Published: Sept. 4, 2021

Wednesdays, beginning September 15, 10-11:30 am
Beginning on Zoom, zoom.us/j/8347173468

This fall, our Wednesday morning study group will begin a new book, Ladder to the Light: An Indigenous Elder’s Meditations on Hope and Courage by Steven Charleston. This group is open to all. Some members have been together for many years, others joined during COVID, and still others come and go as interests and schedules permit. This fall, we are excited to be delving into Ladder to the Light as we continue to search for our own light amidst a continued pandemic. Steven Charleston is a Choctaw elder and an Episcopal priest, and his work promises to both comfort and challenge its readers. Books may be purchased online, or by contacting Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Sept. 3, 2021

Wednesday Evenings, September 15, 22, 29, 6-7 pm
Room 203, Second Floor, Education Wing

While we are not yet ready to return to community meals on Wednesday nights, we are still looking forward to various opportunities to gather as a community. With our Fall theme of “New Creation,” we wanted to kick off our Wednesday evenings in September based on the theme of creation. The first week, we will focus on our biblical creation accounts, and how they might speak to us in this season. In the second week, we will focus on The United Methodist Church and John Wesley’s vision for a New Creation. Finally, in the third week, we will consider various creation stories from around the globe, and invite participants to consider what types of new creation might be on the horizon in our own lives. For more information, contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Sept. 3, 2021

Beginning the week of September 12 as scheduled below
Zoom, zoom.us/j/813450961

This Spring, many of us began a journey through the Old Testament with the Disciple Bible study series. This fall, we will be continuing our journey with the New Testament and we would like to extend an invitation to anyone who might like to join us. No previous Bible experience is necessary. We use a Study Manual to help guide us through our weekly readings. These may be purchased online, or by contacting Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org. At present, all of our meetings will occur via Zoom beginning the week of September 12:

• Tuesdays 3-4 pm, led by The Rev. Ruthellen Hoyle
• Thursdays 7-8 pm, led by The Rev. Linda Clemow
• Fridays 9:30-10:30 am, led by Mike Mullin

Published: Sept. 2, 2021

It is with heavy hearts, we inform you that Melody Guadagnino, our Office Manager, has resigned effective September 1. We are so grateful for her years of service to this congregation and ask that you join us in praying for her in all her future endeavors.

Published: Aug. 26, 2021

Sunday, September 12, 11 am, Sanctuary

Join us as we return to in-person worship at 11 am on Sunday, September 12 and help us find "A New Creation" from the recent chaos!

After the last 18 months, we are thrilled to return to our regular schedule...even if it is slightly different from past years. There will be a chance to add your "piece" to Asbury First and greet friends again. We hope to see you then! 

For more information, please contact Deb Bullock-Smith at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Aug. 26, 2021

Sundays in September, starting September 12

We will be collecting school supplies again this year for Schools 17 and 45. The following is a list of needed items which can be brought to the Welcome Hall starting September 12 and continuing every Sunday in September.

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. 26, 2021

Wednesday, September 15, 12:30 pm, Gathering Center

Women on Wednesday (WOW) is an always-changing group of readers that meets weekly from September to June to explore books of current and thoughtful interest. All women readers are welcome. There are no Asbury First or any other membership requirements—just bring your curiosity and interest in the world of reading and sharing ideas. 

The WOW reading and discussion season begins on Wednesday, September 15 at 12:30 pm in the Gathering Center. We will be catching up on summer adventures and looking at a book suggestion list for the 2021–22 reading year. Please bring your own lunch and check out the WOW experience. New readers are always welcome. Hope to see you on September 15!

For questions or more information contact Mary Lynn Vickers at mvicker1@rochester.rr.com.

Published: Aug. 26, 2021

Submit your video by Tuesday, September 7

We want to hear from you! What new thing has God done in your life since March of 2020?

This invitation is to participate in a video litany for our Together in Ministry service. To participate, please send a one sentence response to the question, “What new things has God done in your life since March of 2020?” to Rev. Rachel Ann Dupont at rdupont@asburyfirst.org. 

Once your sentence is ready to go, please record and submit a video by Tuesday, September 7 by clicking here. If you are unable to record yourself, we will work with you to record your sentence to include in our worship service on September 12.

If you have questions about the requirements above or are unsure how to record yourself please email communication@asburyfirst.org. As long as you have a smartphone or laptop with a camera we should be able to help!

Published: Aug. 26, 2021

As perhaps you’ve seen in the Asbury First Annual Report, the Outreach Committee has provided funding support to the Cameron Community Ministries Teen Center, through a specific allocation of undesignated outreach funds. Our church’s connection/involvement is especially strengthened by Carolyn Hamil’s participation on the Teen Center Programming Committee.

The recently-built Teen Center is a part of our After School Youth Programming—providing educational/academic support and life skills enrichment for the children of the neighborhood. Cameron is located in the impoverished Lyell-Otis neighborhood and also provides a Hot Lunch, Food Pantry a Clothing House, social work assistance, etc.

An important fundraising endeavor to maintain/enhance all that Cameron does for the children is to hold a Golf Tournament. This year’s will take place Monday, September 20, at the Penfield Country Club. The cut off for registration is September 6.

We would like to encourage Asbury members to consider playing in this fun event, by putting together a foursome, or being a sponsor. In so doing you will really help Cameron make a big difference in the lives in the children we serve. For more information about Cameron Community Ministries and details about the event download the flier here, please email Bob Peterson at 1robertpeterson@gmail.com.

Published: Aug. 20, 2021

After careful consideration and consultation with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady and the Leadership Team at Asbury First, “Dining In For Outreach” is being planned for Saturday, October 16. All funds raised from this traditionally successful event support the many Outreach ministries of Asbury First. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy fellowship with friends old and new, share important information and updates about our Outreach programs and progress, and raise money to assist those in need locally and globally.

Because of the pandemic, Dining In for Outreach will be modified:

• There will not be a gathering at church before or after the individual dinners.
• We are not soliciting business sponsors.
• Our target date is Saturday, October 16, but there is certainly flexibility for the host to schedule their event before or after that date if needed.
• To make sure we conduct a safe event, we ask hosts and guests to follow the same masking and social distancing guidelines that are in place at Asbury First.

If you are interested in hosting, please contact Tim Mahan at tim.mahan@wegmans.com by Friday, August 27.

Published: Aug. 19, 2021

Sunday, September 12, 3–6 pm, Fellowship Hall

Auditions for the musical, Annie will be held from 3–6 pm in Fellowship Hall. All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to attend!

No experience necessary! Bring a friend! Please wear dance shoes or sneakers to dance in!

Published: Aug. 13, 2021

Submit your sentence by Sunday, August 22

Over the last year and a half, our lives have looked different due to the pandemic. And yet, God has still been at work! 

What new thing has God done in your life since March of 2020? 

We want to hear from you! This invitation is to participate in a video litany for our Together in Ministry service. To participate, please send a one sentence response to the question, “What new things has God done in your life since March of 2020?” to Rev. Rachel Ann Dupont at rdupont@asburyfirst.org by Sunday, August 22.

We will work with you to record your sentence to include in our worship service on September 12. 

Published: Aug. 13, 2021

“When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.” — Luke 14:13

The Dining & Caring Center will reopen in its new temporary locations on September 7th. We will be serving to-go breakfast Tuesday-Friday from 7–9 am out of Covenant UMC (1124 Culver Road) and to-go lunches on Sunday from 1–2 pm. out of Asbury First's main church building (1040 East Avenue). We are in need of weekly, biweekly, and monthly volunteers. Serving our neighbors is a powerful way to encounter Christ and embody our faith! Please contact Pat Dupont at pdupont@asburyfirst.org to schedule a time to serve.

Published: Aug. 13, 2021

Friday, August 20, 9 am–6 pm, Covenant UMC, 1124 Culver Road

Stop by Covenant United Methodist Church at 1124 Culver Road at Parsells for a New-to-You Sale! On Friday, August 20, there will be used household items, books, knick-knacks and collectables, and an assortment of interesting finds for sale. Then, on Saturday, August 21 from 9 am–12 pm, any items remaining from the New-to-You Sale will be free at give-away tables at their Good Neighbor Day.

Published: Aug. 12, 2021

We are pleased to welcome Jarrad Ackert to our team as Assistant Property Caretaker, effective August 17th.

Jarrad, a graduate of Tompkins Community College, comes to us most recently from The Salvation Army. He has also held positions in hospitality, educational and arts settings. He will generally work weekday afternoons/evenings (Tuesday - Friday) and Saturday during the day. He will be responsible for responding to and completing interior, exterior, and grounds maintenance projects and tasks, completing event/meeting set-ups, and will serve as a primary liaison with Buckingham Commercial Cleaning, LLC supervisor and staff. Additionally, while on duty, he will serve as primary safety and security staff person, and primary liaison with our "tenants", and internal and external users of our space. He will work closely with James and will cover when James is on vacation.