Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Trees for Christmas

Last Christmas, our congregation’s generosity helped bridge the gap for neighbors affected by SNAP cuts and bare pantry shelves. This year, we invite you to help us glow a little brighter. A generous donor has already provided the tree for the front of the church, but your donation will bring a Christmas tree to the Gathering Center and may allow us to purchase large artificial trees for the Sanctuary, so that everyone who gathers here feels the warmth of the season. 

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Banned Book Club reads George Orwell's 1984
Monday, November 16 at 7 pm in the Red Room and via Zoom

The Banned Book Club meets Bi-monthly to read and discuss a different Banned Book. Join us Monday, November 16 at 7 pm in the Red Room (in the Community Outreach Center) as we dive into Orwell's vision of a dystopian world unnervingly similar to our own. 

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Table Saw Wanted!
Donate your lightly used tools to the Monday Morning Crew

The Monday Morning crew is seeking a replacement for our ancient table saw. If you would like to donate your no longer used 10" or 12" table saw, please contact Dave Kennedy (programs@asburyfirst.org or call him at (585) 339-8940).

For safety reasons, any donated saw must have a blade guard and riving knife available.

Published: Oct. 21, 2026

Palestinian Resistance through Existence
Buy goods to benefit struggling communities in Palestine

Place your order now for Third Presbyterian Church’s annual sale of fair-trade products from the West Bank, Palestine. Place your orders by visiting thirdpresbyterian.org/FairTrade. Your patronage will help continue our support of

Palestinian farmers and villages. Bonnie Kay will bring orders to Asbury First on December 13. Contact her with any questions at programs@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Oct. 20, 2026

Asbury First's Sunday School Forum meets weekly on Sundays in Fellowship Hall between services to discuss a range of topics including current events, social justice, and discipleship practices. All are welcome to gather with us as we learn more about ourselves, our community, and the world around us. Each week stands alone, so come as you are able! Pastor Dee and Jo will be coordinating and facilitating this group.

October 4: A Communion Deep Dive
In celebration of World Communion Sunday, we’re doing a deep dive into the communion liturgy. We’ll explore the historical roots of the sacrament, how the practice of communion has evolved, and what communion means for us today. 

October 11: Weekend to End Homelessness
We’ll discuss our inalienable human rights, including a right to shelter, and the barriers to shelter that those in our community (and around the world) face. 

October 18: Children’s Sabbath
We’ll discuss the origin of children’s rights in our political context and discuss current issues facing children. 

October 25: Seeing the Lord Face-to-Face
As we reflect on the death of Moses in this Sunday’s scripture reading, we’ll discuss religious experiences throughout time and how our culture experiences them today. 

November 1: Stories from the Exodus- The Underground Railroad
As we remember the saints who have gone before us, we being our series on liberation movements inspired by the Exodus story, beginning with abolitionists in the antebellum United States. 

November 8: Stories from the Exodus- The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
We’ll trace the centrality of the Exodus story in Judaism before exploring an example of the fight for Jewish liberation in Nazi-controlled Poland. 

November 15: Stories from the Exodus- Latin American Liberation Theology
We’ll explore the history of colonialism in the Americas and how twentieth-century Latin American liberation movements used the Exodus story in their theology of salvation. 

November 22: Stories from the Exodus- Joshua and Indigenous Americans
We’ll explore the conversation between the conquest narrative of Joshua, the role of the Canaanites in that story, and the theological justifications for the violent oppression of Native Americans during European colonization. 

November 29: Waiting on God- The Present State of the World
On this first Sunday of Advent, we’ll gather together a list of what we think is broken or wrong in this world and ask ourselves if God is still at work among us. 

December 6: Waiting on God- Every Mountain Made Low
On this second Sunday of Advent, we’ll explore the terms equality, equity, and justice and the prophetic imagination of Isaiah 40. 

December 13: Waiting on God- The Year of the Lord’s Favor
On this third Sunday of Advent, we’ll learn about the history of the Jubilee, its connection to Jesus’s ministry, and what this practice could look like in today’s world. 

December 20: Waiting on God- A House for the Lord
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we’ll discuss where God dwells today, in the world after the Incarnation, Resurrection, and Pentecost. 
 

Published: Oct. 14, 2026

Governing Board Meeting Rescheduled for October 19

Previously scheduled for October 12, the latest Governing Board meeting has been rescheduled for October 19, 5:30 pm in the Red Room. The Governing Board, in conversation with the congregation, sets the church’s policy and direction, handles its fiduciary and Disciplinary responsibilities, and empowers ministry teams to carry out the work of the congregation. For more information about the Governance of Asbury First, visit asburyfirst.org/governance.

Published: Oct. 14, 2026

Wednesday Evening Classes
Wednesdays, 6 pm, Wesley Hall and Zoom

Can AI Help Us “Love Thy Neighbor”? AI, the Future and Faith. Join Dr. Larry Dugan Wednesday, October 21 at 6 pm in Wesley Hall for a hopeful conversation about artificial intelligence and human wisdom. Explore how AI, guided by our faith, compassion, and lived experience, can help us serve our neighbors. Through practical examples, we’ll consider how these tools can support meaningful human connection and church life. No technical experience needed.

Published: Oct. 14, 2026

Farewell to Johnny Colón

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of Johnny Colón, our Director of Property Care. Johnny has accepted a similar property management position elsewhere, and his last day with Asbury First will be November 1, 2026. Johnny’s service over the past couple of years has been quiet but consistent, and so much of what he does goes unnoticed because he does it so well. If you’d like to thank him, please write a note or drop off a card in the box in the Gathering Center, where notecards are also available.

Published: Oct. 14, 2026

Dining In For Outreach Podcast Now Available on Youtube

Get ready for Dining In For Outreach with our new DIFO podcast! In the first episode, host Diana Louise Carter sits down with Tim Mahan to talk about what makes this annual fundraiser for the Community Outreach Center so meaningful. A new episode will be released each week leading up to the November 8 Celebration, so be sure to tune in. 

Check out the first episode here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TZS_31Mxas

Published: Oct. 14, 2026

Family Halloween Celebration!

Wednesday, October 28, 5 - 6:30 pm in the Gathering Center

Please join us for a family Halloween celebration on Wednesday, October 28 from 5 to 6:30 pm in the Gathering Center with costumes, a craft, dinner, and “trick-or-treating” around the church. If you’re a youth in grades 6-12, you’re invited to our UMYF Halloween party on Sunday, October 25 downstairs in Fellowship Hall for lunch, games, and snacks; costumes encouraged! We hope to see you there!

Published: Oct. 7, 2026

Join the Visitation Team!

We invite you to our upcoming meeting on October 15, at 1 pm in the Library (1040). Whether you’re already visiting parishioners or interested in learning more about 
this rewarding experience, we’d love for you to attend! Come share your stories, ask questions, and connect with fellow visitors. Your presence makes a difference! For 
more information, contact Rev. Dee Finch at (585) 271-1050 x106 or email dfinch@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Oct. 7, 2026

Bible Sunday

Next Sunday, October 18 is Bible Sunday; our third-graders will receive personalized Bibles as a gift to mark their growth here at Asbury First. If you received a Bible here as a child, please bring it with you next week to celebrate! And look for more history on this tradition in this month's Monday Reader.

Published: Oct. 7, 2026

Wednesday Evening Classes: 
Wednesdays, 6 pm, Wesley Hall and Zoom

Join us October 14 for a presentation by the Generosity Team. Jacob Barragato, CFP®, a Financial Advisor with 7Crest Financial Partners, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Jake will provide an educational overview of several key issues, including Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), and the impact of taxable income on Medicare IRMAA surcharges. These are areas that many find confusing or complex, but they can have a significant impact on both the giving and the giver. 
Sponsored by the Generosity Team.

Published: Oct. 7, 2026

Faithfully Together

Our annual stewardship season is just around the corner! In the coming days, watch your mailbox for a letter from the Generosity Team introducing this year’s theme, Faithfully Together, and inviting you to consider your commitment to Asbury First for 2027. As we enter this season, we hope you will take some time for prayer and reflection, giving thanks for the ways this community has touched your life and considering how you might participate in its ministry in the year ahead. There is no need to rush. We simply invite you to begin the conversation with God and to approach this season with an open heart.

Published: Oct. 1, 2026

Red Cross Blood Drive Saturday, October 10, 8:30 am to 1 pm in the Gathering Center 

Sign up or just show up to give blood! Please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule your appointment.



Please remember to bring your ID.