Published: April 13, 2023

Saturday, April 15, 2-3 pm, Book Culture (28 S Main St, Pittsford)

This weekend, Pittsford CommUNITY is hosting a Drag Story Hour at Book Culture in Pittsford. Unfortunately, it seems this event has gained publicity for all the wrong reasons. To help rectify this, Asbury First is partering with local ministries and agencies to help create a welcoming place for all who wish to attend this event. 

We believe that everyone is beautifully and wonderfully made—and so we are going to help create a Wall of Love at this event. You are invited to support this endeavor in myriad of ways:

• Praying for a more inclusive and loving world
• Joining the Gandhi Institute in a non-violent protest training
• Joining fellow advocates in the Rochester community to form a Love Wall at Book Culture this Saturday
   

In this Easter Season, may we be reminded of our ressurection call: Live. Serve. Repeat.

Published: April 11, 2023

Sunday, April 30, 11 am service

Join us at 11 am on Children’s Sunday, April 30, as the children lead us in all aspects of worship from ushering, reading scripture, leading prayer, singing and ringing bells and presenting a “sermon”, a children’s musical, titled Table For Five Thousand — The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes by Tom S. Long and Allen Pote. Come show your support for these young people so eager to participate in worship.

Published: April 7, 2023

TWO OPTIONS:
In-Person: Sunday, April 30 at 12:30 pm, 1050 Stephen’s Office, Lunch served.
Hybrid: Wednesday, May 3 at 6 pm, 1050 Stephen’s Office, Zoom (zoom.us/j/82498934913)

Are you interested in joining Asbury First? We are pleased to be offering the next round of New Members Classes for any and all interested in joining Asbury First. Our hope is to have everyone join on Sunday, May 7. 

You need not register to attend, but if you know that you will be there, we’d love to know! Simply email Deb Bullock-Smith at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org or call 585-271-1050.

Published: April 7, 2023

Saturday, June 10, at Asbury First

As a means of celebrating all of those who missed the opportunity to marry their beloved before God and neighbor in the church that they love, we are hoping to hold a special renewal of vows ceremony specifically for LGBTQ+ couples on Saturday, June 10. 

If you'd like to participate in the ceremony, please email weddings@asburyfirst.org or call the church office at 585-271-1050.

Published: April 7, 2023

Wednesdays, June 7, 14, & 21, 6 pm, location TBD

Led by Emily and Stephen Cady

Do you BELIEVE? Like an American Football coach who somehow finds himself managing a British football (soccer) team, sometimes the gospel shows up in the strangest places. Join us as we explore the rich gospel themes of the award-winning show Ted Lasso (available on Apple TV+) and have some fun doing it. The class will begin June 7 at 6 pm, location TBD and is open to all adults. If you are interested in joining us, please email Deb Bullock-Smith at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org or call the church office. Go Richmond!

Published: March 31, 2023

Tuesdays, 12-3 pm, Room 205 (Bell Room), Contact Linda Clemow for cost

The Asbury Art Class will begin working on a drawing class on Tuesday afternoons. It is based loosely on the book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. This course is offered in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. You need not have any prior experience in drawing, although we also welcome those who wish hone their drawing skills. All materials will be supplied! The cost will depend on the number of participants. Class starts on Tuesday, April 18, 12:30-3 pm. Please email Linda Clemow to register at soulsourcestudio1@gmail.com or call the church office.

Published: March 31, 2023

Saturday, April 29, 1–4 pm, Asbury First Parking Lot

AARP Fraud Watch Network™ can help you protect yourself against identity theft. Join us for a free document-shredding event in your community. Reserve your spot for AARP New York's shredding event. Your documents will be shredded on-site, free of charge. There is a three-bag limit per person. The event concludes when the truck is full. One on-site shredding truck will be available from 1–4 pm. The site may close early if the truck fills up. Register at events.aarp.org/ShredRoc2023.

Published: March 30, 2023

The Storehouse has been fully operational for a few weeks now and we are happily settling into our new location. We are thrilled to offer a fully-accessible shopping experience for our clients and a more streamlined sorting area for our volunteers. This is all possible from the generosity of our members and the community.  

Now that we are back in business, we have a new need for gently used children’s shoes/sneakers size 13 and under. To drop off donations, you can deposit them in the small brick building in front of the main entrance. Thank you for your continued support. 

Published: March 30, 2023

We are pleased to announce that, effective immediately, Sarah Brubaker will be our new Director of Communications. This change in title from Communications Coordinator recognizes Sarah’s hard work and dedication over the last few years keeping Asbury First connected during a challenging time. In her tenure, she has already brought us to new heights in our communications and we look forward to the ways she will continue to help us tell our story and live our mission in the years ahead. Please join us in congratulating Sarah for this well-deserved honor.

Published: March 30, 2023

Saturday, April 15, 9 am, Front Lawn

Come join us for our Annual Grounds Clean Up on April 15 starting at 9 am. If you have rakes, leaf blowers, and tarps, please bring them! Please contact David Strong at dstrong@asburyfirst.org or 585-271-1050 ext. 110 if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!

Published: March 29, 2023

May 10 and 17, 6-7 pm in Fellowship Hall

"In This Moment" is a project that brings together teams of black leaders, writers, and photographers as they put together a chapbook—a short book that showcases the talents of each of the three individuals of the team. You can learn more about the teams by clicking here.

Published: March 23, 2023

Wednesdays, April 12, 19, 26, 6-7 pm, Fellowship Hall

Led by Dr. Jeff Brubaker

Many of us know Jeff as the spouse of our Director of Communications, as an expert of ancient church heresies, and as a new dad to Eirene. In addition to these accolades, Dr. Brubaker recently celebrated the publication of his first book, The Disputatio of the Latins and the Greeks, 1234: Introduction, Translation, and Commentary. And while this title may not lend itself to becoming a New York Times Best-Seller, Jeff has put together an enticing 3-session course that will be accessible to all. This course will highlight some of the histories that led up to the “Great Schism” of the East and West churches, and the subsequent conversations of church leaders who ostensibly were working to heal this divide.

Here is an outline of the discussions for each week:

1. A Brief History of Schism (to 1234): What caused the division between the Western Roman and Eastern Greek Churches? History shows that the schism between these two Christian communities was complex and often confrontational. What provoked the initial divergence between these sibling churches? How did these issues evolve over the medieval period?

2. Overtures toward Union: This session seeks to understand the roles of Patriarch and Pope over the Greek and Roman Churches. How did the two communities organize their hierarchies? What impacted their roles in the years leading up to the meeting of 1234? Do the letters between Pope Gregory IX and Patriarch Germanos II shed any light on their intentions or possible outcomes of that encounter?

3. Report of the Friars: Four friars representing Pope Gregory IX left a detailed account of their dialogue with the leadership of the Greek Church in 1234. What does their recollection tell us about how Christians of East and West saw one another? How does their report reflect the larger and longer effort to heal the Great Schism? Can we accept their comments as a faithful account? If not, what causes us to question their account?
 

Contact Mike Mullin (mmullin@asburyfirst.org) with any additional questions. 

Published: March 23, 2023

Sunday, April 23, starting at 11 am, 1040 Sanctuary and 1010 Community Outreach Center

Save the date!! Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez will be preaching during Sunday worship on April 23 in the Sanctuary. Also, join us for an open house of the new Community Outreach Center after the service! More information coming soon!

Click here to learn more about the Bishop.
Click here to learn more about the Community Outreach Center.

Published: March 23, 2023

Rehearsals: March 26, April 2, and April 16, 9:40-10:20 1040 Wesley Hall
Performance: Sunday, April 23 and rehearse on the following Sunday mornings.

You are cordially invited to join the Asbury orchestra in rehearsals this Sunday and then the following Sundays until we play on April 23rd (Minus Easter Sunday). We hope you and any of your musically inclined friends will join us!  

Contact Laurie Kennedy at cellokennedy@frontiernet.net

Published: March 23, 2023

The Morehouse College Glee Club and the Concert Planning Committee extend a heartfelt thank you to Asbury First United Methodist Church family and staff for your outstanding hospitality and support, because of you, the concert was an overwhelming success.