A church is more than the building, and the members of Asbury First are proving this time and again. We aim to keep connected with an e-newsletter that will highlight the unique stories of our amazing community. In this way, we will share some of the incredible ways we are Better Together while being apart.
Plan Ahead with the News Sheet Read the Latest Here Click Here for the Visitor @ Home
Want to know what is happening at Asbury First in the next month? Look no further than our new News Sheet! The monthly News Sheet will feature upcoming events; ongoing classes, groups, and events; and needed items, services, and fundraisers—all in one place. For up-to-date events, links, and information, check out our full calendar at asburyfirst.org/events.
Want to submit an announcement for the next News Sheet? Email communication@asburyfirst.org or fill out the bulletin form at asburyfirst.org/bulletin-announcement.
photos by Philip Kruse
We recently caught up with Nick Lord, founder of Flower City Beeworks after the Asbury First Earth Day Event to discuss the roots of his passion for beekeeping and the honeybees currently living on the roof of Asbury First. Flower City Beeworks aims to bring raw, natural honey that captures the biodiversity of Rochester (known since the late 19th century as The Flower City) while providing education and resources to help support the pollinators in our backyards (and on our roof!).
How did you get into beekeeping in the first place?
I have always been fascinated by bees and how they operate, and could go on about the cool things they do and bee facts for hours. During the pandemic I took an online course at Penn State Cooperative Extension, and got started that season. My dad also started that same season downstate, and at the same time found his grandmother's journal with several mentions of buying beekeeping equipment and keeping a hive. We found out it's been in our family for 4 generations, albeit a bit indirectly!
Why Asbury First — what made it a good location for bees?
In my brief time on-site working with the bees, it's clear that Asbury First is a thriving group of people committed to serving their community, and the more time I've spent here, I've really seen how many avenues that manifests in. So many people I've stopped and talked with have been supportive and interested in the bees and how they operate here. Logistically, there is plenty of space for the bees, and an array of gardens, flowering trees, and invaluable resources to our pollinators nearby. The bees have a pretty good view from up there!
What inspired you to place beehives on the roof of a church?
When I got into beekeeping I had to choose between keeping bees way out on a farm that was a decent drive away, or finding a way to make it work here in downtown Rochester. I researched urban beekeeping and decided I wanted to fully commit because of all the benefits to the bees and all of the awareness they bring to urban pollinators, and not to mention hyper-local products. To further this goal, I set out to partner with businesses and organizations to make the project very collaborative, to get the bees not only here, but involved in collaborations and community projects to further their involvement and awareness. My first two locations were churches, which felt like a good fit because both locations had a great commitment to sustainability that was furthered by adding honeybees on site. Also, the opportunity for community projects with the bees has been constantly growing - from the pollination of produce, and honey, for food pantries, to educational opportunities for all ages.
What do you hope people take away from knowing there are bees on the roof of their church?
I hope people are curious and want to learn more about bees and how we coexist and work alongside these hardworking little critters. There are so many ways they can help our community, and they are truly essential. We have a great environment here for the bees and an excellent opportunity to support them and learn more about all that they do. I am always happy to chat more and answer any questions that anyone may have!
More about Flower City Beeworks and the work Nick Lord is doing in the community can be found on their instagram account: www.instagram.com/flowercitybeeworks
Introducing the
A New Chapter in Living Our Faith
Asbury First United Methodist Church has long been committed to embodying the gospel through both word and deed. In a significant step forward, the Governing Board recently adopted a resolution to establish a Social Concerns Committee. This committee will serve as a guiding force to help our church address critical issues of justice and equity in our community and beyond, reinforcing our shared commitment to love, compassion, and action.
The Social Concerns Committee will focus on the congregation’s established areas of social justice: racial equity, housing equity, anti-poverty initiatives, LGBTQIA+ rights and equity, and hopes to expand our focus to other areas, for example, ecological justice and conservation, mental health awareness, and other justice efforts. These focus areas reflect the concerns and dreams surfaced by our congregation, as well as the pressing needs of the world around us. The committee’s purpose is not only to lead and engage the church in addressing these concerns but also to help define and articulate a thoughtful process for the Governing Board to consider public statements on behalf of the congregation.
Members of this committee will draw upon the talents and passions of members across the congregation. We will create and implement action plans aligned with the mission of the church, collaborating with local and national organizations for advocacy and support. Regular updates will be provided to the Governing Board, ensuring transparency and accountability while celebrating progress.
This new committee is an exciting opportunity for Asbury First to deepen its impact and live more fully into its calling to be a beacon of hope and justice. By addressing the root causes of inequity and advocating for meaningful change, the Social Concerns Committee will pair our congregation’s works of mercy with works of justice, making a holistic difference in the lives of those we are called to serve.
