TheVisitor Capital Campaign News
Asbury First United Methodist Church Newsletter November/December 2018 • Vol. M No. 13 • www.asburyfirst.org
IN THIS ISSUE A Pastoral Reflection 3 Community News 4 Better Together Campaign 12 Music & Arts News 14
Library & Reading News 15 Youth Ministry News 16 Our Values 17 The Last Word 18
MISSION STATEMENT
The Visitor Vol. M No. 13
Love God and neighbor. Live fully. Serve all. Repeat.
(USPS 558-470) is published 5 times a year, February/March, April/May, Summer, September, and November/December 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 and 11 am Sunday mornings
Staff
The Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II The Rev. Mike Mullin The Rev. Jacqueline Nelson The Rev. Kathy Thiel David Strong Dr. Carl Johengen Paula Dugan Holly Temming Richard Moncrief Morgan Dornsife Melody Guadagnino Deb Bullock-Smith Michele Cooley Jamie Curran Duane Prill Carol Lamica Elizabeth Church Brian Bohrer Larry Dugan
Senior Minister Minister for Discipleship & Youth Minister for Outreach Minister for Pastoral Care Church Administrator; Assistant Organist Interim Director, Sanctuary Choir Director, Children’s Ministry Children’s Ministry Assistant; Director, Children’s Music Financial Administrator Director, Development & Communications Administrative Assistant Administraitive Assistant to the Senior Pastor Director, Dining & Caring Center Communications Coordinator Organist 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 Emerita *deceased Cover Photo Credit: Bob Castle, Dining In For Outreach 2018
Please send all submissions, questions, comments, or concerns to communications@asburyfirst.org or (585) 271-1050, x109. Deadline for submitting content for the February/March issue: December 3, 2018
Chancel Worship with Holy Communion 10 am Sunday Mornings 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.
SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER To receive weekly email updates, with news of upcoming services, classes, and other events at Asbury First, you can now TEXT TO SUBSCRIBE! Just send a text with the message ASBURYFIRSTNEWS to 22828. You can also visit asburyfirst.org and scroll to the bottom of the home page, where you’ll see a sign-up window. 2
A Pastoral Reflection Finding Hope in Advent The Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II
We are quickly approaching “the most wonderful time of the year”—that season when we drag out our holiday decorations, share our best cookie recipes, and try to get into the holiday spirit. Only, some years it is easier said than done. For those who have experienced loss, who are still wading through the waters of grief, getting into that spirit can feel almost impossible. Yet, part of what makes this season wonderful (in the truest sense of the word) is that somehow God breaks into our grief, sits with us in it, and points us toward life again. That is the promise of the incarnation, of Emmanuel—God with us. Fortunately, we have people to remind us of this truth, some who are still with us and some who have gone before. The eternality of life and the immortality of love mean that the hope we share with one another is stronger than death and, if we are willing to listen, those who have gone before us still have wisdom to share. Barbara Steen was the wife of the late Rev. Tom Steen, a former minister of Asbury First. However, by most accounts, she was a minister in her own right—in spirit if not in title (something I celebrate in my own relationship). Over the course of her life, Barbara experienced more than her fair share of loss, from her children to her parents to her siblings to her husband. As a result, grief was a frequent companion. While preparing for Barb’s memorial service this fall, I found a handwritten reflection about the holy journey of grief: Grief, by Barbara Steen How can we use grief, rather than waste it How can we be creative in it, not destroyed by it God has use for our grief He waits until we are able to think and begins his actions through our sorrows The length of God’s waiting time varies according to the personality of the one who has come to him for help for some it takes longer to sort things out—it took me years to deal with my mother’s death. Then, through grief, I sensed a new tenderness, compassion, a new awareness in me a need to affirm rather than criticize—life is difficult enough to deal with This is God’s breaking through to us. This may not be the most wonderful time of year for us, but the promise of our faith is that regardless of where we find ourselves, God will join us there. Perhaps that alone will give us something at which to wonder while we wander. Grace and Peace, Stephen
This reflective moment of worship is sacred space for those who may feel a special pain or hardship—whether from the loss of a loved one, loneliness around the holidays, and more. Please join us on December 22 at 2 pm for this unique and meaningful service.
Attend The Longest Night Service On December 22 at 2 pm 3
Community News worship schedule Worship
WORSHIP SERVICE TIMES 8:30 am Traditional Worship 10 am Chancel Worship with Holy Communion 11 am Traditional Worship with Sanctuary Choir SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Mark 12:38-44 The Rev. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18 Thanksgiving Sunday 1 Samuel 1:4-20 The Rev. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25 The Rev. Jacqueline Nelson, Preacher
Our Living Deaths – We offer our prayers and sympathy to... The family and friends of Janet Patterson who died on May 1, 2018. Kathi and Greg Johnson on the death of Kathi’s mother Doris Maxim who died on August 10, 2018. The family and friends of Shirley Heacock who died on August 13, 2018. The family and friends of Earla Black who died on August 22, 2018. The family and friends of Barbara Steen who died on August 23, 2018. The family and friends of Gay Kleinstuber who died on August 26, 2018. The family and friends of Mary Baird who died in September 2018. The family and friends of Marjorie Fisher who died on September 7, 2018.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 2 1st Sunday of Advent Luke 21:25-36 The Rev. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher
MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 Christmas Eve 12 noon, 4, 7, 9, and 11 pm (See full details on back page) The Rev. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher
SUNDAY DECEMBER 9 Malachi 3:1-4 The Rev. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher
TUESDAY DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day 10 am joint service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 25 Westminster Rd. Rochester, NY.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 16 Cantata Sunday SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22 The Longest Night Service at 2 pm The Rev. Kathy Thiel, Preacher
SUNDAY DECEMBER 30 Luke 2:41-49 One service only at 10 am The Rev. Kathy Thiel, Preacher
SUNDAY DECEMBER 23 Luke 1:39-45 The Rev. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher
MONDAY DECEMBER 31 New Year's Eve A service of meditation and reflection from 5-6 pm
in Community The family and friends of Emily Short who died on September 7, 2018. To the family and friends of David Wait who died on September 9, 2018 in Tucson Arizona Baptisms – We celebrate the baptisms of... Wyatt Andrew Anderson, son of Andrew and Rachael Anderson, baptized on August 19, 2018. Easton Robert McMinn, son of Robert and Amanda McMinn, baptized on August 19, 2018. James Harold Nichol, son of John and Annie Nichol, baptized on August 19, 2018. Marriages – We celebrate the marriage of … Emily Davenport and Christopher Sutton were married on August 17, 2018. Kristi Stalk and Eric Kohl were married on August 25, 2018. 4
Do You Know These Names? We have lost touch with some of our members and need your help! The church does not have an address for the following people: Eric Anderson, Jacquelyn Beck, Rebecca Brown, Mary Bucci, Kimberly Cipoletta, Bruce Coleman, Crystal Coleman, Anthony Costanzo, Cecil Dukes, Nancy Gee, William Harrison, Cherish Jacobia, Nathan Jacobia, Mark Johnston, Kimberly Johnston, Christina Kennelly, Sally Kent, Linda Knaufer, Peter LePore, Phyllis Lotze, Andrew Lucas, Nicole Lucas, Lil Mandl, David Muller, Kathy Neidinger, Harry Ritchie, Norma Ritchie, Gail Roberts, Mary Rugg, Joshua Solomons, Alaina Stark, David Stewart, Claire Webster, and Mildred White. If you have current address information for the above, please call Melody Guadagnino at (585) 271-1050 ext. 103 or send an email to mguadagnino@asburyfirst.org.
Community News Mark Your Calendars For Holiday Worship Please note our special worship schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Christmas Eve Services 12, 4, 7, 9, and 11 pm
And Join us for a Meal on Christmas Eve As we’ve done in years past, we invite everyone participating in the Christmas Eve services to a special Christmas Eve meal from 5:30-6:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. RSVPs directed to the church office are helpful, but as always everyone is welcome!
Christmas Day Service
10 am at St. Paul's Episocopal Church (25 Westminster Rd. Rochester, NY)
Christmas Altar Poinsettia Donation Form Given by (please print clearly) Phone: Day Evening Please check one of the following and print the names clearly: ____in loving memory of: ____in honor or celebration of: ____a donation Please return this form to the church office, attention Bev Schuman, no later than December 9. Please include your donation. Checks should be made payable to Asbury First UMC Altar Guild. Thank you, and have a very merry Christmas! 5
Community News
Christmas is Coming!
Get Your Advent Devotional Have you ever heard someone call out to you, “Are you ready yet?" You reply, with your sweetest voice, “I’m coming.” Only to hear, “Yeah, so is Christmas!” Friends, Christmas is coming; the Joyous celebration of the birth of Jesus! The Spiritual Life ministry recognizes that the over-commercialization of Christmas holds the potential to change the focus of Christmas and we can easily fall into a frenzy and utter exhaustion. Please know the church offers the true focus – what we might name the “Reason for the Season.” A gift is the Advent season. . . a time to slow down and prepare our hearts for Jesus’ Coming. For this reason an Asbury First Advent Devotional has been lovingly prepared for us to read and pray together. People from Asbury First’s family have written their personal stories and reflections about this year’s chosen Advent themes: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. You will be inspired by the experiences of your Asbury First friends. You will want to pick up your copy on Sunday, December 2, at our Information Desk or at the Ministry Corner in the Gathering Center. The Devotional will also be available on the Asbury First website. Let us pray together during Advent as we prepare and anticipate Jesus’ coming anew into our lives and the world.
Your Invitation to Walk the Labyrinth This Advent During the season of Advent as you “Journey to Bethlehem”, remember that there is a path for your pilmigrage at Asbury First. Come walk the Labyrinth and empty your load, talk with God, and, renew your spirit. As the harpist plays, and candles light your way, feel the life that the birth of a babe in a manger brought to so many lives years ago, and still abides in our hearts today. Take time to welcome Him into your heart anew. In Jan Richardson’s book, Night Visions, Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas, she writes the following: "The season of advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before. It is not possible to keep it from coming, because it will. That’s just how Advent works. What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s hindquarters fade in the distance." So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon. You can do this at the Labyrinth! Come, walk, quiet yourself, and receive.
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December 5 December 12 December 19 5-7 pm Fellowship Hall Building 1040
Community News
Advent Winter Wonder Night Sunday, December 9 In The Gathering Center from 5-7pm Your family is invited to leave behind the hustle and bustle this season brings for an evening of dinner and worship in your pajamas. The children will perform the Christmas music that they have been working hard on. We hope you can join us as we look forward to sharing the magic of the season with you and your family.
Calling all Shepherds and Angels to Our Annual Christmas Pageant If your little one (ages 4-5th grade) is interested in being in the Christmas pageant that is held on December 24 at 4 pm, we would love to have them! Rehearsals will be during the 11 am worship hour following children’s time in December. It is not necessary to attended all the rehearsals. We will have 2 tech rehearsals one on Wednesday the 19th (6-7:30 pm) and Sunday the 23rd (12-2 pm). For more information please contact Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst. org or by calling (585) 271-1050 x111.
More Children's Ministry Events: Save These Dates! Winter Mini VBS! February 19-21 Tuesday-Thursday 9 am-12 pm A great way to send winter school break! Spend your mornings with friends and having fun while learning about love and care for others.
"Board Saturday Night� January 19 at 5 pm Come for a pizza dinner and bring your favorite or new game for all of us to play. This is open to all, young and old alike. It is a night filled with fun and fellowship.
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Carols & Cocoa Around the Christmas Tree Wednesdays During Advent On the Front Lawn 7 pm
Join us as we gather together to sing carols and enjoy hot cocoa outside around the Christmas tree each Wednesday during Advent. Starting at 7 pm, we will join in singing Christmas favorites, welcoming new faces, and seeing old friends. Come before or after your Wednesday activities! Bring a friend!
Community News P
The Joy of Christmas Mission Giving 2018 P
In the spirit of generosity at Christmas, we have the wonderful opportunity to give an additional gift to an outreach ministry at Asbury First. From local to global outreach, each project and each gift help fulfill our vision to Do More Good. Please visit our website or look for the Joy of Christmas Mission Giving brochure to select your outreach ministry to support. You may make your gift online, through the mail, or in the plate on Sunday. Simply mark your gift “Joy of Christmas” with your chosen outreach ministry noted as the recipient of your gift. Thank you for your additional support of outreach during the holiday season!
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Hanging of the Greens Saturday, December 1
The early Christians placed greens in their windows to indicate that Christ had entered the home; cedar represented royalty, fir and pine were for everlasting life, holly symbolized Jesus’ death, and ivy represented the resurrection. With this in mind, it is once again time to prepare our church home for Advent. The church campus awaits your special touches for this Christmas season, and many hands are needed to complete the work that needs to be done!
How to Help Saturday, December 1, 2018 will be the annual Hanging of the Greens, a collaborative effort to decorate our church for this holy season.
2-4 pm: Final Touches Decorating (all are welcome; this group will ensure all tasks that were started are completed) Come and go as you can! Bring a group, bring your family, come alone, come for the whole time, come for an hour, but as we like to say, "Whatever you do, just come!"
9-11 am: Tree Set Up (heavy lifters and handy individuals needed; coffee and donuts provided) 11 am-2 pm: FamilyFocused Decorating (multigenerational group, with jobs, activities, and a pizza lunch for all ages; childcare provided) 8
Many hands make light work, and we will all enjoy and take pride in the finished result for the upcoming concerts, programs, and services of the season. Come and join in the fellowship of the Hanging of the Greens! Contact Amy Allen at (585) 738-9128 or ajppa@yahoo. com with any questions and to let us know you will be there to help!
Community News Annual Day Care Wreath Sale: A Donation & Decoration!
Christmas For Storehouse Kids
Asbury Day Care Center is pleased to offer fresh Holiday Wreaths from Clover Nursery and Garden Center again this year. The Annual Wreath Sale will be held before and after each service on Sunday, December 2. A pre-order, pre-pay option is available, as well as being able to buy a wreath on December 2. All proceeds will benefit the classrooms at Asbury First. The children, teachers, and parents of Asbury Day Care Center greatly appreciated your joining us in this effort. For more information on the wreath sale, please contact Ellen Donovan at ellen.asburydc@frontier.com.
Christmas for Storehouse Kids
The over 6,000 families served each year at the Storehouse are just some of the 65,000 people who live below the poverty level in Rochester. While we supply them with the much-needed essentials of clothing, bedding and housewares all year long, during the holiday season we have the extra pleasure of providing parents with something not as essential but just as important: a brand-new present for each of their children. Whether they’re selecting a doll, truck or game for a youngster or jewelry, make-up or p j’s for a teen, the delight on a parent’s face is truly a joy to see. Please help our moms and dads do something special for their children by supporting the Christmas For Storehouse Kids drive again this year. Donations will be gratefully accepted beginning at the In Gathering, Sunday, November 17th and continuing each Sunday thru December 16th . Help make this Christmas an especially blessed one for our families and thank you in advance for your continued generosity.
Christmas Treasures Sale to Benefit Asbury First Storehouse Saturday & Sunday December 1 & 2 Saturday 10 am-4 pm Sunday 9 am-2 pm The annual Christmas Treasures Sale (formerly the Christmas Craft Sale) will take place this year on Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2. Come and bring your friends as well. This is a great place to do your Christmas shopping. Hours on Saturday are 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday hours are 9 am to 2 pm. You'll find true treasures, one-of-a-kind gifts, and presents that come from the heart!
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Advent Community & Seasonal News News Thank You to Asbury First Bake Sale Volunteers! A much over-due-but-sincere-"Thank You" to all the good folks who provided time and effort to support the Asbury First Outreach Bake Sale in August. Kudos to all who provided incredible baked good to sell and those who sold them. Please know that your support made our fundraiser a great success. Proceeds were able to benefit both Storehouse and Grocery Bag Ministries. With sincere gratitude, The Bake Sale Committee
Dining In for Outreach: Thank You!
Thanksgiving In-Gathering Sunday November 18
Each year we gather on the Sunday before Thanksgiving to give thanks for all that God has given us, and to pass on our gratitude in the form of items to support our outreach ministries – something we call our “Thanksgiving InGathering.” You are invited to review the list of needed items below, and join with others in bringing a gift of whatever items you wish to services on November 18. That day, at the offertory, we will bring forward our gifts and present them at the altar.
On October 13, the annual Dining In For Outreach event returned! Once a year, we organize hor d'oeuvres at our church, as well as dinners in our homes, to raise money for all of our outreach ministries. Those who attend enjoy sharing a meal with others. Those who open their homes to host a dinner create a moment of grace. We thank all of you who participated in this annual outreach effort—and thanks to you, more than $10,000 was raised from dinners, with an additional $10,000 raised from sponsors and individual donors! These gifts will truly go far to support the outreach ministries of Asbury First. Thank you!
This year, our ministries are in need of the following: Food items: Coffee, sugar, grits, jams, peanut butter, pasta sauce and pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, and tuna fish. Household items: Men's tube socks, men's winter gloves (large and x-large), men's winter hats, travel size toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, single pack toothbrushes, children’s toys, and winter clothing for all ages.
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Community News Large Church Genesee Valley District Presents: Ministers Informed to Transform 10 Gather at *Holy Boldness* Asbury First Boldly Living Our faith This October, Asbury First hosted “The Gathering,” an informal assembly of United Methodist ministers from large congregations and historic pulpits for fellowship and connection. Though the faces have changed, the group has been meeting together for over 40 years and has been the genesis of lifelong friendships and faithful support. Each year, The Gathering moves between host churches and, this year, Asbury First was honored to host ten ministers from around the denomination. It was the first time in many years that the group met north of the Mason Dixon line and they were treated to the best of what upstate NY has to offer. A special thanks to all who made their visit a warm one.
Have You Heard About the Bible Study Class on Sunday Mornings? Just a word about Bible Study as part of our Adult Education time. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a student in Reverend David Lubba’s group to read, discuss and learn about our Bible. My church gives me the opportunity to ponder excellent sermons; hear great music; be involved in giving to others; pray with others yet seek out my God and discuss social issues. Yet, for all of these, the most profound and underlying understanding for me, must be the Bible. I probably am not unlike many who have read most of it, understood some, relate to much, understood less… but desire direction. Rev. Lubba as a retired Methodist minister (please don’t retire from teaching!!) is a gift and extremely knowledgeable as a Biblical scholar. This is a wonderful place to read the Bible—with help. Please consider joining us! The class is open to all, of course! We hope to see you at 9:45 am on Sundays in Building 1050. -June Walters
What: Leadership Training Day Date: February 2, 2019 Where: Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave. Rochester, NY Time: 9 am-3:30 pm Registration: Will be available soon Cost: $20.00 per person Who: All are invited! For more information: Please call (585) 340-9525
On Holy Ground by David P. Crawford
AND YET …
Darkness creeps in ever more quickly as the days become shorter. The brilliance of autumn colors fade leaving us with the anticipation of snow and cold winter winds. And yet… there should still be room in our hearts to celebrate the wonderous days ahead. Remembrance: All Saints Day serves to remind us of the service and sacrifice of the saints who have gone before us. And yet … as members of Asbury First we can be proud that their sacrifices have helped our Outreach Ministry’s grow. Our mission is to carry on their work in body and spirit to help the less fortunate in our community. Gratitude: The challenges and adversities of our world swirl constantly around us. And yet…we can still awaken each day with feelings of joy and gratitude. On Thanksgiving may we give thanks to God for the bounty we enjoy. Preparation: The crush of Christmas activities often seems endless and overwhelming. And yet… during Advent we can prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Simply take a moment to step back from life’s daily rush. In that silence you can reflect on the wonder His birth has and will have on each of us and our struggling world. And yet… as the rush of Christmas fades and the New Year approaches we also need to reflect on God’s plan for us in the coming months. He looks to each of us in the year ahead to reach out in prayer. faith, courage, and action to continue doing good works in His name for the benefit of others. 11
Better Together Campaign AN UPDATE ON THE CAMPAIGNS: The Better Together Campaign launched last October and we are well on our way to our goal—a great success. To reach our goal, however, we have more work to do together over the next year. Annual Campaign Update
Capital Campaign Update
We are excited for what God has in store for Asbury First in 2019. As we continue to work toward the strategic goals of our Dreamscape, we are planning for how to staff those dreams. As we reported in the last issue of The Visitor, next year we hope to return to a full-time Director of Music and part-time volunteer coordinator, as well as add a part-time financial assistant. These strategic positions will only be possible through your generosity.
Our Better Together capital campaign has three vital areas— infrastructure, outreach, and accessibility. They correspond with the three phases in which we hope to complete these projects. Our commitment from the beginning has been to not begin a project for which we did not have the funding pledged. Thanks to your generosity, we are one year into the campaign and have already raised enough to complete phase one (the stairs, HVAC, and electrical upgrades to 1040) and are over halfway to meeting our fundraising goal for phase two of our projects—the Outreach Center.
Every year we ask members of our community to estimate their giving for the year ahead and make a pledge. We recognize that things happen throughout the course of a year which can change people’s ability to give for better or worse, but without an estimate of what will come in during the year ahead, we aren’t able to budget for new initiatives or confidently fund current ones.
We have approximately $1.5 million left to raise in order to build the Outreach Center. Our hope is to break ground in the fall of 2019 so that we can dedicate the completed project on our 200th anniversary in the fall of 2020. A new 1010 in 2020 for our 200th! Each year, our current programs serve 35,000 meals, clothe 6,000 families referred by 150+ agencies, and offer free basic medical care to 600 people, all in separate spaces never designed for these purposes. As we look to the future, we believe we need to centralize all on-campus outreach programs into one newly renovated, accessible, and beautiful space—1010 East Avenue.
Many of you have already made your pledge, thank you! For those who have not yet had a chance, please consider filling out a pledge card, or online at asburyfirst.org/bettertogether, by calling our office at (585) 271-1050, or by sending in the physical card.
We need your help to get there! We have a robust and active foundation solicitation strategy that has already begun to help us on our way toward closing the final gap for phase two, but we will also need the continued and generous support of members of the congregation, especially those who have not yet had a chance to make a pledge to this important campaign. You will be hearing more about this in the months ahead. For now, know that you can still make a gift by going to asburyfirst.org/bettertogether.
Finally, this year, we encourage you to consider giving through a regularly scheduled electronic funds transfer (EFT). Not only does this make the process of giving easier for you, it saves the church precious time and resources currently devoted to inputting and processing checks. Please find an EFT form online.
End of Year Giving Checklist 1. Fulfill Your 2018 Pledge:
If you have not yet had a chance to fulfill your pledge for this year, it will help us finish the year on budget and better prepare us for the year ahead.
As we near the end of the year, we would love for you to consider three ways that you might help make an impact on the mission and ministry of Asbury First:
2. Make a Pledge for 2019:
Every year we ask members of the church to estimate their giving for the year ahead. This helps us plan the vital ministry initiatives in the year to come.
3. Consider an Additional One-time Gift: The Better Together campaign could use your gift to help bring our dream of an Outreach Center to life.
For more information about how to make these gifts a reality, please go to our website at asburyfirst.org/bettertogether. 12
Better Together Campaign Project Progress Report
Our commitment is that no project will begin before we have pledges to cover them. Thanks to your generosity, the first step is already complete‌literally. And the next steps are in the works: The Front Steps
The front steps are complete! New granite has been installed, the old ramp was removed, new concrete sidewalks were poured and the railings have been repaired and repainted. The Steps and railings on both west entrances have also been replaced. Please stop by the front of the Sanctuary, or head to the Better Together website to see photos!
HVAC and Sanctuary Lighting
We are currently completing the design and construction documents for the HVAC system, which includes new boilers, new air handlers, and ventilation and climate control for the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. It will also include necessary electrical upgrades and new Chancel lighting. As part of the project, the old Bell Room, which is currently used for storage, will become a mechanical space, and ceilings and lighting in Fellowship Hall and surrounding areas will be taken down to access ductwork, and will be replaced with new LED lighting. The original system, conceived of in the 1950’s, was a very elegant design which included airconditioning. This was not fully implemented at the time of construction. The new HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system will fully realize the original design intent for the sanctuary, but with up-to-date technology and efficiency. Bid packages will be sent to prospective contractors in January of 2019, as part of an invited bid process. The Building Committee will review all bids and, in conjunction with the Trustees, select a contractor based on a pre-defined set of criteria. Construction is expected to begin in April of 2019, with completion targeted for September of 2019. During construction, Fellowship Hall and the areas immediately around it will not be accessible. We are working with all parties to minimize the effect of this temporary closure, and we will communicate further details as time draws near.
The Outreach Center (Building 1010)
The Rochester Preservation Board has approved our accessibility addition, and associated site changes! Design work continues on the outreach center, a project that will consolidate our weekly on-campus outreach programs (Dining & Caring Center, Storehouse, and URWell Clinic) into one accessible and humanizing space, allowing us to meet the needs of our guests holistically. We need to raise an additional $1.5 million to begin this project and currently hope to break ground in the fall of 2019 for a completion in 2020 in time for our 200th anniversary! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Chuck Hanrahan at chanrahan@asburyfirst. org or (585) 690-7509.
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YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS CAMPAIGN
READY TO SUBMIT YOUR PLEDGE CARD? VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT ASBURYFIRST.ORG/BETTERTOGETHER EMAIL US AT BETTERTOGETHER@ASBURYFIRST.ORG STOP IN THE WELCOME HALL AND PICK UP A BROCHURE
Music & Arts News
Upcoming
Special Services, Concerts, and Events November 4
November 9, 10, and 11
The Roberts Wesleyan Chorale will be the resident choir at our 8:30 and 11 am services and, at 3 pm will be joined by the Alfred University Choir to present a varied concert of choral music. Each ensemble will present solo sets featuring the music of Dan Forrest, Karl Jenkins, and Josef Rheinberger as well as spirituals, traditional Chinese songs, and arrangements from the shape-note tradition. The performance will culminate with joint forces on John Rutter’s beloved Gloria featuring organ, brass, and percussion. Our youth will present the musical Lion King Jr. in November! Performances are Friday, November 9 at 7 pm, Saturday, November 10 at 7 pm and Sunday, November 11 at 1 pm.
November 17
AKOMA, the African American Women’s Gospel Choir, will present a joint benefit concert to support our outreach ministries and Akoma’s scholarship program at 6 pm in the sanctuary.
November 24
Chris Wilson will present a concert in the sanctuary at 7 pm as a benefit for our outreach ministries.
December 7
A performance will be offered by Concentus Women's Choir.
December 14
Performances by Rush Henrietta Bel Canto Singers and Hilton and Spencerport select choirs will present a “Seasons of Sharing” concert at 7:30 pm.
December 15
Amadeus Chorale will present a concert of familiar Christmas tunes interspersed with a few new-toyou selections. This performance will be on Saturday at 7 pm.
December 16
Our Festival Choir will present Benjamin Britton’s Ceremony of Carols for four-part chorus and harp at the 8:30 and 11 am services. That afternoon at 3 pm, the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus will present a holiday concert.
Please Welcome Jordan Bachmann! We are pleased to announce that Jordan Bachmann has joined us as baritone-bass section leader/soloist. Jordan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music (Voice Performance), is employed full-time at Paychex as a 401K Trade Reconciliation Specialist, and is an active member of the Rochester Theater community, appearing in upwards of 40 shows with Finger Lakes Opera, Roberts Wesleyan College Community Theater, and Pittsford Musicals. 14
Advent Library & & Seasonal Reading News News November/December Reading Suggestions I’ll Push You Pushes Readers To Be Better People Remember the book that was the basis of the Reverend David Lubba’s sermon in September? It has become a popular reading choice of those who heard that inspiring September sermon. The book is I'll Push You: A Journey of 500 Miles, Two Best Friends, and One Wheelchair by Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck. I’ll Push You is the reallife story of an 500-mile incredible journey—one traveler in a wheelchair and one pushing. It is a travel adventure full of love, humor, and spiritual truth. The library at Asbury First has recently made this book available by adding this 267-page book to our collection for loan by any of our church readers. Come in and check it out.
Just Under the Clouds by Melissa Sarno This book tells the story of a young middle-school student named Cora and her mother and sister. The mother is doing everything she can to keep the family together after the death of the girls’ father. But, “For six years since Daddy died, we’ve been making homes where we can get them, from place to place” writes Cora. This book is an honest, non-judgmental look at homelessness and provides a better understanding of the complexity of the issue. Recommended from the church library collection by library committee member Bonnie Kay. Ordinary Grace ,written by William Kent Krueger and winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel 2014, is among others, a comingof-age story, a mystery and a reminder of how God’s grace works in our lives…all wrapped up in one book! I really enjoyed listening to the story’s narrator, 13 year old Frank Drum (who is by the way a Methodist minister’s son) as he helps solve the mystery of a very personal death. And along the way, I saw reminders of God’s grace touching the characters of the book in big and small ways.) Recommended from the church library collection by library committee member Karen Hibbard.
Looking for a program for your class or group? Here’s a ready-made DVD program in a series of nine interfaith lectures by notable speakers of the following faiths: Muslim, Jewish Humanist, Hindu, Reform Jew, Sikh, Orthodox Jew, Zen Buddhist, Evangelical Christian, and Progressive Christian. Each 60 minutes long. The series is available for loan from the church library for FREE. Created by the Chautauqua Institution, these lively and engaging conversations point the way beyond mere tolerance of other faiths toward a real appreciation for the gifts each tradition has to offer in an interfaith world. Check out all or part of this nine-series set.
In need of some new reading material? Have we got some winners for you! Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer: A Novella by Fredrik Backman I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child by Sandra Uwiringlyimana A Thousand Mornings: Poems by Mary Oliver Aging Without Apology: Living the Senior Years With Integrity and Faith by Robert E. Seymour 15
Advent Youth&Ministry Seasonal News News A Look Back: Middle School Mission Week 2018 The middle school youth group had a busy summer! Between all of there other activities and camps, the middle school youth group took a week to pause and give back to the Asbury and Rochester communities, and build some community of their own!
whopping 116 bags, along with snacks and bottled water, which we donated to the Open Door Mission’s bag lunch program. We hand delivered the bags to the Mission where we took a fabulous tour of their space and learned much about their efforts, including an insider’s look at their clothing distribution which serves folks in a similar fashion to our Asbury Storehouse. After a busy and fulfilling week of missions, the youth were ready for some fellowship, so we shoved off bright and early on Friday morning for our two-day-one-night expedition to Toronto! In Toronto we were graciously welcomed by our hosts at the Knox Presbyterian Church before heading off for a fun-filled afternoon at the Ripley’s Aquarium, the CN Tower, and the Blue Jay’s Baseball Game! Although the Jay’s got trounced, we had a blast at the stadium and loved our time at the aquarium and the views from the CN Tower. Saturday we were up and out early for a hearty and delicious breakfast at Fran’s Restaurant before heading off to Historic Fort York where were got so see a flag raising, musket reenactments, and a variety of historic buildings on the site. A quick walk along the waterfront brought us to our canoe tour! We filled two replica long boat canoes of the First Nation people of the region and set out across the harbor for our 2 hours tour of the Toronto Islands just across from bustling downtown. After all that paddling we were ready for our dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory; a scrumptious meal to top off our adventure before heading for home!
The week started bright and early Monday morning as the youth arrived to be shepherds and helpers to the amazing Camp Seuss VBS program! Each morning, Monday through Thursday, the youth worked to guide and support the VBS attendees to make Camp Seuss a success- and boy was it! When VBS wrapped up each day at 12:30, our middle school youth were just getting started! Each afternoon they participated in mission project to support a local organization. On Monday we headed over to School 17 to do a “clean sweep” of their fields and playground before heading inside to help custodians with moving furniture to make room for their summer cleaning. Tuesday we got our hands dirty at the World of Inquiry School Griffin Garden on North Union Street. This school-community garden run by WOIS’s student garden club was in need of some TLC to its garden beds as well as a new paver entryway- piece of cake for our crew! Wednesday we headed over to Foodlink where the youth worked furiously to sort items from the conveyer belt of donated goods into their appropriate categories to later be checked for usability before getting sent out to one of the many local foodbanks and recipients. Thursday we really got our hands dirty making an astounding 232 PB&J sandwiches which then got packed into a
We had a great week and look forward to the missions and adventure that next summer has in store!
Meet Summer Sattora: Our New Youth Ministry Assistant! The Youth Ministries of Asbury First are excited to be welcoming Summer Sattora as a member of our staff! Summer is our new Youth Ministry Assistant, which means that she will work closely with Rev. Mullin to help plan and implement the myriad youth ministries at Asbury First. Summer has already begun by taking over the high school Sunday school fellowship, and she and Mike have been sharing responsibilities leading the middle and high school youth groups on Sunday nights. Below is a bio to help you get to know Summer a bit better. We hope that you will join us in welcoming her to our team! Summer is very excited to join the staff at Asbury First. She has her BFA in Theatre from University of the Arts in Philadelphia and is a recent graduate of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. While at CRCDS she did her field education at Asbury with a focus on the youth program, which is where she first developed a passion for youth ministry. She continued to volunteer with the youth group and is looking forward to the journey ahead. When not at Asbury you can find her in the spotlight with one of the local community theatre groups. She has two fur babies (Rocky and Winchester) and thinks that being an aunt is one of the best experiences of her life. 16
Advent Get to Know & Seasonal Our Values News In Case You Missed It: Get to Know the Values of Asbury First As you flip through the pages of The Visitor, you may notice a few themes, like community, outreach, and generosity. There is a reason why these motifs are strung throughout these pages—and all that we do: they are among our most cherished values. We hope that you will take a moment to reflect upon our most important values and even consider becoming a participant in turning these values into action through our many ministries and community events! For more information on our mission, vision, and values, please contact David Strong at dstrong@asburyfirst.org.
ASBURY FIRST'S VALUES represent a description of our guiding principles. These statements are standards of behavior, which are inherent in all we do. We are...
OPEN TO ALL We believe we are all equal in God’s eyes and are all one in Christ. We extend hospitality and encourage full participation for all regardless of any perceived defining characteristic. WORSHIP We believe we are at our best when we connect to God together through preaching, prayer, and song. We strive for excellence in all we do, especially in our worship experience. COMMUNITY We believe we are better together; fellowship and care are keys to love and life. OUTREACH We believe everyone deserves hope and fullness of life. We endeavor to practice mercy and work for justice in our local and extended community. DISCIPLESHIP We believe we—adults, youth, and children alike—are called to grow in our faith both as a community and individuals through education, regular worship, meaningful fellowship, a commitment to service, and celebrating rites of passage together. GENEROSITY We believe what we have is a gift from God. We share our gifts with an open heart to help meet needs at Asbury First, the Rochester community, and throughout the world. STEWARDSHIP We believe we must care for the human, physical, and financial resources with which we have been entrusted.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF ASBURY FIRST? For more information on participating in a New Member Orientation class, please contact Melody Guadagnino at (585) 271-1050 x103 or mguadagnino@asburyfirst.org. 1717
The Last Word Asbury First’s Grocery Bag Ministry and the No One Left Behind Refugee Program The Intersection of Hope and Need
by Bill Lisi, Founder, Asbury Grocery Bag Ministry Sir Winston Churchill once said: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” I firmly believe Sir Winston would approve of ALL of Asbury First’s hands-on Outreach Programs as the epitome of GIVING!
part of that assistance, alleviating food insecurity through GBM. The local NOLB chapter and your fellow Asbury First member, Cindy Malone, have been helping over 80 SIV families in the Rochester Community. In the spring of 2016, Asbury First member Andy Dutcher (an NOLB board member), suggested the GBM could possibly add these refugees to our roster of regular recipients. Cindy Malone and the rest of our GBM volunteers, led by Joe Cygan, turned this idea into a reality over the past two years.
In a recent issue of The Visitor, I attempted to bring you up-todate on the Grocery Bag Ministry’s (GBM) past 9 years of service “reaching in” with your continued support, by our impact on disadvantaged areas of our community through our valued religious partners serving on the front lines of alleviating hunger. But one of our more recent partners, since 2016, was not Christianbased, but a needs-based nonprofit group called No One Left Behind (NOLB). This organization was formed in 2013 to assist Iraqi and Afghan refugees in the U.S Special Immigration Visa (SIV) program, transitioning to America. These refugees offered our American volunteer forces life-saving interpretation and support services. However, as a result of their aid, they and their family members were targeted by the Taliban and other opposition forces and received threats of death and violence. Hence, Iraqi and Afghan interpreters and support personnel that faced credible threats became eligible to apply for the Special Immigration Visa (SIV) program, for immigration to the U.S. NOLB assists these new arrivals in all aspects of assimilation to their new lives in America and in 2016, Asbury First became a
Cindy relates: “My first delivery consisted of 10 bags, but sometime in 2017 Asbury First’s GBM doubled our donations to 20 bags of groceries as well as 150 lbs of potatoes and 50 lbs of cooking onions! On April 16, 2016, I started delivering GBM groceries to SIV families on the 3rd Saturday morning of each month. One of my favorite things about being part of the GBM is watching the faces of SIV children light up as we arrive. They now know that in addition to our staple items, the GBM has packed a goody or two in the bags just for them, usually cookies or pretzels. They are so delighted to find these treats as their parents unpack the grocery bags, and I find their enthusiasm irresistible!" “Joe Cygan (and Janice) would drop off the potatoes and onions (from the Rochester Public Market) ahead of the Saturday delivery so that my husband and I are able to divide it up by the number of pounds to everyone in equal distribution. Typically, 18
The Last Word each family can expect to receive 3 onions and 8 potatoes per bag. It takes about an hour to bag this produce, although we discovered that we can’t store the 200 lbs of potatoes and onions in my car due to the odor of the onions so we wait until first thing Saturday morning to load them. I meet Asbury First’s GBM volunteers the 3rd Sunday of each month at 9am to pick up my 20 bags of GBM groceries, plus 20 loaves of fresh bread, 40 dozen fresh eggs and cookies or pretzels. It did take a while to culturally atune the bags to accommodate our SIV family preferences. For instance, we learned they prefer basmati rice over jasmine rice and would cook only the pasta out of the macaroni and cheese boxes. My SUV is filled to the brim from front to back with all the wonderful groceries we receive from Asbury. Deliveries take me most of the day on the 3rd Saturday as it is the only time I get to stop and chat with the SIV families. The newest SIV families are chosen as our priority and the largest families are always grateful to receive two bags. We have found that very often, the newest families may not have a working SNAP (food stamp) card yet, and the families that have been here a bit longer appreciate the mid-month extra food to meet their family’s dietary needs. " I’m hoping you now see the need to heed Sir Winston’s sage advice about the fulfillment of giving! Unfortunately, the needs of these refugees extend beyond food. Cindy Malone continues: “As with many immigrant communities, all of the NOLB SIV’s have to start at the bottom of the proverbial ladder whether they were doctors, interpreters, drivers, mechanics, or janitors in their birth country. There is a vast difference in backgrounds of the SIV’s refugees but finding jobs is often their biggest concern as they are determined to work hard to start building their new life in America. The SIV community is also required to earn enough money to reimburse the U.S Government for their $1,330 plane fare within 9 months of their arrival.” As you can see, the GMB is a small but vital part of assisting in the multiple challenges these brave refugees face coming to America through NOLB, and an appreciated part. I’m hoping you find the need to help us by volunteering your time to your Grocery Bag Ministry or NOLB, or can offer a food donation in the Outreach box in the Welcome Hall or a donation through the church to the continuing mission of the GBM.
Let’s let Cindy Malone, a great representative of the caring community of Asbury First, of which we are all a part, reflect in closing on her personal intersection with your GBM. “One of my relatives was fond of saying that you don’t have to go far to help people. As I drive around the city of Rochester dropping off groceries to our SIV families in need, I am often reminded of her words especially as I am welcomed into the homes of the new Americans with gratitude and kindness. As I sit down for tea or a snack, I know that thanks to the generosity of the Asbury First GBM, we are indeed helping to make these people’s lives a bit more bearable as they adjust to their new lives, born of necessity, in our great and giving community.”
Be a part of this intersection with GBM on the 3rd Saturday morning of each month! That’s right—we don’t skip a month because neither does hunger!
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Save the Dates!
Advent at Asbury First ❆ Labyrinth Wednesdays, December 5, 12, and 19 5-7 pm-Listen to the music of the harp as you experience a calming moment. ❆ Taizé Wednesdays, December 5 and 12 in the Chancel, December 19 in Fellowship Hall 6:15 pm ❆ Advent’s Winter Wonder Night (for children and families) Sunday, December 9 5-7 pm-Come join us for dinner, fellowship, and storytelling. ❆ Carols and Cocoa Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19 7 pm-Come join us for hot cocoa and singing carols around the tree on the front lawn in front of the church every Wednesday during Advent! ❆ The Longest Night Service Saturday, December 22 2 pm-A sacred and meditative service, featuring Communion after the longest night of the year, for anyone who experienes hardships or hurt during the holidays.
❆ Christmas Eve Monday, December 24 12 noon-A Service of Carols and Communion. 4 pm-A Service for Families and Children featuring the Children's Pageant. 7 pm-A Service of Word & Carols. 9 pm-A Service of Word, Carols and Communion. 11 pm-A Service of Word & Carols. ❆ Christmas Day Tuesday, December 25 10 am- A joint Service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 25 Westminster Rd. Rochester, NY. ❆ December 30 Sunday, December 30 10 am- One service only ❆ New Year's Eve Monday, December 31 5-6 pm-A service of meditation and reflection.