Published: Aug. 17, 2022

From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Retirement Announcement

Dear Friends,
 
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
 
After a season of prayer and discernment, I have made the decision to retire from the active episcopacy on Dec. 31, 2022. Yesterday, I submitted my request for retirement to the Northeastern Jurisdiction and the Council of Bishops.
 
I have not made this decision lightly and it is the right one for personal and spiritual reasons. The divide within the United Methodist Church has lessened my joy for this role and changed my sense of whether my gifts, convictions, and leadership as a residential Bishop are best for the United Methodist Church in the future. The writer of Ecclesiastes says: “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” 
 
Jodi and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to serve with and among the people of Upper New York over these last 10 years. We look forward to returning to Pennsylvania to be closer to our children and other family.
 
Over the next few months, I will continue to offer all I can to assist leaders and congregations of Upper New York in preparing for days of ministry ahead that will honor God, boldly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and increase God’s kingdom. The mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” continues.
 
Thank you for praying for us and be assured of our ongoing prayers for each of you.
 
With gratitude and love,

Mark J. Webb

Published: Aug. 12, 2022

Help kick off the Fall season by joining us for Together in Ministry service at 11 am on Sunday, September 11.

You'll have a chance to learn more about the many volunteer opportunities as Asbury First, and get more information on the build up to opening our new Outreach Center. We are thrilled to be so close to completing this project and now look toward the many ways we can help our community. We hope to see you there!

For more information, please contact Deb Bullock-Smith at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x117.

Published: Aug. 12, 2022

Saturday, September 17, 9:30 am–3 pm. Advance registration required for lunch— $10 per person, register online and learn more at asburyfirst.org/giversoflife

On September 17, everyone is invited to a daylong sharing of story telling and discussions about women from ancient to the present time who embody "Givers of Life" by their faith. The interdenominational program will begin at 9:30 am in the Gathering Center and will end mid-afternoon. Seating is limited to 100 participants, so make your plans early. Lunch will be provided at the cost of $10 per person, and there will also be a free-will offering to support the Women of the Well. We look forward to a day of sharing and communing.

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Bullock-Smith at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x117.

Published: Aug. 12, 2022

We will be collecting school supplies again this year for Schools 17 and 45. We will collect the supplies in September, but here is a list of needed items to pick up while supplies are easily available in stores.

Items needed include: backpacks, 24-count pencils, colored pencils, erasers and eraser tops, ink pens (blue, black, and red), crayons, color-safe markers, highlighters, child-safe scissors, glue sticks, pencil boxes or pouches, index cards, sticky notes, solid-color folders with pockets, three-ring binders, composition books, graph paper, hand sanitizer, and tissues.

Many thanks to YOU for your support! For more information, please contact John Smalt at (585) 924-8624, or at jhsmalt@gmail.com.

Published: Aug. 12, 2022

We are so grateful to the amazing response and support. We collected 20 cleaning bags and 30 hygiene bags with a total of around 350 items! Mothers In Need of Others (MINO) provides emergency items for single mothers and families in crisis. This will make such a difference for families in need! To learn more about MINO, visit projecturge.org/mino-1.

Published: Aug. 12, 2022

NEW EDIT as of August 19, 2022

The Dining and Caring Center will be closed Friday, August 12; Sundays, August 14 and 21; and Wednesday–Friday August 17–19. We will return on Wednesday, August 24. Thank you for your patience.

Published: July 28, 2022

After a four-week hiatus, Summer Choir will resume Sunday, July 31 and continue through the first Sunday in September. All interested singers are warmly welcome to take part on any or all Sundays—simply show up ready to sing at 10 am in Wesley Hall. Come lend your voice to our worship, and enjoy some special fellowship with some of Asbury Firsts's music lovers. Questions? Contact our Director of Music Ministry Carl Johengen at cjohengen@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050 x134.

Published: July 21, 2022

Bring Donations on Sunday, August 7

Mothers In Need of Others (MINO) needs your help! MINO provides emergency items for single mothers and families in crisis. They currently have great need for cleaning and hygiene supply bags that they regularly distribute. Bring donations from the list below to our Tent Sunday worship service on August 7th. Our VBS kids will add to the donations, and our middle school youth will assemble the bags. We can’t wait to see the difference we will make for families in need!

Needed Items: All-purpose cleaner, bleach, cleaning sponges, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, rolls of paper towels, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper.

For more information visit asburyfirst.org/news or contact Pat Dupont at pdupont@asburyfirst.org. Learn more about MINO and their ministry here: https://projecturge.org/mino-1

Published: July 20, 2022

The Asbury First UR Well Clinic is in need of PPD readers. Every Sunday morning, we read results of PPD tests for the clinic patients and are currently understaffed for volunteers. If you are a qualified medical professional and can volunteer time to assist with these readings, please contact Lin Vanderstyne, an Asbury First member and coordinator for the UR Well PPD readings at 585-383-1043 or by email at Ljv@frontier.com.

Published: July 18, 2022

August 8–13, Rochester Area

August 8-13, our middle school youth will once again be helping out as counselors for Vacation Bible School in the morning, and volunteering with different local agencies in the afternoon. Some of our connections may include Food Link, The Gandhi Institute, and the Iroquois White Corn Project. Then, on Friday and Saturday, our youth will have the opportunity to enjoy an overnight in the Adirondacks where they will get to experience the beauty and grandeur of nature through activities such as climbing and caving.

Published: July 15, 2022

Finger Lakes Opera's (FLO) summer season is fast approaching with performances on July 17, 24, 26, and 30 (both in Canandaigua), as well as August 5 and 7. If you've never attended a FLO program, you are in luck! An Asbury First member has kindly offered to treat you to a performance this summer. 

To take advantage of this generous offer, please note that complimentary tickets are limited to two per person and reservations must be made three business days prior to the event. Simply send an email to Gwen Paker at gpaker@fingerlakesopera.org with the subject line "Asbury First Tickets" and a member of the FLO staff will reach out to you. 

For the season performance line up and to purchase tickets, please visit www.fingerlakesopera.org.

Published: July 14, 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 third video in this series looks at the new entrance to the Outreach Center, along with construction updates for the Dining & Caring Center extension and main dining area. This was filmed at the end of May, so a lot of progress has been made since. Keep an eye out for the next video.

Click here to watch the video
 

Published: July 7, 2022

In light of the reality that the United Methodist Church has not formally split, but a new traditionalist Methodist denomination has been launched, "Ask the UMC" is authoring a series of articles that aim to answer frequently asked questions and correct misperceptions and misinformation about the future of the United Methodist Church.
 
Click here to read the first of these articles.

Published: July 6, 2022

Wednesday, August 10, 6 pm Refreshments, 
7 pm celebration, Front Lawn Tent

The Discipleship Project invites you to join us for a special musical and worship celebration on Wednesday, August 10 under the tent in the front lawn. There will be light refreshments served at 6 pm, with the main worship celebration beginning at 7 pm. We are blessed to be joined by musician Nairobi Smith, who is a United Methodist Worship Leader. The celebration is open to all, and we hope you can join us! For more information, contact Rev. Rachel Dupont at rdupont@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-150 x113.

Published: July 6, 2022

Tent Sunday at Asbury First aims to give people a great experience of the church, as well as welcome those living nearby who may be curious about our community. We'd love to see you at 11 am, August 7, outside under the tent for:

• Outdoor worship under a tent
• Burgers, Hot Dogs, and more
• The Asbury First Talent Show

Then, come back during the week for VBS: Under Construction (asburyfirst.org/vbs-2022) and for a special worship celebration featuring artist Nairobi Smith (click here to learn more).