Published: March 29, 2024

The Women of the Well will be presenting a program on the lives of Ita Ford, Dorothy Kazel, Maura Clarke, and Jean Donovan, four US church women who were assaulted and killed in El Salvador in 1980. By attending this presentation and hearing the stories of Ita, Dorothy, Maura, and Jean, you will be helping to continue to promote the cause of peace, the hope for a world of non-violence, and the compassionate pursuit of justice for all who live in this world.

Please join us on Friday, April 12 at 7pm in the Sanctuary of Asbury First UMC at 1050 East Ave. A time of discussion will follow. A free-will donation is encouraged; all proceeds will go to the Women of the Well.  

Published: March 25, 2024

Would you consider volunteering just 2 HOURS per month to the odds-n-ends work of Asbury First? For example, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays we have need for help with event and meeting set-up, cleaning, and other minor projects. If you're looking to spend a little extra time working alongside other Asbury folks, please contact us at volunteering@asburyfirst.org

note: Thank You to those who shared suggestions like these during our Annual Church Conference in January. We are truly better together! 

Published: March 25, 2024

On Saturday, May 4 and Friday, May 17 we will be doing home construction at a Habitat site off of Culver Road in Rochester. If you are interested in working on one of these days or would like more information, email Dave Kennedy at DAKennedy@frontiernet.net and type "I want to work" in the subject line. Dave will send you information including the URL and password to register online directly with Flower City Habitat for Humanity. Everyone 16 and older is eligible to volunteer. Each session runs from 8:45 am to 4 pm. No experience or tools are necessary.

Just bring your enthusiasm for construction of affordable housing for our neighbors!

Published: March 25, 2024

From Jim Quinn, Governing Board Chair and Beth Wilkens, PPRC Chair:

Many of you are understandably eager for news about the search for our new senior pastor. We continue to be in regular communication with the Bishop and District Superintendent. It is clear to us that they have been actively pursuing the search process which includes many possible candidates from around the country, some of whom were referred through us. We are reassured that the Bishop and District Superintendent understand Asbury First and our needs. They remain as committed as we are to finding the right person for us. We will continue to report to you as we move toward the next chapter for our Church.

Published: March 18, 2024

Infrequent needs for rekeying or repairing interior locks on campus. Contact us if you are able to share your talents!

David Strong at dstrong@asburyfirst.org

Published: March 13, 2024

An Evening with the internationally acclaimed Spelman College Glee Club 

Wednesday, March 13 at 6:30 pm, Asbury First, Sanctuary

$25 (adults), $10 (students)

Now celebrating its 99th season, this historic Spelman College Glee Club has a reputation for choral excellence.

Tickets will be available at a table in the Welcome Hall after worship, or by calling Bill Davis at (585) 266-4500.

CLICK HERE to buy your ticket today!

Published: March 13, 2024

Join the Asbury orchestra as we prepare to play in 
the April 21st worship service. All band and orchestra instrumentalists are welcome. At least two years of playing experience is recommended. Rehearsals started today, March 17, but feel free to join us on the following dates:
 

March 24 9:30-10:30 am
April 7 9:30-10:30 am, Wesley Hall
April 14 9:30-10:30 am, Wesley Hall
April 21: Play in the service, Gather at 10 am in the sanctuary to rehearse.

Contact Laurie Kennedy with any questions at cellokennedy@frontiernet.net

Published: March 13, 2024

Lectio Divina is a method of reading scripture that invites us to deepen into the words we hear and use our imagination to take us to the time of the scripture. A scripture is read, and then two minutes of silence is observed, the scripture is read again, and silence is observed, and then a time of sharing takes place. Sharing includes anything one feels moved to share about how the scripture and ensuing silence has touched them in this moment. During Holy Week, we will be offering Lectio Divina via Zoom Monday through Friday from 8:30 - 9 am. Please join us for all five days or just one day. All are welcome.

Contact Kathy Thiel with any questions by calling (585) 271-1050 x106

Published: March 13, 2024

This Sunday, March 17, Asbury First is excited to welcome representatives from Camp Casowasco. Camp Casowasco is where many of our children and youth attend summer camps, and where youth and adults attend retreats throughout the year. In addition to having a table with information—including summer camp programming—Camp Casowasco will be leading the following opportunities on Sunday morning:

9:45-10:45 - Young at age and young at heart collectively are invited to join us in Fellowship Hall to meet our Casowasco guests. After brief introductions: Chris Cockram will lead our Adult Sunday school to share about the history, current programming, and future visions of Casowasco; Adam Parish will invite children and youth to the youth room to lead some fun camp songs and games.

11:00-12:00 - Adam and Chris will join Paula Dugan for Children’s Time, and then will join the kids for Sunday school

12:30-2:00 - Adam and Chris will stick around for youth group to lead some more games, a devotion, and introduce the theme for camp this summer.

Published: March 8, 2024

Robin Manley, our Community Outreach Center Social Worker, will be leaving her position at Asbury First in order to begin a new position.

Robin will continue to serve our Rochester community as she transitions to offering counseling and therapy services in her new role.
We congratulate and are excited for Robin! Her departure is also, of course, a huge loss for Asbury First. Robin has made immeasurable contributions to the mission and work of the Community Outreach Center.

On Robin’s last day, March 15, we will be celebrating her work during our regularly scheduled breakfast in the COC, 7 - 9 am. Please join us to thank her for her deep investment in our church, ministries and community — and to wish her well!

Published: March 8, 2024

We invite you during this Holy Week to join us for these livestream and in-person worship experiences! 

Join us for some much-beloved services, such as a re-enactment of Christ's last night and Envisioning the Passion, along with a special Easter Sunday Sunrise Service in the Asbury First Community Garden.

Palm Sunday | Sunday, March 24

• 9 am* SERVICE — Traditional service celebrating Palm Sunday
• 11 am* SERVICE LS — Traditional service celebrating Palm Sunday 

Maundy Thursday | Thursday, March 28

• 7 pm* — Silent meditation
• 7:30 pm* SERVICE LS — Worship begins with communion and a candlelight re-enactment of Christ's last night, ending with the placement of the cross on the East Avenue lawn by our Christ-figure.

Good Friday | Friday, March 29

• 12 pm* SERVICE LS Envisioning the Passion — Holy Week- themed art and choral music. 
• 5–7 pm Good Friday Family Night — A come-when- you-wish child-friendly event.

Easter Sunday | Sunday, March 31

• 8 am SERVICE in the Community Garden 
• 9 am* SERVICE — Traditional service celebrating Easter Sunday
• 11 am* SERVICE LS — Traditional service celebrating Easter Sunday

*Childcare is available at these services

LS services will be livestreamed

Published: March 8, 2024

The 9 am Sunday Worship Service will now meet in the Sanctuary instead of the Gathering Center. This change will extend to the foreseeable future.

Church is wherever God’s people are, no matter how high the ceiling, how soft the seats, how dazzling the stained glass, we're just glad to share in worship with you. Thank you for living, loving, and serving with us! 

Published: March 8, 2024

If you're going to be at one of our many extra-curricular events at Asbury First and are handy with a phone camera, we'd love to promote the many fun ways we live, love, and serve!

Send your selfies, group shots, or artistic masterpieces to David at communications@asburyfirst.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Of course, if you have ideas for us that you'd like to share, send those too! 

Published: March 1, 2024

If you would like to purchase altar flowers in memory, honor, or celebration of a loved one, CLICK HERE to visit our website. Credit, Debit, or Check are all acceptable forms of payment.

If you would prefer to pay offline, forms will be available at the Welcome Desk on Sunday, March 3. Checks should be made payable to Asbury First United Methodist Church Altar Guild and delivered to the church office, attention of Beverly Schuman.

Published: March 1, 2024

March 14 is Pi Day (3.14...) and in honor of this numerical coincidence, our youth will be selling Pies following our worship services on Sunday, March 10 in the Welcoming Hall. This year, we will have a focus on pizza pies, but we still plan to have a selection of dessert pies available for purchase as well.

Pizza pies are $10 - $12

Dessert pies are $15

100% of proceeds support our youth missions