TheVisitor Asbury First United Methodist Church Newsletter April 2017 • Vol. M No. 3 • www.asburyfirst.org
IN THIS ISSUE A Pastoral Reflection 3 Community News 4 Lent & Easter News 5 AFUMC News 6 Library & Reading News 9 Community Outreach & Needs 10 The Last Word 11
MISSION STATEMENT
The Visitor
Through worship, education, outreach, and care, we develop disciples of Jesus Christ who live and proclaim the Gospel and thereby work to transform our culture.
Vol. M No. 3
(USPS 558-470) is published 9 times a year, monthly with combined issues for November/December, January/February, and July/August, by Asbury First United Methodist Church. Periodical postage paid at Rochester, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send addresses changes to Asbury First UMC Visitor 1050 East Ave. Rochester, N.Y. 14607-2239 (585) 271-1050
FOUR WAYS TO WORSHIP AT ASBURY FIRST Traditional Worship in our Sanctuary 8:30 & 11 am Sunday mornings Chancel Worship with Holy Communion 10 am Sunday Mornings
Staff
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II Senior Minister Kathy Thiel Minister for Pastoral Care and Outreach Katie O’Hern Minister for Discipleship and Mission David Strong Church Administrator; Assistant Organist Dr. William Weinert Director of Music Paula Dugan Children’s Ministry Director Holly Temming Children’s Ministry Assistant; Director, Children’s Music Mike Mullin Youth Minister Richard Moncrief Financial Administrator Morgan Dornsife Development Director Melody Guadagnino Administrative Assistant Ken Carr Property Care Manager Michele Cooley Dining & Caring Center Director Jamie Least Communications Coordinator Duane Prill Organist Carol Lamica Director, Youth Music Elizabeth Church Director, Bell Choir Brian Bohrer Director, Asbury Singers Larry Dugan Director, Youth Theater Eric Townell Director ad interim, Sanctuary Choir
Emeriti Staff
Rev. Dr. Theodore Weeden, Sr., Pastor Emeritus Dr. Roger Wilhelm, Director of Music Emeritus Marian R. Craighead*, Organist Emerita *deceased Cover Photo Credit: Gregory Peck, Easter 2016
Please send all submissions, questions, comments, or concerns to communications@asburyfirst.org or 585-271-1050, x109. Deadline for submitting content to the next issue: March 22, 2017*
Watch live at www.asburyfirst.org 11 am Sunday mornings Listen on WYSL 1040 AM or 92.1 FM 11 am-noon Sunday mornings
Watch past services in our video archive at asburyfirst.org any time!
INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT Asbury First United Methodist Church prayerfully strives to live in its community with open hearts, open minds, and open doors. Affirming that each person is of sacred worth, we seek to be a fully inclusive church, believing that all people are God’s children, created in God’s image, loved and blessed equally by God. It is our purpose to be a Reconciling Congregation. This means extending hospitality and encouraging full participation of all, regardless of age, race, national origin, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status or family structure, education or economic background, and physical or mental ability. We recognize that we hold a variety of opinions. We do not seek to erase our differences, but to journey together in faith toward greater understanding and mutual respect. We believe that reconciliation to God and to one another is central to our mission and ministry.
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*Late content may be considered
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A Pastoral Reflection Pray | Kathy Thiel
Victor Hugo said, “Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.” This has been an important thought for me throughout my life as I have strived to make my life a prayer—to make all that I do a conversation with God. My movements, my thoughts, my laughter, my tears. All of my life within God. It has also been a reminder that there is activity within me in my soul which is in constant connection with God. In I Thessalonians, Paul invites us to pray continually, knowing that as we do, we strengthen the connection between ourselves and God. Prayer is a conversation with God. Relax when you pray, and know that you cannot do it wrong. You might stumble, you may look for the word that feels right, but keep going, even after you pause for a bit. Your thoughts are prayers, and you can say anything to God. Our relationship with God is our oldest and most constant in our lives; God knows us and God loves us, regardless of how or what we pray. Be open to how the Holy Spirit is working with you as you pray. Praying is emotional and feeling-centered. It is okay to keep your prayer short, or to go on and on. Let yourself sink in to the moment as you connect with God through prayer. We often turn to God in times of hardship and heartbreak; and God hears our lamentations and shares our sorrows. Praying to God about a difficult and challenging situation can shed light on it, and through this light there is God’s guidance. We pray during the rough times and we pray during the times of joy. In The Book of Joy, Archbishop Desmond Tutu writes that “joy does not save us from the inevitability of hardship and heartbreak. In fact, we may cry more easily, but we will laugh more easily, too. Perhaps we are just more alive.” Find ways to deepen your experiences of joy and use the results to strengthen your prayer life. Relax, have fun with prayer—remember, this is a conversation with God who has known you your entire life, and who is always with you! The words are in your heart, speak them and know God listens and is with you. Kathy Thiel
SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES 8:30 am – Traditional Worship
Worship
worship schedule
10 am – Chancel Worship with
SUNDAY APRIL 9
FRIDAY APRIL 14
Holy Communion
Matthew 21:1-11
Good Friday
11 am – Traditional Worship with Sanctuary Choir
SUNDAY APRIL 23 TBD Katie O'Hern, Preacher SUNDAY APRIL 30
Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Preacher
6 am, Noon, 5 pm
THURSDAY APRIL 13
SUNDAY APRIL 16
Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady,
Holy Thursday
Easter Sunday
Preacher
Luke 24:13-35
John 20:1-18
7:30 pm
Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Preacher
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Community News Our Living
in Community
Deaths – We offer our prayers and sympathy to …
The family and friends of Grace Scherer who died on March 3, 2017.
Helen Schmidt and Hal Featherman on the death of Helen’s son Aaron C. Widrick on February 22, 2017.
Bonnie and John Erwin on the death of Bonnie’s sister Bea Head on February 26, 2017 in Louisville, KY.
Betsy DiPaola and family on the death of Betsy’s mother Lulu Coon in Marcellus, NY on March 10, 2017.
The family and friends of Kathleen Wilbur who died on February 16, 2017 in Sparta, NJ.
Melissa and Roger Oskvig on the death of Melissa’s mother Opal Cooper on March 1, 2017 in Bella Vista, AK.
The family and friends of Lila Bush who died on February 16, 2017.
The family and friends of Bettie Hicks who died on March 10, 2017. The family and friends of Harry Barnes who died on March 10, 2017.
Michele and Scott Fitch on the death of Michele’s mother Sandra Tinkler on March 1, 2017.
We walk through valleys with fear and trepidation, and we may not know what is on the other side of them, but we do know that we are not alone in our walk. God is with us in our valleys and on our mountain tops.
“Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” -Psalm 23:4 4
Lent and Easter Worship
u Labyrinth Wednesdays Through April 5 5-7 pm
u Good Friday Friday, April 14 6 am Informal service of Holy Communion
u TaizĂŠ Wednesdays Through April 12 6:15-7 pm u Holy Thursday Thursday, April 13 *6:30 pm Sanctuary open for silent meditation
*12 pm
Worship and reflection on art and music (music provided by Voices Chamber Choir)
6 pm
Family Prayer Night An open house with activities that draw us closer to God and our faith, such as Holy Communion and walking the labyrinth (All are welcome)
*7 pm
Living tableaus of scenes from the life of Christ
*7:30 pm 6:30 am
Worship, Holy Communion, and a reenactment of the passion of Christ u Easter Sunday Sunday, April 16 Held at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, 1100 Goodman Street, Rochester, NY
*8:30 am
Traditional worship
*10 am
Brief service of Holy Communion
*11 am
Traditional worship
Good Friday Family Prayer Night
Child care is available at all services marked with an asterisk*
TaizĂŠ Services & Walk the Labyrinth
April 14 in the Gathering Center from 5 to 7:30 pm
Wednesdays During Lent
Taize: 6:15-7 pm A meditative service featuring simple music, word, prayer, and silence.
On Friday April 14, come any time between 6 and 7:30 pm to the Gathering Center to experience Holy Week. As a family, you can receive communioin, walk the labyrinth, and participate in different activities such as making a luminary for a loved one, creating a beautiful stained glass cross with our prayers of joy or concern. All of this draws us closer as a family to God and our faith. 5
Labyrinth: 5-7 pm Come, walk, and spend some quiet time reflecting on Jesus' journey as well as your own journey.
AFUMC News Helping the Children of Chacocente Christian School Five Asbury First members joined two mission teams from California in February to continue building relationships with the people of Project Chacocente. While watching opening ceremonies at Chacocente Christian School, working alongside the families of the Project and the surrounding neighborhood, preparing the campus for the year’s activities or continuing construction on the Chacocente church, laughter was shared, hard work was accomplished and new friendships were made. Education remains the primary focus of Chacocente’s mission this year. The goal is to inspire and celebrate the academic achievements of the 145 students enrolled. Most of these children simply would not attend school if Chacocente Christian School did not exist. Teachers and the School Psychologist routinely meet with parents to encourage them to support their child’s education. Many parents must decide who of their children can go to school and who should work the fields or care for younger siblings. Because Project Chacocente is a registered NGO (non-government organization) in Nicaragua, the school relies entirely on your donations. There are several ways you can help. •
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Teacher Sponsorship – For $6,000 annually you will be paired with one of our 17 well-trained and fairly compensated Nicaraguan teachers, whose hard work and dedication impacts many children and their families! Child Sponsorship – For $360 annually you will be paired with a student and receive letters and updates. Funds will be used to provide school supplies, lunches and support basic operating costs. English Student Scholarship – For $60 monthly you can support a Sandra Holloway meets the child she sponsors during her student’s Advanced English studies at the University of Central America in February visit to Nicaragua Managua. Fluency in English will significantly improve their chances of future employment. Computer Training Scholarship – For $20 monthly you can support advanced computer training for a member of the Chacocente community.
Please note: 100% of your gift supports this ministry in Nicaragua. Project Chacocente is a 501(c)(3) organization registered in the United States, so that your gifts are tax-deductible. For more information, visit www.outofthedump.org or contact Robyn Gage at robynegage@gmail.com .
Madeling, a survivor of the Managua city dump, graduated from Teacher School and now leads the 5th Grade Class
-Isaac, a 9th Grader at Chacocente Christian School, hopes to take Advanced English in Managua
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AFUMC News Grocery Bag Ministry: Honoring Our Volunteers
For nine years the Grocery Bag Ministry has been providing bags of food containing similar items to between 75 and 150 people a month. Churches in the poor areas of the city receive these bags and distribute them to their members or neighborhood residents. The grocery bags are packaged and delivered on the third Saturday of the month when family budgets are being stretched the most. Staples including pasta, spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese mix, ham, eggs, soup, vegetables, fruit, canned tuna and a loaf of bread help fill a family’s needs during the last week of the month. Last year we increased the number of bags packaged by 10 to include recent Afghan and Iraqi refugees. The city churches include West Avenue United Methodist Church, Antioch Baptist Church, Baber AME, Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Power House Church of God in Christ, Miracle Outreach Church and others. Additional thanks to Grant Wolfe of the Samaritan Harvest organization that provides the fresh eggs and other items at rock bottom prices. We would like to give special thanks to our volunteers who assist with setup, packing bags, and tear down afterwards. These include: • • • • • • •
Jim Reed Pat Schwar George Albright Edie Reinhard Cindy Malone Richard Irving Bob and Bev Schuman
• • • • • • • •
Fred and Carolyn Hamil Jim and Diana Carter Don and Jan Anderson Mason Fitch Betty Stewart Beth Woolever Andy Dutcher And many, many more.
We also give very special thanks to Bill Lisi, who’s vision gave rise to the Asbury Dining Center and this ministry. The Grocery Bag Ministry also gives special thanks to the Asbury Church members for their continued support throughout the year by donating essential staples in our drop boxes, for giving during the Thanksgiving In-gathering, and for financial contributions. Also thanks to Ken Carr and church staff members who setup and teardown our work area each month.
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AFUMC News Celebrating 40 Years of Pretzel Sunday! This is the 40th anniversary of a wonderful tradition in children’s ministry at Asbury First. Back in 1977, the theme was the Rainbow Connection, and we've come a long way to this year's theme of Holy Communion. Over the years, thousands of children made over 5,000 pretzels and learned the christian message of the pretzel. This couldn’t have happened without the hundreds of volunteers that have cared for your children here at Asbury First.
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Library & Reading News April 2017
National Library Week will be observed April 9-15, 2017 with the theme, “Libraries Transform.” Be a part of the transformation and make use of the libraries on the Asbury First church campus. Featured this month are books on Lent and Easter and books for all ages and on these topics can be found in the church resource library (right off the Gathering Space) and spiritual life library (in building 1010). National Library Week was first sponsored in 1958. It is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and to promote library use and support. Come to the library and celebrate with us! Children The Easter Angels by Bob Hartman Master storyteller Bob Hartman’s moving text, accompanied by wonderfully evocative illustrations, captures the mystery and miracle of the first Easter.
Adults Lent and Easter: Wisdom from Saint Benedict by Judith Sutera, OSB The latest addition to a popular series of seasonal meditation books provides not only Scripture readings for the seasons of Lent and Easter, but pairs them with a daily selection from the cherished writings of St. Benedict. This book encourages the reader to set aside time each day to reflect upon a specific Scripture passage while providing a suggested activity for Christian living during the Lenten season.
Three Easter Journeys by Bob Willoughby Written for children ages 8-10, this 24-page full-color book helps families everywhere prepare for Easter. The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith Esteemed author/ illustrator Brian Wildsmith tells The Easter Story from the perspective of a humble donkey that carried Jesus Christ through the stirring week from Palm Sunday to the Crucifixion to the Resurrection. The simple text, animal point of view, and beautiful, gold-toned paintings convey the drama of these historic events in language and image sure to resonate with children.
Journeying Through Lent with Luke: Daily Meditations by Nancy Koester A Christ-Centered guide to the Gospel of Luke for daily devotion and group study during Lent There are 47 devotions (one for each day during Lent and Holy Week) exploring the major themes found in Luke’s gospel, including the ways of Godpromise, fulfillment, salvation, and the work of the Holy Spirit. The First Easter by Peter Marshall In this 122-page book, the author takes you through the days just before the crucifixion, the trial, the crucifixion, and the days after the crucifixion. Whatever your biblical background is, “you will learn much reading this book.”
Youth The Long Way Gone by Charles Martin A radical retelling of the prodigal son story, Long Way Gone takes us from tent revivals to the Ryman Auditorium to the tender relationship between a broken man and the father who never stopped calling him home.
Kneeling in Jerusalem by Ann Weems In a powerful and creative way, renowned author and speaker Ann Weems brings new insight into the Lenten season by providing seventy-one poems of inspiration.
Teen Spirit: One World, Many Paths by Paul B. Raushenbush In Teen Spirit, Pastor Paul demystifies misperceptions and shows you how to embrace and accept different religious beliefs while remaining faithful to your own core values.
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Community Outreach & Needs Bike Drop on May 6! The Asbury First Dining and Caring Center has a close relationship with R Community Bikes and that has resulted in about 450 bike repairs per year for our guests. To support the efforts of R Community Bikes, the Pittsford Rotary has a bike drop scheduled for May 6th from 9 am to 2 pm at Mendon High School. The donated bikes are delivered to R Community Bikes for repair or used for parts. If you have a used bike looking for a home, please consider taking it to Mendon High School on May 6th as it will wind up providing transportation for someone in need in our community.
Come Garden With Us! The spring campus clean up will be Saturday April 15th from 8:30 am-12 pm. Please join us for a morning of work, fellowship, and fun. Feel free to bring your own tools. For more information feel free to contact Ken Carr at 271-1050 ext:120 or e-mail at kcarr@asburyfirst.org
We Need Asbury First Welcome Desk Volunteers on Sunday Mornings! A person can volunteer at the desk 1 hour, 2 hours...or what ever time you have. We are flexible! The Welcome Desk is open between the hours of 8:15 am to 12:15 pm Sunday mornings. Volunteers will greet people as they approach, hand out name tags if they have ordered them, hand out visitor welcome bags, answer questions and guide them. It is a great way to meet people! If you have questions or are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Janda Hemming at jhemming01@earthlink. net or 381-6902.
Current Storehouse Needs The Storehouse is in need of dinner plates, glasses, and flatware for our clients. Please help us with our drive and donate, if possible. Your participation is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Storehouse Volunteers Needed on Thursday Evenings The Asbury Storehouse Board is considering the feasibility of opening one evening per week for clients. The suggested time would be Thursday evenings from 6-8 pm to coordinate with the Wellness Clinic hours. In order to add additional client hours we need to recruit additional volunteers willing to help staff the Storehouse one or more times a month on Thursday evenings. If you have been looking for a way to serve with only a minimum commitment of 2 1/2. hours, this may be the opportunity for you. If you are willing to help or would like more information, please call or email Bonnie Kay (585-478-5611, b.kay@frontiernet.net) or Charlene Lajewski (585-943-3361, charlene4140@yahoo.com). We'd love to hear from you! 10
The Last Word The Right Choice | Michele Cooley to almost nothing was emotionally draining and heartbreaking. I maintained contact with his family and facilitated visits for them for years. It was a very long six years—full of tears (mostly mine). Each time I left the Dining Center I asked God “Why?” Why is this young man torturing himself? Why can’t he see the talented sweet person I see? Why can’t he stop? Heroin is a deadly seductive drug. It ensnares its user and makes a person “dope sick” upon withdrawal. Incarceration, death, or recovery are its users' ultimate choices. I had not seen this person for a few months and had not had contact with his family. Fast forward a year and a half later: he picked choice number three, recovery. He is happy, proud, and thankful to be alive. He has moved on. He stops in occasionally to visit and give me a hug. He invited me to his baby’s christening. A new job, lovely wife, new home, and beautiful daughter is his reality now. I treasure the Christmas card he sent me last December. It read “Michele, thank you for your sincere, unwavering love and support over the years, and dedication to all of us in such desperate need.” I don’t take credit for this. It was Asbury First at our kindest with volunteers, staff, love, and God. We are changing lives one person at a time. Sometimes they make the right choice.
He woke up each morning with no responsibilities and ate at a fine dining venue each day in a lovely area of the city with likeminded friends. They discussed the news of the day, sports, politics, religion and relationships. He wore nothing but the best clothes, and shoes. His style might be considered casual business consisting of cashmere and khaki. And his socks were the best thick wool he could find. After attending a private military school, Columbia University seemed like a great next step. New York City however presented the opportunity to experiment with drugs. One encounter with heroin and he was addicted. Traces of the past, what could have and should have been haunted him to the point of agonizing, intractable addiction and defeat. He was homeless. The prosperous, wonderfully kind family he was born into had reluctantly virtually abandoned him, afraid of his irrational behavior, lies, theft, and negative influence. Yes they loved him but had to save themselves from this unrecognizable human being who was their son. The beautiful meal at the Asbury First Dining and Caring Center and the expensive quality free clothing from our Storehouse provided a measure of comfort and dignity. The long day ahead would be filled with begging, heroin, passing out, and repeating this ritual for 19 long years. Our discussions were heavy and sad. A glimmer of hope when I arranged treatment at an out of town rehab was shattered upon his return to Rochester and the repeat of old ingrained behaviors. The visions each day of a 6' 2” man withering away 11
PERIODICAL 1050 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14607-2293 Address Service Requested
He Is Risen! Join us at Asbury First During Lent and Easter Week
u Labyrinth Wednesdays Through April 5 5-7 pm u TaizĂŠ Wednesdays Through April 12 6:15-7 pm u Holy Thursday Thursday, April 13 *6:30 pm Sanctuary open for silent meditation *7 pm Living tableaus of scenes from the life of Christ *7:30 pm Worship, Holy Communion, and a reenactment of the passion of Christ
Child care is available at all services marked with an asterisk*
u Good Friday Friday, April 14 6 am Informal service of Holy Communion *12 pm Worship and reflection on art and music (music provided by Voices Chamber Choir) 6 pm Family Prayer Night An open house with activities that draw us closer to God and our faith, such as Holy Communion and walking the labyrinth (All are welcome) u Easter Sunday Sunday, April 16 6:30 am Held at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, 1100 Goodman Street, Rochester, NY *8:30 am Traditional worship *10 am Brief service of Holy Communion *11 am Traditional worship