-
Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady on WXXI's Connections with Evan Dawson
Published: Jan. 5, 2024
Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady on WXXI's Connections with Evan Dawson. The Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady sat down with Evan Dawson to discuss Cady's work in Rochester, the current state of the Methodist church, and the impact he's had on the community.
The broadcast can be streamed online at wxxinews.org/show/connections -
Asbury First Community Theatre presents: Oliver!
Published: Jan. 5, 2024
Auditions for this Spring's production of Oliver! are taking place at the following times:
- Tuesday, January 30 at 6 pm
- Thursday, February 1 at 6 pm
Call Backs are Saturday February 3 at 1 pm.For questions, please contact Larry Dugan at ldugan@asburyfirst.org
-
Building Diversity: You, Your Church, and Your Community
Published: Dec. 22, 2023
Wednesdays, January 3, 10, 17, 24, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, January 31 and February 7, Sanctuary
Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday evenings from 6-7pm, January 3-February 7 for engaging and educational conversation. These vital conversations will help us take steps toward diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in our individual, congregational, and community lives. All are welcome! We encourage you to come to all of the conversations, but if you can't make it to all, you can still benefit from attending when you can. This program is designed and led by Rev. Rachel Dupont and members of the Racial Equity leadership team. For more information, please contact Rachel at rdupont@asburyfirst.org.
-
Rehearsals begin for Children’s Musical, Esther
Published: Dec. 22, 2023
Wednesday, January 3, from 6-7 pm, Room 201
All children, grades 2nd - 5th, are invited to participate in our children’s musical, Esther.
Esther was an orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai and was chosen to be the new queen of Persia. She saved the Jewish people from being killed even knowing it may cost her life. Purim, a Jewish holiday which commemorates Esther’s saving of the Jewish people, is still celebrated today.
Rehearsals begin Wednesday, January 3, from 6-7 pm during the Wesley Singers & Ringers rehearsal time, in Room 201. The musical will be presented during the 11 am service on Sunday, April 28.
-
Asbury First's First Same-Sex Wedding
Published: Dec. 22, 2023
Saturday, January 13, 4pm, Sanctuary
We celebrate the upcoming wedding of Christopher Gold and Cory Tylenda on Saturday, January 13, at 4 pm in the Sanctuary. This important milestone will be Asbury First's first same-sex wedding! It's truly an accomplishment due to the continued support and resolve of inclusiveness on behalf of the members of Asbury First. Chris and Cory welcome all members of Asbury First to attend the ceremony and a cookie reception in the Gathering Center.
-
Upcoming Adult Ed Sunday School Classes
Published: Dec. 22, 2023
January 7 - The Rev. Kathy Thiel to discuss her role as Minister for Congregational Care
January 14 - Bill Wynne, author of Understanding and Combating Racism to talk about his story
January 21 - Bill Wynne to help us react and respond to our own stories
January 28 - Lori Young to discuss her role as Director of Property Care
All are welcome, contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org for more information.
-
Welcoming our New Director of Communications
Published: Dec. 8, 2023
Please join us in welcoming our new Director of Communications, David Stith. Raised in Buffalo, David comes to us most recently from NYC where he worked on the design team at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and was an Art Director in the NYC new classical music scene. We are excited to have him here at Asbury First! David can be contacted at dstith@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x109.
-
The Joy of Christmas Giving
Published: Dec. 8, 2023
During the Christmas season, our attention is drawn to the abundance in our lives. As Christian disciples, we believe that abundance should be shared. As we exchange gifts with loved ones at Christmas, let us also consider gifts that we can offer to those in our midst who need them most.
For more information visit asburyfirst.org/christmas.
-
Join the Asbury Orchestra for December Caroling
Published: Dec. 1, 2023
Did you hear the Asbury Orchestra in worship recently, and think, “I’d like to do that”? Join us December 3rd and 10th at 9:30 in Wesley Hall to rehearse Christmas carols. We will play in the Gathering Center after worship on December 17th. All are invited to join the fun!
Questions contact Laurie Kennedy at cellokennedy@frontiernet.net
-
Advent Devotionals
Published: Dec. 1, 2023
Save the dates for these favorite Advent events!
Caroling around the tree
Wednesdays December 6, 13, 20, 7 pm, 1040 Front LawnLongest Night Service
Thursday, December 21, 7 pm, 1040 SanctuaryAdvent Devotionals are available in the Welcome Hall! This year, we're printing weekly versions, so look for them each Sunday.
For more information or to view the Advent Devotional visit asburyfirst.org/advent-2023.
-
Bakers! We need your talents!
Published: Dec. 1, 2023
This Christmas Eve, a most Holy night, we want to show our Asbury First hospitality to all that come to worship with us. Please start bringing your yummy bakes, cookies and bars to the Gathering Center kitchen. If you’d like your container returned to you, please label it clearly with your name.
Questions? Contact Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org
-
TransParent Support Group
Published: Dec. 1, 2023
2nd Tuesday of the month, 6:30 pm, Youth Room (1040, lower level)
TransParent Rochester NY Chapter is a support group for parents and caregivers raising a transgender or gender-expansive child of any age. TransParent strives to provide an environment that encourages parents and caregivers to speak openly about their experience, speak freely about concerns, challenges, triumphs, pitfalls or new developments and make new connections with other local families who can relate to this experience--with no judgments or unsolicited advice. You are not alone. We are all here to help each other navigate this journey.
Please fill out this brief intake survey prior to the meeting https://forms.gle/jgjKivnbvXmoWMn46. We value privacy and confidentiality, your information is not shared without written consent. This information is for data gathering purposes only.
We look forward to meeting you on December 12.
Bonnie, Patty, and Terri, Chapter Leaders
-
Madrigalia Holiday Concert
Published: Dec. 1, 2023
Saturday, December 9, 7:30 pm
Madrigalia sings its annual Holiday Concert! Experience an expansive interpretation of the December holidays, with works of Hanukkah, Christmas, celebrations both secular and sacred, meditations on winter, and words of hope.
Joined by the Bach Children's Chorus of Rochester and an instrumental ensemble of flute, violin, cello, percussion, and piano.
Tickets starting at $10. More information at www.madrigalia.org or by calling 585-230-2894
-
An Important Announcement
Published: Nov. 29, 2023
To the Asbury First Family,
It is with very mixed emotions we share with you news that the Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady has accepted an offer to become President of Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. Brite, located on the campus of Texas Christian University, has a distinguished history as the leading progressive divinity school in the South and Southwest, and is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It is also approved by the United Methodist Church to train candidates for UMC ministry and has more UMC students than any other constituency. Stephen’s last Sunday preaching will be January 21 and he will complete his transition in February.
We are very glad that Stephen can take this wonderful next step in his ministry, one that will give him opportunities to expand the impact he has had at Asbury First to a broader national level. We congratulate him on this honor. Our prayers will be with Stephen, Emily, Ellie, Charlie, and Hannah as they begin this exciting next chapter of their lives.
We also feel a deep sense of loss over Stephen’s departure. Through his inspired leadership we dreamed dreams, opened our Church to all, weathered COVID, built an online presence extending around the country and beyond, raised $8 million through the Better Together Campaign to create an amazing Community Outreach Center, enhanced our musical offerings, welcomed new members, expanded our ministries, and worked toward Doing More Good in many other ways. We have been enriched and challenged by some of the finest preaching in the country. Stephen is leaving Asbury First on solid ground and will be greatly missed. In the coming months, there will be several opportunities to thank Stephen in tangible ways for his work among us, but during this transition period, continuation of the vibrancy of the ministries he has fostered will be our highest tribute to the lasting impact he has had.
The Senior Minister at Asbury First is appointed by the Bishop. We have been in communication with Bishop Héctor Burgos Núñez, who recognizes the unique role played by our Church within the Conference. He has committed to a nation-wide search for the right replacement, and we will have a liaison group working through the process with him. We will share more details about the transition period over the next few weeks.
The uncertainties presented by this time of change may seem overwhelming, but we are confident that the strength of our congregation, our shared commitment to our faith and vision, and the vibrancy of our ministries will carry us through. As our favorite preacher often reminds us, the good news is that, with God’s grace, we do not need to face this time alone.
Grace and Peace,
Beth Wilkens
Governance Board ChairJames Quinn
Pastor Parish Relations Committee Chair -
DIFO/Grocery Run Thank You Message
Published: Nov. 10, 2023
Thank you so much to all who participated in both the Grocery Run and Dining In For Outreach last weekend as runners, spectators, sponsors, dinner hosts, guests, and donors. Both events were a huge success and we raised a great deal of support for our continuing work of serving our city through the Community Outreach Center. We are counting donations that are still coming in, but will share and celebrate the weekend's impact when we have that information available. Thank you again!