Published: Aug. 19, 2026

Backpack Blessing!
 Sunday, August 30 at 11 am

Bring your backpack, books, laptop bag, or whatever you're carrying into the new school year, and let's send you off with a blessing! We'll share feelings, hear a special message, and children and youth will receive a backpack tag to remind them: God is with you, always. 
All ages welcome. Can't wait to celebrate with you!

Published: Aug. 19, 2026

August Chapel Challenge

Non-perishable goods 

August's Chapel Challenge will help fill grocery bags for our neighbors. Bring in shelf-stable essentials like canned tuna or chicken, beans, peanut butter, canned soups, canned vegetables, and canned fruit. Choose pop-top lids when possible, and avoid glass containers or items past their expiration date.

Published: Aug. 19, 2026

In the Gathering Center on Connection Sunday, 9/13 (and each subsequent Sunday in September) there will be a table where you can update your contact information and 
add your photo to our database. Please stop by and make sure we have the correct information for you. 

Published: Aug. 19, 2026

Fall is the perfect time to reconnect, re-engage, and renew your spirit! On Sunday, 
September 13, we’re inviting everyone at Asbury First to join in for Connection Sunday — 
a chance to discover all the ways you can connect, grow, and belong this year. After both worship services, the Gathering Center will feature tables representing our ministries, programs, and opportunities. Whether you’re looking for: Fun and fellowship with new friends, Spiritual growth through study or prayer, Opportunities to make a difference, Community and connection in small groups or classes…there’s a place for you! Stop by, ask questions, meet leaders, and see what’s ahead this fall. Come ready to discover how you can connect more deeply with God and with one another. We can’t wait to see where this season will take us—together! And that’s not all—later in the month, you'll have an opportunity to explore ways to share your time and talents through volunteering as we continue to host our Fourth Sunday Volunteer Engagement Table in the Welcome Hall. 

Let’s connect. Let’s grow. Let’s do more good.

Published: Aug. 12, 2026

Beginning September 11, Fridays, 1 to 3:30 pm



Discover your creative sanctuary at the Asbury Women's Art Class, a warm, non-judgmental space to unwind and explore creativity as prayer, meditation, and reflection—process over product, no experience needed. Join us Fridays, 1 to 3:30 pm starting September 11, in Room 205 (the bell room in 1040). Supply fee varies; a free-will offering supports the facilitator. Come as you are, leave renewed. Questions or registration: programs@asburyfirst.org

Published: Aug. 5, 2026

The Finance Committee is pleased to share that for 2026 year to 
date both the General and COC Budgets Income & Expenses are on-budget. A huge thank you to everyone for your ongoing generosity—and for the ongoing careful management of our expenses by our staff and many volunteers. If you would like detailed budget information, please see the July Finance Committee Meeting Minutes by clicking here. If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please email finance@asburyfirst.org. 
We welcome your feedback.

Published: Aug. 5, 2026

Join us Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 10 – 11:30 am in the Red Room (at 1010) for the Wednesday Morning Book Study season opener—no reading required! We'll catch up, share summer joys and concerns, meet new faces, and preview the coming season. Our first book, Richard Rohr's The Tears of Things, begins September 9. Come for coffee, stay for community—we can't wait to see you!

Published: Aug. 5, 2026

Join the Wednesday Morning Book Study this fall for The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage by Richard Rohr, starting September 9, 10 – 11:30 am in the Red Room (at 1010). Explore contemplative wisdom for navigating outrage and grief while holding onto hope. A relaxed 5-week format with community sharing. Get your book and read the Introduction and Chapters 1–2 before our first session!

Published: Aug. 5, 2026

Monday, September 14, from 7 to 8 pm in the Red Room, join us for a discussion of "Boy Erased," by Gerrard Conley, recounting his childhood in a fundamentalist Arkansas family that enrolled him in conversion therapy.

Published: July 30, 2026

As we've done in recent summers, we are setting aside the 11 am Worship Service on Sunday, August 23 as a service centered around favorite hymns. During the pre-service prelude, as well as during the offertory, we'll invite worshippers to call out their favorite hymns from the United Methodist Hymnal. Come ready to sing, and give some thought to what hymns you'd love to have included.

See all related events in the Music Events calendar.

Published: July 29, 2026

Do you enjoy getting your hands in the soil and helping things grow (or keeping them tidy)? Join our campus gardening crew — a friendly group dedicated to weeding and trimming the perennial gardens and shrubs around our grounds (note: this is separate from the vegetable garden volunteers at 1010). We'd love to have you once a week, whenever fits your schedule, and we provide the gloves and tools. We could especially use extra hands in front of the Community Outreach Center and along the East Avenue side of the Education Wing. Interested? Reach out to us at programs@asburyfirst.org. 

Published: July 29, 2026

August 28, 9 - 11 am in the Red Room (1010) or via Zoom


Blending insights from philosophers, poets, scientists, and theologians, Life After Doom explores the complexity of hope, the necessity of grief, and the need for new ways of thinking, becoming, and belonging in turbulent times. If you want to help yourself, your family, and the communities to which you belong to find courage and resilience for the deeply challenging times that are upon us — this is the book you need right now. To register, email programs@asburyfirst.org

Published: July 1, 2026

Chapel Challenge: Bottled Water

The Chapel Challenge is helping to keep our neighbors hydrated during these hot summer weeks. Bring in packages of bottled water for distribution by the Dining and Caring Center. 

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: July 1, 2026

Get your craft hands ready! Join us Tuesday, July 7 at 6 pm in the Dining Room at 1050 for a Pride Float Flower-Making Party, where we'll create colorful tissue-paper flowers for Rochester's Pride Parade float. Pizza and drinks are on us, so come hang out, meet fellow volunteers, and help bring some serious color to this year's parade. RSVP to Chris at cgoldmt@gmail.com by Monday, July 6 to save your spot. 

Then bring your handmade flowers to life on Saturday, July 18 at 11 am, when we march in the Pride Parade alongside Balloon Jesus! Line up begins at 10 am at Science Parkway, and free parking with shuttle service is available from MCC lot A. T-shirts are available for purchase by scanning the QR code to the left. 

Published: June 29, 2026

Morning Prayer – Thursdays, 9:30 am in the Meditation Chapel

In these times of shifting headlines and unsettling political events, our pastoral staff feels called to help our community maintain spiritual grounding. We invite you to join us for Morning Prayer every Thursday from 9:30 to 10 am in the Meditation Chapel (within the Sanctuary). This simple weekly service offers a space to center ourselves in God's presence, solidarity, compassion, and love. No special preparation needed—come as you are, whenever you can join us.