Published: Oct. 25, 2022

Wednesday, November 9, 6 pm, Sanctuary

Democrat and Chronicle education reporter Justin Murphy will discuss the findings in his new book, Your Children Are Very Greatly in Danger: School Segregation in Rochester, New York. Drawing on never-before-seen archival documents as well as scores of new interviews, Murphy shows how discriminatory public policy and personal prejudice combined to create the racially segregated education system that exists in the Rochester area today. 

Justin Murphy is a reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, covering education in the Rochester area with an emphasis on the Rochester City School District. He has worked at the Democrat and Chronicle since 2012 and before that was a reporter for The Citizen in Auburn, New York. He grew up in Penfield and attended the University of Chicago and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He lives with his wife and children in the Cobbs Hill neighborhood.

Published: Oct. 24, 2022

The construction on the new Outreach Center is well under way at 1010 East Avenue! It is really exciting to see the incredible changes, and the progress toward making holistic outreach at Asbury First a reality.

The fifth video in this series looks at the interior construction progress filmed at the end of September. You'll see the before and after as an example of how much work has been completed.

Click here to watch the video

Published: Oct. 19, 2022

Donation Drop-off and Tours of the Community Outreach Center
Saturday, November 19, Between 10 am and 1 pm
Sunday, November 20, 11 am Service

Stop in on Saturday, November 19 between 10 am and 1 pm to drop-off donations and to tour the newly renovated space. Click Here for a list of needed items. Note that this is a change from previous years: donations will be collected at the Community Outreach Center (1010 East Avenue). Volunteers will be stationed at the new main entrance off the back of the building to help unload donations as well as to guide visitors through the space. Coffee and cider will be available inside!

Published: Oct. 19, 2022

Sundays, October 23, October 30, and November 6, Welcome Hall

It’s time to dream of Thanksgiving dinner and the taste of Apple Crumb, Pecan, Strawberry Rhubarb, Pumpkin, or Rumbleberry Pie from Special Touch Bakery. The price of each pie is $18 ($20 for Pecan). The Pies are baked by Special Touch Bakery (School of the Holy Childhood). This is an annual fund-raising event for the Flower City Habitat for Humanity and $6 of the cost goes directly into the Harvest Home Coalition fund to support the house we are building for Jennifer and her family at 396 Garson Ave. Order and pay for your pies in the Welcoming Hall on Sundays—October 23, October 30 and November 6. The pies can be picked up on Tuesday, November 22 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. So, if you want some delicious holiday pies and want to support Asbury First’s participation in the building of another home for our community. Come and see us in the Welcoming Hall.

Published: Oct. 19, 2022

Sunday, November 20, Following 11 am Worship Service

Join us for 11 am worship on Sunday, November 20. The service will conclude with a processional to the Community Outreach Center to dedicate our newly renovated and expanded building. We will celebrate all the work that has been done to bring us to this point, pray for the future ministry of our congregation, and recommit ourselves to partnering with God in building the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth! Following worship, all are welcome to refreshments in the Gathering Center. The Community Outreach Center will also be open following worship for those who may not have had a chance to tour the facility on Saturday. Donations can also be dropped off at the front of the sanctuary before worship.

Published: Oct. 18, 2022

Sunday, October 23, Following 11 am Worship Service

The Governing Board and our Senior Minister will host a special town hall meeting following the 11 am service on Sunday October 23, 2022. This meeting will be in person and live-streamed and has no formal agenda except to answer your questions! We look forward to seeing you there!

To submit a question prior to the meeting:
Email questions@asburyfirst.org OR call the church office at 585-271-1050

To submit a question during the meeting: 
Email questions@asburyfirst.org

Published: Oct. 18, 2022

Communications Coordinator Sarah Brubaker will be on maternity leave starting Monday, October 24 and will return in January 2023. She is excited to welcome her baby girl, but will miss Asbury First. Be sure to wish her luck on this new life development! During her leave, Aleeya Bourcy, our Graphic Designer and Digital Media Specialist will take over all communications duties.  

Please contact Aleeya Bourcy at abourcy@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x116 for any communications needs.

Published: Oct. 11, 2022

Are you interested in joining Asbury First's live streaming team? You will learn how to use our professional broadcast equipment and video production techniques. More importantly, you will support the digital ministry that helps us Do More Good in Rochester and around the world. Youth and adults are welcome. Please contact David Berg at bergdm@gmail.com to learn more.

Published: Oct. 11, 2022

Saturday, November 12, 10 am–8 pm, Barnes & Noble Pittsford Plaza

Book Fair ID #12633541

Shopping for some intriguing literature, some fun fiction, or a gift for a special person? You can buy books AND support the Asbury First Library at the same time during the Barnes & Noble Book Fair! A percentage of the sales goes to the Asbury First Library and is used to add to the library's book collection. Can’t make it to Pittsford? No problem. Books may be purchased online from November 12–15 at BN.com/bookfairs. Make sure to use the Book Fair ID #12633541. Thanks for your support of our incredible library!

Published: Oct. 5, 2022

Come join us on Saturday, November 5 for our Annual Grounds Clean Up. We will begin 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!

Published: Oct. 5, 2022

We are thrilled to welcome some new members to our congregation. They will be joining our church this Sunday. Make sure to extend a warm welcome to all of our new members: Kellie Barbato, Shalece Gibson, Joanne Keys, Noel Nichols, JoBeth Nichols, and Judy Rose.

Published: Oct. 5, 2022

THANKS ASBURY FIRST for your generous support in this year's school supply drive. Once again you really stepped up to the plate!! Thank you to all who answered the call to give! Your caring support will make a difference in Asbury First's partner schools — School 17 and School 45. There is still opportunity for you to join the Help Me Read Volunteers. For more information, please contact John Smalt at 585-924-8624 or at jhsmalt@gmail.com.

Published: Oct. 4, 2022

Through the first eight months of the year, we have had the highest level of AOP giving ever. Thank you! In order to reach our goals, however, we will need to have the highest level of giving through the last four months as well. Thank you in advance! Donations and grants dedicated to our Outreach operations are lagging, but we pray that the opening of our new Community Outreach Center will provide new opportunities for increased support.

Fortunately, our managed expenses are coming in under budget this year, though we have begun to feel some of the challenges of inflation and are working on how to address that together in 2023.

Click the link below to see Asbury First's Financial Report for the year to date. We thank you for your generous giving, and it is only through your support that Asbury First can "Do More Good" in this world.

Read the Financial Report Here

Published: Oct. 3, 2022

If you would like to help support those in the path of the tropical storm Ian, we encourage you to give to the United Methodist Committe of Relief (UMCOR) by using the following link: advance.umcmission.org/p-620-umcor-us-disaster-response-and-recovery.aspx. You can give online at asburyfirst.org/give, and note "Hurricane". Or, you can mail a check to the church office at 1050 East Ave. We will collect these special donations and send them on to UMCOR. 

UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on its own. Through UMCOR, United Methodists extend loving care to people within the United States. When disaster strikes, it is local churches that provide the first response to their communities. 

Published: Oct. 3, 2022

We are not able to accept most donations at this time while we are transitioning from our current location to our new Outreach Center. The only exceptions are size 1X and larger men's and women's winter coats, large pots and frying pans, spatulas, large spoons and washable bed size blankets (especially queen size). We hope to be able to receive donations later in the Fall. Thank you for your continued support.