Published: Sept. 25, 2025

Join Asbury First families for our brand new First Friday Family Fun Nights starting Friday, October 3 from 5 to 7 pm at Wickham Farms in Penfield! Each month we'll gather at different exciting locations around Rochester for relaxed evening adventures that bring our church family together for fun and fellowship. Mark your calendars for the first Friday of every month for a new location and the same great community connection.

For more information about cost and to RSVP, contact Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org or call (585) 271-1050 x111

Published: Sept. 25, 2025

Dining & Caring Center: The number of meals we are serving is rising dramatically and quickly! We are in need of more volunteer support during our meal hours. Roles include kitchen and dining room work. Shifts are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 6:30 – 9:30am and Sundays 11:30 am – 2 pm. Commitments can be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Email Rev. Pat @ pdupont@asburyfirst.org to sign up.

URWell Clinic: Greeters are needed to welcome patients to the COC on Thursday evenings from 5:45 to 8:15 pm and Sunday mornings from 8:50 to 10 am. You may choose the shift you'd like during a two month period which fits your schedule. It may be once a month, every two months or more! For further information, please call Sue Bickel at (585) 721-1610.

1010 Tuesday Co-Coordinator: Help us organize monthly tours of the COC aimed at introducing the ministry to members of our broader community! We are looking for volunteer support (onsite or at home) in planning and coordinating these tours. Email Rev. Pat @ pdupont@asburyfirst.org for more information.

Published: Sept. 25, 2025

Beginning October 1, various groups in the church will lead discussions about current social issues and what we are doing or can do to help bring about God’s kindom here on earth. Each discussion will begin on a Wednesday, 6 – 7 pm, and will be repeated on Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:45 am. These will be held both in person and on Zoom. In keeping with the spirit of the discussions, we are suggesting different colors for you to wear for each presentation.

Wednesday, October 8 and Sunday, October 12: Censorship is So 1984, Read for Your Rights!  by the AF Banned Book Team; Wear rainbow colors

Join us on Zoom • Meeting ID: 834 717 3468 • Passcode: 200

Published: Sept. 21, 2025

To celebrate the completion of both the Columbarium and Memorial Garden construction, we're holding a special Consecration Ceremony on September 21 to dedicate this sacred and reflective space.

Contact Kathy Thiel to reserve your niche or learn more at kthiel@asburyfirst.org or call (585) 271-1050 x106 or visit asburyfirst.org/columbarium to learn more.

Published: Sept. 20, 2025

ShockForLife is offering CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) training at 9 am on Saturday, October 4 in the Dining and Caring Center (1010). We encourage our staff, first responders and medical personnel to attend this training. It will include the use of our AEDs located throughout our campus and the CPR training is good for 2 years. The cost for training will be covered by Asbury First.

Email programs@asburyfirst.org to RSVP

Published: Sept. 19, 2025

If you've ever felt drawn to be part of helping to distribute the bread and cup, we'd be honored to have you join our serving team. We welcome any who are willing to serve with reverence and love. Rev. Kathy Thiel would love to hear from you and share more about this meaningful ministry. Call (585) 271-1050 x106.

Come be part of something beautiful. 

Published: Sept. 19, 2025

Curious about the Community Garden at Asbury First? We know you are because whenever we work in the garden, people stop by! Visit the garden’s information table in the Welcome Hall, Sunday, September 28 to taste garden food samples, or take a tour of the garden itself. Volunteers will be on hand in both places before and after the 11 am service. 

Published: Sept. 13, 2025

Hey sewers, knitters, and crafty creators!

Join us for another Collaborative Makers Gathering—a laid-back, open-house hangout on Saturday, September 13 from 1 to 4 pm in the Gathering Center. Swap ideas, get help on projects, spread out your work, and maybe score some new-to-you fabric or yarn. Bring your creativity and let’s get making! 

Contact Rev. Kathy Thiel for more information at kthiel@asburyfirst.org or call (585) 271-1050 x106

Published: Sept. 13, 2025

The Postcards to Voters group now meets every Thursday in the Red Room of the Community Outreach Center from 10 am to noon (right after Thursday's Morning Prayer service). For more information, write to programs@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Sept. 13, 2025

How We Rise Together: One Million Rising is a national effort to train one million people to resist authoritarianism - together. Through a series of trainings and local gatherings. we'll build the strategies, skills and people power it takes to stop our current political administration from seizing more power—this is how we get organized. Cindy Haag will be offering two presentations on how to be a part of One Million Rising. Presentations are in the Red Room at 10 am on Tuesday, September 23 and 6 pm on Tuesday, September 30. Join us for these meaningful presentations.

Published: Sept. 13, 2025

Rochester Speakers Series is a new literary arts, nonprofit organization that brings award-winning authors and thought leaders in person to Rochester. We will be holding our flagship series, Speaking of Stories, at Asbury First. The first event featuring David Grann (Killers of the Flower Moon, The Wager) will be held on October 7 at 7 pm in the Sanctuary and our second event featuring Brit Bennett (The Vanishing Half, The Mothers) will be held on April 21, 2026. Ticket information and program details are available on our website at this link

Published: Sept. 13, 2025

Join us on Thursday, October 9, for a special day of worship and fellowship. We'll begin with worship at 11 am in the Sanctuary, followed by lunch at noon in the Gathering Center. As we embrace the cooler air of fall and the warmth of community, this will be a wonderful opportunity to gather together for meaningful worship and share a meal with one another.

Please RSVP to Barbara Eltinge at (585) 737-8775 by Friday, October 3, and be sure to indicate any dietary restrictions or food allergies you may have, such as gluten-free, dairy-free, or nut-free needs.

Published: Sept. 13, 2025

Every hour in America, a child is shot. Gun violence silences voices — but in Rochester teens are taking the stage to speak out. On October 6, Asbury First joins over 50 communities nationwide for ENOUGH!, presenting six urgent new plays by teen writers confronting gun violence.

Join us on October 6 at 7 pm in the Sanctuary for a very special evening. A Good Will Offering will be taken. Learn more here: enoughplays.com/reading

Published: Sept. 13, 2025

Are you longing for an Everyday Encounter with God? Then consider yourself personally invited to a very special morning retreat, Saturday, October 18 from 9 am to 12:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. Topics will include Hospitality and Welcoming, Personal Mission Statement, Relationships, and Dreams.

To Register, contact Colleen Schantz at (585) 353-2260.  

Published: Sept. 13, 2025

Join us Saturday, November 1 for the East Ave Grocery Run, an annual fundraiser that supports food programs in Rochester, including the Asbury First Community Outreach Center. Anyone who registers as a member of the Asbury First team donates their full registration fee directly to the COC! Invite a friend to come out, enjoy a fall morning run/walk and support the work of feeding Rochester’s hungry.

Register Here