TheVisitor Asbury First United Methodist Church Newsletter May 2017 • Vol. M No. 4 • www.asburyfirst.org
IN THIS ISSUE A Pastoral Reflection 3 Community News 4 On Holy Ground 5 AFUMC News 6 Library & Reading News 9 Community Outreach & Needs 10 The Last Word 11
10-Year Anniversary of the Gathering Center! Story on pages 7 & 8
MISSION STATEMENT
The Visitor
Through worship, education, outreach, and care, we develop disciples of Jesus Christ who live and proclaim the Gospel and thereby work to transform our culture.
Vol. M No. 4
(USPS 558-470) is published 9 times a year, monthly with combined issues for November/December, January/February, and July/August, by Asbury First United Methodist Church. Periodical postage paid at Rochester, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send addresses changes to Asbury First UMC Visitor 1050 East Ave. Rochester, N.Y. 14607-2239 (585) 271-1050
FOUR WAYS TO WORSHIP AT ASBURY FIRST Traditional Worship in our Sanctuary 8:30 & 11 am Sunday mornings Chancel Worship with Holy Communion 10 am Sunday Mornings
Staff
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II Senior Minister Kathy Thiel Minister for Pastoral Care and Outreach Katie O’Hern Minister for Discipleship and Mission David Strong Church Administrator; Assistant Organist Dr. William Weinert Director of Music Paula Dugan Children’s Ministry Director Holly Temming Children’s Ministry Assistant; Director, Children’s Music Mike Mullin Youth Minister Richard Moncrief Financial Administrator Morgan Dornsife Development Director Melody Guadagnino Administrative Assistant Ken Carr Property Care Manager Michele Cooley Dining & Caring Center Director Jamie Least Communications Coordinator Duane Prill Organist Carol Lamica Director, Youth Music Elizabeth Church Director, Bell Choir Brian Bohrer Director, Asbury Singers Larry Dugan Director, Youth Theater Eric Townell Director ad interim, Sanctuary Choir
Emeriti Staff
Rev. Dr. Theodore Weeden, Sr., Pastor Emeritus Dr. Roger Wilhelm, Director of Music Emeritus Marian R. Craighead*, Organist Emerita *deceased Cover Photo Credit: Katie Shirer, Breaking Ground on the New Gathering Center
Please send all submissions, questions, comments, or concerns to communications@asburyfirst.org or 585-271-1050, x109. Deadline for submitting content to the next issue: May 1, 2017*
Watch live at www.asburyfirst.org 11 am Sunday mornings Listen on WYSL 1040 AM or 92.1 FM 11 am-noon Sunday mornings
Watch past services in our video archive at asburyfirst.org any time!
INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT Asbury First United Methodist Church prayerfully strives to live in its community with open hearts, open minds, and open doors. Affirming that each person is of sacred worth, we seek to be a fully inclusive church, believing that all people are God’s children, created in God’s image, loved and blessed equally by God. It is our purpose to be a Reconciling Congregation. This means extending hospitality and encouraging full participation of all, regardless of age, race, national origin, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status or family structure, education or economic background, and physical or mental ability. We recognize that we hold a variety of opinions. We do not seek to erase our differences, but to journey together in faith toward greater understanding and mutual respect. We believe that reconciliation to God and to one another is central to our mission and ministry.
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* Content submitted past this date may be considered
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A Pastoral Reflection On Death and Life… | Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II
“For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and the sake of the gospel, will save it.” -Mark 8:35 This Lent I gave up immortality and gained the gift of life. Following one particularly poignant Ash Wednesday service as a child, I asked my parents “What does ‘remember that you are dust’ mean?” Their exact response has been lost to the vacuum of time, but I remember the gist—Lent is a time when we are supposed to contemplate our own mortality. (I might have added that we give up something or add something to our routines in the hope that it might force us into a new and more faithful habit of life.) In other words, I have known what I was supposed to do during Lent since I was a kid, but it took me 38 years to finally do it—to really stop and consider that there will come a time when I am no longer here. As some of you know, the day after Ash Wednesday this year, I learned that I had had a small stroke. To be honest, I would have rather given up chocolate. After all the poking, prodding, and prescribing of the first few days, I was sent home to begin the recovery process. The good news is that I am doing very well. I have no cognitive impairments and, except for a small missing sliver of my eyesight that is getting better, I have no lasting physical challenges. The doctors do not know why I had my stroke as I have none of the typical risk factors and am younger than most stroke patients. Their best guess right now is that it was related to a complicated migraine—something that I couldn’t and can’t fully control. We never know what a day is going to bring. As a result, I spent the season of Lent in reflective and prayerful conversation with loved ones about how to live fully and faithfully. I have given thanks to God for my family, my friends, and my faith, and have considered how to pull all of them into better balance. You have given me countless tangible reminders of God’s grace through your cards, your calls, and your care. I will forever be grateful to the other pastors and staff for having stepped up when I had to step away—in particular, for Katie and Kathy who stepped into the pulpit and David Strong who stepped into his new administrative role just in the nick of time. The work of careful and faithful reflection on my mortality and vitality is not yet complete—it might never be, but the season has changed. We are now in Easter and with the proclamation of a crucified and risen Lord, comes the promise of new life for all. I am back in the office, though things look a little different. I am back in the pulpit, though it feels a little different. I am back to life, though it will never be the same. As it turns out, much like Lent, I have always known what Easter is about, but it took me 38 years to finally live it. By God’s grace, may I never forget. Grace and Peace, Stephen
SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES 8:30 am – Traditional Worship 10 am – Chancel Worship with Holy Communion 11 am – Traditional Worship with Sanctuary Choir SUMMER SERVICE TIMES Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekends (Inclusive) 8:30 am – Outside Worship with Holy Communion 10 am – Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
Worship
worship schedule SUNDAY MAY 7 Genesis 1 Children's Sunday
SUNDAY MAY 21 Acts 17:22-31 Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Preacher SUNDAY MAY 28 John 17:1-11 Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Preacher
SUNDAY MAY 14 Acts 7:54-60 Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Preacher
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SUNDAY JUNE 4 Youth Sunday SUNDAY JUNE 11 Matthew 28:16-20 Katie O'Hern, Preacher SUNDAY JUNE 18 Genesis 18:1-15 Katie O'Hern, Preacher
Community News Our Living Deaths – We offer our prayers and sympathy to … Joe and Janice Cygan on the death of Joe’s mother, Mary Ann Cygan on January 16, 2017. The family and friends of Zachary Harrington who died on March 23, 2017. Lois Wentis on the death of her nephew Phillip Hodge who died on March 26, 2017.
in Community Baptisms – We celebrate the baptism of …
The family and friends of Eleanor McPhee who died on March 30, 2017.
Elena Eileen Weaver, daughter of Stephanie and Jonathan Weaver, baptized on April 9, 2017.
David and Bonnie Kay on the death of David’s brother Richard B. Kay on April 3, 2017. The family and friends of Maureen Holcomb who died on April 12, 2017.
Memorial Sunday Now in November This year, Memorial Sunday will be celebrated as a part of our All Saints Day celebration on the first Sunday of November. This is the Sunday when we set aside time to recognize gifts given in honor of those who have passed away.
summer
summer worship times begin may 28 Our summer worship schedule will last from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend (inclusive)! Join us for both indoor and outdoor services all summer long. These summer service times are as follows: 8:30 am — Outside worship with Holy Communion 10 am — Traditional worship inside the sanctuary
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Saying Farewell to Katie O'Hern on June 18 It was announced that Katie O'Hern has been approved for commissioning as a provisional elder in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, and that conference has decided to appoint her to serve a church there. Sunday, June 18 is Katie's last Sunday with us at AFUMC and on that day, we will worship together and say goodbye before she departs to serve as pastor of John Wesley United Methodist Church in Hagerstown, Maryland, effective July 1.
On Holy Ground by Bonnie Matthaidess
Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.
Each Spiritual Life Committee member has recently made a personal commitment to respond to God’s generous love by practicing on a regular basis a method of prayer, meditation, Gospel contemplation, and more. We desire to nurture and deepen our faith and throughout the year we are inviting you to join with us in a commitment to prayer and reflection. In each issue of The Visitor, we will be offering a reflection on a Scripture passage or a reading that has personal significance. "As a youth, my Sunday School experience included the memorization of Scripture and one of the earliest passages was the 23rd Psalm. Rev. Barrow taught me to read this Psalm as though it was written personally for me and to actually place my name in the Psalm. He leads me beside still waters. Even now in my senior years, I find myself turning to this Psalm again and again. Whether in times of stress, joy, or frustration, I know without a doubt, that it is My (Bonnie's) Shepherd who encourages me (Bonnie) to press on." -Bonnie Matthaidess
Churchwide Carnival SUNDAY, JUNE 4 | 11 AM-1 PM
Join us for a light lunch, a bounce house, and activities for all ages! PLUS! SAVE THE DATE Vacation Bible School 2017 Monday-Thursday, August 7-10 Find out more by contacting Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org. 5
AFUMC News Teaching Agriculture at Chacocente Christian School The idea of including classes in agriculture and animal husbandry at Chacocente Christian School was the idea of the Nicaraguan staff. They recognized that most of the students come from farming families that struggle to grow enough food for their children. Like most issues dealing with poverty and hunger, the causes and solutions are complex and difficult to understand. Although many families own farmland, most cannot afford the seed or equipment needed to plant and tend crops. For those who do manage to plant, droughts, which have been increasing in frequency and severity for the past ten years, are a constant threat. In an attempt to teach current farming techniques, the staff has implemented a successful program that is benefitting the students and their families. The program also provides added fruits, vegetables, and eggs to the daily lunch program enjoyed by both students and teachers. Once word was out that Chacocente Christian School would be teaching farming, parents—grateful that their children have been given the opportunity of an education—donated chickens. The campus now includes a chicken coop and an enclosure for pigs, as well as fields of plantains, corn, beans, squash, papaya, pineapple, and melons. Teachers, students, and their parents are responsible for the care of livestock and crops. Teachers understand that their duties include feeding chickens or picking beans. Parents volunteer to care for the pigs or chickens on weekends and during school breaks. The goal of Project Chacocente has always been to empower people so that they can improve their own lives and the lives of those around them. This initiative, entirely the idea of Nicaraguan people seeking to serve fellow Nicaraguans, is an example of that empowerment. We ask that you keep this ministry in your prayers.
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AFUMC News Women's Retreat: Mark Your Calendars for June 9-11
Connection...
Theme: Connection Date: June 9-11 (Friday dinner through Sunday at noon) Location: Notre Dame Retreat House, 5151 Foster Rd, Canandaigua, 14424 Cost: $150 for a double room or $190 for a single (scholarships are available) Registration: Contact Melody Guadagnino; 585-271-1050 x103 or mguadagnino@asburyfirst.org Speaker and body movement leader: Sheri Kreher, LCSW and certified Yoga Therapist Facilitator: For more information, contact Bonnie Matthaidess at 752-4650 or bjmatt2@aol.com
With God –- With Self –- With Others
CONNECT WITH GOD through music, Scripture, and contemplation CONNECT WITH SELF in quiet, in gentle body movement, and in reflection CONNECT WITH OTHERS by kything, through awareness, and play
Watch your church bulletin for more details. We hope you can be with us!
Save the Date: Our 10-year Celebration of the Gathering Center on June 11 After Worship! Did you know the Gathering Center is only 10 years old? It was one of the main projects in our last capital campaign, A Time To Build, which raised $4.7M (including financing, architects fees, professional fundraiser fees and construction costs). The dollars raised were from 746 individuals, families, and organizations who gave generously to this project! The main features of project were: • ADA accessibility to the entire 1040 complex • Spaces in which to gather for fellowship before and after services and other events • A space where our youth could meet • Several major maintenance projects were also completed in our 1010, 1040, and 1050 buildings
Here’s an excerpt from the May 6, 2007 bulletin, the day we consecrated the Gathering Center: "In January 1999, the Church Directions Committee took on the special project of developing a long-range real property plan for Asbury First. Fully accessible buildings, space for gathering and fellowship adjacent to the Sanctuary, and a larger meeting space for our growing youth program emerged as the three most pressing needs of our Congregation. These needs were the basis for the work of the Master Plan Implementation Committee and the Building Committee, ably assisted by Bero Architecture, which led to the creation of the final plans for our new space and renovations to our existing space. Approvals by the Church Conferences in 2003-4 led to the launch of a capital campaign for A Time To Build on April 25, 2004, groundbreaking for our new space on June 12, 2005, and a final approval to proceed with construction and financing on August 7, 2005. Construction began on October 3, 2005 and was completed in February 2007." 7
AFUMC News (continued from previous page)
This campaign was truly an “all in” campaign at Asbury First. We had countless people giving of their time, talent, and treasure to make this dream a reality. Activities like painting the Fellowship Hall and Education wing, planting flowers, stuffing pledge envelopes, counting pledges, organizing meetings, making phone calls, meeting one-on-one with pledgers, being temporarily moved from spaces, moving the library (twice!), and overseeing daily construction… all were done by our ministers, staff, committee chairs and members, and generous congregation. Wayne Turnblom served as Chair of the Building Committee, Paula Kuempel served as Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee, and Bruce Schwendy served as our Project Manager.
FUN FACT!
The United Methodist Church Book of Discipline states: o 2545 Consecration and Dedication of Local Church Buildings— o On acquisition or completion of any church-owned building, a service of consecration may be held. Before any church-owned building is formally dedicated, all indebtedness against the same shall be discharged.
On November 22, 2009, we received an Award of Merit from the Landmark Society of Western NY for creation of our new space.
Please mark your calendars for June 11 and JOIN US as we celebrate the joy of having these new and renovated spaces on campus and the blessing of our generous congregation.
Save the Date!
10-Year Anniversary of the Gathering Center on Sunday June 11 After the Worship Service 8
Library & Reading News May 2017
Books for all ages and on all topics can be found in the church libraries and they are open when the church is. The focus this month is on Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and new books, and you will find books on these topics for children, youth and adults in the church library collection. Come visit, browse and check out the books. Children The Next Place by Warren Hanson Memorial Day is a perfect time to read The Next Place. It is an inspirational journey of light and hope to a place where earthly hurts are left behind. It is a celebration of life that will especially appeal to ages 5-9. Mommy Hugs by Karen Katz As Mother’s Day approaches, this is a very appropriate picture book for toddlers. This book is great for interactive baby story times. Mommies at Work by Eve Merriam Ages 2-5 will enjoy interesting pictures showing a multitude of mothers in both conventional jobs (teacher, bank teller) and less conventional ones (assembly line worker, air traffic controller).
diversity of experience to offer an entirely original portrait of motherhood in conversations between parents and children, husbands and wives, siblings and friends. The Mom You’re Meant to Be by Cheri Fuller Motherhood is meant to be a blessing, not a burden. So why do so many moms seem exhausted? Through engaging short stories, inspirational reflections, Scripture, creative ideas, and thought-provoking questions, The Mom You're Meant to Be encourages mothers to relax, embrace their children's individuality, and rely on God for the wisdom they need. God and the Afterlife: Groundbreaking New Evidence for God and Near-Death Experience by Jeffrey Long In his bestselling book Evidence of the Afterlife, Dr. Jeffrey Long showed us that there is a strong scientific case for life after death. Now, he goes further, revealing evidence that God is real.
Youth The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck Two women separated by decades. Both set out to help others find their dreams when their own have crumbled. This book was named Inspirational Novel of the Year.
Parenting The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia A classic. As Freddie experiences the changing seasons along with his companion leaves, he learns that death is part of life. It will appeal to all ages.
The Promise of Jessie Woods by Chris Fabry A Christian novel about life in 1970's Appalachia. It is a poignant coming of age Southern novel about friendships, love, secrets, and life with a minister's family.
Bake Through the Bible: 20 Fun Cooking Activities to Explore the Bible Story with Young Children by Susie Bently-Taylor and Bekah Moore Bake Through the Bible is a cookbook and Bible lesson guide all rolled into one.
Adult Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps by David Isay In time for Mother's Day, Isay brings a satisfying second collection of StoryCorps selections featuring StoryCorps' most revealing stories on the subject. Mom looks across a 9
Community Outreach & Needs You're Invited! Dining and Caring Center Appreciation Dinner on May 16 The Asbury First Dining and Caring Center is hosting a Supporter Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Fellowship Hall from 5:30-7:30 pm to thank all of you who help sustain this ministry of hospitality, hope, and healing. Invitations have been sent, but despite our best efforts, you may not have received one. Please consider this your invitation. Punch will be served from 5:30-6 pm, followed by dinner and a short program recognizing Hershel Patterson for his many years of involvement with the Dining Center. Please contact Michele Cooley at 313-1918, or mcooley@asburyfirst.org so that we may know you will be joining us for this special evening. We hope to see you there!
Storehouse Basement Sale Donations Needed! The Asbury Storehouse will host our annual Basement Sale, August 3, 4, and 5. The sale is our biggest yearly fundraiser and we THANK YOU for making that possible with your wonderful donations. Last year we reached a new high of $10,000! We have equally high hopes for this year as well. Start saving your items now, and on Sunday, June 11 we will be able to accept your items at the church.
We Need Asbury First Welcome Desk Volunteers on Sunday Mornings! A person can volunteer at the desk 1 hour, 2 hours...or what ever time you have. We are flexible! The Welcome Desk is open between the hours of 8:15 am to 12:15 pm Sunday mornings. Volunteers will greet people as they approach, hand out name tags if they have ordered them, hand out visitor welcome bags, answer questions and guide them. It is a great way to meet people! If you have questions or are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Janda Hemming at jhemming01@earthlink. net or 381-6902.
Watch upcoming bulletins and Visitors as dates and locations will be listed for your donations. If you need further information or assistance in getting your donations to the church, please contact Elizabeth Church at emchurch418@ gmail.com or 461-9802.
Bike Drop on May 6! The Asbury First Dining and Caring Center has a close relationship with R Community Bikes and that has resulted in about 450 bike repairs per year for our guests. To support the efforts of R Community Bikes, the Pittsford Rotary has a bike drop scheduled for May 6th from 9 am to 2 pm at Mendon High School. The donated bikes are delivered to R Community Bikes for repair or used for parts. If you have a used bike looking for a home, please consider taking it to Mendon High School on May 6th as it will wind up providing transportation for someone in need in our community. 10
The Last Word Food, Connections, and More | Michele Cooley
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you to Mal Traub and Hershel Patterson for continuing to floor shop each week at Foodlink headquarters! Hershel makes breakfast sandwiches for the FL staff which they have appreciated for years. They look forward to this extra touch of kindness each week. Leftovers from church functions have been a nice surprise when they occur. Many thanks to Sandra Holloway and Tasteful Connections for thinking of our guests. Our Boy Scout food drive was a big success, too! The Rochester Small Business Council has helped us for many years with boxes of food around Thanksgiving time.
Children in Kenya holding up our candy
In the world of the non-profit, donations are an important part of sustaining a program. The Dining Center at Asbury First is no exception. We have a number of very dedicated volunteers who drive all over Monroe County, picking up food and delivering it to us. This food is free, fresh, and delicious. It occurred to me that many are not aware of the connections we have made throughout the years which have become a mainstay for us. I will give you some examples, and a special thanks to our drivers. •
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BJ’s in Webster has been donating the most delicious pastries, bread, muffins, and dessert items for many years. These consist of generally their most expensive items which have not been purchased. Fancy cheesecakes, Tiramisu, Irish soda Bread, holiday cakes and macadamia cookies, artisan breads are popular with our guests. Our team of drivers include: Mal and Sunny Traub, Jan Anderson, Laura Swett, Barbara and Jim Zerkel, and Ann Standish. Every Thursday, they pick food up and are greeted here by guests who help unload the delivery. RIT has been bringing leftovers from their cafeterias to us for about four years. Roberts Wesleyan College has recently joined in and delivers each Friday through a Program Called Recover Rochester. College students eat a lot of pizza and our guests look forward to Sunday pizza snacks from 8 am to 12 noon! Samaritan Harvest has been delivering food since 1999. This is an organization under Spencerport Assembly of God, which collects and distributes prepared and perishable food that would otherwise be wasted. Grant Wolfe delivers over 700,000 pounds of food to 41 locations throughout the county—and we are one of their stops. One of our newest connections is Long Horn Steak House in Victor. Mac and Betsy Warner having been picking up rib eye steaks, shrimp, chicken, and potatoes. Many thanks to Darden Restaurants the parent company of Longhorn! Food Link has, of course, been a major contributor to the Dining Center. Approximately $4,000 in grant monies have been provided each year to assist us in our ministry. Thank 11
One of our most unusual donations this year so far has been 7,000 pounds of candy from BJ’s. When we were approached regarding this, I wasn’t sure how this was going to happen. This was exciting!! And logistically terrifying. Mal Traub was up to the challenge and made several trips to BJ’s to pick up the candy. This has been stored in a large trailer and brought to the Dining Center when needed. As much as our guests like the candy, we have been surprising other ministries and programs with our good fortune— sharing is caring! The candy connection has reached many a sweet tooth in the Rochester area and beyond: • • • • • • •
The Veterans Administration Stand Down in March received about 200 pounds. An AME Church in Rochester was happy with about 100 pounds. Our candy found itself traveling to Kenya on a mission trip. I received a photograph of the children in Africa holding up our candy and smiling as pictured above. The RIT ROTC students enjoyed theirs as well as has the Francis Center a local Homeless Shelter. Some of our Asbury Ministries have been recipients as well. Candy has traveled to a family in New Jersey and many families in Rochester. And we are still connecting. We have quite a bit left!
We cannot express enough thanks to all who make the effort to contribute time and and generosity to the Asbury Dining and Caring Center. Life at the Dining and Caring Center is all about connections and our energy to seek out and cultivate community partnerships. It is what makes us a unique Church and a positive influence for compassion and vibrancy. I am looking forward to recognizing our Dining and Caring Center volunteers and donors at our beautiful appreciation dinner. We will be serving roast beef, a vegetarian alternative, salad, Hors d'oeuvres, coffee, and punch. Our honoree this year will be Hershel Patterson. Come and join him on this special day: May 16th from 5:30 to 7 pm in Fellowship Hall. More details on this event can be found on page 10!
PERIODICAL 1050 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14607-2293 Address Service Requested
Churchwide Carnival SUNDAY, JUNE 4 | 11 AM-1 PM
Come for a light lunch and have fun with activities for all ages! PLUS! SAVE THE DATE Vacation Bible School 2017 Monday-Thursday, August 7-10 Find out more by contacting Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org.