TheVisitor
Asbury First United Methodist Church Newsletter April 2015 • Vol. XLIX No. 3 • www.asburyfirst.org
In This Issue On Holy Ground, 4 Easter Week Services, 5 School #41, 6 Pastoral Endowment, 8 Planned Giving, 11 Music & Arts, 12 Nicaragua, 15
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. XLIX No. 3 (USPS 558-470) is published 10 times a year, monthly with combined issues for November/December and July/August, by Asbury First United Methodist Church.
Five Ways to Worship at Asbury First
Periodical postage paid at Rochester, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send addresses changes to
Traditional Worship in our Sanctuary
Asbury First UMC Visitor 1050 East Ave. Rochester, N.Y. 14607-2239 (585) 271-1050
8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday mornings Chancel Worship with Holy Communion
Staff
The Rev. Susan S. Shafer The Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II The Rev. Lawrence Hargrave
David T. Strong Dr. William J. Weinert Paula Dugan Jessica Burdick-Giordano Mike Mullin Richard Moncrief Melody Guadagnino Ken Carr Michele Cooley Mary Van Keuren Duane A. Prill Bozena Granat Carol Lamica Elizabeth Church Brian Bohrer Larry Dugan
Senior Minister Minister for Faith Formation – Hospitality & Membership Care Minister for Outreach & Community Connection Music Administrator; Assistant Organist Director of Music Children’s Ministry Director Children’s Ministry Assistant Director of Youth Ministries Financial Administrator Administrative Assistant Property Care Manager Dining & Caring Center Director Communications Director Organist Director, Children’s Music Director, Youth Music Director, Bell Choir Director, Asbury Singers Director, Youth Theater
Emeriti Staff Rev. Dr. Theodore Weeden, Sr., Pastor Emeritus Dr. Roger Wilhelm, Director of Music Emeritus Marian R. Craighead*, Organist Emeritus
10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings Listen live onWYSL 1040 AM or 92.1 FM 11:00 a.m.-noon Sunday mornings Watch live at www.asburyfirst.org 11:00 a.m. Sunday mornings Watch past services in our video archive at www.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.
*deceased
sign up for our newsletter to receive our email newsletters, with news of upcoming services, classes, and other events at Asbury First, go to www.asburyfirst.org and scroll to the bottom of the home page, where you’ll see a sign-up window. Or, if you have a smartphone, scan this QR code to take you directly to a sign-up page.
Unless otherwise noted, photos are by Greg Francis. Cover: Sunday School teacher Zane Anderson helps third grader Cole Featherly to roll the perfect pretzel on Pretzel Sunday. More photos on page 10. Please send all submissions, questions, comments, or concerns to Mary Van Keuren at mvankeuren@asburyfirst.org or (585) 271-1050. Deadline for next issue: Friday, March 27
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CHANGED? A Pastoral Reflection So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. – 2 Corinthians 5:17–19
Change can be a way of moving us out of our comfort zones. It was the summer of 2011 and I received a call from the Rev. Susan Shafer. I was finishing an assignment as special assistant to the president of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. It was the beginning of a conversation that led to my preaching in August and being invited to become a member of the Asbury First United Methodist Church ministerial staff. I began on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. My decision to accept the position at Asbury First UMC was not done in haste, but was prayerfully considered and discussed with my wife, Brenda. While I have had friends and colleagues over the years who have served in Methodist churches, have had family members who were Methodist pastors, had professional relationships with Asbury First members and had preached at Methodist churches, being on staff at Asbury First was a significant change for me. I am sure that Susan can attest that I had some reservations. I was however, convinced that Asbury First was the best church at serving the poor of Rochester of which I knew.
It was nearly three thousand years ago the writer of Ecclesiastes wrote “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” The subject was change. It was a little more than 51 years ago that gospel singer turned rhythm and blues vocalist Sam Cooke penned the words to the song “A Change is Gonna Come.” The subject was change. Just as Ecclesiastes is viewed as a “Wisdom Book,” the song is also among three hundred songs deemed the most important ever recorded by National Public Radio and was recently selected by the Library of Congress as one of twenty-five selected recordings to the National Recording Registry. Cooke’s song, while far from being his best seller, helped inspire some of the positive social changes that took place in the 1960s.
I thank God for moving in such a way that Asbury First and I became connected in the way that we did. I believe that it changed me in ways that I did neither expect nor anticipate. I have developed relationships with staff and parishioners that have been both challenging and rewarding. I believe that with God’s help, I brought some positive change to Asbury First. I am thankful for my ministry experiences and the relationships.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church at Corinth, spoke of “anyone being in Christ as a new creation.” In other words, changed. Many of us view that change as a powerful “spiritual experience.” We are not many times aware of the daily experiences that might be changing our lives. Change can be challenging for any of us, even of those who consider themselves a child of God and like to consider everyone a child of God.
Peace, Blessings and Good Journey,
Lawrence
AFUMC news Celebrating Rev. Lawrence Hargrave
years, he was the owner of a
Please join us in the Gathering Center on April 12, follow-
landscape design and build
ing the 11:00 service, for a special reception in honor of Rev.
company. Most recently,
Lawrence Hargrave as we celebrate his ministry and pres-
he worked in the grounds
ence among us. There will be catered refreshments, music
department at Nazareth Col-
befitting Lawrence’s life-long love of jazz, and a basket
lege. Ken and his wife Lori
where you may bring your notes, cards and other expres-
were married at Asbury First
sions of gratitude for Lawrence and his service to both
in 2005 and are the parents
Asbury First, and our community.
of two daughters, Anna and
Welcome to Our New Property Care Manager
Lily. Ken tells us that he has always felt that Asbury First
Asbury First welcomed a new property care manager this
was a welcoming community
month. Ken Carr, a member of AFUMC since 2005, has been
where he and his family could worship and grow in faith.
hired to fill this important staff role. Ken has extensive
He looks forward to watching his daughters grow up in the
experience in property care, having worked as a landscape
church with strong friendships and a foundation of faith.
designer and project and operations manager. For seven
Continued on page 6.
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on holy ground Created by the Center for Spiritual Life, On Holy Ground highlights opportunities for spiritual growth and renewal. .
who was with Mary and the disciples throughout the trauma of the week prior, who has been with us this entire week of holiness, chooses this moment to remind her and us that all is not lost. ‘Mary!’ Jesus says. The tone of his voice, the emphatic cry of her name calls her from her tears, and Mary knows her Teacher stands before her alive. Jesus commands her to tell the disciples that he is ascending to God; indeed, Jesus invites Mary to be the messenger of life and resurrection to all.
Read Psalm 118:24 and John 20: 1-18 Today is the resurrection day of Jesus! It is the day when we sing aloud the alleluias that were buried on Ash Wednesday; it is the day we resurrect our jubilant praises to God. What was once dead now lives. May we rejoice and be glad! But before we sing loudly and proclaim fervently, we must not miss the quiet moment of Mary Magdalene’s tears—and our own. Only yesterday we held vigil and kept watch through the night. Only yesterday the disciples hid, fearing for their lives. Only yesterday Jesus’ body lay lifeless in a tomb.
As we wipe away our tears of yesterday, do we hear Jesus call our names? Do we trust, yet again, in God’s presence? Easter Sunday morning is a day of rejoicing, a day when sorrow becomes joy, when our names are called, and we too go forth to share the good news of the risen Christ.
The scripture tells us that ‘Mary stood weeping outside the tomb.’ She had arrived moments earlier to find the tomb empty. She went to find Peter and the other disciples to tell them of Jesus’ missing body. They arrived at the tomb, saw it was empty, and returned home.
(An Easter meditation from The Upper Room Disciplines 2015 for April 5, Easter Sunday, by Claire McKeever-Burgett, program interpretation manager, Upper Room Ministries).
But Mary remains at the threshold in tears. The ever-present God
SAVE THE DATE FOR “SENSIBLE SHOES” AUTHOR VISIT Sensible Shoes, by Susan Garlough Brown, is a compelling narrative weaving together the lives of four women as they are drawn into a spiritual journey at a retreat center. Readers will be taken into a new understanding of spiritual practices and receive support in exploring their own spiritual journey. In September, Brown will visit Asbury First to share her own insights into issues of faith and spirituality.
Labyrinth
Wednesday, March 25 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Taize
Wednesday, March 25 6:00 p.m. Join us for these reflective peaceful practices designed to help you reconnect with God and your spiritual self.
Sensible Shoes will soon be available to borrow at our library and we invite you to check out a copy in preparation for Brown’s visit. Let your friends know of this opportunity and save the date: Saturday, September 19, 2015, for a morning session, lunch, and afternoon session with Susan Garlough Brown. 4
He Is Risen! Join us at Asbury First During Lent and Easter Week Labyrinth March 25 / 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.
Good Friday April 3 / noon and 7:30 p.m. Envisioning the Passion Holy Week-themed art and music by Voices Chamber Choir. Family Prayer Night 6:00-7:30 p.m. A come-when-you-wish child-friendly event.
TaizÉ SERVICE March 25 / 6:00 p.m. These services feature simple sung chants, quiet prayer, and contemplative silence.
Easter Sunday April 5 Traditional Service 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. With festive music.
Maundy Thursday April 2 / 7:30 p.m. Seder Celebration, Communion & Tenebrae Service. Candlelight re-enactment of Christ’s last night & Communion service.
Chancel Communion service 10:00 a.m.
worship schedule WORSHIP
Sede r C e l e br a ti on at Asbury F i rst Thursday, April 2
Sunday Service Times 8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship 10:00 a.m. – Chancel Worship with Holy Communion 11:00 a.m. – Traditional Worship
7:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall A Seder is a ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. We will share in the traditional elements of a Seder dinner: matzah, bitter herbs, and other foods that signify elements of the Israelites’ flight from Egypt, and will be led in story and prayer by our own pastors and a member of the local Jewish community. Just as Christ shared in the Passover meal with his friends and disciples on Holy Thursday, so we will echo his actions in our own Seder before we begin the night’s Tenebrae service.
Sunday march 22 Fifth Sunday in Lent John 12:20-33 Rev. Lawrence Hargrave
Rev. Susan S. Shafer, preacher
See above for a full schedule of Lenten and Holy Week services. Sunday april 12 Second Sunday of Easter Rev. Lawrence Hargrave, preacher Sunday april 19 Third Sunday of Easter 1 John 3:1-7 Rev. Dr. Robert Hill, preacher
Sunday march 29 Palm Sunday Sunday april 26 Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, preacher Fourth Sunday of Easter John 10:11-18 Sunday April 5 Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, preacher Easter Sunday Mark 16:1-8 5
School #41: An overview of past and future
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n the fall of 2007, a group of volunteers began tutoring at School #41 for one hour per week to read to or tutor students in kindergarten-sixth grade. Within the first year, we added assistance in math and provided help in the art room. Now in our eighth year, the volunteer group has reached 20 faithful tutors! Let’s take a look at what has happened in these past eight years and where we hope to go in the future.
•
Where do we go from here? Many of our projects are ongoing; the most important being the assistance with reading and math. This year, the school introduced an after-school program, offering opportunities to expand learning through participation in groups such as the yearbook club, culture club, math and reading clubs, art club and basketball club. Several of our volunteers are now participating in this after-school program. There are plans to expand these opportunities in the next school year – possibly a way in which to involve more Asbury First members.
At the beginning, when we were only four months into our first year, we (the church community) were asked if we would consider adopting the entire school. Asbury First met this challenge with great enthusiasm! Here’s a list of our endeavors: •
Purchased three smartboards; the school had none. Since then, the school district has purchased one for every room.
•
Purchased a license for the “A-Z” reading program, accessible via the internet and available for all teachers.
•
Purchased a reading program that could be reproduced and used as supplemental material for the use of Asbury First volunteers.
•
Purchased book holders for the computer room, making it easier for the children to read and work on the computers.
•
Collected school supplies at Asbury First’s Together in Ministry Sunday; this included science supplies one year and is an on-going project.
•
With the help of the Asbury First children (grades one through six), provided bags of groceries for 20 families which included a canned ham and a game for each family. This past year, the grocery bags included hats and mittens for each child in the family.
•
Assisted with $10 scholarships per child for bus fare for their end-of- year school trip.
•
Assisted with $50 scholarships for sixth graders who traveled to Washington, D.C. for their final school trip.
•
With the help of the Storehouse and the Asbury First community, provided khaki trousers and blue shirts for school uniforms. When a call came from the school for assistance with shoes, socks and clothing, the Storehouse stepped in.
•
During this school year, for the first time, a newly appointed volunteer coordinator from the City School District has been working with our volunteers. We hope to continue working more closely with the district bring more understanding to our efforts to improve reading and math skills, while bringing a sense of caring and love to the children, who we consider to be our own. Early this spring, I will meet with the school administration to find more ways in which we can be of service to “our” children at School #41. A special thanks to the Asbury First community for your prayers, financial help and the personal support to our volunteers. – Nancy Davidow, School #41 Project Coordinator
Our Living Births & Baptisms God has sealed you unto love and grace divine Rory Marshall James Shull son of Nicole Shull and Andrew Lucas baptized on March 8, 2015.
Purchased two picnic tables for use in good weather; providing a place for outdoor education for the physical therapist to work assisting children with special needs.
•
Painted the playground equipment, planted bushes and flowers, and generally brightened up the outside school property.
•
With the help of Len Davidow’s camera expertise, took pictures at the mother/son and father/daughter dance on an annual basis.
Painted the bathrooms, teacher’s lounge and one of the two cafeterias.
Deaths Merciful God, we entrust to your never-failing care and love. We offer our prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of Adele Elmer who died on March 5, 2015. 6
in Community We offer our prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of John Mooney who died on March 7, 2015. We offer our prayers and sympathy to David Phillips on the death of his wife Medora Phillips on February 22, 2105. We offer our prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of Louise Brewer who died on March 1, 2015.
The Asbury Storehouse – Growing and Thriving the church). The Monday Morning Crew (a volunteer group who did carpentry and other handyman-type jobs at the church) took eight months to transform the 3,000 square feet of space into the Storehouse we know today.
In the last issue of The Visitor, we described how the Storehouse was founded in 1965. In this issue, we continue the story of how the Storehouse became an institution at Asbury First and in the Rochester community. By April 1967, it was reported that the “Samaritan Storehouse” had served 400 persons out of a single room in 1010 East Ave. By 1969, the Storehouse had expanded into five rooms. There was a reception area, storage room, and space for clothing, housewares, and shoes. Neighboring churches, social service agencies, and other organizations quickly learned of the existence of the Storehouse and began making referrals for help. The 1973 annual report stated that referrals were coming from 50 different organizations. In the early days, the agencies called the lead woman in charge of a half-day shift on her home phone to make appointments. The phone lines were so busy that one of the women put in a second line in her home so that family members could reach her! By 1972,
In this photo from October 1965, Storehouse founders Ada Finley (left) and Dolly Rugg check over donations in the original Storehouse location on the second floor of 1010 East Ave.
about 1,600 appointments were made annually. The increase in clients and donations strained the capacity of the Storehouse, so the leaders reached out to the community for help. Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church became an annex for the Storehouse, receiving and sorting clothes. The leaders appealed to other churches, friends, and community resources for donations and volunteers. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Storehouse continued to expand the number of people served.
“Samaritan” was dropped and it became simply “The Storehouse” at Asbury First. As the Storehouse grew, it also became more organized, and volunteer receptionists began making appointments in a central book with a desk and phone at 1010 East Ave. In 1989, Storehouse leaders Dolly Rugg and Ada Finley approached the head pastor, the Rev. Dr. Ted Weeden, to ask if they could move the everexpanding operation into the basement of 1050 East Ave (the grey stone building just east of
Also in the 1970s, the name
The Storehouse was operating five half-day shifts a week, and in 1999, a Saturday morning shift was added. A Wednesday evening shift was added in 2002, which has evolved into a late afternoon sorting shift. By 2000, the Storehouse was serving 6,000 people annually, about the same number we do today. In an account of the early years of the Storehouse written in 1967, the anonymous author said, “The Storehouse does not pretend to be a remedy for the problems of poverty or other ills; it merely tries to alleviate the anxiety and misery caused by poverty or an emergency.” This description has not changed in the last 50 years. – Betsy Christiansen
AFUMC News, continued from page 3
When he isn’t at work, Ken enjoys being outdoors, reading,
at Genesee Valley Park. The event is in support of our own
and working on his own landscape. What he values the most
Asbury First UR Well Clinic, as well as the other two clinics
is spending time with his family. At Asbury First, Ken will be
run in conjunction with the University of Rochester School
responsible for keeping the church grounds and buildings
of Medicine. You’re invited to participate as a runner/walker,
in good shape, snow removal and landscaping, and over-
to sponsor a racer or team, or to have your business serve
sight of the church sextons. Please welcome Ken when you
as a corporate sponsor for the race. For more information
see him!
or to donate to this worthy cause, go to www.wizathon.
URWell Clinic Fundraiser
com/urwell5k. We would especially invite you to consider a donation to “Team Asbury,” made up of the fourth year clinic
The University of Rochester’s medical students are planning
coordinators at our own clinic.
their 10th annual UR Well 5K Run/Walk for Saturday, April 11 7
u The Reverend Susan S. Shafer u
Pastoral Care Endowment I think Christ’s presence is made known in relationships. That’s God’s message through Jesus Christ— that there is a relationship of the holy to the human. For us as pastors and parishioners, we’re called to help others know the holy in the midst of human activities. —T h e R e v e r e n d S u s a n S . S h a f e r
The Reverend Susan S. Shafer Pastoral Care Endowment Asbury First is committed to pastoral care. The Reverend Susan S. Shafer Pastoral Care Endowment, established by outright and deferred gifts, will fund, in perpetuity, a percentage of this ministerial position. Your gift ensures support for today while providing care and ministry far into the future. Each year, a portion of the investment earnings will be given to the Annual Operating Plan to be used towards funding this pastoral care position, while your original gift will be preserved as principal in perpetuity. T h e R e v e r e n d S u s a n S . S h a f e r has impacted thousands of lives in her 34 years of ministry at Asbury First United Methodist Church. Her extraordinary gifts for pastoral care have brought comfort, strength, and a powerful sense of Christ’s presence to both members of Asbury First and countless individuals in the greater Rochester community. Now, as she prepares for retirement, we honor her ministry by ensuring that her legacy of care will live on at Asbury First through an endowed pastoral care position in her name.
Way s t o G i v e Outright Gifts • • • • •
Pastoral Care at Asbury First
Cash/Checks/Credit Cards Electronic Funds Transfer Appreciated Securities IRA Distributions Real Estate
Deferred Gifts • • • • •
Bequest Beneficiary Designation Charitable Gift Annuity Charitable Annuity Trusts Life Insurance
We ask that you prayerfully consider your gift to The Reverend Susan S. Shafer Pastoral Care Endowment, reflecting the magnitude of gifts that Susan has shared and ensuring her legacy of pastoral care at Asbury First.
At Asbury First, pastoral care encompasses all the ways in which our pastors and staff touch the lives of those who make up our faith family. In sickness and health, in joy and sorrow, the pastors walk with our members and friends on their faith journey. Perhaps Susan says it best:
There are several ways to make your gift. Watch your mail for a letter and pledge card that will be mailing soon. Or, you can clip the pledge card on the next page, or visit www.asburyfirst.org for an online pledge card. If you have questions, please contact the Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady at (585) 271-1050 or Robert Schuman at (585) 248-9673.
Pastoral care is listening another soul into discovery and discernment. This is the greatest gift one soul can give to another. Whether in a sermon, at a bedside, in office conversation, in a snatched moment on Sunday morning; in helping another to embrace the challenges and changes that life’s buffeting brings, and to share the joy of living and help us all walk the path of faithfulness — to me, that is pastoral care. It’s offering Christ’s grace for the journey; shining Christ’s light in the darkness.
u
Thank you for helping to create this special honor. u
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RAIHN: What Is It and What Does It Mean for Asbury First?
E
very 13-14 weeks 1010 East Avenue, the red brick building on the Asbury First campus, becomes home to families who are temporarily without homes of their own, through our affiliation with RAIHN. In 2014 — the tenth anniversary of RAIHN (Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network) in Rochester and at Asbury First — 263 volunteers arranged bedrooms, made beds, welcomed families, provided meals, cleaned up, assisted with recreation and activities, and supervised a home for the families assigned to the program.
transported by a RAIHN bus to the RAIHN Day Center where they can receive their mail, meet the school buses, do their laundry, bathe/ shower, go to work, and receive counseling on jobs and housing. At the end of their day, the families return to the host community where they eat dinner and receive support from the host volunteers. The evening is time to relax and the day ends with a private place for sleeping as a family under one roof. The goal of RAIHN locally and nationally is “to achieve sustainable independence for families by supporting them with shelter, food, personalized case management, and a diverse network of caring volunteers.” We at Asbury First are an important part of this effort as a part of our church’s outreach programming. RAIHN at Asbury First is accomplished only through the hard work of the volunteers who assist in caring for these families while they make their home on our campus.
Rochester is part of this national non-profit interfaith network for assisting homeless families. In Rochester, 13 area churches – including Asbury First –provide temporary housing facilities for families. In addition, 33 other Rochester-area churches provide support services, including meal preparation and supervisory and hospitality staffing. Support churches assisting at Asbury First are Greece Baptist Church, Baptist Temple and AME Baber Church. Families are referred to RAIHN from a number of social service agencies in Monroe County. A family coming into the RAIHN program is pre-screened by the referring agency and then again by the director of RAIHN. There are strict policies for accepting families, and a pledge to abide by the rules is required.
This past year, 263 volunteers contributed 1,517 hours during Asbury First’s rotations. They welcome families when they arrive each evening, provide the meal, and extend an evening of hospitality (playing games, helping with homework, and doing crafts with the children). Each night two volunteers spend the night and see that the guests are up and ready for the bus to take them to the day center the following morning.
What is a typical “Day in the Life” of a family in the RAIHN program? The family moves weekly from one hosting faith community to the next. The family typically spends several weeks in the RAIHN program while they seek new housing through professional counseling provided by RAIHN and other agencies.
The RAIHN program is always in need of volunteers. During the 2015 year, RAIHN families will be hosted by Asbury First on the following weeks: March 29-April 5, July 5-12, and October 11-18. If you want to be a part of this important effort, contact Chris and Doug Lee at (585) 451-7692 or c_s_lee29@msn.com or Melody Guadagnino at the church office (585) 271-1050, x103. – Peggy Lyons
Each day starts with breakfast at the host facility, provided by the volunteers from each hosting or support organization. The guests are then
u The Reverend Susan S. Shafer u
∆ Enclosed is my/our gift to The Reverend Susan S. Shafer
Pastoral Care Endowment
Endowment in the amount of $ ∆ My/Our gift to The Reverend Susan S. Shafer Endowment will be a pledge of $
Name(s):
$
Address:
, with a payment of
(weekly/monthly/quarterly/yearly). circle one
∆ Please contact me to discuss my gift.
Phone:
Please refer to me/us/my family in the following way on the list of
Email:
donors: 9
children’s ministry news Pretzels & Prayers On Sunday, March 8, the children of Asbury First participated in an eagerly-awaited annual event: Pretzel Sunday. The children visited a variety of activity stations, including one featuring (of course!) the opportunity to make delicious pretzels – all the while learning about this year’s theme, the Lord’s Prayer.
Children “Take the Plunge” During Beach-Themed Mini Vacation Bible School
D
uring the bleak winter days of February, it was summer at Asbury First. 100 children and 25 volunteers participated in our first winter break mini vacation Bible School. “Take the Plunge” VBS focused on our faith, worship and service to others. The children were greeted each morning by Penny the Penguin and couldn’t wait for the fun to begin. They rotated between music, games , theater, crafts, crafts and story time. The mornings ending with a visit from our favorite puppets, AJ and Jimmy. We sang songs, we learned about our faith, and truly felt the warmth of the holy spirit during the cold winter days. It was a great success, and we are planning for next year. If you can’t wait till next February our summer VBS will be August 3-6. Mark your calendars! – Paula Dugan
photos courtesy of Miram Derivan
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• preparing for your future •
One of a series of articles from the Planned Giving Committee to Help Our Members Make Sound Financial Decisions
D
id you know … that if you don’t have a will, New York will write a will for you?
children receive the money outright. A will also gives you the opportunity to make cash gifts to family members, such as grandchildren, or gifts to your church.
If you don’t have a will, then New York law will govern how your assets pass on your death. People who die without a will die intestate, and the law governing how assets are distributed in this case is called the intestacy statute.
A will allows you to choose an executor to act on your behalf. You may also nominate guardians for your minor children in a will. In contrast, if you don’t have a will, someone will have to step forward and volunteer to act in these roles. This may, or may not, be the person you would choose!
People sometimes think that if they die without a will then their assets pass to the state. This is not true, but the way assets pass under the intestacy statute may surprise you. Under the intestacy statute if you die survived by a spouse and a child, or children, then your spouse will receive fifty thousand dollars and one-half of your property and your child, or children, will receive the other one-half.
Keep in mind that a will only controls probate property, or assets held in your name alone. If a bank or investment account is held jointly with right of survivorship, then this account will pass to the surviving joint owner on your death. It will not pass under your will. This is also true for retirement accounts when you designate a beneficiary other than your estate. An important part of estate planning is coordinating title to property and beneficiary designations with the provisions of your will.
By creating a will you control how your assets pass at your death. If you have a spouse and children, you may choose to have all your assets pass to your surviving spouse, and only pass to your children when both you and your spouse are no longer living. If you have minor children, you can use your will to create trusts for them if you and your spouse should both die. By using trusts, you decide how the assets should be used and when your
This is general information provided by the Planned Giving Committee. Please consult with your attorney for more information.
Remembering Your Church For many people, the ability to make a gift to their church in their will is a source of comfort and great satisfaction. They know that long after they are gone, the ministries of their beloved faith community will still thrive and grow, in part because of their generosity. Making your church a beneficiary of your will isn’t difficult. You’ll want to talk to your attorney, of course, and work with him or her to draft a legal document that is well-written and complete. Your gift to the church may be in the form of cash, or you may make the church a beneficiary of a life insurance policy – thus allowing your gift to be far more significant in size than what you might otherwise be able to give. You may also gift the church with appreciated securities, real estate, charitable gift annuities or charitable annuity trusts, or IRA distributions. As you prepare to set up your will, talk to your loved ones so that they understand your wishes regarding your bequest to your church and the rest of your estate. And, of course, spend time in prayer and contemplation to help you discern how best to use your financial assets.
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music the
A
arts
&
Envisioning the Passion: Good Friday Services sbury First’s Good Friday
liam Weinert, listening to the rhythms
service on April 3 at noon and
and the texts, and choosing appropriate
7:30 p.m. is a multi-media presen-
religious art images for each piece to
tation of carefully coordinated art,
enhance the experience of envisioning
music, and Bible readings designed to
the Passion. She selects religious art
evoke vivid images and feelings about
from all historical and style periods and
Christ’s crucifixion.
from a variety of countries. In past years,
For the last fifteen years, art histo-
the congregation has viewed Christian
rian and Asbury First member Sue Nurse has meticulously selected the images to carefully coordinate with the service’s music, spoken Bible verses, and silent readings. Each year, the music selections and art images are changed to provide a fresh experience for the congregation. Sue begins with the choral music selected by director of music Dr. Wil-
The
quality digitized images. This year’s service includes solo organ music played by Duane Prill and choral music sung by
drawings from Nepal, Native American sculpture, 20th century African crucifixes,
Sue Nurse
20th-century prints and bronze reliefs, illuminated manuscripts from as early as the 12th century, women artists from around the world, Japanese and Chinese pieces, and late 19th-century printed images of the Bible. During her first years as art coordinator, Sue used slides; now she creates a PowerPoint presentation of high
the professional chamber choir Voices, con-
ducted by William Weinert. Pieces by J.S. Bach, Thomas Tallis, Jacob Handl, and others will express the lamentations and grief of Good Friday. Envisioning the Passion through this cohesive multi-media presentation is always a powerful experience for all who attend. – Jeanne Strong
Salon Concert Series at A s b u r y F i r s t
S u n d a y, a p r i l 1 2 | 2 : 0 0 p . m . Beethoven’s Trio in E-flat Major, Op 70 no 2 Tchaikovsky’s Trio in A minor, Op 50 Featuring Rebecca Penneys, piano; Mikhail Kopelman, violin; and Stefan Reuss, cello. To reserve your tickets call the church office at (585) 271-1050 x103. Tickets are $30 in advance; $35 at the door / free for full-time students. 12
O
youth ministry news n a blistery morning at the end of February, five of our
is a wonderfully unique experience to be able to prayer-
senior high youth and two adults ventured to Clarks-
fully sit in absolute darkness and silence. And for those of
ville cave (Near Albany) to warm up. When we arrived at
you wondering where we go from here—we are looking
the cave, the
forward to a rafting trip down the Pennsylvania Grand
temperature
Canyon in the beginning of April!
may have
T
been below zero with the
youth practiced
but when we
meditation with
descended
several different
underground
prayer stations
into the greeted by the balmy 50 degree air
Sunday
in Lent the
wind chill,
cave, we are
he first
set up around
Muddy but exhilarated, the spelunking crew poses after their cave experience. L to r, Parker Anderson, Evan Alaimo, Amber Conrow, Jay Nelson, Conner Nelson, with Director of Youth Ministries Mike Mullin in back, and Victoria Slattery taking the photo.
youth and adults learning to walk the labyrinth.
joys and concerns. We did this through many mediums including walking the labyrinth, tracing hands and then
had great time crawling around, exploring the cave, and try-
laying our hands in the tracing of others while praying for
ing to guess where we were on the cave map. We were able
them, posting our joys and blessings on a cross, re-writing
to push ourselves to fit into places that we didn’t know were
the Lord’s prayer in our own words, molding clay as a re-
possible, and to experience complete darkness. The dark-
minder of the way God has molded us, etc. It was wonder-
ness might seem off-putting to some, but it can actually be
ful to witness the youth engaging in this spiritual experi-
a peaceful and tranquil experience. We are constantly on
ence together with such gravity and grace.– Mike Mullin
the move and bombarded with noise and light pollution. It
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Fellowship Hall.
We spent our evening quietly and reverently lifting up our
temperature that remains constant year round. Our crew
March 22 Hebrews 1:1-14 23 Hebrews 2:1-18 24 Hebrews 3:1-19 25 John 11:1-16 26 John 11:17-44 27 John 11:45-57 28 John 12:1-11 29 John 12:12-26 30 John 12:27-50 31 John 17:1-26 April 1 John 18:1-24
the labyrinth in
John 18:25-40 John 19:1-30 John 19:31-42 John 20:1-18 John 20:19-31 John 21:1-25 Colossians 1:1-23 Colossians 1:24-2:19
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Colossians 2:20-3:17 Colossians 4:2-18 1 Peter 1:1-25 1 Peter 2:1-25 1 Peter 3:1-22 1 Peter 4:1-19 1 Peter 5:1-14 2 Peter 1:1-21
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
2 Peter 2:1-22 2 Peter 3:1-18 Jude 1-25 Revelation 5:1-14 Revelation 21:1-27 Revelation 22:1-21 Romans 1:1-17 Romans 3:19-31 Romans 4:1-25 Romans 5:1-21 Romans 6:1-23 Romans 7:1-25 Romans 15:1-13
Scripture reading suggestions courtesy of the American Bible Society, www.americanbible.org.
13
library news Books for all ages and on all topics can be found in the church resource library and the library is ALWAYS open. The following books have been selected as featured books for April and are available in the library’s collection of books for children, young adults and adults. The library is located just off the gathering space near the elevators. Everyone is welcome! Children: God Gave Us You, by Lisa Tawn Bergren, Laura J. Bryant, illustrator. Perfect for bedtime, naptime, story time, or anytime, God Gave Us You provides a valuable opportunity to build children’s self-esteem every day and assure each one that he or she truly is a welcomed, precious, and treasured gift from above. Especially for ages 3-7.
Adult: Ordinary Grace, by William Kent Krueger. Ordinary Grace is a novel that will affect readers in unusual, interesting and, quite possibly, surprising ways. Bestselling author of fourteen mysteries in the Cork O’Connor series, the author changed pace with this novel. It is a winner of the 2014 Edgar Award for Best Novel. It is cited as “A well-done reading experience for anyone.”
Each Kindness, by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrator E. B. Lewis. Beautiful watercolors and prose, strong characters and a powerful anti-bullying message is especially appropriate for ages 5-8. Winner of the Coretta Scott King Honor Award, the book emphasizes that “each kindness makes the world a little better.”
National Geographic’s Who’s Who in the Bible: Unforgettable People and Timeless Stories from Genesis to Revelation, by Jean-Pierre Isbouts. Who’s Who is a reference guide to the men and women in the Bible, featuring more than 2,000 entries spanning Genesis to Revelation. This guide brings to life the fascinating characters of the Old and New Testaments from the fall of Adam and Eve to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.
Youth: How Long Things Live and How They Live as Long as they Do, by Anthony D. Fredericks. Definitely a science book for young people, this is an entertaining and informative presentation. It is a fact-filled 176 pages featuring 99 plants and animals, filled with fascinating “did you know?” facts about extremely short- , medium-, and long-lived creatures with lives ranging from 3 hours to 400 years.
Parenting: Redefining Girly: How Parents can Fight the Stereotyping and Sexualizing of Girlhood from Birth to Tween, by Melissa Atkins Wardy. This Publishers Weekly’s Best Book of 2014 provides a thoughtful, comprehensive guide to raising healthy, happy, confident children. The author includes a savvy take on the consequences of “princess culture,” along with suggestions for gender-neutral toys, clothing, and parenting.
Age of Miracles, by Karen Thompson Walker. Karen Thompson Walker’s The Age of Miracles is an engrossing and unforgettable debut novel about coming of age, set against the backdrop of an utterly altered world. A New York Times bestseller, this book is the current “If All of Rochester Reads” book. Cited as “One of the most engrossing books I’ve read in years,” it will be hard to put down by any age group.
Getting Past What You’ll Never Get Over, by John F. Westfall. The author leads readers beyond their hurts and into a life of confidence, freedom, and secure joy. Sharing stories with wisdom, humor, and vulnerability, he writes about how to move forward beyond fear, regret, guilt, anger, and bitterness into a life worth living.
Center for Spiritual Living Library (CSL) offers Lenten/Easter reading
R
ecent additions to the Center for Spiritual Living Library, located in the meditation room at 1010 East Avenue, include selections especially appropriate for the Lenten and Easter season. They are: God For Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Lent and Easter, edited by Greg Pennoyer. With beautiful full color artwork, God For Us explores the
meaning of Lent, its importance in spiritual formation, its significance in preparation for Easter, and the holy season of Easter. It is recommended for personal, family, church, community, and academic library Christian Studies collections and supplemental reading lists.
tion on the reality and power of the Resurrection.” Resurrection includes classic illustrations of Western art in full color. This book is part of McGrath’s series, Truth and the Christian Imagination, that provide reflections on the central mysteries of the Christian faith.
by Janet McKenzie’s paintings of the fifteen Stations of the Cross. Appropriate for Lent and throughout the rest of the year, Chittister’s reflections on the Stations serve as a guide on how to overcome obstacles and direct our paths to a fulfilling life.
Resurrection, by Alister McGrath.
The Way of the Cross: The Path to New Life, by Joan Chittister.
Books in the Center for Spiritual Living Library are available to be checked out by simply signing and dating the library card in the book.
Author McGrath is a noted Oxford theologian. His book is cited as “a wonderful medita-
This book by popular writer Joan Chittister is accompanyed 14
Caring for Those Along the River Bocay
Above, the group from Asbury First in Nicaragua. L to r, Dr. Bruce Thompson, Cathy Ernsthausen, Arianna Ernsthauser, Emily Gage, Robyn Gage, and Dr. Larry Gage. Right, Bruce with a newborn whom he has just delivered. Photos courtesy of Bruce Thompson.
During February Break, Asbury First members Cathy and Arianna Ernsthausen, Emily, Larry and Robyn Gage and Bruce Thompson were part of a team of 30 North Americans and Nicaraguans who traveled to serve those living in remote villages in northern Nicaragua. They traveled under the auspices of The Mission Society, an agency of the United Methodist Church that works with missionaries in more than 40 countries.
I
t is difficult to find the words to describe the beauty of Nicaragua’s landscape and people. During our ten-hour bus ride to Ayapal, in northern Nicaragua, and again during our three and a half hour boat ride from Ayapal along the Rio Bocay to our campsite in the village of Kayaskita, we saw waterfalls, volcanoes, lush stands of bamboo, towering ceibo trees and colorful birds. The villages we passed through were busy with children playing, vegetable markets, and even a few games of baseball. But by far the greatest beauty we encountered during our stay was in the faces and hearts of those we came to serve. Despite hardships we cannot imagine, their love of Jesus shines through. Their joy is spontaneous, generous and contagious, and we were blessed by their embrace during our stay.
Moving a team of 30 people, with the food and fresh water needed for one week, plus tents, sleeping bags, medications and donations (including two treadle sewing machines!) by school bus, then in seven narrow 50-foot boats, while keeping everyone healthy and happy – indeed, joyous! – is no small logistical feat. Our team coordinators, Ronnie and Angi Hopkins, managed it calmly and perfectly. Our team included physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, translators, pharmacy aides, dentists, a medical student, volunteers in children’s ministry and construction, and of course our master chef, Maria. Our Nicaraguan partners did many things, but most of all they were our spiritual guides and exemplars, leading us daily, often hourly, in prayer and praise. We learned the lesson, indelibly: in the body of Christ, everyone is indispensable. From villages with no access to health care, parents, children and grandparents walked hours to one of the three clinics we set up along the riverbank, and waited in long lines to be seen. Among the conditions treated were asthma, respiratory infections, skin ulcers, malnutrition, hypertension, sexually transmitted diseases, fractures, and even an acute gall bladder attack. Dr. Bruce Thompson even delivered a healthy baby boy! 15
Bruce and Dr. Larry Gage each did “home visits” to care for those too ill to travel to our clinic sites. Larry hiked five hours in the mountains to treat a woman with debilitating leg ulcers and received a chicken for his efforts! While supplies lasted, reading glasses, new socks, baby clothes and underwear were distributed and received with gratitude. Team members also led children’s ministry programs, taught basic sewing, and worked on light construction projects at the area’s school, located about an hour’s walk from our campsite. The school was built several years ago and serves about 80 local children in preschool through grade six. After exhausting days, we were refreshed each evening in worship, often spontaneous, always powerful. Local villagers treated us to music, much of which they wrote, about God’s faithfulness. We fell asleep inspired by the beauty of their faith, and utterly content with an irresistible refrain settling in our hearts: O Gloria a Dios, Aleluya! Even the Milky Way, so bright above our heads in the absence of city lights, declared God’s glory. We went to Nicaragua hopeful that we might ease the burdens of those living along the banks of the River Bocay. We left Nicaragua nourished by their spirit and joy. We thank God for that gift. – Robyn Gage
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Join us for a new class at Asbury First
Holy Superhero! The Spirituality of Superheroes
or DC, we welcome you Whether you love Marvel the themes of these to our discussion of how might inform, or be instories of good and evil es are welcome, but formed by, our faith.All ag be accompanied by a children under ten should le by request. The parent. Childcare is availab e a younger-childfirst two nights will featur first half hour. We friendly activity during the hope to see you there! n Cady at scady@ Questions? Contact Stephe asburyfirst.org. tume! Feel free to come in cos
April 23, 30, May 7, 14 6:30-8pm Gathering Center