News

  • Coming Soon: Godspell!

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    Published: Aug. 19, 2023

    Auditions: Wednesday, September 13, 6 pm, Fellowship Hall

    Our Youth Musical this Fall will be Godspell! Auditions begin in September with show dates of November 10–12, 2023. After the incredible success of The Sound of Music, we cannot wait to put together another incredible musical experience. For more information, please contact Larry Dugan at ldugan@asburyfirst.org or by calling the church office at 585-271-1050.

    Godspell is a musical composed by Stephen Schwartz with book by John-Michael Tebelak. The show is structured as a series of parables, primarily based on the Gospel of Matthew, interspersed with music mostly set to lyrics from traditional hymns, with the passion of Christ appearing briefly near the end.

  • Asbury Ringers Wanted

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    Published: Aug. 18, 2023

    The Asbury Ringers have a few openings for ringers, starting this fall. We are looking for enthusiastic musicians who can read music, are open to learning bell techniques (or know bell technique from previous experiences) and can commit to our rehearsal and playing schedule. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7–8:30 pm. If you are interested and can make this commitment, please contact Elizabeth Church at echurch@asburyfirst.org or by calling the church office at 585-271-1050 and we'll have you come visit to see if the choir is a fit for you!

  • School Supply Drive for School 17

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    Published: Aug. 18, 2023

    Drop off supplies Sunday mornings from August 27–September 10.

    When you are out and about shopping in the next few weeks, think about picking up some school supplies for our supply drive that supports School 17.

    Items needed include: backpacks, 24-count pencils, colored pencils, erasers and eraser tops, 
ink pens (blue, black, and red), crayons, color-safe markers, highlighters, child-safe scissors, glue sticks, pencil boxes or pouches, index cards, sticky notes, solid-color folders with pockets, three-ring binders, composition books, graph paper, hand sanitizer, and tissues. Many thanks to YOU for your support! For more information, please contact John Smalt 
at (585) 924-8624, or at jhsmalt@gmail.com.

  • New Fall Course — Let Freedom Read!

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    Published: Aug. 11, 2023

    Wednesdays, September 13, 20, 27, 6-7 pm, Room 205 and on Zoom

    Did you know that the Bible has been banned? What about To Kill a Mockingbird, Huckleberry Finn, The Grapes of Wrath, and even Goodnight Moon? In 2022, there were 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources, up almost double from 2021, and nearly ten times from 2020. Of those, 90% were attempts to censor multiple books, targeting a record number of 2,571 unique titles. The majority were written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community or by and about Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color. What does it mean for a book to be censored or banned? Is this something we, as Christians, should care about? And if so, what could we even do? Come to our class in September, led by our newly formed Banned Book Team to find out. For more information, contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.

    Sept. 13 — Why should we care about challenged and banned books?
    Sept. 20 — What are some books that have been challenged or banned?    
    Sept. 27 — Where do we go from here?

  • Welcome Our New Communications Assistant

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    Published: Aug. 10, 2023

    Please join us in welcoming Ly Tran. She will be working with Sarah as our new Communications Assistant. Ly is currently a student at RIT studying Graphic Design. Originally from Vietnam, she has been a Rochester local for the past 11 years. She is an enthusiastic and talented designer and we are excited to have her join Asbury First. Ly can be contacted at ltran@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x108.

  • Library Volunteers Needed

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    Published: Aug. 4, 2023

    The Asbury First Library is so grateful for the outpouring of used book donations, but we now have MORE than enough and cannot accept any more! 
    However, we are looking for some bibliophiles (or even market enthusiasts) to help sell books at the NOTA Farmers Market on Mondays from 4–7 pm. For more information or to volunteer, contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org or (585) 271-1050 x105.

  • Have any extra veggies?

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    Published: Aug. 2, 2023

    Our Asbury Community Garden is starting to burst with veggies! We’ve already started delivering produce to the Asbury First Dining & Caring Center, and made a monthly contribution to Keeping Our Promise neighbors. Next we will contribute to AME Zion’s lunch program on Wednesdays. If you are a gardener and find yourself awash with more veggies than you can handle, we will be glad to take your extras and distribute them.

    Just drop off donations to the garden behind 1010 before 10 am on Wednesdays only. If you don’t find a gardener harvesting in the garden at that time, please leave your produce on the shady side of the big tan bin. It’s at the edge of the garden closest to the playground. Thank you for your help!

  • Property Care Staff Needed

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    Published: July 21, 2023

    We are hiring Property Care Staff! Under the direction and supervision of the Director of Property Care, the Property Care Associate will be responsible for responding to and completing and grounds maintenance projects and tasks, and completing event/meeting sets-ups and tear-downs. The successful candidate will possess a positive attitude, be able to work independently and within deadlines on various tasks on the Asbury First campus. Prior experience with grounds maintenance and meeting setup/teardown tasks preferred. Interested candidates please send cover letters and resumes to search@asburyfirst.org.

  • Spam/Phising Warning

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    Published: July 21, 2023

    We have reports of a new scam going around claiming to be Stephen. This new scam even uses Stephen's image to seem more legitimate. The Asbury First staff will never ask you to send cash immediately or to give your personal information over an open email.

    Here are a few guidelines to recognize scam/phishing emails or texts:

    • Be suspicious of urgent demands for information. Often spoofed e-mails will make some form of urgent request.
    • Look for misspelled words or grammatical errors in the message and/or hyperlink.
    • Avoid e-mailing personal and financial information.
    • Be watchful of general greetings.
    • Contact Asbury First directly to verify the request before responding.

    Another way to avoid them is to check the email address and make sure it has @asburyfirst.org at the end. If it does not, immediately delete the email before opening it as the staff will only contact you using official email addresses. For more information, please contact David Strong at dstrong@asburyfirst.org.

  • Older Adults Ice-Cream Social

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    Published: July 21, 2023

    Wednesday, August 16, 2:30–4 pm, 1040 Gathering Center

    What better way to escape the summer heat than with ice-cream! We hope you'll join us for the Older Adults Ice-Cream Social in August. No RSVP necessary. There will be vegan and sugar-free options. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Thiel at 585-271-1050 x106.

  • Communications Needs You!

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    Published: July 14, 2023

    Do you love bulletin boards? Do you like being behind the camera? Well, we've got some projects for you! We are looking for volunteers to help produce the display bulletin for the Welcome Hall, as well as assistance with quick interviews for a video project. If you're interested, please contact Sarah Brubaker at sbrubaker@asburyfirst.org or by calling 585-271-1050 x109. Training and video equipment will be provided.

  • Acolytes and Crucifers Needed

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    Published: July 14, 2023

    Have you ever wanted to participate in worship — but without having to speak in front of people? You may have noticed that some weeks we have an acolyte, crucifer, and Christ candle that all help to lead our procession into worship and our recession out into the world. Each of these roles help to remind us that Christ goes before us—both in this space and beyond. We would love to have each of these roles fulfilled at every service. If you would like to volunteer to be an acolyte (the ones that light the candles), the crucifer (the one that carries the cross), or to carry our Christ candle, please contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org. We would love to have you join our team as we help spread and share the light of Christ!

  • Red Wings Game

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    Published: July 14, 2023

    Friday, August 25, 6:45 pm, Frontier Field

    Join us as we sing the National Anthem at the Red Wings vs. Worcester Red Sox game. We have reserved 100 seats, so tickets will be $10. You don't have to sing to join us at the game, but our hope is to have a good sized group represent Asbury First. You can also Get a Tie-Dye T-Shirt for $15 to wear to the game! Shirts will be on sale Sunday mornings, or by contacting the church office at 585-271-1050. For more information, contact Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org.

  • "Food For Thought" KOP Event Canceled

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    Published: July 13, 2023

    Unfortunately, the event has been canceled.

    Check back for a similar event in the Fall. To learn more about Keeping Our Promise, visit keepingourpromise.org

  • Thank you from the Library!

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    Published: July 11, 2023

    The Asbury First Library is so grateful for the outpouring of donations! We are excited to have so much to offer at the Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA) Farmer’s Market. Stop by on Mondays from 4–7 pm to check out our selection and to support local businesses. Thank you all!