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.

Published: Aug. 25, 2023

Sunday, September 10, 11 am

It’s time to dream again as a congregation! Join us for Together in Ministry Kick-Off Sunday on September 10 as we celebrate all that God has accomplished through us in the last several years and begin to dream together again about who God is calling us to be in the years ahead. Together in Ministry Sunday is our traditional kick-off for the programmatic year and an opportunity to come back to worship in person (or online), to invite a friend, to sign up for a small group, to volunteer for a new role (outreach, hospitality, administration, etc.), and, this year, to dream again! Come and share your dreams! We hope to see you then!

Published: Aug. 24, 2023

Sunday, September 10, 12 pm, Front Lawn

Join us in celebrating our traditional kick-off for the programmatic year with live music and lunch! After worship on Sunday, September 10, join us as we enjoy hot dogs and live music from the Melody Masters Big Band. It will be a swinging event and a great opportunity to come back together in ministry and fellowship. For more information, contact Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x111. See you there!

Published: Aug. 24, 2023

Sunday, September 10, 10 am, 
Fellowship Hall

Come on Sunday, September 10, at 10 am to the Adult Sunday School open house in Fellowship Hall [final date and location subject to change] and we’ll tell you not only where they’ve gone but where they might be going AND plans for upcoming Adult Sunday School programs. For more information, contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x105.

Published: Aug. 23, 2023

Monday, August 28, 4-7 pm, Granger Lawn

We hope that you will come out next week, Monday, August 28 from 4 to 7 pm for the FINALE of the NOTA Farmers Market. It has been a fun 3 years doing our best to create a neighborhood market that would become a weekly habit for customers in the surrounding neighborhoods. Unfortunately, there isn't enough customer interest in the market and we will be closing up shop for good following the market next week.

We hope you will stop by the lawn at Asbury First and shop with the vendors who have taken time out of their weeks to bring their products into the city each week this year and help thank them for all of their hard work.

Published: Aug. 23, 2023

Wind-driven wildfires on Maui prompted evacuations and caused significant loss of life and widespread damage. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) awarded an emergency grant to the California-Pacific Annual Conference, which includes the Hawaiian UMC, to provide shelf-stable food, water, hygiene items, and tools to help survivors recover their belongings. 

As first responders continue to provide initial aid, please join UMCOR in prayer and by making a gift to this and other disasters in the U.S. You can give by sending a check to the church office with the note "UMCOR Maui", or by visiting asburyfirst.org/give-online with the note "UMCOR Maui". We will collect all donations and send them on to UMCOR for use in relief.