Published: July 30, 2025

The Columbarium niche wall has been assembled in Minnesota and is on its way to Asbury First! 50 niches have already been spoken for, so reserve your niche today. Asbury First's Columbarium and Memorial Garden is taking shape after years of planning. The Memorial Garden will be a sacred place to pray, reflect and meditate. In the spirit of Asbury First, the Columbarium is open to all. Membership is not required.

If you'd like to talk to someone about reserving your spot, contact Rev. Kathy Thiel at kthiel@asburyfirst.org or call her at (585) 271-1050 x106.

To learn more and reserve a niche for yourself or a loved one visit: asburyfirst.org/columbarium

Published: July 29, 2025

Each month we collect different needed supplies for the ministries of the Community Outreach Center. For the August COC Chapel Challenge, we will collect Boys and Men’s sweatpants and gym shorts. A list of other specific items is available at asburyfirst.org/coc. 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 21, 2025

Zumba is currently on hiatus, but will resume again when the weather cools again. Enjoy the rest of your summer! 

Published: July 21, 2025

Join our friends at Temple B'rith Kodesh, Thursday, August 7 at 7 pm, for a challenging, confronting, and inspiring evening. Rabbi Peter Stein, Rt. Rev. Kara Wagner Shere, and other specialists in immigration law will address the moral issue of immigration justice. They will share stories to reinforce our commitment to gracefully resist immoral directives and empower us with prophetic passion and wisdom to listen to people closest to the pain of injustice and tell compelling stories to whomever we meet.

A free will donation will support local Haitian refugees struggling with the current administration’s attacks on their status, employment, and future in the U.S.

Sponsored by GRCC-FIAN Voices of Faith on Immigration Team & Temple B'rith Kodesh.

Published: July 16, 2025

The Prostate Cancer Support Group will be taking a summer hiatus and will not be meeting in July and August. But we'll be back! Meetings will resume on Tuesday, September 23 at 5:30 pm in the Red Room (1010). We look forward to reconnecting 
with our community this fall.

Published: July 15, 2025

Looking for a great summer book? The Asbury First Library launched their book sales at the Wednesday Community Market on June 25. Find us at the Asbury First tent on July 23 and August 20 (rain date August 27) for a wide selection of children's, teen, and adult books—most priced at just $1-$2. All proceeds support new library acquisitions.

Published: July 15, 2025

The 11 am services on Sunday, August 3 and August 31 will feature your favorite hymns! Have a beloved hymn we haven't sung recently? Submit your requests to Director of Music Ministry Carl Johengen at cjohengen@asburyfirst.org by Monday, August 18. 

We'll include as many of your submissions as possible in these special services.

Published: July 11, 2025

Join us Saturday, July 26 to help build beds for Rochester children who sleep on the floor. With 400 children on the waiting list, Memorial AME Zion Church is partnering with Sleep In Heavenly Peace (SHP) for this crucial event at 540 Clarissa St. We need volunteers for 9 - 11 am or 11 am - 1 pm shifts (lunch provided) or bedding donations: new pillows, sheets, and comforters. All ages welcome. Can't build? Drop off bedding or order from SHP's Amazon wish list.

Register by clicking here or donate via the Amazon Wishlist Here.

Questions? Contact Diana Carter at (585) 732-7224 or email DianaLouiseCarter@gmail.com.

Published: July 7, 2025

As weather continues to be alternately wet and/or hot, we will be posting on the Asbury First Facebook page Sunday mornings ahead of the 9 am Worship Service to keep you apprised of inclement weather.

Follow us on Facebook to be notified ahead of time whether or not the 9 am Worship Service will be held outdoors or in.

Published: July 2, 2025

Due to the holiday and vacations, Zumba class will pause until later in the month. Join us again, July 24, at 6:30 pm in the Gathering Center for moving and grooving fitness fun! No prior Zumba or dance experience needed—all fitness levels welcome!

A suggested donation of $10 is paid directly to instructor Katy Reholz.

Published: June 11, 2025

The Community Outreach Center (including the Dining & Caring Center, the UR Well Clinic and the Storehouse) will be closed Monday, June 30 through Sunday, July 6. In order to give our volunteers a much-needed respite, there will be no meals served or shopping appointments during that time. 

Published: June 9, 2025

Join Asbury First for the inaugural East Avenue Music Festival on Sunday, June 22! This FREE afternoon event features 30-minute concerts at five historic churches along East Avenue, with food and strolling between stops.

— Third Presbyterian Church: 12 - 12:30 pm (concert + food trucks)
— Incarnate Word Lutheran Church: 1 - 1:30 pm (concert + food)

— St. Paul's Episcopal Church: 2 - 2:30 pm (concert + food)
— Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church: 3 - 3:30 pm (concert + food)

— Asbury First United Methodist Church: 4 - 4:30 pm (concert with massed choral finale + food & ice cream)

Attend all or part of this community celebration. Free and open to the public!

Published: June 4, 2025

Join fellow Asbury First members on Friday, July 11 and/or Saturday, July 19 to help build the house we sponsor. No experience needed—just willing hands and hearts from volunteers 17 and older. This is a safe, meaningful way to make a real difference in our community. Ready to build something beautiful together? Contact Dave Kennedy at DAKennedy@Frontiernet.net or text (585) 339-8940 to learn more or sign up.

Published: June 4, 2025

In our continued efforts to improve the management of our many resources, Asbury First's Finance Committee has been restructured with 15 members representing various committees and work areas. The committee has also updated its charter, formed an Audit Team for 2023-2024 financial audits, and made recent meeting minutes available for review. 

A 2025 budget update will be presented at the June 22 Town Hall meeting, after the 11 am service. Our Governing Board wants to hear from you on important topics affecting the church's daily operations. Attend in person in the Sanctuary or join via livestream. Meanwhile, feel free to send your budget or finance questions to finance@asburyfirst.org.

To read more about these efforts, visit asburyfirst.org/committees to view Finance Committee Meeting Minutes from Feb 24 and April 7, an updated Committee Charter, 
and a Finance Committee Update.  

Published: June 4, 2025

Curious about our Memorial Garden and Columbarium project? Want to have meaningful conversations about death and dying? Join us on Wednesday, June 25 

at 7 pm in the Red Room (1010 COC). If the weather allows, we'll take a brief walk to visit the construction site together.

Contact Rev. Kathy Thiel for details: (585) 271-1050 x106 or kthiel@asburyfirst.org.