Published: June 23, 2023

Saturday, July 15, 12:30 pm, Park Ave and Berkeley

The LGBTQ Advocacy group and other local Reconciling UMCs will meet 
and watch the Pride Parade together this year (we are not marching). 
Please meet us at 12:30 pm at the corner of Park Avenue and Berkeley 
to cheer on the parade. Wear your pride gear and bring your chair!

Published: June 22, 2023

Keeping Our Promise (KOP) has had a phenomenal start to 2023 — having ALREADY met their minimum resettlement goal for the whole of 2023! This week alone they had large families arriving almost daily.

We are still committed to assist each of these arrivals according to the same standards and vision as always, and to uphold the motto that is the ultimate litmus test in our decision-making, which is; ‘’What we do for one, we do for all.’’ In order to continue to provide each arriving SIV with the support they deserve, we ask our community once again for assistance.

These families need ‘’Caring Circles,’’ a network of first friends and advocates. People who will show them how to do things that we take for granted: like how to use the bus, or how to write a check! For someone to have tea with a time or two a month, or lend a friendly, sympathetic ear! With family being so far away, our volunteers fill an incredibly important void. 

If you, your friend(s), family, company, or club can help out, please contact info@keepingourpromise.org to indicate your interest in joining a Caring Circle. All new members will receive training and support provided by KOP staff.

Published: June 20, 2023

The Communications Team and the Pastoral Staff have launched a new email segment in an effort to keep you informed as to the deaths in our community. If you do not want to receive this new email segment, please let us know at communication@asburyfirst.org (if you click unsubscribe, it will remove you from ALL Asbury First email lists).

Published: June 16, 2023

Asbury First hospitality is in need of cookies! If you are a baker, please consider making a couple of dozen and dropping them off at the church office. They will be frozen until needed. This will help us give our marvelous hospitality team a break over the summer, but still ensure we have yummy treats after the Sunday worship service.

Thanks in advance, we truly appreciate your sweet treats. For more information, please contact Paula Dugan at 585-271-1050 x111 or at pdugan@asburyfirst.org.

Published: June 16, 2023

For the past few summers, the Asbury First library has been participating in the Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA) Farmer’s Market that takes place on the Asbury First lawn. We have been selling gently used books at greatly reduced prices to earn money for the purchase of new books for our church library. We are in need of gently used books to sell this summer. In particular, we need books for children, tweens, and teens. Please drop off donations in the church library with a note that includes your name and phone number or email address.

If you need help transporting your books, please contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org or (585) 271-1050 x105.

Published: June 16, 2023

The March 2023 tour concert of the Morehouse College Glee Club at Asbury First will be broadcast on WXXI Classical 91.5 FM and online at wxxiclassical.org on Thursday, June 22 at 3 pm. Click the link below for an audio promo, repertoire listing and more.

Click Here for Promotional Material
NOTE: The one-hour program does not include all of the selections from the live concert. A few were omitted due to noise or audience disturbances, and to keep the program to one-hour.

Published: June 15, 2023

Asbury First collected 15 donations at our recent drive. These donations can support the needs of up to 45 patients in need as donations are often separated into blood components of plasma, red cells and platelets. Thanks to all who answered the call to donate, even though you were found to be ineligible to donate on that day.

For more information, or to register to give blood, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Published: June 15, 2023

The Finance Office is looking for volunteers to help with transactions. On the revenue side, we need help processing donations, preparing bank deposits, and entering data into our accounting software system. On the accounts payable side, we need help entering invoices into our accounting software system and filing paid invoices. 

For questions or more information, please contact our Director of Finance, John Ormsbee, at jormsbee@asburyfirst.org or (585) 271-1050 x107. 

Published: June 15, 2023

We have had a change in the communications team. Aleeya has resigned her position as Digital Marketing and Multimedia Specialist. We wish her well on her new endeavors. Please direct all communications inquiries to Sarah Brubaker at 585-271-1050 x109 or at sbrubaker@asburyfirst.org.

Published: June 6, 2023

Consolidated Church and Community Outreach Center Operations

The Finance Committee is pleased to present the attached Financial Overview for Asbury First UMC through April 30, 2023. Due to your continued generosity, we witnessed a strong four months of individual giving ahead of budget by 13%. To date we have been approved for approximately $68,000 in grant funding and received over $62,000 in-hand to support the Community Outreach Center already ahead of what was budgeted year-to-date. We are experiencing unfavorable variances caused by unplanned plumbing expenses and costs of contracted custodial services during a brief staffing shortage, as well as sporadic utility expenses based on estimated billing. Despite these concerns our financial position remains primarily positive overall going into the summer months.

Click Here for the Financial Report 

Published: June 2, 2023

Tuesdays, 12-3 pm, Room 205 (Bell Room)

The Asbury Art Class will begin working on a new watercolor class on Tuesday afternoons. This course is offered in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. You need not have any prior experience in watercolor, although we also welcome those who wish hone their skills. Participants must supply their own materials. There is a free will donation for the program facilitator. 

Please email Linda Clemow to register at soulsourcestudio1@gmail.com or call the church office.

Published: June 2, 2023

As we wrap up another year of ministry in a post-pandemic world, we recognize that the ever-changing world of children, youth, and family ministries has only continued to rapidly evolve. While we recognize that church is still a vibrant and integral part of life for many of us, the way we "do" church has also shifted for many of us. With this in mind, we would love to get your feedback so that we can plan ahead for a fall that continues to reflect the mission and vision of Asbury First, while simultaneously ensuring that we our meeting the needs of our families. All children, youth, parents/guardians, and counselors are encouraged to participate in the survey.

Click Here to fill out the form.

Published: June 2, 2023

Be a part of a powerful network of parents making change across the country. The Greater Rochester Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) is a civics and leadership training program for parents in Monroe County. Started in Rochester in 2012. Nearly 200 alumni have effected change in local schools and governments since PLTI began. Cohort 11 begins in October of 2023. PLTI embraces a cross-race, cross-class, parent-informed, pro-social educational approach.

For more information, or to apply, call 585-260-2692, or email tiannajohson.plti@gmail.com.

Published: June 2, 2023

Please join us in welcoming Lori Young, our new Director of Property. Lori brings to us the skills, experience, and professional demeanor that is required for this new senior-level position. She was the enthusiastic and unanimous choice of the search.

Lori can be contacted at lyoung@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x122.

Published: June 1, 2023

Saturday, June 17, 9 am–12 pm, 1010 Community Outreach Center

Inflation, supply chain issues, and more continue to make things difficult for people to get food and nutrition in a post-pandemic world. We need your help to support the Dining & Caring Center and the Grocery Bag Ministry! As you do your own shopping in the coming days, please consider collecting items for donation that would be useful for these amazing ministries and those in need.

Needed items:

Dining & Caring Center:

• Granola bars
• Hot chocolate 
• Paper towels
• Napkins
• Coffee
• Sugar

Hygiene Items:

• Toilet paper
• Tooth brushes
• Tooth paste
• Shampoos

Grocery Bag Ministry:

• Peanut butter (plain)
• Jelly (grape, strawberry)
• Pasta (spaghetti or macaroni)
• Pasta Sauce (plastic jar preferred)
• Tuna
• Soup (chicken noodle or Tomato)
• Canned Vegetables (green beans, corn)
• Canned Fruit (peaches, cocktail)
• Mac-n-Cheese