Published: Feb. 18, 2026

Ash Wednesday Pan-Methodist Service
Wednesday, February 18, 7 pm at Memorial AME Church

We will begin the holy season of Lent together with our Pan-Methodist siblings from around Rochester. This year, the service will be held at Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (549 Clarissa St, Rochester, NY).

Join us as we worship with Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church, Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and New Bethel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and welcome in this important season of Lent. Pastor Michelle will be the preacher for the evening. 

Published: Feb. 11, 2026

Grief Group — In-Person or Via Zoom

If you are experiencing grief and would like a place to talk about it and share with others, you are welcome to attend either in-person of via Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 4 to 5 pm in the Library (1040). All are welcome, whether your grief is new and raw, or seasoned and familiar. Please join us. Contact Rev. Kathy Thiel with questions at (585) 271-1050 x106 or kthiel@asburyfirst.org.

Click here to join the zoom.

Published: Feb. 11, 2026

Each month we collect different needed supplies for the ministries of the Community Outreach Center. For the February COC Chapel Challenge, we will collect Queen-Sized Bed Sheets. A list of specific needed items is available at asburyfirst.org/coc.

Please drop them off near the rail in the front of the Children's Chapel before or after services.

Thank you for caring for our neighbors!

Published: Feb. 10, 2026

Hope from the Eye of the Storm
Temple Sinai

Join us for an inspiring interfaith evening with Rabbi Leora Ezrachi-Vered and Father (Abuna) Saba Haj on Tuesday, February 10, 7 to 9 pm at Temple Sinai. This special event will feature remarks from both speakers, shared singing in Hebrew and Arabic, and a Q&A focused on peace, shared society, and interfaith leadership. All are welcome to attend this meaningful gathering that brings our communities together in dialogue and hope.

Please RSVP at the Temple Sinai website and share this invitation widely with friends, family, and community members. To RSVP, visit www.tsinai.org/event/spirit-of-the-galilee-event.html

Published: Feb. 8, 2026

Souper Bowl
Sunday, February 8 at Noon in Fellowship Hall

The youth of Asbury First are selling soup for $10 per quart to fund summer mission trips, with high schoolers heading to West Virginia for Appalachia Service Project and middle schoolers traveling to Buffalo, NY to serve with youth from the Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church. Join us for a soup luncheon in Fellowship Hall at Noon, where youth will serve and share about last summer's hurricane relief mission work! Questions, contact mmullin@asburyfirst.org

Published: Feb. 4, 2026

Two Very Special Wednesdays
Wednesdays at 6 pm, February 4 and 11

Join the LGBTQ Advocacy Team for two enlightening Wednesday evenings this February. 

February 4: Cory Tylenda and Chris Gold return with "UMC Savvy Allies: Where are we now?" – a thought-provoking follow-up discussion exploring our journey as allies in the UMC community. 

February 11: don't miss "through a mirror dimly, but then...!" featuring Rev. Dr. Phillippa "Phil" Phaneuf, who will share her powerful personal story of discovering and embracing her identity as a transgender woman throughout her life. Both sessions promise meaningful conversation, deeper understanding, and the opportunity to grow together as a community.

Mark your calendars and join us for these important Wednesday evening programs!

Published: Jan. 29, 2026

Fall In Love With A Book!
Sunday, February 8 in the Gathering Center

Celebrate Valentine's Day with a special event! Books will be gift-wrapped with only a few descriptive words visible, keeping titles and covers hidden. Take one home, unwrap it, and enjoy your surprise Valentine—you might just fall in love with a book! Visit the bibliocart in the Gathering Center on Sunday, February 8 to pick up your mystery book.

Published: Jan. 23, 2026

Join us Sundays, from 9:45 to 10:45 am in Fellowship Hall in the new year for a new series highlighting our Off-Campus Ministries.

January 4: Overview of Off-Campus Ministries, past, present and future: Bob Castle
January 11: Cameron Minister Teen Center, Tomick Madison, Ex Director of Cameron Ministry
January 18: Keeping Our Promise, Ellen Smith Executive Director
January 25: Habitat for Humanity, Garrett Jones, Grant Coordinator & Advocacy Lead GRHFH 
February 1: School 17 & 45, Help Me Read, John Smalt
February 8: History of Chacocente, Robyn Gage
February 15: Family Promise (formally RAIHN), Kim Hunt-Uzelac, Executive Director

Published: Jan. 19, 2026

Monday, January 19, from 7 to 8 pm in the Red Room or via zoom, join the Banned Book Club for a discussion of James Baldwin's "Go Tell It On The Mountain," celebrated for its lyrical prose and psychological depth, and established Baldwin as a major literary voice. Email programs@asburyfirst.org for more details. 

Published: Jan. 18, 2026

Rochester Rapid Response Network (RRRN) ally training

The RRRN provides training and organizing of allies who can be present at the time of potential ICE detainment and detention of local immigrants. January 18 from 1 to 3 pm in the Red Room (of the COC), Asbury First will sponsor training for people interested in being an ally. Email programs@asburyfirst.org if you are interested in attending.
 

Published: Jan. 9, 2026

Now Hiring

Asbury First is looking for talented, passionate people to join the team! The following positions are now posted at asburyfirst.org/jobs

Coordinator for Age-Level Ministries 
Associate for Age-Level Ministries
Hospitality Coordinator
Operations Associate
Communications Assistant

Email your Resumes and any Questions to search@asburyfirst.org

Published: Dec. 21, 2025

Wednesday, December 31, 5 - 6 pm

Join us New Year's Eve for a drop-in service of meditation and communion. The sanctuary will be open 5 - 6 pm and you are welcome to come for the whole time or part of the time as we look back at this year and look with hope toward next year. This service will include long periods of silence interspersed with reflective music.

All are welcome.

Published: Dec. 19, 2025

In early 2026, we will host a half-day workshop that empowers us to understand the relationship between body and soul. All are welcome to attend. Firm details will be available soon. Please contact Rev. Kathy Thiel at kthiel@asburyfirst.org if you are interested.
 

Published: Dec. 11, 2025

This Christmas season, Asbury First is channeling its holiday spirit in a meaningful new direction. In response to growing food insecurity in our community, we're redirecting some of our seasonal creativity to address hunger where it matters most. Thanks to the dedicated work of our Monday Morning Crew and Pumpernickel Crew, a beautiful Giving Tree now stands in the Gathering Center, ready to receive your generous food donations. Every contribution placed under this tree will directly support our Community Outreach Center's food programs, bringing nourishment and hope to neighbors in need. We invite you to be part of this compassionate effort and help make this Christmas brighter for those facing hardship in our community.

Published: Dec. 7, 2025

This Christmas Eve, we will have 4 services with over 1600 worshipers anticipated. We need your help! 8 ushers are needed for the noon and 11 pm services, and 14 ushers for the 4 pm and 7 pm services (that's a total of 44 ushers!).

If you would like to help, please see Dennis Roote or Tommy Johnson or add your name to the signup spreadsheet: Click Here To Volunteer