Flower City Beeworks Interview
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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
So much good information was shared that this can only be a short summary. If you would like the slides shared by the speakers or you are interested in getting involved in the Housing Equity team, please contact Bob Castle at 166rcastle@gmail.com.
Two of the most valuable points of information were the data gathered and reported by On the Ground Research, founded and directed by Ms. Duda-Banwar, and the discussion centering on What We Can Do.
The Data
• Severe affordable housing shortage is the single largest driver for homelessness. In Rochester, there are 3.5 affordable and available rental units for every 10 households living at or below extremely low income levels.
• Locally, from 2023-2024, chronic homelessness in Monroe County more than doubled. From 2007 to 2022, the percentage of unsheltered people increased 320%. Since many unhoused people are hidden (for example, living in places too unsafe for counters to enter), the numbers of unhoused people are known to be far higher than the number reported.
• Homelessness is changing: people are becoming unhoused faster; more people are becoming unhoused for the first time; people are becoming unhoused at rates surpassing people exiting homelessness
What can we do?
• Learn about homelessness and its causes.
• Advocate for unhoused people and support and assist advocates for unhoused people.
• Talk to others about homelessness and its causes.
• Urge leaders to treat this crisis as a crisis, because housing is a human right, and because when unsheltered people are removed from areas where they have found shelter, there must be an answer to the question, “Where are they going to go?”
• Advocate for development of affordable housing, for funding for eviction prevention, for tenants’ rights, and for funding for security deposits.
• Advocate for additional support and resources for extremely low income renter households, like employment and financial assistance.
Zoning reform is essential to Smart Growth. It is a means of achieving desirable communities, communities which are vital, diverse, walkable, which provide for accessibility, for convenience, for border vacuums, for a mix of building types, for housing a range of people and families. These factors of community vitality are described by Jane Jacobs in her excellent 1961 book, Life and Death of Great American Cities, recommended to us by our speaker.
Zoning reform is a possible means of alleviating the housing shortage crisis which is the single greatest cause of the growth of homelessness. “Missing middle housing” is one of the reasons for that shortage. Missing middle housing is a concept that focuses on providing housing choices other than single-family homes: choices like duplexes, townhouses, mid-rise apartment houses. Some of the benefits of increasing the stock of these options are that they provide size and cost options for all ages, they allow people to live and work nearer their jobs, their scale fits into single family neighborhoods, and they allow families to live with or near each other. Some barriers to developing middle housing are zoning codes, the limited number of developers/builders, building codes, and resident concerns.
Published September 15, 2023
Congratulations to our incredible Community Garden team! Our garden won "Best Urban Farm" in the Flower City Flourishing Garden Contest. Diana Carter and Charlotte Pierce Craig accepted the award at City Hall on September 14. We were also featured as a "Bright Spot" on WHAM Channel 13 with Dan Alhart. Check out the video below, or click the link to learn more.
Click here to view the WHAM Bright Spot
Published July 14, 2023
Carvers of Hope is a ministry that works to support members of our congregation who are facing the difficult situations of life. Wooden crosses are carved and given out as needed by our pastors. Our group meets one time per month and carvings are completed at home. All materials and carving lessons are free.
For the past two years, we have been working on a special project for older members of Asbury First. We have carved over 200 crosses for those who are 80 and older. They will be passed out by Ruthellen Hoyle.
The pictures below show the work of the group that took a couple of years to complete.
— John Smalt and Bob Castle
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the death of the Rev. Dr. Ted Weeden, Senior Minister Emeritus of Asbury First. Dr. Weeden was appointed to Asbury First in 1977 and served for seventeen years, laying the groundwork for so much of the mission and ministry we celebrate today. He once called his years as the Senior Minister at Asbury First the happiest of his life and we are a better congregation because of his witness and service. Personally, I am indebted to Dr. Weeden for his constant support and faithful advice. He was a brilliant man with a generous heart who lived a life of faith we would all do well to follow.
His service will be held on July 8 at 11 am. If you are interested in being a part of a group considering how we might formally honor Dr. Weeden’s life and legacy, please contact me at scady@asburyfirst.org. In the meantime, please hold his family and friends in your prayers.
In Christ,
Stephen
Published March 2, 2023
Published March 2, 2023
Several years after retiring from Kodak at the end of 2003, I decided to find a position with a not-for-profit organization. I met many people in the Rochester area during the interview process. When I heard about the opportunity at Asbury First, I knew early on that the financial administrative position matched my criteria very closely. So, I started working at Asbury First in early 2006.
I was drawn to Asbury First by the excellent reputations of the staff, the music program, and the outreach program. The involvement of the congregation in the community fit with my background as well. I anticipated that this involvement would become a highlight in my activities at Asbury First.
One of the challenges I faced was getting to know the membership of the congregation in a positive manner. Sending out quarterly giving statements was a good way for members to get to know me better. From my experiences in other churches, I recognized that my thoughts about the involvement of members in the church were much more than purely financial. As a result, my letters accompanying the statements concentrated on the ministries and how much good they were doing for members and the community. Seeing all of this activity changed my life.
Changes in the life of Asbury First during my 16 years here have been dramatic. The staff works consistently very well together, as well as with the members, visitors, community, and the missions outside of this geographic area. I am impressed with how well the congregation works on improving the facilities. Significant upgrades to 1040 East Avenue have been made. The conversion of 1010 East Avenue to an Outreach Center is remarkable and provides new life to the community. Opportunities for our outreach abound in the community with the new center.
Working in 1050 East Avenue during my 16 years here, I see that improvements providing accessibility to the building and changes to the upper floor enabling appropriate usage will enhance the space greatly. That is another step in continuing Asbury First’s ministry to the community. Thank you all for making my service here a highlight of my life. Best wishes to you all.
— Richard "Dick" Moncrief
Published May 4, 2022
Check out the cover of the latest issue of the award winning UNY Advocate. How wonderful to be featured for our Children's and Youth Ministries! This issue focuses on some of the children and youth ministries around the Upper New York Conference.
Published May 4, 2022
Things have been busy in Nicuragua at Project Chacocente. Learn about the virtual mission trip, a new board memeber and more in the newsletter below. You can also download a PDF by clicking here.
Published April 21, 2022
Perhaps you didn’t know that:
Published April 11, 2022
After a year hiatus, we have 26 new members joining our church this week, six of whom are virtual members only! This is a large group all coming from different religious backgrounds and even from some different parts of the country. What a blessing to add these individuals to our community. If you see them around or on Zoom, make sure they feel welcome!
Published March 4, 2022
"Helping Hands: Triplets!" is a KOP initiative designed to support one of our recently arrived Afghan couples who welcomed triplets on February 9! They live in the Brighton/Rochester area. We are reaching out to our community to mobilize a group of women volunteers willing to offer hands-on help in caring for the babies. Helpers will have the support of Keeping Our Promise volunteers: Lin Vanderstyne and Deb Abell.
While the arrival of the triplets is surely delightful, we also respect the complexities of caring for three infants. We are conducting this outreach volunteer request in advance of them being discharged home, and are mindful that we may need to adjust course. Specifically, we are seeking women to do one or more 'shifts' per week or every other week. We are hopeful for consistency for the couple and the babies. Ideally, a shift would be four hours; however, there is certainly flexibility. We ask that volunteers be fully vaccinated, including boosted, and masked when in the home. Helpers must be willing to register as a volunteer with Keeping Our Promise—a very simple process.
Thank you for considering this deeply meaningful volunteer opportunity to care for these dear little ones. If you are interested in volunteering with this family or if you have any questions, please contact Keeping Our Promise volunteer, Jordan Bontrager at Jordan.keepingourpromise@gmail.com.
Published January 25, 2022
Join us for a quick look into one of our Outreach ministries, The Storehouse. From helping the Red Cross clothe people who have suffered loss due to fires, to providing clothes, books, and toys to a child in foster care, the Asbury Storehouse served 2,638 people in 2021 alone! Now, we need YOUR help as volunteers to continue this important service for the Rochester community.
Sign up to volunteer at asburyfirst.org/outreach-volunteer/.
Published January 28, 2022
We are thrilled to offer you the opportunity to visit Chacocente virtually! We realize that many of you have missed traveling to Nicaragua and we hope that you will join Chacocente Board member Rev. John Shaver (pictured at left below) and a small group of supporters from California (again, virtually) as they travel physically to Nicaragua February 7-15, 2022. We look forward to being able to extend an invitation for in-person trips in the future.
Your participation in our 2022 Virtual Mission Trip will include:
To register, please send a suggested minimum donation of $100 to Project Chacocente, PO Box 128, Lexington, MA, 02420; or donate online at www.outofthedump.org. If paying by check, please write “Virtual Tour” in the memo line.
Please also send your name, mailing address, email address (for the Zoom call) and amount of your donation to projectchacocente@gmail.com. Deadline for registering is Tuesday, February 8th.
Published December 10, 2021
The Afghan families from the military camps continue to trickle into Rochester. We are so grateful to the volunteers who step up and assist these families during their first few months here. We continue to have a great need for ongoing help in this regard. We especially need local volunteers, who are available to help give rides and the like.
On Monday, December 13 a family of seven arrives. This family comprises two parents, two children, and three young adult siblings of one of the parents. On Tuesday, December 14 a family of four arrives: two parents, two children, etc.
OTHER NEEDS:
Please visit the website for Keeping Our Promise at www.keepingourpromise.org for more information and to sign up.
Identifying volunteers NOW does help the whole process, so please let me know ASAP if you can help! You will receive more information, literature, opportunity for a Zoom training session, access to a recorded Zoom session, and more. We are trying very hard to stay on top of helping our volunteers to help these families, but it is tremendously difficult to play catch-up, so please step up now if you can help!
We welcome you even if you have holiday plans. You are not expected to make any changes to those plans. We just need you to help when you can, in cooperation with your fellow volunteers.
Thank you, so very much, for your willingness to help these families settle in to their new, safe lives in Rochester! Please reply now if you are local and can help! Please be aware that I take volunteers in the order in which they reply. I do not track specific availability, so no need to share that--just a simple email debabell66@gmail.com response is all I need--you will work out specific workflow with your fellow volunteers
Feel free to reach out to Asbury First member Cindy Malone by email at cmalone1015@gmail.com, or text/call 585-645-4060.
Published November 10, 2021
The global pandemic continues to affect all of us, and as we try to adjust to the “new normal” we fear for those living in poverty near and far. For those living day-to-day in rural Nicaragua, the needs are great.
Project Chacocente, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, works alongside Nicaraguans as they journey out of dire poverty. We continue to refine a model of working with the poor by educating children from pre-school through high school at Chacocente Christian School and then supporting them through college, by offering emergency food relief during times of extreme need, and by providing a living wage to our teachers and staff. Chacocente began by helping families living in the Managua city dump form a new community in rural Masaya, then teaching them the skills needed to survive and thrive on their own. They learned how to read and write, and attended classes on farming, home construction, hygiene and parenting, among many disciplines. We now also work with families living in the community that surrounds the Chacocente campus.
We invite you to share their journey by taking part in our second virtual 5K, The Iguana Trot.
Spend the month of November walking, running, biking, or trotting (as in Turkey Trot) as many 5Ks as you can (5 kilometers is the distance from the main highway to the Project). To ensure the success of this event we encourage you to invite family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to sponsor you per kilometer, or to participate directly themselves! Registration is $50 and includes a T-shirt that will be mailed to you in December.
There are three ways to register. Once you have done so, we will send you further instructions:
Published November 5, 2021
With production winding down and a killing frost around the corner, the garden team recently put the garden to bed for the winter. All that’s remaining to do is add a nice, thick blanket of chopped up leaves to protect the soil over the winter. The little bit of green still growing is the carrots we’re leaving a bit longer.
If you missed out on all the fun this year, consider joining us in 2022 as we plan and execute another garden season. We’ll probably start planning — choosing what to grow and ordering seeds — right after the holidays. If you’re game to help just once, or nearly every week, let us know. There’s plenty of gardening to go around.
In the meantime, we want to say “Thank you!" to the many, many people who helped out this year, from children at the day care and in our children’s ministry and youth ministry, to various garden team members and volunteers, to guests and staff at the dining center, to Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation Service, and to the Monroe County Cornell Cooperative Extension. The food we raised was shared with the dining center and its guests, with recent refugees from Afghanistan, with two feeding programs in the city, and with VBS families. We had an amazing year and hope to do it all over again next year.
