Published: Jan. 6, 2021

Like so many of you, I have spent the afternoon watching in horror the footage from our nation’s capital. As a people who proclaim the Prince of Peace, we condemn these acts of violence. This is not Christian. This is not patriotic. This is not normal.
 
On this day of Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas, we look again for the arrival of the light that shines in the darkness. Only we won’t find it in the manger any longer. Now, we must look in our mirrors. We are the body of Christ now.
 
Every Christmas, I close each service with a prayer from Howard Thurman called The Work of Christmas. It speaks about what Christmas asks of us as believers. More than ever before, two lines stand out: 
 
to rebuild the nations, 
to bring peace among neighbors.
 
Wherever you are, whenever you read this, I ask that you pause and pray. If you don’t have words, try asking God for peace. If that doesn’t work, the full text of The Work of Christmas is below:
 
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among neighbors*,
to make music in the heart.
 
May it be so.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen
 
*the original poem said “brothers”

Published: Dec. 30, 2020

Sundays in January, 9:45-10:45 am, Zoom, zoom.us/j/8347173468

New Year, New You! — Couldn't we all use a Spiritual Reboot?

What does 2021 hold for you? How can we continue to grow in our faith — even with the challenges that meet us each and every day?  How can we KEEP MOVING in the new year?

All are welcome to join us via Zoom on Sunday mornings in January from 9:45-10:45 am as we read Maggie Smith's new book Keep Moving — Notes on Loss, Creativity and Change. Come experience a four week journey of fellowship and self-discovery as we grow with God and each other. You are encouraged to get a copy of Keep Moving prior to our first meeting January 3. This book can be purchased locally, or through Amazon by clicking here. If you need help getting a copy of the book, please contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org and we can have one sent to you. For questions or more information about this class, contact Emily Cady at emilycady@gmail.com.

Published: Dec. 23, 2020

We had over 200 participants join us in our 2020 Bicentennial Bible Challenge where we challenged individuals to read through the whole Bible. Many are now asking, what's next?

Well, it's one thing to read the Bible as a literary exercise, but it takes on new meaning when reading it dynamically as a disciple. In 2021, we are inviting everyone to join us in signing up for a Disciple class so that we can delve deeper into our faith and strive to become dynamic disciples. The Disciple Bible Study is a 34-week study with 17 weeks focused on the Old Testament and 17 weeks focused on the New Testament. There are Bible readings assigned each week, but they are much less intense than the reading schedule of the Bicentennial Bible Challenge—and you can take the summer off :).

Whether you have read the Bible or not, this is a great way to engage our scriptures in a community seeking to deepen their discipleship. If this sounds like something you might like to look forward to in 2021, we encourage you to click here to sign-up!

Published: Dec. 23, 2020

Start off the new year contemplating some exciting and challenging perspectives on the teachings of Jesus. Rev. Kathy Thiel and I, Claude Adair, invite you to join us in an exploration that will use the book The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind—a New Perspective on Christ and His Message by Cynthia Bourgeault to spark new questions, inspire personal transformation, and deepen our appreciation for the teachings of Jesus.

This weekly, 90 minute session on Thursday evenings at 7 pm will run for 8 weeks starting January 14, 2021 via Zoom (click here for the Zoom link). The book is available to order on Amazon, and if you need a copy, please contact Kathy at (585) 271-1050 ext. 106, or kthiel@asburyfirst.org. Please do your best to read the Introduction and the first two chapters for our first session.

Early in the first chapter of Wisdom Jesus Bourgeault — a modern day mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and professor — lays out her approach:

"The angle of approach I will be using throughout this book is to see Jesus first and foremost as a wisdom teacher, a person who clearly emerges out of and works within an ancient tradition called 'wisdom,' sometimes known as sophia perennis, which is in fact at the headwaters of all the great religious traditions of the world today."

Our intention is to provide an opportunity to share, discuss, learn and grow that will make our time together around this book much more than a typical book study. Please contact Rev. Kathy Thiel at (585) 271-1050 ext 106 or kthiel@asburyfirst.org if you have any questions. We hope you will join us!

Published: Dec. 18, 2020

These past nine months have been challenging for us all. The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to make significant adjustments, which have impacted our personal lives and our church community. Our outreach ministries have certainly felt this. As news of the pandemic worsened, our dedicated volunteers made efficient and effective decisions to adjust programs, halt activities, and seek creative ways to serve our community, even if it meant doing so from home. We are grateful to all volunteers of the Dining & Caring Center, Storehouse, Grocery Bag Ministry and UR Well clinic for their flexibility and commitment to our on-campus programs.
 
One of the many ways we have been able to respond to our community and remain a church that prioritizes outreach is through our COVID relief fund. This fund, traditionally referred to as the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, has allowed us to respond to needs surrounding back-rent, threats of eviction, and RG&E concerns from individuals who have experienced the pain of this pandemic in direct ways. From June to November, we served 55 individuals, and provided over $64,000 in COVID-relief support. We would not have been able to do that without the support of this congregation, grant funding dedicated to COVID-relief; and our dedicated volunteer social worker, Martha Neubert, who spends countless hours working with members of the community, referring individuals to other agencies for further support, and helping us respond to this growing need as a church. We’ve received countless “thank you” messages and affirmations of just how impactful this support has been to the individuals we served. 
 
As we head into the Christmas season, it is no surprise then that the needs steadily increase. With the holidays and deadlines for eviction notices approaching, we are averaging at least ten calls a week from our neighbors looking for assistance. In response, the Outreach Committee leaders have decided that this year, our Joy of Christmas Giving efforts should be focused on COVID-relief. To ensure that more of Rochester’s most vulnerable receive the support they need, we are inviting the congregation to consider donating to this fund, in lieu of donating to our individual Asbury First-afiliated outreach ministries. We’d like to be a part of mediating the current crisis around evictions, and believe we can do it with your help! Thank you in advance for helping to make someone else’s holiday a little better.
 
To donate please www.asburyfirst.org/give; and for further questions or concerns, please contact the Rev. Jacqueline Nelson at jnelson@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Dec. 11, 2020

Friday, December 18, 6 pm
 
Asbury First's Sanctuary Choir will be among several local choirs featured in an upcoming broadcast on WXXI, a virtual "Holiday Prism Concert," on Friday, December 18 at 6 pm. Tune in to FM 91.5, or listen online at www.classical915.org. The program will include a recording from Christmas Eve 2019 of the Sanctuary Choir singing "Ding, Dong! Merrily on High" by Howard Helvey, with Duane Prill and Jeanne Strong, duo-pianists. Click here for more information.

Published: Dec. 9, 2020

This Sunday, December 13, following the 11 am service we will hold a special Church Conference to vote on the proposal from the Governance Task Force. Thank you to all who have attended the virtual Town Halls, read through the materials (www.asburyfirst.org/governance), and engaged in this process through your questions and conversation. In response to your excellent queries, we have put together a special Frequently Asked Questions document. Please download it here, or read below.

While we would much prefer this vote to take place in person, our hope is that this provides the simplest method of participation possible. If you have any challenges in the day or in the moment, you can simply send an email with your vote to questions@asburyfirst.org. Similarly, if you need help thinking through how you might participate, please reach out and we will do our very best to help.

Thank you for your faithfulness in this process.

Voting and Meeting Instructions

The Church Conference meeting will continue to be broadcast through the normal Asbury First live stream. Whether you watch it on your computer or on your television or listen on your phone, you should plan to attend the meeting in the same way. (Click here to download a quick guide on how to use Slido.)

In order to vote, members are asked to:

1. Visit www.slido.com on your computer, tablet, or mobile device. 
   NOTE: If you have more than one voting member in your household, it is best to use separate devices or browsers.
2. Enter the code: #VoteAsbury (capitalization not necessary). 
   NOTE: The poll will not be live until the actual meeting. If you’d like to get a feel for it now, you can enter the code #AsburyTrial and try it today.
3. Select your choice.
4. Click “Send”.

When you have cast your vote, you may want to keep your browser window open as the results will show up there and a new “Q&A” feature will be enabled during the “State of the Church” Update following the meeting.

Published: Dec. 6, 2020

Sunday, October 11

We at Asbury First are truly blessed to have such amazing shepherds guiding us during a very difficult time. This October 11 is national Pastor Appreciation Sunday. Please take a moment to click here and add a greeting for our pastor's on our Kudoboard to thank them for all they do!

Published: Dec. 5, 2020

Although COVID-19 has received much attention from the media during the year, the need for life-saving blood is constant, and at this time critical.

Asbury First has held 19 drives over the years, collecting 556 units of blood. Last May our drive resulted in 32 donations during a difficult time. Suffice it to say, we have made an impressive contribution to a vital community need.

If you can help us with a blood donation on Tuesday, December 15, from 1–5 pm, please call the Red Cross at 800-RED CROSS, or visit www.redcrossblood.org for an appointment or to discuss eligibility.

Published: Dec. 5, 2020

Tuesday, December 1

On December 1, our community will come together to ROC the Day, and the Asbury First Storehouse, Dining and Caring Center, and Asbury Day Care Center hope to make it a successful 10-year anniversary. ROC the Day is a 24-hour giving opportunity to support all eligible not-for-profits in the nine-county Greater Rochester area. Community members are encouraged to visit www.roctheday.org, a secure online giving platform, to contribute to any participating not-for-profit organization. All money given during ROC the Day stays local. Donors have the ability to make an impact by giving to one or multiple organizations to support their personal philanthropic passions. Donors and not-for-profits can share their investment with friends, family, coworkers, and social networks to increase awareness for this community-wide effort.

Published: Nov. 13, 2020

November 13 Update

We pray that you are well and safe during this time.
 
In response to the dramatic increase of COVID-19 cases in Monroe County, New York State has designated our area as a “Yellow Zone” and placed new restrictions on businesses and community organizations. Importantly for us, this prohibits all non-essential gatherings (indoors or outdoors) of more than 10 persons. In compliance with this new mandate, we must cancel the Campus Clean-up tomorrow, in-person youth group for Sunday, and children’s pageant recording this weekend. More information will be forthcoming from those ministry areas regarding their plans for rescheduling or adjustments.
 
As of this moment, we anticipate moving forward with the Thanksgiving In-Gathering next Saturday (9-3 pm), even if we have to transition to a touchless drop-off only event. Additionally, we plan to continue our outreach ministries for as long as possible.
 
As we face the uncertainty ahead, let us remember the promise that though we never know what a day is going to bring, we know that we don’t have to face it alone.
 
God be with you ‘till we meet again.

August 25 Update

An Update on Re-opening

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." — Hebrews 11:1

A few weeks ago, the Asbury First Re-Opening Task Force released our "Stages of Re-Opening" plan. Since the beginning of July, we have been operating at Stage Two. With approved safety protocols in place, some of our long-term building occupants have returned to campus, our outreach programs have begun to re-open in modified forms, and the church staff has been welcomed back into the office building at less than 50% capacity. While much of this work is on-going (not all of our outreach programs have re-opened nor have all of our campus occupants returned), we believe we are ready for the next stage.

Stage Three will allow limited small groups to begin to meet on campus with safety protocols in place and upon specific approval by both the Re-Opening Task Force and that group's staff liaison. Outside groups are not yet allowed. Our strong recommendation is that groups continue to meet virtually. However, those groups that are ready to meet on-campus will be asked to put together a safety plan that includes, among other things, plans for social distancing, mask-wearing, and a strategy to include those who are not yet ready or able to meet in person.

Every individual will be asked to abide by a Covenant of Risk (forthcoming) that outlines personal responsibilities as well as commitments from Asbury First. Groups wanting to meet should be flexible in meeting time and location as we attempt to limit overlap and areas of potential contamination on campus. If your group is interested in meeting in-person, the first step is to contact your staff liaison.

As we have said from the beginning, our first priority is the health and safety of the entire congregation. This has been a hard time for so many, but we are finding our way together toward who God is calling us to be. I have been so proud of the ways in which Asbury First has continued to live out its mission and vision as a congregation during this strange moment.

We are all looking with hope toward that day when we can gather again fully for worship and fellowship. Until that day, let us continue to walk alongside one another in prayer, in support, and in love.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

June 22 Update

An Update on Re-opening

Sometimes I wonder if the Hebrew people knew it would take forty years when they began the journey to the Promised Land.

As New York State has slowly begun to re-open over the last few weeks, many have naturally asked when we can expect to return to in-person worship. While the short answer remains, “We do not know,” the longer answer is more complicated. As stated in a previous missive, returning to in-person worship will come as one of the final stages of our re-opening as it is in the fourth phase of the NY State guidelines. To that end, the Asbury First Re-opening Team has put together a basic outline of the Stages of Re-opening that we plan to follow. As always, the safety of our entire community remains our primary concern.

Many have heard that the governor recently began to allow houses of worship to operate at 25% capacity for religious services. While this was particularly important for those churches who have been unable to transition to an online model, it presents some challenges for us. The first value we hold up as a congregation is that we are “Open to All.” In order to allow only 25% capacity into our sanctuary, we would have to restrict access—either choosing who should be allowed in advance or turning people away. We do not believe this to be conducive to the call of Christ. Second, due to the added restrictions on singing, communal responses, mask-wearing, and social distancing guidelines, beginning in-person worship now (inside or outside) would fundamentally change the nature of our service, both for those in-person and those who continued to watch online.

Although all of us would love to be back together in person, the truth is that our worship has not stopped. It is not ideal and I personally miss seeing you all. However, until we can return in such a way that welcomes all, that ensures the safety of our entire community, and that maintains the sanctity of the worship experience, we will persevere as we are. With that in mind, we do not expect to worship in-person again until the fall at the earliest.

I also want to update you on two important events:

1. Vacation Bible School: For safety reasons and because we believe turning children away to be untenable, we have decided to shift our summer Vacation Bible School to a “Staycation” Bible School. While it will not be in-person, we will maintain the “Camp 1820” theme with activities for children and families to do at home. Please look for more information soon.
2. Bicentennial Gala: With a heavy heart and for the safety of all, we have decided to postpone the Bicentennial Gala that was scheduled for September 19. I am grateful to everyone who has worked so hard on the planning and am confident that we will find a way to mark this auspicious occasion, even if we do it sometime down the road. Who says we can’t celebrate our 201st anniversary?

Finally, I want to say thank you. This has been a hard moment for everyone, but over and over again—through your prayers, your care for one other, and your support—you have reminded me that the true Christian community is not limited by distance.

I don’t know if the Hebrew people understood how long the journey would be as they made their way through the wilderness, but I do know that God did not leave their side. I don’t know how much longer this journey will last for us, but I know that God is with us, too. 

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

May 21 Update

Dear Friends,

How is it with your soul? When the Methodist movement began, every small group that met together started with that simple question. Somehow, it seems more appropriate now than ever. How is it with your soul? Are you staying healthy? Are you staying connected? Are you staying at home?

We have been meeting together virtually for over two months now. While I much prefer seeing your smiling faces on Sunday mornings, I will forever be grateful for the hard work of our tech team and staff members who helped us transition to the virtual world so gracefully. It is certainly not the same, but it is a true gift to be able to connect through worship during this strange moment. Similarly, I am indebted to all who have enabled us to continue our care for the most vulnerable-in a modified way-through the Dining and Caring Center.

Many have been asking when we will be able to worship together again in person. The short answer is that I do not know. Houses of Worship fall into phase four of the governor's plan for re-opening the state and each phase is contingent upon meeting certain regional benchmarks. We continue to closely monitor guidelines from local and state officials as well as the Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church and the New York State Council of Churches. The safety of our entire community remains our primary concern and we will re-open only when we believe it is safe to do so.

When we do re-open, we anticipate that it will not be all at once. Just as the state has touted a careful, phased approach to re-opening, so must we. With disinfection and safety protocols in place (including mask-wearing and social distancing measures), we foresee certain areas of ministry opening in modified ways prior to a return to in-person worship.

As the weather finally takes a turn toward the sun (or at least away from snow), many naturally have questions about some of our favorite summer events. Some, like the mission trip and the Storehouse Summer Sale, have already been canceled or postponed. Others, like Vacation Bible School, we continue to assess and hope to make a final determination soon. Looking beyond summer to events like our Bicentennial Gala is even more challenging at this time, but we will keep you informed as decisions are made.

Finally, I want to say thank you. This is such a strange time, but many have expressed that they feel more connected to this community now than ever before. I have so enjoyed hearing the various ways people are reaching out to one another in love. Thank you for keeping our mission and vision alive, even when we are unable to be together. If you know of someone in need, please let us know so that we can do our best to help. 

Love is patient (1 Cor. 13:4) and so must we be. Even as the novelty has worn off, even as we are itching to leave our homes, even as we long for the kinds of human connection we let go of two months ago, we must continue to answer that Christian call to sacrifice for the sake of others. We may just find that it is the thing our soul needs.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

April 30 Update

As we continue under the shelter-in-place directive from the state, please take some time to read this article about best practices for the pandemic. 

– COVID-19 Best Practices by Dawn Riedy, MD

March 30 Update

Asbury First is taking the following steps to ensure the safety and well being of both our members and the greater Rochester community:

1. SUNDAY WORSHIP: We will hold the 11 am service only and request that you stay home to watch via the live stream or tune into the radio WYSL 1040 AM or 92.1 FM. For help troubleshooting live stream problems, click here.
2. CLASSES AND MEETINGS MOVING ONLINE: Until further notice, we are canceling all other meetings and events on our campus. We are now offering online meetings via Zoom for Sunday school, children's and youth ministries, discipleship classes and meetings, and the Bicentennial Bible Challenge. For a schedule, including links, please click here. The office staff is working from home, and we will not be adhereing to regular office hours. Please know that we will be monitoring our messages.
3. SUSTAINING OUTREACH: Our Dining and Caring Center has moved to boxed meals only and has been continuing to serve daily with a skeleton crew of two or three intrepid volunteers. For a schedule, click here. All other outreach has been suspended.
4. PRAYER REQUESTS: We invite you to share with us how we can be praying for you by emailing prayers@asburyfirst.org. All prayer requests are prayed over by our Ministers and Intercessory Prayer Group.