News

  • Banned Book Club: The New Jim Crow

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    Published: Oct. 24, 2024

    Monday, November 18, 7 - 8 pm the Asbury First Banned Book Club will be meeting to discuss The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander.

    Please read the book and join our lively discussion in person in the Red Room or via Zoom. zoom.us/j/8924819492 (pwd 578697)

  • Book Study: We Survived the End of the World

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    Published: Oct. 24, 2024

    Asbury First's Wednesday Morning Study Group starts a new book on October 30: We Survived the End of the World by Steven Charleston. Meeting from 10 to 11:30 am in the Red Room and on Zoom, we will read and discuss chapter 1 on October 30, and will continue reading one chapter each week until December 18. All are welcome.

    Contact Mike Mullin with questions, mmullin@asburyfirst.org.

  • Stewardship Season

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    Published: Oct. 24, 2024

    Stewardship Season is an exciting time to join together in supporting the ministries of Asbury First UMC! This month is our opportunity to pool our resources to make a lasting impact in our church and community. You may have received a letter by now, and you will also find pledge commitment cards in the Ritual of Friendship pads in each pew. November 3 is the date to offer our gifts and pledges and consecrate them to God’s purposes.

    Let's give joyfully, knowing that together, we can do more for God's mission than we ever could alone!

    To pledge for 2025, visit asburyfirst.org/pledge-online.

  • Faith and Politics

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    Published: Oct. 18, 2024

    What are the two things one never talks about in polite company?
Religion and Politics, of course! Join Pastor Michelle for three Sundays in October and November as we explore the intersection of these taboo topics, discuss the prophetic speaking of truth to power, and consider how we put our faith into action.

    Sundays, October 27, November 3 and 10, 
9:45-10:45 am in Fellowship Hall and on Zoom Passcode: 200   

  • 2024 Fall Campus Clean-up

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    Published: Oct. 18, 2024

    Saturday, November 9, 9 am – 1 pm, 
Meet at 1040 Main Entrance Please join us for our annual Fall Campus Cleanup. We'll meet at the Main Entrance of the Church (parking lot entrance). Please bring rakes, tarps — and anything else you find makes this task interesting, enjoyable, and fulfilling. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and snacks will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact Johnny Colón, our Director of Property Care at jcolon@asburyfirst.org or call the church office at (585) 271-1050.

  • 2024 East Ave Grocery Run

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    Published: Oct. 18, 2024

    The East Ave Grocery Run is an annual fundraiser that supports food programs in Rochester, including the Community Outreach Center. This
year the run/walk is on Saturday, November 2. 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!

  • Cady Inauguration Watch-Party

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    Published: Oct. 18, 2024

    Cady Inauguration Watch-Party

    Please join us Saturday, November 2, at 11:30 am for a very special watch party! Together we'll watch the ceremony as former senior minister, Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, is inaugurated as the new president of Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. This will be a time of community for those who were touched by his ministry in his tenure here at Asbury First. Bring a snack to share (and maybe a box of tissues)! Please RSVP by emailing Deb Bullock-Smith at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org, or call (585) 271-1050, x117. If you're not able to join us in person, you can watch live by visiting brite.edu/livestream

  • Town Hall October 20, 2024

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    Published: Oct. 11, 2024

    TOWN HALL — OCTOBER 20

    Asbury First's Governing Board conducts Town Hall meetings periodically throughout the year, inviting the congregation to weigh-in on a variety of important topics. The next of the sessions will be October 20. Mark your calendar!

    Join us in the Sanctuary, or via livestream, after the 11 am service for updates on topics important to the daily operation of Asbury First, as well as Outreach, Social Concerns, the budget, and the results of Connection Sunday.

  • Asbury First Hoedown!

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    Published: Oct. 4, 2024

    Date: October 26
    Time: BBQ Dinner at 5:30 pm, Dancing starts at 6:30 pm

    Mark your calendars and dust off your boots! Join us for a night of fun and fellowship at the Asbury First Hoedown. Enjoy a delicious chicken BBQ, followed by an evening of square dancing with a live band in Fellowship Hall!

    RSVP to Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org by October 21 or stop by the Welcome Desk any Sunday in October.

  • Join the Visitation Team

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    Published: Oct. 4, 2024

    Join the Visitation Team!

    We invite you to our upcoming meeting on Tuesday, October 22 
at 4 pm in the Red Room (1010). Whether you’re already visiting parishioners or interested in learning more about this rewarding experience, we’d love for you to attend! Come share your stories, ask questions, and connect with fellow visitors. Your presence makes a difference!

    For more information, contact Rev. Kathy Thiel at (585) 271-1050 x106 or email kthiel@asburyfirst.org.

  • Asbury First Older Adult Fall Gathering

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    Published: Sept. 27, 2024

    The Asbury First Older Adult Gathering

    Join us for a time of faith, food, fellowship and fun in the Fall! The Asbury First Older Adult Fall Gathering will be held Saturday, October 19, starting at 11 am with Worship in the Sanctuary, and followed by Lunch in the Fellowship Hall at noon. 

    RSVP by Friday, October 11 to Barbara Eltinge at (585) 737-8775 or email her at beltinge@icloud.com.

    (Please note in your email any dietary restrictions
you may have).

  • Asbury Orchestra

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    Published: Sept. 13, 2024

    October 6 is the first rehearsal of the Asbury Orchestra! If you play or have played any band or orchestral instrument, you are invited to join the group on Sunday, October 6,  9:30 - 10:30 am in Wesley Hall. All ages and levels of proficiency are welcome (two years of music reading experience is advised). We will share our music at the 11 am worship service on November 10. Reach out with any questions to Laurie Kennedy at cellokennedy@frontiernet.net.

  • Art and Spirituality

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    Published: Sept. 13, 2024

    Wednesdays, September 18 and 25, 6 - 7 pm in Wesley Hall and on Zoom, explore the profound connection between creative expression and our spiritual journeys. In the following two sessions we will look at the Spiritual Visions of Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Vincent Van Gogh. We will experience their art through spiritual lenses.

  • Asbury First's Columbarium

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    Published: Sept. 13, 2024

    Asbury First Columbarium Niches Available

    Asbury First is a place of worship, community and celebration of life from baptism to confirmation, marriage and memorial services. We recently broke ground on the Columbarium project – a sacred, consecrated outdoor space designed to provide a final resting place for the remains of our loved ones.

    If you are interested in knowing more about how Asbury First can be your final resting place, please call the Church Office at (585) 271-1050 or visit asburyfirst.org/columbarium.  

  • Thank You Asbury First!!

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    Published: Sept. 6, 2024

    A BIG thanks to everyone who donated school supplies. Asbury First continues to show us time and time again how generous they are and we could not be more grateful for your support. Thanks to you, your generosity will make
a difference to the students at School 17!!
There is still time for you to join the Help Me Read Tutors. To sign up please contact John Smalt at 924-8624 or at jhsmalt@gmail.com.


    RETURNING TUTORS: Please call Ms. Linda
at 766-8440 to schedule your start date.