Published: March 26, 2026

Auditions for Don't Drink the Water

Did you love Cinderella!?

Auditions for Asbury First Community Theatre's production of Woody Allen's "Don't Drink the Water" will be held Tuesday, April 7 at 6 pm in Fellowship Hall.

Contact Larry Dugan at ldugan@asburyfirst.org for more information. 

Note: This production of Don’t Drink the Water is presented in the spirit of separating the art from the artist, and does not reflect an endorsement of the personal actions or views of its playwright, Woody Allen.

Published: March 26, 2026

Youth Mental Health First Aid at Common Ground Health

Parents, caregivers, educators, coaches, and youth‑serving professionals—this free event is for you! Join Common Ground Health, Tuesday, April 14 from 9 am to 2 pm for Youth Mental Health First Aid at Common Ground Health and leave with MHFA certification and practical tools you can use right away. Common Ground Health is located at 1150 University Avenue, Building 5.

Sign up by clicking here


Published: March 26, 2026

Family Promise and Adelita's

Join us for a delicious cause! On Wednesday, April 22, Adelita's Mexican Cocina & Tequila at Pittsford Plaza (3349 Monroe Ave.) is hosting an all-day fundraiser benefiting Family Promise of Greater Rochester, an organization dedicated to supporting families at risk of or experiencing homelessness. From 11 am to 9:30 pm, Adelita's will donate 15% of the entire day's proceeds — dine-in and takeout — directly to this vital cause. It's a simple and tasty way to make a difference in our community, so gather your family, friends, and colleagues and head over to Adelita's that day.

For more information, call (585) 310-7080.

Published: March 26, 2026

Join the AFUMC Civics Team to help write postcards for the Progressive Turnout Project. Meet us in the Red Room (1010), Thursdays from 10 am to Noon. Just bring your pen, your best printing skills and your enthusiasm. Note: AFUMC Civics Team will NOT meet on Maundy Thursday.

And if you don’t find yourself called to printing postcards yet still want to support our effort, consider buying and donating postcard stamps (not first class stamps). Stamps can be left with Holly Temming in the Church Office (1050).

Published: March 26, 2026

Summer VBS is coming!

We're so excited for Asbury First's Summer VBS! Children in grades Pre-K (age 4) through 5th grade are invited to join us August 3–6 from 9 am to Noon for fun, faith-filled days exploring the Bible through arts, crafts, games, and more! Registration fees can be paid online via credit card or bank account through this form, or select "Pay Later" to mail a check to Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, Attn: John Ormsbee. For questions, email programs@asburyfirst.org.

Sign up by clicking here.

Published: March 22, 2026

Fascinator Making Event & High Tea Party!

Join us for  Fascinator Making & a High Tea Party! We had so much fun last year that we are doing it again! Sunday, March 22 from 12:30 to 2pm in Fellowship Hall. We'll provide the supplies along with food and tea (or lemonade) for a high tea party. The cost for a fascinator or corsage is $15 each and kids fascinator or boutonniere is $10 each. We will have sign-up sheets in coffee hour over the next two weeks or please email Christina Kirivong at programs@asburyfirst.org to sign up. All are welcome! 

Published: March 16, 2026

Banned Book Club: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Monday, March 16, from 7 to 8 pm in the Red Room or via Zoom, join the Banned Book Club for a discussion of Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes, a poignant novel exploring the 2007 shooting at Sterling High in New Hampshire, and the intersection of bullying with school shootings. Email programs@asburyfirst.org for more details. 

Published: March 13, 2026

Asbury First Community Theatre is bringing the magic of Cinderella to our stage! 

Tickets are now available at asburyfirst.org/cinderella
March 13, 14 at 7 pm,  and March 15 at 2 pm*
Tickets are $15 General Admission
(*$8 for kids 12 and under on March 15 only. ASL Interpretation will be available Sunday March 15 as well).

Published: March 6, 2026

Help Me Read Needs Tutors!

The next tutor training sessions will be:

Monday, March 9, 9 - 10:30 am

Monday, March 23, 9 - 10:30 am

Training location is The Multipurpose Room in the Ark of Jesus Ministries located at 1000 Winton Road North Rochester, NY 14609

To register for training send an email to hmrcolc@yahoo.com or call Ms. Linda at (585) 766-8440 or just stop by during a training session.

We are currently tutoring at two schools:
1. Enrico Fermi School #17 located at 158 Orchard St. 14611 - 5 days per week you get to choose your day
2. School #46 located at 250 Newcastle Road (just off  Browncroft) 14610 — currently, Wednesdays only. 

We plan to also run a Summer Tutoring program. The school location will be announced later.

Note: we also plan to offer summer tutoring. The school will be identified later when we know which schools will be hosting summer school.

Published: March 4, 2026

Easter Altar Flower Donations

If you would like to purchase altar flowers in memory, honor, or celebration of a loved one, please click HERE. Orders will be accepted until March 23. If you would prefer to pay by check, forms are available at the Welcome Desk.

Checks should be made payable to Asbury First United Methodist Church Altar Guild and delivered to the church office, attention Beverly Schuman.

Published: March 1, 2026

Young Adulting AF!

Asbury First (AF) is excited to launch a Young Adult Fellowship in 2026! We'll gather at the church on the first Sunday of each month from 6:30 to 8 pm for introductions, discussion of a parable from "The Orthodox Heretic: And Other Impossible Tales" by Peter Rollins, and time to hang out, play games, and explore ways to connect within our community. Snacks and drinks to share are always welcome. While "Young Adult" traditionally means ages 18-35 in United Methodist circles, we won't be checking IDs—if you think this sounds like a good fit, join us for our next session on March 1! 

Questions? Contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org

Published: Feb. 20, 2026

Read Across America Week comes to the Library at Asbury First

Sunday, March 1, between 10:30 and 11 am, the Library at Asbury First will begin celebrating Read Across America Week with some very special guests! Stop by the church library to meet and have your picture taken with The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2!
FUN For EVERYONE!

Published: Feb. 20, 2026

Pie for Pi Day is coming!
Pies will be available Sunday, March 8

What better way to support our Asbury First Youth Missions than with pie? March 14 is pie day, and our youth are once again making a bunch of apple pies from scratch to help you celebrate. Pies will be available for purchase for $15 on Sunday, March 8. All proceeds go to support our summer youth mission trips.

Published: Feb. 18, 2026

Lenten Book Study: Prayer in the Night

This Lent, we are encouraging everyone to join us in a study of "Prayer in the Night" by Tish Harrison Warren. This book explores a season of doubt and loss, navigating themes of human vulnerability, suffering, and God's seeming absence. It also offers prayerful and frank approaches to living in a world filled with uncertainty.

Whether you want to read the book on your own, join in one of our weekly discussion groups, or maybe even lead a group, you can let us know by signing up via this link: https://asburyfirst.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/1b541810-9ba5-4a54-aa4c-8690649cf91d

Published: Feb. 18, 2026

Wednesday Morning Book Study: Miracles and Wonders

Join our Wednesday morning book study beginning February 18 as we explore Miracles and Wonder by Elaine Pagels, an historical mystery that examines the gospels Jesus's followers left behind. Each chapter addresses fascinating questions—Why a virgin birth? Why the resurrection? Did miracles really happen and what did they mean?—bringing Jesus and his followers vividly to life while shedding light on his enduring power to inspire and attract. The group meets Wednesdays from 10 – 11:30 am in the Red Room (1010) and via Zoom, and all are welcome to join this engaging discussion.