Published: Oct. 27, 2021

We have lots of opportunities for members of Asbury to pitch-in and help support our youth musical production, Annie. It certainly takes a village—and at Asbury First, we know that many hands make light work.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Set Construction/Painting: Volunteers needed! 
  • Occurring THIS weekend at Asbury First Saturday, October 30 from 9–11 am, and Sunday, October 31 from 4–6 pm. Please bring cordless drills/screw guns if you have them! Contact Scott Ross at scottross3@icloud.com with questions!
• House Manager(s): 1-2 volunteers needed.
  • Responsibilities: Prepares Fellowship Hall for the show including setting up chairs during Production Week, tidying up after each show, making sure aisles are clear for performers and guests, etc.
• Ticket Sales: 2 volunteers needed per performance.
  • Responsibilities:  Selling of tickets immediately before each performance (November 12-14)
• Production Week Snacks: See sign-up genius!
  • We are looking for donations for snacks for youth and crew during Production Week (November 7-12). Healthy, COVID safe (individually wrapped) snacks that won't get on costumes. Healthy veggies/fruit also welcome!
  • Production Week Snack Sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0948AEAA22A6FD0-annie

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Oct. 26, 2021

Thank you all for the great participation and questions at our first Open Forum. We hope you all learned more about the work of the new Governing Board and the Committees. Did you miss it? Not to worry, click here to watch the full forum. For updates on the different Committee's work, visit asburyfirst.org/committees.

If you have questions or concerns, please email governance@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Oct. 22, 2021

Tuesday, 10/26, 6:30 pm, Zoom, zoom.us./j/87307131838

We invite anyone who is LGBTQ or an ally (youth and adults!) to join our team meeting as we continue to work to educate, advocate and build support for our LGBTQ siblings. All are welcome to join us Tuesday, October 26, at 6:30 pm via Zoom by clicking here.

Published: Oct. 22, 2021

Sundays, October 24, 31, and November 7, Welcome Hall

It’s time to dream of Thanksgiving dinner and the taste of Apple Crumb, Pecan, Strawberry Rhubarb, Pumpkin, or Rumbleberry Pie from Special Touch Bakery. The price of each pie is $17. This is an annual fund-raising event for the Flower City Habitat for Humanity and $6 of the cost goes directly into the Harvest Home Coalition fund to support the house we are building for Natasha and her two kids. This is the 100th Habitat house in the JOSANA neighborhood. Order and pay for your pies in the Welcome Hall on Sundays — October 24, 31, and November 7. The pies can be picked up on Tuesday, November 23 from 1–5 pm. So, if you want some delicious holiday pies and want to support Asbury First’s participation in the building of another home for our community — come and see us in the Welcome Hall or if you plan to worship remotely contact Bob Castle at 166rcastle@gmail.com to place an order.

Published: Oct. 22, 2021

Do you wish you had a copy of the United Methodist Hymnal for use at home? We are offering some well-used and worn copies for you to pick up for free—over the years they have been taken out of use in the Sanctuary and replaced with newer ones. Next time you are at church, grab one (or more) from the box in the Welcome Hall. Happy singing!

Published: Oct. 15, 2021

In order to answer questions and hear from the congregation on open questions moving forward, the Governing Board will be hosting an Open Forum following the service on Sunday, October 24 in the sanctuary (and on the live stream). Visit our asburyfirst.org/governance for FAQs. 

Question Submission Instructions

The Governance Board Open Forum will continue to be broadcast through the normal Asbury First live stream. Whether you are in the pews, 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. 

In order to ask questions remotely, you are asked to:

1. Visit www.slido.com on your computer, tablet, or mobile device. 
2. Enter the code: #ASBGovernance (capitalization not necessary). 
   NOTE: You can submit your questions using Slido starting Saturday, October 23.
3. Select your choice.
4. Click “Send”.
5. You can submit multiple questions over the course of the Open Forum.  

Do you want to submit a question before Saturday? Please email governance@asburyfirst.org.
 

Published: Oct. 8, 2021

Wednesdays, October 13, 20, 27, 6–7 pm, 1040 Room 203

Those attending the Parliament of the World's Religions—and those who would like to participate vicariously—are invited to join us for a three week focus on this global event. The Parliament meets from October 16–18, so we will highlight some of the history and what to expect on the 13th. The following two weeks we will spend debriefing the actual event. And, if you would like to attend some (or all) of the event, you can still sign up here: https://parliamentofreligions.org/parliament/2021-virtual. 

You can find more information on their website: parliamentofreligions.org/home or by contacting Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Oct. 8, 2021

Rochester is a choir-rich town, and many singers are mourning the death of one of its most influential leaders — Roger Wilhelm, who died Sunday, October 3, at 84. Roger directed the Sanctuary Choir at Asbury First United Methodist Church for nearly 30 years, in addition to serving as music director of Madrigalia and the Rochester Oratorio Society. A moving tribute appeared in the City Newspaper online; you can read it here.

Roger's contributions to the worship life of Asbury First were substantial, and we give thanks to God for his long ministry among us. A memorial service is planned for Spring 2022.

Published: Oct. 8, 2021

Saturday, October 16, 7 pm
 
University of Rochester's Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies sponsors a concert of Polish songs performed by acclaimed soprano Paulina Świerczek, accompanied by pianist Zachary Peterson. The concert features music of Moniuszko, Szymanowski, Lutoslawski, Bacewicz, Krajewski and others. For more information on the artists and program details click here. The program is open to the public; masks are required and distancing is encouraged.

Published: Oct. 8, 2021

Saturday, November 6, 9 am

Come join us on Saturday, November 6 for our Annual Grounds Clean Up. We will begin at 9 am. If you have rakes, leaf blowers, and tarps, please bring them! Please contact David Strong at dstrong@asburyfirst.org or 585-271-1050 ext. 110 if you have any questions!