Asbury First
United Methodist Church 1050 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 271-1050 www.asburyfirst.org
Opportunities for Children and Families see pages 4 & 5 Youth Ministry see pages 6 & 7 Young Adult Fellowship See page 8 Worship Opportunities see pages 10 & 11 Adult Fellowship Groups see pages 12 & 13 United Methodism Classes see page 14 Art Classes see page 15 Sports Fellowship see page 16 Music & the Arts see page 17 Calendar See page 18
Winter/Spring 2014 | EDUCATION & EVENTS
New Opportunities for Growth and Fellowship! Check out the classes, seminars, and other events inside!
“Bless thou the gifts our hands have brought; bless thou the work our hearts have planned. Ours is the faith, the will, the thought; the rest, O God, is in thy hand.” -Samuel Longfellow, “Bless Thou the Gifts,” 1886.
Sunday Morning Worship • • •
8:30 a.m. Traditional Service with Asbury Singers 10:00 a.m. Informal Service with Holy Communion 11:00a.m. Traditional Service with Sanctuary Choir
Become a Member of our Faith Family Are you interested in knowing more about Asbury First? Want to find out how you can become more involved? Join our newly-restructured five-week new members class series. All are welcome ! Class series begin:
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February 9 (joining March 9)
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March 16 (joining April 13)
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May 4 (joining June 1)
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What’s Inside?
AFUMC Facts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Worship TImes ~ Becoming a Member Children’s Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Movie Night ~ Pretzel Sunday ~ Prayer Night ~ Family Carnival ~ VBS Youth Ministry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 What is UMYF? ~ Sunday Schedule ~ Upcoming Big Events Young Adult Fellowship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Hockey Game ~ Laser Tag ~ Bowling ~ Barbecue Lecture: The Dream Deferred; Dr. Bernard Lafayette. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Worship Opportunities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Labyrinth ~ Taizé ~ Lent & Holy Week ~ Confirmation/Pentecost ~ Youth Sunday Adult Fellowship and Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-16 Adult Sunday School ~ Women on Wednesday ~ Men’s Devotional Group ~ Women’s Fellowship Hour United Methodism Classes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ArtSparks Art Classes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Sports Fellowship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Bowling League ~ Running/Walking Club Music and the Arts Salon Series. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Spring Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19 Envisioning the Passion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover
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children’s ministry
T
his spring, we will continue our re-organization of Sunday School, to foster stronger faith-filled communities within each grade. Our children will gather
based on grade level with each group having their own classroom! Each group will have teaching teams of three to guide the journey of learning and exploration. We will also continue to use the new curriculum we piloted this fall called “Grow, Proclaim, Serve.” The children and teachers really enjoy the learning experiences it has to offer. This spring we will also continue to offer childcare throughout Sunday mornings for infants and toddlers in our Rainbow Room located on the first floor of our Education Wing. Have questions? Connect with Melissa Bohrer (mbohrer@asburyfirst.org) or Paula Dugan (pdugan@asburyfirst.org), or (585) 271-1050 x111 to find out the answers!
FEBRUARY Movie Night Saturday, Feb. 8 5:00-7:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Enjoy a tasty dinner of pizza and snacks, and a familyfriendly movie. This time, we’ll be watching the Veggie Tales version of “The Three Little Pigs,” titled “The Little House That Stood.”
MARCH Pretzel Sunday Sunday, March 16 9:45 a.m.-noon Fellowship Hall/Bell Room/Youth Room We’ll have learning stations and our children will have the chance to make and eat their own pretzels!
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APRIL Prayer Night Friday, April 18 (Good Friday) 6:00-7:30 p.m. Gathering Center A family-oriented prayer experience, featuring prayer stations designed to help your children understand the significance of this holy season. Afterwards, you are invited to attend Asbury First’s “Envisioning the Passion” concert with your older kids. We’ll have child care available for the younger ones.
JUNE Family Carnival Sunday, June 1 10:00-noon It’s an Asbury First tradition, featuring a bounce house and carnival games, as we celebrate the end of the school year and beginning of summer.
AUGUST Vacation Bible School Monday-Thursday, August 4-7 9:00-12:30 p.m. campus-wide Our theme this year is WATER. We’ll take a look at some of the great Bible stories featuring Jesus near or on the water.
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Youth Ministry UMYF Youth Group: UMYF stands for United Methodist Youth Fellowship and is our general acronym to refer to all of our 6th-12th grade youth programming. Our youth gather together on Sunday mornings for Sunday school where they learn more about their faith, and we continue these conversations on Sunday evenings. Youth group for both middle school and high school is a time for youth to join together in a relaxed or “chill� setting (if you have not yet been down to see the updated youth room, you need to check it out!) where we can play crazy games, catch each other up on what is happening in our lives, and try to discern where God fits into the chaos of adolescence. No topic is too benign or taboo for our youth. Our goal is to create a space where all are welcome and feel comfortable being who they are. So, if you are a youth in 6th-12th grade and you have not experienced youth group before, come join us some Sunday evening and share in our chaos and discovery of the intersection of faith and life!
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Basic Sunday Schedule Who?
When?
What?
Where?
6th-7th grades
9:45-10:45 a.m. Sunday School
Campfire Room
8th grade
9:45-10:45 a.m. Confirmation
Room 16
9th-12th grades 9:45-10:45 a.m. UMYF-AM
Youth Room
6th-12th grades 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Youth Bells
Bell Room
6th-8th grades
Youth Group
Campfire Room
9th-12th grades 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Choir
Wesley Hall
all
Dinner and Clean-up Fellowship Hall
5:00-6:00 p.m.
6:00-7:00 p.m.
9th-12th grades 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Senior High UMYF
Youth Room
6th-8th grades
Choir
Wesley Hall
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Upcoming BIG Events When?
What?
Where?
January 17-19
Middle School Retreat
Camp Casowasco
January 24-26
Senior High Retreat
Camp Casowasco
February 2
Souper Bowl Sunday Fundraiser
AFUMC
February 14
Winter Gala
February 23
6th-12th Grade Curling Event
March 9
Pie for Pi Sale
AFUMC
March 21-22
Confirmation Overnight
AFUMC
April 4-6
High School Up!Word UMC Retreat Syracuse
June 8
Confirmation Sunday
AFUMC
July 5-12
High School Mission Trip
Chicago
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Young Adult Fellowship
This winter/spring we will be hosting several fellowship events for young adults (18-35) in our community. If you are interested in joining any of these events or would like to have more information about them, please contact Stephen Cady at scady@asburyfirst.org.
Event
Date
Time
Hockey Game: Rochester Americans vs. Hamilton Bulldogs Blue Cross Arena Laser Tag: Laser Quest 2833 West Ridge Rd., Suite 17 Greece, NY 14626 Cost: TBD Bowling: Clover Lanes 2750 Monroe Ave. Rochester, NY 14618 Cost: $10/person Spring Barbecue location TBD
Saturday, February 22
6:45 p.m.
Saturday, March 22
7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 26
7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17
6:00 p.m.
• Adult Study
Wednesday Morning Study Group Wednesdays, 10:00-11:00 a.m. 1010 East Ave., Meditation Room Group Facilitator: Rev. David P. Lubba
We invite you to be a part of this on-going Wednesday Morning Study Group. We’ve studied Bible passages, entire books of the Bible, denominational study curriculum and current best-selling books. Come join us. Bring your ideas for future study focus.
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THE DREAM DEFERRED the Challenge of Institutionalizing Change 7:00-8:30 pm Monday, February 17 Asbury First Sanctuary Free and open to the public Dr. Bernard Lafayette, an ordained minister in the Baptist tradition, is a longtime civil rights activist, organizer, and an authority on nonviolent social change. He co-founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1960, and he was a core leader of the civil rights movement in Nashville, TN, in 1960 and in Selma, AL, in 1965. He directed the Alabama Voter Registration Project in 1962, and he was appointed by Martin Luther King, Jr. to be national program administrator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and national coordinator of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign. The evening is tentatively being planned as a thirty minute talk by Dr. Lafayette, thirty minutes of question & answer from the audience, and a final thirty minutes when Dr. Lafayette will be joined by community leaders. Co-Sponsored by Asbury First United Methodist Church and the M.K. Gandhi Insititute for Nonviolence.
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Worship Opportunities
Labyrinth Second Wednesday of every month; plus Wednesday in Lent: March 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9 5:00-7:00 p.m. Our beautiful labyrinth is located under the Sanctuary, in Fellowship Hall. Walking the labyrinth is an ancient practice that provides a place for reflection and peaceful prayer. Stewards are always on duty to answer your questions.
Taizé Service Feb. 12, & Wednesdays during Lent: March 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9 6:00-6:45 p.m. Taizé services, which originated with a community of Christian men living a monastic life in France. There services are characterized by simple sung chants, quiet prayer, and a contemplative silence.
Ash Wednesday Wednesday March 5 We begin the holy season of Lent with a service that reminds us of our humanity and our reliance on the gift of God’s love. Holy Communion will be available, and participants may, if they wish, receive ashes in the form of a cross on their forehead.
Palm Sunday Sunday, April 13 8:30, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. On this triumphant day, we remember Christ’s entry into Jerusalem with the distribution of palm fronds and songs and prayers praising Him.
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Holy Week/Easter Monday, April 14-Sunday, April 20 Services will be held on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and, of course, Easter Sunday as we progress along the road that Christ took to Gethsemene, and then, finally, rejoice as He is raised from the dead. Watch your bulletin for details on service dates and times.
Pentecost & Confirmation Sunday Sunday, June 8 On Pentecost, we mark the descent of the Holy Spirit onto the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension. On this day, we also celebrate Confirmation with our eighth graders at the 8:30 a.m. service.
Youth Sunday Sunday, June 15 8:30 & 10:00 a.m. We celebrate our wonderful youth on this Sunday. Youth musical groups will provide songs of praise and thanksgiving for services, and we invite the youth to present their thoughts in the sermon.
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Adult Sunday School
Our adult classes meet at 9:45 a.m. each Sunday morning. These classes share in study time, as well as prayer and fellowship, and they are always happy to welcome new members. Frequent guest speakers provide a chance to learn about social issues, faith formation, and the world around us. Interested? Come visit us soon! For more information about any adult Sunday school class, contact Melody Guadagnino in the church office at (585) 271-1050 x103 or mguadagnino@asburyfirst.org.
Group
Who Are We?
Doublers
Open to all, singles and couples
50 Plus Fellowship
Couples and singles over the age of 50
Growing Spirits/ Living Edge
Couples and singles
Partnership
Older adults, singles and couples
Parables of Parenting
Parents of children, from infants up to teens
In the News: A Current open to all Events Roundtable
Adult Bible Study
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All those interested in taking a closer look at the Bible.
What’s Our Focus? Bible Study, theology, Christian service, and social concerns. We examine our faith and live issues to live a rich life in the 21st century, via weekly classes and monthly social events. We support members in need with visits and phone calls. Bible study, church and social issues, books reviews, and social events. Christian theology, personal witness, social concerns, and political issues. Discussion, sharing of stories, and reflection on trends in parenting from a faith perspective. We examine the spiritual implications of current events, and provide a friendly forum for expressing viewpoints on diverse topics. Led by Rev. David Lubba, we focus on broadening our knowledge of the Bible.
Where do We Meet? 1010 East Ave., Red Room 1010 East Ave., Dining Room
1010 East Ave., Room 21 1010 East Ave., Meditation Room Room 200 (second floor of the Education Wing)
1050 East Ave. Dining Room
1050 East. Ave., Teak Room
Women on Wednesdays (WOW) Wednesdays at noon, Sept.-May 1010 East Ave. Dining Room The WOW group reads authors on religions and spirituality, including John Shelby Spong, Joan Chittister, Marcus Borg, Desmond Tutu, Dr. Frances Collins, Brian McLaren and Esther de Waal. The invitation is open for women who enjoy reading and learning to join WOW. The one-hour meeting time enables people to attend during their lunch time and bring a bag lunch.
Men’s Devotional Group Wednesdays, 6:00 a.m. 1010 East Ave., Red Room This lively group meets Wednesdays at 6:00 a.m. to share devotions, joys, concerns, hymns, prayers, and conversation. There’s coffee and breakfast afterwards at a nearby restaurant. New members are always welcome to this group, which has been meeting at Asbury First for several decades.
Women’s Fellowship Hour Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Church Resource Library Whether you are young or youngat-heart, single, married, divorced or widowed, with children or without, join us for some women’s fellowship.This is a chance for women to support one another and share in the wonders and challenges of womanhood. Nursery care is provided.
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United Methodism 101 Wednesdays, February 5, 12, 19, and 26 6:30-7:30 p.m. Gathering Center • Do we believe in free will or predestination? • Why do we use grape juice and not wine during communion? • Why do our ministers move around so much? • What’s up with the name “Methodist?” • What does it mean to be “strangely warmed?” Whether you’ve been a United Methodist all of your life or have just stumbled upon us recently, this class is for you! Join us for a four-week discussion about the history, structure, beliefs, and challenges of the United Methodist Church. If you are interested or have questions please contact Stephen Cady at scady@asburyfirst.org. Please let us know if you plan to attend by January 29 as we will have to order books for the class. The cost will be $12 and assistance is available.
United Methodism 303: Wednesdays, April 30, May 7, 14, 21 6:30-7:30 p.m. Gathering Center
Human Sexuality
It’s difficult to find a more confusing or contentious issue in The United Methodist Church than human sexuality. The denomination’s conflicting stances on the ordination and marriage of gay and lesbian people are a source of frustration for many. If you have been reading newspaper editorials or hearing references in sermons and wondered what lies beneath some of these challenges, then this class is for you! Join us for a four week class and discussion on human sexuality in The United Methodist Church and how Asbury First might creatively respond to the denomination’s struggles. You don’t have to have joined us for Methodism 101 or 202 to take part in this class, we just ask that you come with an open heart and mind. If you have questions about this class, please contact scady@asburyfirst.org.
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Fabulous Fiber Fusion Mondays, January 27-March 17 1:00-3:00 p.m. Cost: $60 for 8 weeks We will use unusual fabrics and fibers, as well as some old standbys used in unusual ways. They will be prepared by painting, dyeing, or printing. There will be threads and yarns of all colors, natural wool roving and tussie mussies of yarn, gossamer fibers thin as spider webs that shimmer in an amazing array of colors. There are other objects and fabrics that you may not think of as art materials, such as tyvek (yes, the stuff they wrap houses in during construction) and copper wire – just about anything you can find lying around has potential. You are invited to join Rev. Linda Clemow, Asbury First’s artist-in-residence, to learn this art of fabulous fiber fusion. Please register for this class by January 22, by calling Linda at 236-1184.
Drawing and Painting Mondays, March 31-May 12 1:00-3:00 p.m. Many of you in the watercolor classes have expressed a desire to learn to draw as well as paint. We will spend time learning the basics of drawing as they affect the process of painting. Please call Linda Clemow at 236-1184 to register by May 5.
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Sports Fellowship
Bowling League Beginning Sunday, February 16 7:00-9:00 p.m. Clover Lanes 2750 Monroe Ave. Rochester, NY 14618 Whether you’re a first-timer or a pro, sign up for some fellowship and fun on Sunday evenings this spring. For more info, contact RJ Pollard at rjpollard14@gmail.com or 585-643-0243.
Running Club Beginning XX time Where Get the year off to a great start with relaxed weekly runs (walkers are also welcome!). Childcare will be available. For more information, contact Maggie Tobin atmaggietobin3@gmail.com.
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Music & the Arts
Salon Concert Series The
at A s b u r y F i r s t
S u n d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 | 3 : 0 0 p . m . Mozart Trio in C Major, K 548 Arensky Trio No. 2 in f minor, Op. 73 S u n d a y, M a r c h 2 3 | 3 : 0 0 p . m . Mozart Trio in G Major, K. 564 Saint-Saens Trio no 1 in F Major, Op 18 S u n d a y, A p r i l 6 | 3 : 0 0 p . m . Beethoven Trio in E-flat Major, Op 38 (Arrangement of Septet Op. 20) Brahms Trio no. 2 in C Major, Op 87 Featuring Rebecca Pennys, piano; Mikhail Kopelman, violin; and Stefan Reuss, cello; to reserve your tickets call the church office at (585) 271-1050x103. Tickets are $35/$5 students.
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Spring Calendar
January 27.............. Fiber Fusion Class Begins
February 2................ Youth: Souperbowl Sunday Fundraiser 2................ Salon Concert 5................ United Methodism 101 Begins 8................ Children’s Ministry Movie Night 9................ New Member Class Series Begins 12.............. Labyrinth & Taizé 14.............. Youth: Winter Gala 16.............. Bowling League Begins 17.............. Lecture: The Dream Deferred 22.............. Young Adults: Amerks Hockey Game 23.............. 6th-12th Grade Curling Event
March 5................ Ash Wednesday 9................ Youth: Pie for Pi Fundraiser 12.............. Labyrinth & Taizé 16.............. Children’s Ministry: Pretzel Sunday 16.............. New Member Class Series Begins 19.............. Labyrinth & Taizé 21-22....... Youth: Confirmation Overnight 22.............. Young Adults: Laser Tag 23.............. Salon Concert 26.............. Labyrinth & Taizé 31.............. Drawing and Painting Class Begins
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April 2................ Labyrinth & Taizé 4-6............ Youth: H.S. Up!Word UMC Retreat 6................ Salon Concert 9................ Labyrinth & Taizé 13.............. Palm Sunday 14-20....... Holy Week/Easter 18.............. Children’s Ministry: Prayer Night 18.............. Envisioning the Passion 26.............. Young Adult: Bowling Night 20.............. United Methodism 303 Begins
May 4................ New Member Class Series Begins 17.............. Young Adult: Spring Barbecue
June 1................ Family Carnival 8................ Confirmation/Pentecost Sunday 15.............. Youth Sunday
July 5-12.......... High School Mission Trip
August 4-7............ Vacation Bible School
Envisioning
The Passion
Good Friday, April 18 12 noon and 7:30 p.m. ~ Asbury First Sanctuary Free will offering With Voices Chamber Chorus Sacred music appropriate to the season is performed as images of great works of art related to Christ’s death and resurrection are projected on a screen. It is a profoundly moving experience, and we invite you to share in it.