The Visitor by Asbury First United Methodist Church

TheVisitor

Asbury First United Methodist Church Newsletter February 2013 • Vol. XLVII No. 2 • www.asburyfirst.org

In This Issue Pastoral Appointment, 3 On Holy Ground, 5 Budget Wrap-Up, 7 New Members, 10 Youth Mission Trip, 13 DCC Guest Kudos, 15

The Visitor

Mission Statement

Vol. XLVII No. 2

Through worship, education, outreach, and care, we develop dis-

(USPS 558-470) is published 10 times a year, monthly with combined issues for December/January and July/August, by Asbury First United Methodist Church.

ciples of Jesus Christ who live and proclaim the Gospel and thereby work to transform our culture.

a word about lent

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

Forty is one of those numbers to which people of faith quickly learn to pay some attention. It brings to mind the rains of Noah, the wanderings of the Israelites, the fasting of Elijah, the temptation of Jesus. But at this time of year, it most often brings to mind Lent.

Staff

Rev. Susan S. Shafer Rev. Stephen Cady

Rev. Phillip W. Phaneuf Rev. Lawrence Hargrave

Kathy Thiel David T. Strong Dr. William J. Weinert Paula Dugan Melissa Bohrer Richard Moncrief Melody Guadagnino Michele Cooley Jason Franklin Mary Van Keuren Duane A. Prill David T. Strong Bozena Granat Elizabeth Church Brian Bohrer Larry Dugan

Senior Minister Minister for Faith Formation – Hospitality & Membership Care Minister for Youth & Education Minister for Outreach and Community Connection Ministries Ministry Intern Administrative Director of Music and the Arts Artistic Director of Music and the Arts Co-director of Children’s Ministry Co-director of Children’s Ministry Financial Administrator Administrative Assistant Dining & Caring Center Director Property Care Manager Communications Director & Editor Organist Assistant Organist Director, Children’s Music Director, Bell Choir Director, Youth Music Director, Youth Theater

Cover: The day after winter storm Nemo on the Asbury First campus. Thanks to Jim Quinn for letting us use his beautiful photo. Please send all submissions, questions, comments, or concerns to Mary Van Keuren at mvankeuren@asburyfirst.org or (585) 271-1050 x109. Deadline for next issue: Friday, March 1

Truth be told, most of the time the number “forty” in the Bible simply meant “a long time.” It was a figurative number which the Hebrew people used to mean that something took awhile (sort of like how we use “a million” nowadays). The rains for Noah lasted “a long time,” the Hebrews wandered the desert for “a long time,” Elijah fasted “a long time,” Jesus spent “a long time” in the wilderness prior to his ministry. And yet, in Lent, we really do mean forty days (not counting Sundays). Lent is the forty-day season during which we prepare ourselves to rehearse the holiest moments of our faith; forty days which ask us to prepare our hearts and minds for both the despair of Good Friday and the joy of Easter. The irony for us, however, is that in our non-stop culture, forty days doesn’t always seem like “a long time.” The truth is, forty days can pass us by without much thought (where were you forty days ago?), and so we look for ways to prolong them during this season. One of the ways that we try to feel Lent more keenly is by giving something up. During these forty days, we commit to not checking facebook, or eating donuts, or texting at dinner, or drinking coffee, or sneaking chocolate, or (insert your vice here). The good news is that sometimes it works; there are times when having given something up has made us more aware of the season itself. The bad news is that sometimes we forget why we are doing it. The tradition of giving something up for Lent is not about seeing what we can do without for forty days; it is about trying to liberate ourselves from those things which pull our attention away from God and others. In other words, if the first thing we think about when we get up in the morning is coffee, then perhaps eliminating it, even for a short time, might awaken us to the needs of others. If chocolate is the only thing that gets us through our afternoon break, then

Read The Visitor online: www.asburyfirst.org

continued on page 3

AFUMC news

A Message from the Staff-Parish Relations Committee On Sunday, February 10 Peter Abdella, chair of the StaffParish Relations Committee, and Cindy Lewis, an SPRC member, announced at all services the upcoming appointment of Rev. Phillip Phaneuf to Queensbury United Methodist Church in Queensbury, N.Y., just north of Saratoga Springs and not far from Glens Falls and Lake George. “We are very happy for Phil, Megan and Tyler for Phil’s new appointment,” said Abdella. Rev. Phaneuf will continue in his ministry at Asbury First until June. His last Rev. Phillip Phaneuf Sunday will be June 16, 2013. A reception will be planned for that time.

with fundraising from Spain. Our student, Michael, who is sponsored by the Dining Center guests, is fourth in his class! “I am looking for volunteers to help me both with fundraising and to visit Kenya if possible. Due to health reasons this was sadly my last trip. Email me at drvduffy@ gmail.com to discuss opportunities.”

Olum, left, with Duffy

Support Miracle Garden During Lent What to do with those old ink cartridges? Outdated cell phones? Cameras? Why not recycle them in support of Miracle Garden Global Ministries? Your old electronics can become needed funds for the orphans! In addition, recycling will keep these reusable items out of our landfills. We will be running a trial recycling event during Lent. Collection boxes will be in the Welcoming Hall each Sunday. What to recycle? • Inkjet cartridges • Cell phones • MP3 players • Digital cameras • Laptops • USB memory keys • DVD players For a complete lit of items accepted, please visit www. imagineRecycling.com. Bring your recyclable items through Easter Sunday, March 31. Thank you for helping the orphans, and helping our planet! Your house will thank you too for ridding it of these unwanted, used items! If you have any questions, please contact Robyn Gage at lgage1@rochester. rr.com.

Asbury First’s African Mission A message from AFUMC member Virginia Duffy: “I was happy to visit Kenya in December to attend the graduation of our first two sponsored students from the RARE program. Both Elizabeth Njenga and Franklin Olum graduated with distinction. Elizabeth is continuing at the University of Nairobi for a master’s degree. We are excitedly awaiting Njenga Frank here in Rochester to work on his master’s in the social work program at SUNY Brockport/Nazareth. They have told him that because his grades are so good he does not need to take the GRE exams and they have offered him a teaching assistant job which will lower his tuition by 50 percent. Frank is excited about coming to the U.S. and meeting all of you who have supported him. “Chazon Children Center ( CCC) is also doing well and has broken ground for the orphanage building. It has done well

continued on page 6

Pastoral reflection, continued from page 2

perhaps replacing it with prayer for a few days might remind us of the source of lasting sustenance.

in which we take a class to deepen our understanding. Maybe this is the season in which we finally invite a friend to church.

In the end, the purpose of these forty days in which we currently find ourselves is to prepare us to receive the good news of full and everlasting life. If embracing that life means giving something up, then we should do it, but it might also mean adding something new. Fortunately for us, opportunities abound. Maybe this is the season in which we finally try out one of the numerous outreach opportunities at Asbury First. Maybe this is the season

The good news is that regardless of how we spend the rest of this season, we can take comfort in the knowledge that true gift of life for which we prepare will last so much longer than forty days. Grace and Peace,

Stephen Cady 3

AFUMC news

worship schedule WORSHIP

Sunday March 3 Third Sunday in Lent Rev. Susan S. Shafer, preacher Isaiah 55:1-9 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Informal Worship with Holy Communion 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Informal Worship with Holy Communion

Sunday March 17 Fifth Sunday in Lent Rev. Phillip Phaneuf, preacher Philippians 3:4b-14

11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

Sunday March 10 Fourth Sunday in Lent Rev. Stephen Cady, preacher Luke 15:1-3, 16-32

10:00 a.m. Informal Worship with Holy Communion

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

Merciful God, we entrust to your never-failing care and love We offer our prayers and sympathy to Jessica Burdick-Giordano and family on the death of Jessica’s grandmother Jean Webb on December 31, 2012.

10:00 a.m. Informal Worship with Holy Communion

11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

Thursday, March 28

Sunday April 7 Second Sunday of Easter Kathy Thiel, preacher John 20:19-31

Friday, March 29 Noon and 7:30 p.m.

Envisioning the Passion

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship 10:00 a.m. Informal Worship with Holy Communion 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

in Community Erica and Hannah’s grandfather James H. Smith who died on January 23, 2013. We offer our prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of Dorothy Betler who died on February 11, 2013.

We offer our prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of Betty Wilson who died on January 27, 2013.

We offer our prayers and sympathy to James, Erica and Hannah Smith on the death of James’ father and

10:00 a.m. Informal Worship with Holy Communion

Good Friday

We offer our prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of Jean Vincent-Rapp who died on January 9, 2013.

We offer our prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of Stephen Gerek who died on January 19, 2013.

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

Re-enactment of Last Supper and Placing of the Cross

Sunday March 24

We offer our prayers and sympathy to Len and Nancy Davidow on the death of Len’s mother Helen Davidow on January 25, 2013 in New Jersey.

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

7:30 p.m.

11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

We offer our prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of Marjorie Richard who died on January 13, 2013.

Sunday March 31 Easter Sunday Rev. Susan S. Shafer, preacher John 20:1-18

Maundy Thursday

Our Living Deaths

Liturgy of the Passion (Palm Sunday) Rev. Stephen Cady, preacher Luke 19:28-40

We offer our prayers and sympathy to Claude and Andrea Adair on the death of Claude’s father Don Adair on February 10, 2013 in Batavia, Illinois.

We offer our prayers and sympathy to Vinnie Esposito and Jennifer Johnson on the death of their daughter Grace Esposito who died on February 16, 2013.

Births & Baptisms God has sealed you unto love and grace divine Mackenzie Joy Gibbs daughter of Aimee Cox-Gibbs and Eric Gibbs, baptized on January 20, 2013. Elliott Jay Beach son of Devin Palmesano-Beach and Jeffrey Beach, baptized on January 6, 2013.

on holy ground Welcome to the second edition of On Holy Ground from the Center for Spiritual Life committee. In this section we will continue to highlight opportunities and thoughts for spiritual growth and renewal. “And therefore, for love’s sake then, I will do what no power in heaven or hell or on the earth could make me do if I did not love. So, God, as experience must be like this, I would not snare Thee in a web of words, I would not try to reduce all the vast reaches of Thy meaning to paltry symbols. I would but open myself to Thee and let Thy spirit invade me and fill me until I do not know what is mine or Thine. This would be my fulfillment, O my God!” – These words of Howard Thurman remind us of the permeating strength of God’s love, and of our love as we each in our own way strive to live in God’s love.

We hope you will continue your Labyrinth and Taize experiences for the remainder of Lent. Labyrinth Schedule for Lent: March 6, 13, and 20; 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Taize Schedule for Lent: March 6, 13, and 20; 6:00-6:45 p.m.

Benedictine Retreat “Listening with the Ear of the Heart: reflections from Benedictine spirituality” Led by Rev. Margaret Scott, pastor of Fairport United Methodist Church.

Recommended Reading:

prayer, lectio & work; community in the Benedictine tradition; discussion/sharing; midday prayer; lunch • Saturday afternoon: hospitality – theory, practice, possibilities; activities and small group work; whole group discussion; evening prayer.

Spirituality of the Psalms, byWalter Brueggemann. Fortress Press, 2002. In this book, Brueggemann helps us to read the Psalms in ways that give voice to our individual and communal spirituality.

Easter Services 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship 10:00 a.m. Informal service with Holy Communion 11:00 a.m. Traditional worship Here is some information about St. Benedict to encourage you to attend the Benedictine retreat on March 22 and 23, led by Rev. Margaret Scott.

Friday, March 22, 7:00-9:00 p.m. through Saturday, March 23, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

• St. Benedict lived in a stone cave for three years, receiving food from a neighboring monk.

No registration charge, but registration is required and limited. Register by March 18 by contacting Melody Guadagnino at 271.1050 x103 or register at the Welcoming Hall desk on Sunday mornings.

• People began to seek him out with problems and questions.

Program Outline: • Friday evening: introduction to St. Benedict and overview; night prayer and invitation to silence. • Saturday morning: silence until morning prayer; practices: the place of communal

• A group of shepherds discovered that he possessed great wisdom and compassion as a result of his time alone with God. • A group of monks thought he would be a good leader, but when they found that his ways were too strict for their lazy selfish lives, they tried to kill him with a poisoned drink. When Benedict made the sign of the cross over the cup, it shattered to pieces in his hands. Benedict went back to his solitary life. • Later, he founded the first Benedictine monastery near Naples. He was a very sensible and loving father to his monks. He wrote a Rule to guide their growth and help them to mature in their faith. This Rule is still used today by many religious communities. • He was concerned with others outside the monastery and during a severe famine gave away all the food in the monastery except five loaves. The next morning the monks found 200 bushels of flour at the gates. • His rule reflects the man himself, and practices moderation, peace, composure, and single-mindedness. – From Saints Alive, Edited by Hal M. Helms, pp. 194-197

AFUMC News, continued from page 3

31. Registration is required. Art Play – continuing art experimentation. We are exploring art collage using ‘hot’ textiles and unusual materials. We move on to new techniques as we gain an interest in something new. Please call in advance to join the class. We have open enrollment at all times but registration is required. Please call Linda Clemow at 236-1184 to register.

Message from the Latshaws Our deepest gratitude to our Asbury First family for all of your support and consolation following Jack’s passing. We have truly felt and deeply appreciate the love and warmth of this great church. – the Latshaw family; Donna, Scott, Jenn, Anna and Emma. Roudebush Circle of the U.M.W. is Back for Spring Roudebush Circle of the United Methodist Women will meet on Tuesday, March 26 at 6:00 p.m. in 1010 East Ave. The catered dinner is $8.50 per person (please bring your own table service). Our program will feature Rev. Stephen Cady leading us in a communion service. Items for Asbury First’s Dining & Caring Center will be collected. Please call Joan Closson at 671-5534 for dinner reservations by Friday, March 22. For more information regarding the Circle, please call Ginn Fitch at 381-6464. ArtSparks Offerings NEW CLASS – Soul Fire : Accessing Your Creativity, based on the book by Thomas Ryan, CSP of the same title. I invite you to participate in discussion, activity and friendship in learning how to use art as a form of spiritual formation. There is no previous art experience necessary. You will be required to purchase the book, but art materials will be provided. Be not afraid to let your inner creativity lead you into a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit and your friends at AFUMC. The class will be held Mondays from 1:00-3:00 pm., beginning April 8. Please register by calling Linda Clemow at 236-1184 by March

Chacocente Girls All Smiles in New Dresses: There were ten very happy little girls when they each received a new dress! Hand-sewn by a circle of talented seamstresses, the dresses were “sponsored” by members of Asbury First at the Christmas Bazaar and delivered to the project by AFUMC members Robyn and Mary Gage. Thanks to everyone for brightening their day! Left to right: front row, Eveling, Esperanzito, Adrianna, and Chelsea; second row, Mary Gage, Eva, Katherine, Andrea, Alinson, Tatiana, Nohelia, Robyn Gage.

Pie for Pi Bake Sale

Young Adult Movie Night

Sunday, March 10 All pies $10, on sale after all services

Saturday, March 16 7:00 p.m.

Each year, on the Sunday closest to Pi day (March 14 ...

If you’re between the ages of 18-

3.14 .... get it?), the youth sell delicious home-made pies

35, and are looking for some fun

to help raise funds for their mission trip. It’s a win-win:

and fellowship, join us for a young

you take home a tasty treat for Sunday dinner, and you

adult movie night. Watch the bul-

help support our youth as they prepare to travel to Ken-

letin for more details – we’ll pick a

tucky to work at Red Bird Mission.

movie that we’d all like to see as we get closer to the date. Questions? Contact Stephen Cady at scady@ asburyfirst.org.

A s b ury F i r s t UMC 2 013 b u d g e t Connecting Stewardship and Ministry / 2013 Budget

2012 Budget Wrap-up The end of 2012 seems like a long time ago at this point, so rather than go through all the final numbers of last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget, let me share with you a few of the highlights: 1. Pledge income ($1,010,698) came in $78,698 higher than had been forecasted. The members of the congregation not only fulfilled their pledges at a rate higher than in previous years but many members generously exceeded their pledges. 2. Designated gifts ($181,574) were received at a very high level, nearly $30,000 higher than the year before. (For those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember, a designated gift is one that is given by anyone that is donated for a specific use.)

in spending from our budget. 4. We ended the year considerably better than we had planned. Going into 2013, we have a surplus of funds of $223,169. Of that, $93,169 is designated to specific ministries. As you can see, through the combination of the generosity of all of you, prudent spending management and a little luck with the weather, we finished the year in a strong financial position. The surplus will allow the Church

Summary

to do things in 2013 it otherwise could not have afforded. Thanks to everyone involved.

In an effort to show all the spending of the church, the AOP (annual operating plan) has become increasingly difficult to explain. The current outlook is that we will end 2013 with a $83,891 surplus, which is a combination of designated funds and general funds available for use for any church expense. (There will always be designated funds in surplus at the end of the year as a considerable amount of these financial gifts come in during the last two weeks of December.) The budgeting process is not perfect. I believe that we have taken a conservative approach to our budget for 2013 and we are fortunate to be able to fund our needs, based on all your gifts, and retain a slight surplus. Doug Major Finance Committee Chair

A supplement to the Asbury First newsletter, The Visitor

2013 B ud ge t / 1

3. A very warm winter benefited the cost to maintain the church campus, savings us $26,506

Asbury First UMC

2013 B ud ge t / 2

2012 Actual

Pledge Donations

$ 1,017,906

$ 976,500

Unpledged Donations

$ 71,329

$ 80,000

Designated Gifts

$ 181,574

$ 120,000 1500

Subtotal contributions

$ 1,270,809

$ 1,176,500

Designated Fundraising

$ 165,566

$ 120,000

Plate Contributions

$ 20,930

$ 25,000

Property Usage

$ 78,693

$ 80,000

Endowment Income

$ 183,495

$ 183,000

Endowment for Vision 2020

$ 50,000

$ 0

Endowment for Growth

$ 0

$ 50,000 500

Other

$ 4,658

$ 3,000

Carryover From Previous Year

$ 139,250

$ 223,169

TOTAL

$ 1,913,401

$ 1,860,669

1500

1000

500

Pledged Donations: Pledged donations are forecasted to be down slightly from last year as a number of members never submitted their pledge outlooks. We have conservatively forecasted what our total income will be from members of the congregation who have submitted pledges of giving. Unpledged donations: This category is where all the donations that come to the church (that can be tracked by check or other means) are counted, from either members who did not pledge or nonmembers of the church. We anticipate this being slightly higher this year due to the number of members who did not submit pledges during the stewardship campaign, but will continue to financially support the church.

Designated gifts: These donations to the church are for many different purposes as designated by the person who gave that donation. The fact that the outlook for the year is lower than last year is simply because we don’t know the level of designated giving until the gifts are received.

Endowment Income: This is income to the church operating budget which comes from the endowment of the church. A 20 quarter average of the level of the endowment is used to calculate the amount available to be used for the budget each year. This is done to ensure the longevity of the endowment.

2000

2013 Budget / $1,860,669

2000 2013 Budget

Income

2012 actual / $1,913,401

Income

Designated Fundraising: This is the fundraising done by three of our largest ministries: Dining & Caring Center, Storehouse and the youth mission trip. The reduction in this year’s outlook (when compared to last year) comes from a reduction in the funds raised for the youth mission trip, which last year was international and this year is domestic.

Property Usage: As you can see, it is anticipated that outside groups will pay for the use of the church facilities this year at the same level they did in 2012.

Endowment for Vision 2020, Endowment for Growth: Six years ago, the Church took on a five-year effort to grow the congregation. Money was given from the endowment each year to fund specific activities associated with new ministries. That five-year period ended in 2012. A separate set of initiatives were outlined by the ministers and funded by the endowment (growth activities), which were described in a separate article in The Visitor.

Carryover: The carryover of available funds from last year’s budget is $223,169. Of that amount, $93,169 is designated gifts that have not been spent. This leaves $130,000 left to apply to the general expenses to run the church in 2013. It is planned to reinvest $79,000 of those general funds to balance the 2013 budget.

2013 Budget Expenses

2013 Budget

Staffing

$ 831,583

$ 878,209

Utilities and maintenance

$ 207,002

$ 223,425

Administrative

$ 59,742

$ 85,150

Conference Apportionment

$ 171,472

$ 172,394

Worship & Arts

$ 47,084

$ 48,750

Education

$ 94,056

$ 69,950

Communications

$ 24,231

$ 55,900

Membership Care

$ 14,477

$ 13,000

Outreach/Discretionary Funds

$ 240,494

$ 230,000

TOTAL

$ 1,690,141

$ 1,776,778

Net Operating Surplus

$ 223,169

$ 83,891

1500

1000

500

2013 Budget / 1,776,778

2012 Actual

2012 Actual / $1,690,141

Income

2000

Staffing: The budget supports the current staff level we have in-place today, for all of 2013. In addition, we were able to put in an increase in 2013 salaries to compensate for the increase in the cost of living. The budget also supported the forecasted increases in benefit costs.

Facilities: We aren’t having the balmy weather we enjoyed last year, thus we anticipate our expense for our facilities to go up. However, the investments we made when we added the new addition allow us to be much more energy efficient than we were years ago. Finally, rate increases for gas and electricity have been factored in.

3 4 5

Administration: This category includes some of the “growth” initiative spending planned to assess our youth program and the staffing levels of the church. Also included are new funds to contract network support for the church computer network. Conference Apportionment: Our apportionment to the Conference is outlooked to remain the same from 2012 to 2013 at $172,000.

Worship and Arts: Spending on our worship is planned to be $48,750, virtually the same amount we spent last year. In this category are the expenses for general supplies like bulletins, any upgrades to the sanctuary sound system, and other expenses associated

with our worship services. In addition, in this category is the spending of designated gifts for spiritual life.

6 7 8 9

Education: The budget for 2013 is down from 2012 because of the reduced cost of the youth mission trip (international last year and domestic this year). In this area are the funds for the family retreat, Vacation Bible School and general children education.

Communications: The budget for 2013 is doubling from the previous year. Almost all of the increase is coming from the “growth” initiative to redesign and upgrade the church’s web site. In this category are the expenses for The Visitor, the radio ministry, and general advertising.

Membership care: We plan to spend $13,000 in this area. This funds initiatives like: women’s council, shut-in ministry, weekly coffee/punch, Park Ave. festival. Outreach (incl. UMC funds/discretionary funds): For the full year, we outlook to spend $230,000 on general outreach ministries, which includes the expense budget for the Storehouse and the Dining/Caring Center. Budgeting for general outreach is difficult as designated gifts are received throughout the year that are not initially budgeted. At this point, spending is outlooked to be at about the same level as last year.

2013 B ud ge t / 3

We Welcome the following new members, who joined our Asbury First family on November 18. We’re glad you’re with us!

Bill Harrison A native of Brooklyn, Bill has been in Rochester for 12 years. He has volunteered at the Dining & Caring Center for five years. Bill uses his 50 years of cooking experience to serve God.

Deirdre Moore Dee is a nurse and the mother of three grown children. She transfered to AFUMC from Worthington UMC in Ohio, where she was active in a number of ministries. She enjoys outdoor sports, volunteering, reading, and gardening.

Linda Lonobile Linda is 54, and has three grown children. She’s a member of the 50+ Sunday school class. She says “In my recent ‘spiritual awakening, God has lead me to Asbury First. I am very comfortable here with everyone and God.”

Lin Vanderstyne Lin is a retired registered nurse with two grown children and five grandchildren. She belongs to the Women’s Fellowship group and volunteers with the UR Wellness Clinic. She says, “I love Asbury because of its Christ-centered warmth and its many outreach programs.

Carol Hardy Baltimore native Carol lives in Fairport and works as a financial planner. She loves flower gardening, ballroom and swing dancing, kayaking, concerts and theatre, and traveling. She hopes to retire in about three years.

Larry & Karen Conrad The Conrads recently moved back to Rochester after living in Pennsylvania for 25 years. Larry is retired from the Warren Co. School District there. They have seven grown children, and are delighted to be near family again.

Stephanie Peter Stephanie is engaged to be married to Brock Thrasher this September. She was formerly a member of Lansing UMC, where she was in musicals, CCYM, and youth group. She enjoys reading, singing, music, community service, teaching, math and travel.

Julie Doescher Most recently a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Pittsford, Julie works as an administrative assistant at Advanced Hearing Centers. She takes a weekly class at the Gandhi Institute, ushers at Geva, and is box office manager for Rochester Chamber Orchestra.

Listening with the Ear of the Heart: Reflections from Benedictine Spirituality Friday, March 22, 7:00-9:00 p.m. & Saturday March 23, 9:00-3:00 p.m. The Center For Spiritual Life joyfully invites you to a retreat March 22 & 23 led by our friend Rev. Margaret Scott (pastor of Fairport United Methodist Church). We will gather Friday evening for an introduction to St. Benedict, night prayer and silence. We will continue on Saturday morning with silence and prayer, and a look at the practices of Benedictine spirituality with small and whole group discussions. A simple lunch will be served on Saturday. Please call Melody Guadagnino in the church office to reserve your space, 271-1050 x103 or mguadagnino@asburyfirst.org. Space is limited so call today!

from previous page, new members.

Carl Pollack Retired from Thomas Industries, where he was a district rep, Carl is a widower who was married for 67 years. He enjoys photography, fishing, and automotive topics.

Theodore Jacques Ted is a lab technician at the University of Rochester. Prior to joining Asbury First, he was a member of Ashland First UMC in Ohio, where he was active in the youth group and served as a lay leader and projectionist. He enjoys soccer and computer games.

(no picture available) Pamela & Ryan Reynolds Pamela, a N.C. native, is an attorney with Littler Mendelson. Ryan, who hails from Oklahoma, is a business development manager for Harris Beach after a stint as a helicopter pilot for the Navy. Their daughter, Meredith, is in second grade. They love the music during services at Asbury First, and are excited about becoming members.

Make Giving a Priority In Your Life Giving to your church is one way you can show God how grateful you are for all you’ve been given, while your gifts of time, talent, and treasure are used to help all your neighbors in need across the globe. Asbury First now offers online giving. It’s fast, simple, and

Want to connect with others?

secure. When you go to our website at www.asburyfirst.org,

Join us for the next Asbury First Night!

click on the right-hand GIVE ONLINE button, and you’ll be

March 3 • April 7 • May 5 • June 2

directed to a page with easy directions. You can designate

5:30-7:00 p.m.

your gift for our annual operating budget, or for any ministry or outreach program that matters to you. Make a one-time

If you’ve ever longed to feel more connected to the Asbury First

gift, or set up your account with a recurring gift, monthly,

community, then ASBURY FIRST NIGHTS are for you! These

weekly, or at some other regular interval.

monthly fellowship events are on Sunday evenings in the Gathering Center, 1050 East Ave. All ages are invited; we’ll have

enrichment activities and nursery care for the children. Please

a priority for you and your family.

bring an appetizer to share.

music & the arts join us for this holy week concert!

envisioning the passion Friday, March 29 12 noon and 7:30 p.m. Free will offering With Voices Chamber Chorus Each year, on Good Friday, Asbury First offers a unique, deeply meaningful way to commemorate this most somber day of the Christian calendar. 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.

youth ministry news

e'd love to give you all an update on our Youth Mission Trip plans! As a congregation, you've always been there for us, helping us make these mission trips a transformative reality.

To bring you up to speed, around 35 youth and 12 adults will be working hard all Easter break this year at Red Bird Mission Work Camp in Beverly, Kentucky. This Appalachia region is one of the poorest areas in the United States. Red Bird Mission has been an active presence in this area since the 1920s. In our church's previous experiences with Red Bird, we've been deeply impressed with their impact and with their phenomenal project management capabilities. For instance, we've already received our project plans from Red Bird and they look great! Our three projects will include: • Adding a green tin roof to the main dorm at Red Bird • Replacing doors and painting ceilings at a local resident's home • Replacing floors and doors at a local resident's home. With these projects, we will meet and develop friendships with local residents that will last beyond the trip!

Dates We will leave Saturday morning, March 30 and return home Sunday, April 7. Missioner/Parent Breakfast Saturday Morning March 30. We’ll start this trip off by having a missioner/family breakfast before we gather into our minivans! Come and have breakfast all together before we depart on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. in the Gathering Center! Above, the mission trip logo designed by Brennon Thompson. Right, some of the projects that our AFUMC youth will be working on: top, repairing the roof of one of the mission buildings, middle, replacing the linoleum floor in the bedroom of an elderly resident, and bottom, putting in new doors and painting several ceilings at the home of another local women. All work will be under the direction of skilled craftspersons from Red Bird Mission. Photos courtesy of Red Bird Mission.

Lodging The work camp has wonderful accommodations; very reminiscent of our wonderful conference camp locations! On the down and back, we'll be graced with the hospitality of the Broad Street UMC in Columbus, Ohio. We'll stay overnight on Holy Saturday, join them for a congregationwide potluck breakfast on Easter Sunday and then worship with them following! What a blessing to be surrounded by the hospitality of Christ's people during the whole trip!

experiences start friendships that last beyond the trip and your life will be transformed through your willingness to open your prayerful heart!

How Can You Still Help? Please consider being a prayer partner for one of our missioners. You'll receive an info letter from one of us and we'll expect a letter from you to give to the missioner you're partnered with while on the trip. You'll even get a picture of your partner to hang on your fridge so you can remember to pray for your partner! These prayer partner

Pie for Pi - Delicious, home made pies foryou on March 10 after all services. Be sure to purchase pies for our final fundraiser before the trip! Pie for Pi (get it, 3.14?) is on March 10! Prayers are greatly appreciated! Prayer is deeply effective and transformative! Keep praying and preparing your 13

heart to be open to serve the community of Red Bird! God bless you for your support and for your love in Jesus Christ! Jesus' willingness to serve is what drives us to mission in the world! May it be so! Our theme this year is from Matthew 6, the middle section of Jesus' sermon on the mount. Jesus moves into telling his fellow peasants, "Consider the birds of the air... your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable?"

Library news

oin us in exploring the church library resources for all ages. The following are the March selections recommended for your reading. Stop by and take a look at the many, diverse books available in the library’s collection. The library is located just off the gathering space near the elevators. Everyone is welcome and it’s FREE!

Children: Because Nothing Looks Like God, by Lawrence Kushner. This book can help parents and children have an honest and ongoing conversation about God. It offers ways for children to understand God’s presence in their everyday world. It deals with questions like: Where is God? What does God look like? How does God make things happen? Especially for ages 5 to 12.

was written by and to people living in very different cultural contexts from contemporary Western society. In A Cultural Handbook to the Bible John Pilch translates important social concepts and applies them to biblical texts, making this book an excellent resource for students of the Bible. Getting Past What You’ll Never Get over: Help for Dealing with Life’s Hurts, by John F. Westfall. Author Westfall says that “There are some things in life that we must learn to live with because they will never truly go away for good. Despite that truth, there is life—rewarding and abundant life—after heartache and pain.” It is the goal of this book to help with that “Getting Past” issue that everyone faces at some time.

You’re All My Favorites, by Sam McBratney and illustrator Anita Jeram. A comforting picture book for ages 3-7 about three little bears that all hold a special place in Mom and Dad’s heart. The writing and warm, watercolor illustrations reassure the reader/listener that despite differences, all are equally extra-special.

Parenting Section: Don’t Sing at the Table: Life Lessons From My Grandmothers, by Adriana Trigiana. The writer has gathered life lessons, revealing how her grandmothers’ simple values have shaped her own life, sharing the experiences, humor, and wisdom of her beloved mentors. It will delight readers of all ages as it combines family and American history, reflections on lives well-lived, and sound advice.

The Raft, by Jim LaMarche. Nicky isn’t happy about spending the summer with his grandma in the Wisconsin woods, but them the raft appears and changes everything. As Nicky explores, the raft works a subtle magic, opening up the wonders all around him—the animals of river and woods, his grandmother’s humor and wisdom, and his own special talent as an artist. For ages 4-8. Youth: Masada: The Last Fortress, by Gloria D. Miklowitz. Ages 12-17 will find this book fascinating. Readers get deeply involved in the suspense of characters that include romance, marriage, friendship, and ambition in the face of death.

150 Ways to Raise Creative, Confident Kids, by Silvana Clark. Turn off that TV and turn on to family adventures. This book provides ideas, resources, and recipes for family fun. It’s 200 pages of fun activities enjoyable for both parents and kids.

Going Blue: A Teen Guide to Saving our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers and Wetlands, by Cathryn B. Kaye and Philippe Cousteau. Going Blue educates young people about the earth’s water crisis and gives them tools and inspiration to transform their ideas into action.

“Because I Said So!” 366 Insightful and Thought-Provoking Reflections on Parenting and Family Life, by John Rosemond. Author Rosemond is a widely-known authority on child rearing and family life. Because I Said So is cited as an old-fashioned, common sense advice book to help parents avoid raising children who are spoiled and sassy and to deal effectively with daily problems as diverse as bedwetting and boredom, territoriality and television.

Adult: A Cultural Handbook to the Bible, by John J. Pilch. This book will be helpful in the task of interpreting the Bible—which March 4  Jonah 3:1-10 5  Jonah 4:1-11 6  Joshua 5:9-15 7  Psalm 69:1-18 8  Psalm 69:19-36 9  2 Corinthians 5:1-21 10  Luke 15:11-32 11  Psalm 16:1-11 12  Psalm 22:1-15 13  Psalm 22:16-31 14  Psalm 24:1-10

15 16 17 18 19 20

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21 22 23 24 25 26

Psalm 126:1-6 Isaiah 43:1-21 John 12:1-11 John 12:12-33 Luke 2:41-52 Isaiah 50:4-11 14

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Philippians 2:1-18 Luke 19:28-48 Luke 22:1-23 Luke 22:24-46 Luke 1:26-38 Isaiah 52:12-53:12

27  Luke 22:47-71 28  Luke 23:1-25 29  Luke 23:26-56 30  Ephesians 4:1-16 31  Luke 24:1-12 April 1  Luke 24.13-35 2  Romans 8.18-39 3  Romans 10.5-21 4  1 Corinthians 15.1-19 5  1 Corinthians 15.20-41 6  1 Corinthians 15.42-58

the last word Recently, our Dining and Caring Center guests were asked to tell us what they love about the DCC. Here are some of their answers. I dig the chow and the director.

It’s an uplifting good gathering in friendship, caring, and helping one another. As we say, it’s good to be here.

I love everything about ADCC.

You could not get a better social leader.

I appreciate the offering and service.

The love and concern and humanitarianism. Friendly workers that make me feel like a rich person.

It is great to meet people from different walks of life.

Service is better than any five star restaurant.

Thank you for years of great service and safe friendly environment.

Everyone is very unique and they have plenty of interesting stories. Thank you Asbury and staff for your support.

They show great hospitality. They know who they are.

The food is excellent and the staff gives you hope when you most need it.

Hi! My name is Jessie; people are very nice.

Everyone is happy and accepts you for who you are. Good service, food and God.

Thanks for your simple giving hearts.

The staff and servers help me feel very welcome.

Good food and nice homeless people.

PERIODICAL 1050 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14607-2293 Address Service Requested

and the Holy Spirit Six Thursdays, beginning April 18 Youth Room (basement of 1040 East Ave.) 6:00-7:30 p.m. Whether you grew up alongside the characters, are just getting to know them, or read them to your children, you are invited to join us for a discussion of the themes of the Holy that run throughout these wonderfully creative books. All ages are welcome and encouraged for our discussions. It would be helpful if you read the books, but if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind spoilers, come along for the ride! If you are interested in being a part of the course, send an owl (or an email) to Stephen Cady at scady@asburyfirst.org. We hope to see you there!