Published: Sept. 14, 2023

You may have noticed that all buildings on the Asbury First campus now have key-fob entry at the main entrances. This is in response to Rochester Police Department site security surveys in 2017 and this past Spring, which included among many observations and recommendations, that we secure our buildings. This brings greater security to our campus and allows us to lock and unlock our doors remotely. The next step in our project is to re-key the remaining exterior doors which do not have fob access. This will move forward within the next month. Please note, if you have an exterior door key (not the interior “A” key – these will not change), it will no longer work once this project is complete. If you need exterior door access to a building, please contact Deb Bullock-Smith and she can work with you to meet your needs.

Our goal is to have volunteer receptionists at the 1040 building to greet people, respond to questions, and to provide access for those individuals who may not have access via key-fob.

Published: Sept. 14, 2023

Saturday, October 21, Champions Mini Golf in Macedon
Tee times starting at 9 am, $11 per adult, $9 per under-15

Our youth will be hosting our first-ever Asbury First Mini-Golf Outing, with all proceeds to support our youth missions. Just like the full-size golf outings, we will have mini-games and prizes for the best golfers and teams — and we will even be giving away a free mini-car to those that can get a hole-in-one on a particular hole. The costs to play are $11 for adults, and $9 for kids 15 and under. Tee times will be available starting next week, with options to sign up as a team, or to have us create a team for you. Questions? Contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Sept. 14, 2023

It's time to clean out your closets and help out the Storehouse. We are in need of the items listed below. Donations can be dropped off at the Community Outreach Center (COC) Mondays–Thursdays between 9 am–3 pm, or left in the donation building outside of the COC. Thanks for your generous support!

Current Household Needs:

• Towels (bath, hand and washcloths)
• Cereal bowls
• Drinking glasses
• Spoons and forks
• Pots and fry pans

Current Clothing Needs:

• Mens and Women's Winter Coats (no wool) in sizes XXL and larger
• Men's jeans
• Men's pajamas
• Boy's pants and shirts in sizes 6, 7 and 8
• Children's sneakers (sizes 9-13)

Published: Sept. 14, 2023

Saturday, November 4, 5 pm Appetizers in the Gathering Center, 6 pm Host Dinners

This November sees the return of the tradition of Dining In For Outreach, which is the biggest annual fundraiser that supports our Community Outreach Center (COC). Members of our congregation and community gather together for hors d'oeuvres before attending smaller dinner parties hosted in private homes. Dinner party attendees are asked to make contributions to the work of the COC. A dinner party is also held in the Community Outreach Center itself that is open to anyone who wishes to attend without expectation of a contribution.

For further information or to volunteer, please contact Erica Coburn or Tim Mahan at outreach@asburyfirst.org, or sign up in person on Sunday mornings. Be sure to save the date – Saturday, November 4! All are welcome at the table!

Published: Sept. 14, 2023

Sundays, Beginning September 24, 9:30 am, Wesley Hall

The Asbury Orchestra will begin rehearsals on Sunday, September 24 at 9:30 am in Wesley Hall. We will work to prepare to play for the Sunday, October 29 service. This ensemble is for all ages, and for everyone who plays or has played a band or orchestra instrument for at least two to three years. Parents, do you have an instrument under the bed gathering dust? Pull it out and join your child in making music together. Let Laurie Kennedy know that you are coming or send an email for more information at cellokennedy@frontiernet.net.

Published: Sept. 14, 2023

Wednesdays, October 4, 11, 18, 25, 6–7 pm, 1040 Sanctuary and Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464 PW Disciple)

Many of us had the opportunity to read and discuss 400 Souls together last year. Following that read, there was a clear call to continue these conversations with a focus on Rochester. With that in mind, we hope you will join us during the month of October as we read through Your Children Are Very Greatly in Danger by Justin Murphy. This book highlights the history and realities of our segregated school systems, and offers some ideas and suggestions about how we might advocate for change.

All are encouraged to read along with us, and to join in our public discussions on Wednesdays from 6–7 pm. On October 4, we will be joined by representatives from the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights & Social Justice and the NYS Poor People's Campaign, who will help set the stage on a national level for some of the disparities and challenges that we will encounter 
as we read through Murphy's book. Please contact Mike Mullin with questions or for more information at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.

Copies of the book are available for purchase ($27) by contacting the church office at 585-271-1050 x100.

Participants are encouraged to read the following before each gathering:
October 4 — The Introduction

October 11 — Chapters 1-3
October 18 — Chapters 4-6
October 19 — Chapters 7-8 
and the Conclusion

Published: Sept. 8, 2023

Wednesday, September 20, 6:30-8 pm, COC Dining & Caring Center

Friday, September 23, 10-11:30 am, COC Dining & Caring Center

Are you as excited about the new Community Outreach Center (COC)as we are? Then come on over and learn about volunteering at the COC! All of our outreach programs depend on volunteer time, energy and labor. We would not be able to offer our neighborhood the same kind of hospitality, solidarity and compassion without our dedicated community of servant-leaders. Learn about ways we can help as a community, and important safety information. Questions? Contact the Rev. Pat Dupont at pdupont@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x136.

Published: Sept. 7, 2023

Tuesday, October 3, 7–8:30 pm, COC Red Room

The Allergy Association will provide an informational session about allergies and using an EPI pen in the Red Room (in the Community Outreach Center) from 7 to 8:30 pm on October 3. This is helpful information and will benefit our volunteers, staff, and members in how they respond to a crisis. Visit asburyfirst.org/news to register online, or call the church office 
at 585-271-1050.
 

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Fridays, Beginning September 15, 9:30-10:30, Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464 PW Disciple)
Tuesdays, Beginning September 19, 2:30–3 pm, Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464 PW Disciple)

The Disciple Bible Study series encourages participants to read portions of the Bible everyday, and offers a study guide to help focus our thoughts and questions. We gather together in community to share, reflect, and learn from one another on the readings from the week. This fall, we have two Disciple Bible Study groups that will both be meeting on Zoom.

Friday mornings will be led by Mike Mullin, and will be starting the second half of Disciple III which focuses on the Pauline Epistles. Tuesday afternoons will be led by Ruthellen Hoyle, and will be starting at the beginning of Disciple III, which focuses on the Old Testament prophets. Both groups are open to all. Please contact Mike Mullin with questions or for more information at mmullin@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x105.

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Along with the driveway sealing and re-painting of the lines in our parking lot and driveways, the driveway next to 1050 now has 2-way access (like the 1010 driveway), 
and the parallel parking there has been eliminated. Please be careful as you use this driveway (in either direction) while everyone gets accustomed to this change.

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

We are thrilled to announce year three of The Discipleship Project at Asbury First will officially begin this Fall! If you are looking for a small group focused on mutual support in faith, this might be the place for you!

Over the course of The Discipleship Project, we will move “From Dreaming to Doing” in thoughtful weekly discussions that are framed by the liturgical seasons in the life of the church. Groups work together to navigate the path of integrating inward and outward expressions of faith and action.

Groups are forming in September and will begin in October. If you are interested in participating in The Discipleship Project, please contact Rev. Rachel Ann Dupont at rdupont@asburyfirst.org or 585-271-1050 x113.  

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Children’s Music begins Wednesday, September 13 and we’d love to have your children join us! We offer music fundamentals, exposure to handbells, chimes, and percussion, and opportunities to sing in church and be a part of a spring musical. There is a Wednesday evening Community meal in the Gathering Center from 5:30-6 pm to help make the evening more manageable for families. We meet in the Children’s Music Room 201 upstairs in the Education Wing at the following times:

Hallelujah Kids (age 4–1st grade) meets from 5–5:30 pm
Wesley Singers & Ringers (2nd–5th grades) meets from 6-7 pm

Look for registration forms at the Welcome Desk. For more information contact Holly Temming at htemming@asburyfirst.org or (585) 271-1050 x114.

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Tuesdays, beginning September 5, 12:30–3 pm, Room 205

The Asbury Art Class will begin a new project starting on September 5. We are going to paint on silk scarves. This means the scarves will be stretched on frames and painted with your design. All materials — stretcher frames, silk scarves, paints, brushes, and designs will be provided. Cost will be assessed after class size is determined. Please email Linda Clemow at soulsourcestudio1@gmail.com for more information and to register.
 

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Asbury First is delighted to welcome Gwen Paker as our new soprano soloist/section leader. Gwen is an award-winning singer, equally at home on the operatic stage and in the concert hall. Gwen holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Voice Performance from the Eastman School of Music, as well as a Certificate in Arts Leadership. She won first prize in the 2022 Friends of Eastman Opera Competition, and won the voice department Concerto Competition in 2019. She made her professional debut starring as Gertrude Stein in Virgil Thompson's The Mother of Us All with the RPO, and starred in several Eastman Opera Theatre productions. Her passion for music extends beyond performance; she is a member of the voice faculty at the Hochstein School, and works as an arts administrator with Finger Lakes Opera. Gwen's first Sunday with us will be September 10. We are grateful to Bess Phillips, who returned to Asbury First during the summer to serve as interim soloist.

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Beginning September 4, 2023, the Rev. Rachel Dupont, our Minister for Christian Formation and Director of the Discipleship Project, will move from a full-time to a half-time appointment at Asbury First. This move comes at Rachel’s request as this fall she will be entering the University of Rochester's School of Medicine and Dentistry's program of Marriage and Family Therapy. As an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, Rev. Dupont will attend this program, focused on family systems therapy, toward opportunities to provide healing leadership both within and outside congregations and ministries. This move is supported by Asbury First leadership and blessed by the Bishop, who holds all appointive authority at Asbury First. In addition to Sunday mornings, Rachel will normally be in the office on Mondays and Wednesdays and will focus primarily on empowering leaders for the Discipleship Project (our small groups ministry) and providing pastoral leadership for the Racial Equity Team.