the QR code to the left. 

Published: June 29, 2026

Morning Prayer – Thursdays, 9:30 am in the Meditation Chapel

In these times of shifting headlines and unsettling political events, our pastoral staff feels called to help our community maintain spiritual grounding. We invite you to join us for Morning Prayer every Thursday from 9:30 to 10 am in the Meditation Chapel (within the Sanctuary). This simple weekly service offers a space to center ourselves in God's presence, solidarity, compassion, and love. No special preparation needed—come as you are, whenever you can join us.

Published: June 24, 2026

ALL AGES FUN 

Our regular youth and children’s programming may be over for the year, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Join us for an assortment of activities for all ages on Summer Sundays at 3 pm, including: an Ice Cream Crawl on July 12; a Nature Walk on July 19; Foot Golf at the Genesee Valley Golf Course on July 26; a Meditation Walk on August 2; and Bowling on August 9! For more information, please contact Jo at jurriola-schonewolf@asburyfirst.org. And keep an eye out for details about our Kickball Tournament that will cap off the summer, on August 16, 23, and 30!

Published: June 24, 2026

We've changed the way you access Venmo for giving and paying for tickets, Community Dinner, youth fundraisers, etc. Instead of using your Venmo app, you start with a form (accessible from a QR code). When you choose the payment method as Venmo, your Venmo app will automatically open and walk you through the rest — easy peasy!

Published: June 17, 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 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule your appointment.

Please remember to bring your ID.

See all related events in the Special Events calendar.

Published: June 17, 2026

We're so excited for Asbury First's Summer VBS! Children in grades Pre-K (age 4) through 5th grade are invited to join us August 3–6 from 9 am to Noon for fun, faith-filled days exploring the Bible through arts, crafts, games, and more! Registration fees can be paid online via credit card or bank account through this form, or select "Pay Later" to mail a check to Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, Attn: John Ormsbee. For questions, email programs@asburyfirst.org.

Sign up by clicking here.

See all related events in the Children's and Youth Events calendar.

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: June 7, 2026

Youth Sunday is just around the corner! — June 7

Our 6th-12th grade youth will lead us in worship on this special day. The youth have worked to help put together all aspects of the service—from choosing hymns, to writing prayers, to preparing sermons. Sundays like these help remind us that the youth are not simply our future, they are our present. On June 7, we will bear witness to the talents and offerings of these young people as we are led in worship together. 

Published: June 3, 2026

Chapel Challenge: Filling the Blessing Box

June’s Chapel Challenge will help fill the “blessing box”, first established at Christmas time to provide easy access to single-serve food and drinks without need for cooking or can openers. The box is located on our front lawn, near East Ave. Some suggestions for donations: tuna packets, Vienna sausages, fruit cups, apple sauce, pudding, bottled water, protein drinks, baked beans, corn niblets, cracker packs. Please avoid foods that will melt or spoil in summer heat.

Please drop them off near the rail in the front of the Children's Chapel before or after services.

Published: June 3, 2026

New Paraments by Linda McMillion Clemow

As spring explodes into life around us, our sanctuary welcomes a beautiful new addition: a set of green paraments, now hanging from the altar and lectern. These stunning works will remain in place throughout the Spring and Summer season of Ordinary Time. The paraments were lovingly crafted by artist-in-residence and longtime Asbury First member Linda McMillion Clemow, and are offered as a gift in memory of her parents, Jim and Joanne McMillion, who were also cherished members of this congregation. We are grateful to Linda for sharing her artistry and honoring her family's legacy through this meaningful contribution to our worship space.

Published: May 27, 2026

Your Generosity Can Change Lives 
Peace with Justice Sunday – This Sunday, May 31



Today, we celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday, a special day when United Methodists around the world unite in prayer, reflection, and giving. This offering supports peacebuilding programs that address the root causes of conflict. We encourage you to consider how your gift can help bring about the world God envisions: one of peace, justice, and reconciliation. To see how your contributions make a difference, visit UMC.org/yourimpact

Published: May 27, 2026

Pride Sunday is June 21

At Asbury First, we believe God's love includes everyone — no exceptions. Join us June 21 for Pride Sunday as we celebrate the abundant gift of our diversity and reaffirm our commitment to being a place of refuge and blessing for all people. We remember that each of us — and especially our LGBTQIA+ siblings — is created with divine purpose and dignity. As we worship together, we also honor the courageous legacy of those who marched, resisted, and sacrificed so that love and justice could flourish. All are welcome.