News

  • Nonviolence & De-escalation Workshop

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    Published: Jan. 30, 2025

    Visitors from the Gandhi Institute for non-violence will be leading a workshop in the Lower Level of the Community Outreach Center on Monday, February 10 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. These are helpful skills for us all to be able to offer our neighbors and community! All are welcome.

    Please register in advance by clicking HERE.

  • Housing Equity Guest Speaker Series

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    Published: Jan. 30, 2025

    Sundays beginning February 9, 9:45 – 10:45 am, Fellowship Hall and Zoom

    Join us for two Sunday school hour presentations on our community's housing crisis and how we can work towards solutions.

    February 9: “Understanding the Scope and Cost of Local Homelessness: Working Towards Solutions” Presented by Janelle Duda-Banwar, founder and director of On The Ground Research; and Patrick Hanna, Board member of REACH Advocacy

    February 16: “Smart Growth: Zoning and the Benefits of Housing Options” Presented by Bill Price, Landscape Architect and Urban Planner

  • C.O.C. Chapel Challenge

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    Published: Jan. 23, 2025

    Throughout 2025 we are going to pair worship with action in a new way.

    Each month we will collect different needed supplies for the ministries of the Community Outreach Center. This February, you are invited to bring to worship donations of Hats, Gloves & Handwarmers. Please drop them off near the rail in front of the Children's Chapel before or after services. Thank you for caring for our neighbors!

     

  • Come Fall in Love with a Book

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    Published: Jan. 23, 2025

    Celebrate Valentine's Day with a very special event! Books will be gift wrapped with a few descriptive words on them, keeping the title and book covers hidden! Take the book home, unwrap it, and treat yourself to a surprise Valentine. You might even find that you will Fall in Love with a Book!

    Visit the bibliocart in the Gathering Center, Sunday, February 2 to pick up your mystery book. 

  • Souper Bowl Fundraiser and Youth Missions Presentation

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    Published: Jan. 23, 2025

    Sunday, February 9th, 12:15 – 1 pm, Fellowship Hall

    Please join us for a soup lunch and a presentation from our youth about our 2024 Summer Mission Trips. Our Senior High travelled to Chicago, Illinois to participate in various urban mission projects, and our Junior High assisted with similar projects locally in Rochester, before embarking on overnight to NYC. If you can't stay for the presentation, we will still be offering quarts of soup "to-go" as a fundraiser for our 2025 Mission Trips.

  • Asbury First's Columbarium and Memorial Garden

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    Published: Jan. 23, 2025

    Construction begins this spring!

    Asbury First's Columbarium and Memorial Garden will begin to take shape this spring after years of planning. The Memorial Garden will be a sacred place to pray, reflect and meditate. Niches can be bought for yourself, a loved one, or can be reserved for those who may be unable to secure a spot in the future. 

    To learn more please visit: asburyfirst.org/columbarium

  • Town Hall – March 2, 2025

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    Published: Jan. 23, 2025

    Sunday, March 2 after the 11 am service

    Asbury First's Governing Board conducts Town Hall meetings throughout the year, inviting the congregation to weigh-in on a variety of important topics. The next of the sessions will be March 2. 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.

  • Red Cross Blood Drive at Asbury First

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    Published: Jan. 15, 2025

    Sign up or just show up to give blood on Saturday, February 15 from 8:30 am to 1 pm at Asbury First's Gathering Center. Please call Ed Ristau at (585) 223-4356 or call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule your appointment.

    Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment.

    Please remember to bring your ID.

  • Monthly/Weekly Giving Envelopes

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    Published: Jan. 15, 2025

    If you would like monthly or weekly giving envelopes for your pledge, please stop by the Welcome Desk in the Welcome Hall. Questions? Contact Deb Bullock-Smith at dbullocksmith@asburyfirst.org or at 585-271-1050, ext. 117.

  • Are you interested in participating in worship at the 9 or 11 am service? Acolytes, Crucifers, Readers, Ushers, and Communion Stewards Unite!

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    Published: Jan. 8, 2025

    Whether you are interested in Reading, Ritual, or Routing we are once again expanding the rosters for participants in worship at the 9 and 11 am Sunday service. Our hope is to continue to schedule in advance on rotation, allow equitable participation and ample time to plan! 

    Training is available! We will also pair you with a mentor. If you would like to offer your time and talent to our community: Please contact Andrew Hunt at worship@asburyfirst.org and tell us what role you are interested in, and whether you can do both services once in a while!  

  • Arsenic & Old Lace

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    Published: Jan. 8, 2025

    Friday and Saturday, February 7&8, dinner at 6 pm, show starts at 7 pm
    Sunday, February 9, lunch at 1 pm, show starts at 2 pm

    Join us this February in Fellowship Hall for comedy and calamity and share a meal with friends old and new! Presented by our very own theater company, Asbury First Community Theatre.

    Friday and Saturday ickets are $30 and include both a meal and the show.

    Sunday matinee tickets are $10 but there is an option to also purchase lunch. More info is available in the form by clicking below. 

    Click to reserve your spot today.

  • Cooking Up Faith! Winter VBS 2025 is Coming!

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    Published: Jan. 8, 2025

    February 18 – 20, 2025, 9 am – 12 pm


    Winter VBS – February 18 – 20, 2025, 9 am – 12 pm Children ages 4 through 5th grade are invited to join us this winter break for Cooking Up Faith! VBS. From 9 am to noon, we will cook up a storm learning recipes for friendship, family, and fun while using ingredients like kindness, service, and love. Just add a dollop of prayer and let it simmer for a lifetime! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

    For questions, please reach out to Paula Dugan, Director of Children’s Ministry at pdugan@asburyfirst.org.

  • Young Adult Gathering and Games

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    Published: Jan. 8, 2025

    Sunday, January 19, 7 - 9 pm in the Red Room

    What even is a "young adult"??? The UMC defines "young adults" as those between the ages of 18 and 35. Whether or not you fit within that range, we invite you to join us! In addition to snacks and games, we will discuss what a young adult ministry at Asbury First might look like through fellowship, Bible study, outreach, mission trips and more.

    Come help us discern what the future holds for our young adult ministries! Contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org for more information.

  • Volunteer Orientation

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    Published: Jan. 8, 2025

    Saturday, January 18 at 9:30 am in the COC, Lower Level 

    Participation in an orientation session is required for all serving with our COC ministries. If you are serving for the first time, or have been serving already but have never attended a session, please join us! 

  • Banned Book Club

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    Published: Jan. 8, 2025

    Monday, January 20, 7 - 8 pm in the Red Room or by Zoom
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    The Banned Book Club will be discussing Maya Angelou's classic autobiographical novel "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" at their next meeting. Join us for an evening of deep discussion in the Community Outreach Center's Red Room (next door at 1010 East Ave).
    For more information contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.