TheVisitor Capital Campaign News Asbury First United Methodist Church Newsletter Summer 2018 • Vol. M No. 11 • www.asburyfirst.org
On Thursday, August 9, we are attempting to
Break a Guinness World Record for the largest number of people participating in a hopscotch game. See page 8 for details!
IN THIS ISSUE A Pastoral Reflection 3 Community News 4 Better Together Campaign 12
Library & Reading News 14 Outreach News 15 The Last Word 18
MISSION STATEMENT
The Visitor Vol. M No. 11
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
hedule Summer Sc
FOUR WAYS TO WORSHIP AT ASBURY FIRST Traditional Worship in our Sanctuary 10 am Sunday mornings
Staff
The Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II The Rev. Kathy Thiel The Rev. Jacqueline Nelson The Rev. Mike Mullin David Strong Dr. William Weinert Paula Dugan Holly Temming Richard Moncrief Morgan Dornsife Melody Guadagnino Deb Bullock-Smith Ken Carr Michele Cooley Jamie Least Duane Prill Carol Lamica Elizabeth Church Brian Bohrer Larry Dugan Ian C. Urriola
Senior Minister Minister for Pastoral Care Minister for Outreach Minister for Discipleship & Youth Church Administrator; Assistant Organist Director of Music 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 Property Care Manager Director, Dining & Caring Center Communications Coordinator Organist Director, Youth Music Director, Bell Choir Director, Asbury Singers Director, Youth Theater Ministry Intern
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: Glenn Peck, Tent Week 2017
Please send all submissions, questions, comments, or concerns to communications@asburyfirst.org or 585-271-1050, x109. Deadline for submitting content for the September issue: July 27, 2018
Outdoor Worship with Holy Communion 8:30 am Sunday Mornings Watch live at www.asburyfirst.org 10 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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A Pastoral Reflection Honoring the Sabbath this Summer The Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II
Try this. At some point in the next couple of weeks, keep a diary of everything you do in the course of a single day. Start from the moment you wake up and end with the moment you go to bed (i.e. the moment you set down your device, close your book, or turn off the television and close your eyes). In five-minute increments, note every activity; tally each check of your phone; record the people with whom you interact. Sometime later—the next day or the next week—review it and see what you notice.
(Numbers 15:32). Neither is it a stick with which to beat each other (Luke 6:1-11). Rather, sabbath reminds us that, by God’s grace, we are more than our daily tasks, routines, and accomplishments.
Now maybe this task strikes fear in your heart and maybe it is a welcome challenge. Maybe you dread what you might discover and maybe you already know what you would find. The point is not to induce guilt or feelings of inadequacy, but rather to point out just how easy it is to get so caught up in the flotsam and jetsam of life that we fail notice where the current is taking us. When that happens, as some of us know, we can quickly we find ourselves washed out to sea.
For most of us, this would take some work. After all, the world in which we live is not built for pausing. Gone are the days when stores would close on Sundays, when practices would skip a day, when work was left at work. Maybe those days will come back, but probably not. Now we have to manage our own sabbath. Why not start this summer?
What if this summer we took an entire day each week to reflect on the way that God is at work in our lives—to spend time with the people we love, to remember who we are called to be? What if for one day a week we put down our phones, stopped checking email, and turned off the relentless drone of cable news. What if we were willing to just stop?
It might mean looking a little strange to others. It might mean saying, “No thank you” to some things. It might even mean our kids are involved in less. In the end, however, it might also mean a richer, fuller, life for all of us. There’s only one way to find out.
Pausing to reflect on life is nothing new. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, we have a name for it—honoring the sabbath. From the very beginning of our faith (the very beginning), we have recognized the need to regularly pause to assess our life’s direction. In honoring Grace and Peace, the sabbath, we are asked to consider how God is at work in our lives and how we are living out our faith. As such, it is not earned. Stephen Sabbath is not a reward for having gotten through our “to do” list
SUMMER WORSHIP SERVICE TIMES Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekends (Inclusive) 8:30 am – Outdoor Worship with Holy Communion 10 am – Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
worship schedule Worship SUNDAY JUNE 10 Mark 3:20–35 Rev. Jacqueline Nelson, Preacher
SUNDAY JULY 8 II Samuel 5:1–5, 9–10 Rev. Kathy Thiel, Preacher
SUNDAY JUNE 17 Job 1:1–12 Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Preacher
SUNDAY JULY 15 II Samuel 6:1–5, 12b–19 Rev. Kathy Thiel, Preacher
SUNDAY JUNE 24 Genesis 39:6–18 Ian C. Urriola, Preacher
SUNDAY JULY 22 Mark 6:30–34, 53–56 Rev. Jacqueline Nelson, Preacher
SUNDAY JULY 1 Mark 5:21–43 Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Preacher
SUNDAY JULY 29 2 Kings 4:42–44 Rev. Mike Mullin, Preacher 3
SUNDAY AUGUST 5 Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Preacher SUNDAY AUGUST 12 1 Kings 19:4–8 Rev. Jacqueline Nelson, Preacher SUNDAY AUGUST 19 Rev. Mark Brummitt, Preacher SUNDAY AUGUST 26 Rev. Susan Shafer, Preacher SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2 Rev. David Lubba, Preacher
Community News in Community
Our Living Deaths – We offer our prayers and sympathy to... The family and friends of Sharon Debboli who died on March 6, 2018. The family and friends of Mary Kay Jackson who died on March 18, 2018. Mike and Nadia Mullin and family on the death of Mike’s grandfather, Ray Mullin who died on March 24, 2018 in Northbrook, IL. Len and Nancy Davidow on the death of Len’s brother, Bruce Davidow, who died on April 19, 2018 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Jean and Dick Miller on the death of Jean’s brother, Lawrence A. Hill, who died on April 12, 2018.
The family and friends of Kathy Welch who died on May 7, 2018.
Jolynn Rose Yerkes, daughter of Jennifer and Peter Yerkes, baptized on April 22, 2018.
Baptisms – We celebrate the baptisms of... Weston Michael Greer, son of Jon and Lauren Greer, baptized on March 18, 2018
Births – We celebrate the birth of... Cora Grace Pfaff, daughter of Kristie and Peter Pfaff, born on April 24, 2018.
The family and friends of Fred Steele who died on April 26, 2018.
Mia Mae Shriver, daughter of Crystal Taylor and Raynard Shriver, baptized on March 18, 2018.
Marriages – We celebrate the marriage of …
The family and friends of Edith Olson who died on April 30, 2018.
Emma Irene Parkes, daughter of Kristin and Michael Parkes, baptized on April 22, 2018.
Marianne and David Oliveiri on the death of Marianne’s nephew, Tino (William) Gracia, who died on April 21, 2018 in Severn, MD.
Karen Arcara and Jeffery Baldick were married on May 5, 2018.
Welcome The Newest Members of Asbury First!
Adam Croneis
Beth Bailey and Melissa McHenry
David, Jennifer, Alex, and Chris Dys
Joan and Ken Slater
Joan Collins, Jennelise Mellon, and Jennifer Mellon
Kathryn Somers, Matthew Sabo, and Nathan Somers Sabo
Kathy Otis and Drew Saum
KC Cronmiller
Leighann, Dave, and Oliver Szmania
Sylvia Oberdorf and Linda Hagadorn
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Community News Congratulations to Our Newest Graduates! High School
Kimberlyn Brocht, Rush-Henrietta Senior High School. John ( Jack) David Dugan. Plans: Plans: Attend Houghton College with a Major in Attend Monroe Community College Biology (Pre-Vet) and a minor in Art (Photography). and majoring in Communications and Kimberlyn has also been chosen to participate in the Theater. He was accepted, and plans East Meets West Honors Program, which studies to attend the New York State Summer the cultural and religious differences and interactions theater program at Delphi University. between Christianity and Islam, and will take a His goal is to make it in NYC or 3-week trip to the Balkans. Honors include Treasurer, Hollywood. Secretary, and member of Tri-M Music Honor Society, and member of National Honor Society.
William R. McGraw, Brighton High School. Plans: Attend St. John Fisher "Grow" Program.
Luis Colon, Greece Arcadia High School. Plans: Attend RIT for Biology.
Lila Campbell, The Allendale Columbia School. Plans: Attend Skidmore College and swim for Thoroughbreds Women’s Swim Team.
Richard Carson Benjamin, Pittsford Mendon Carly Guidice, Webster Schroeder High School. Plans: Attend Freshman year at the High School. Plans: Attend University of Pittsburgh prior to joining the Cornell SUNY Brockport to study Class of 2022 in his Sophomore year. Richard Spanish and possibly social work. played Varsity Football and was the President of his Carly is also in the Honors College senior class. He started the American Statesman’s at Brockport and has received Club, and has been active in plays and musicals. He both Spanish and National honor will also attend all four church mission trips. society.
Hannah Washburn, Pittsford Mendon High School. Plans: Attend Goucher College and playing for the field hockey team there. Honor roll grades 9-12, National honors society, all state for field hockey.
Connor A Nelson, home schooled. Plans: Attend MCC focus on psychology. Honors: black belt in karate, mission of peace to Cuba.
Victoria Slattery, School of the Arts. Plans: Join the Air Force.
Higher Ed
Steven Tracy, Le Moyne College (B.A. in Psychology and B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Anthropology). Plans: Serving in The Peace Corps in the Comoros in East Stephanie Hack, Africa for 27 months post Syracuse University graduation as a Secondary (B.ED). Plans: Attend Education English Teacher. Nazareth College for a Master’s Degree in Literacy. She has obtained a NYS Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education and Literacy. This summer, she will work for the Penfield Central School District as a Teaching Assistant in an elementary classroom.
Katie Rice, Ithaca College Ian C. Urriola, Wesley James Holmes, Clemson University Sarah Kennedy, Ohio Weslyan (Master's Degree in speechTheological Seminary (Masters (MBA). He and his wife Nicole will University (Majors in International of Divinity). Ian is the Recipient language pathology). Plans: Seeking be staying in Greenville, SC after Studies and French with a minor in a position as a speech-language graduation. James has a job with Leigh of The Fellowship of United English). pathologist in the school system. Methodists in Music and Worship Fibers. Arts award. Amelia Carter, SUNY Purchase (BA in Media, Society, & the Arts, Minor in Art History and Film). While at school Amelia started the Purchase College FreeStore and was president of the Green Team. She also received the 2017 Media Society & the Arts Outstanding Junior (2017) and Senior (2018) Awards. Her senior thesis, titled 'Guided Resilience: Post Natural Place and Potential in Rochester, NY', received the Natural and Social Sciences Undergraduate Research Support Award. Plans: Move to Brooklyn in June to pursue a career in media production and criticism with an eye towards an eventual PhD in visual culture.
Lydia Marchese, The University of Vermont. Plans: Attend Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.
Not pictured: 1. Madeleine Huppe; 2. Andrew Hunt, Carnegie Mellon (Masters of Fine Arts); 3. Tori Brocht, Binghamton University (BA in Applied Behavior Analysis Psychology) Plans: Join the work force. Tori is a member of Phi Mu Sorority and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
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Community News Recognizing Our Past Interns—and Welcoming Our Newest!
A
bury First United Methodist Church continues to be graced with passionate and committed students who serve as interns for various ministries and areas within the life of this church. We have been especially fortunate this past year to have with us two graduate students and an undergraduate student, all of whose efforts and sacrifice has impacted our church in incredible ways. While most of us know about their work on Sunday mornings, many of us are not aware of their efforts behind the scenes.
Ian C. Urriola: For the past year, Ian has planned monthly staff worship services and has taken over the training
and scheduling of our acolytes and crucifers. One of Ian's larger projects was kicking off our small group discipleship program this year. After researching the programs from numerous churches across the country of similar size and scope to Asbury First, Ian proposed what this could look like at Asbury First. Those that have participated in these groups can attest to their intrinsic value for Asbury First--and we will be looking forward to continuing these groups in the fall! Ian has also helped continue our communications with our college students and young adults (both local and abroad) and has implemented some strategies for continuing this work in the coming years. We are incredibly thankful for the ministerial gifts that Ian has shared with us, and we know that he will excel in his future ministries.
Pamela Dayton: While pursuing her second-year of study at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS),
Pamela began her field education with us in September of 2017. Pamela was a welcome addition to our pastoral staff, serving as a worship leader at the 10 am Sunday service, assisting with other services throughout the year, and helping in the youth ministries. With a heart and passion for social justice, she also developed curriculum and assisted in teaching the February Discipleship class on Balancing Justice and Mercy with The Rev. Jackie Nelson and Brennon Thompson. Pamela’s insights during that session will aid in the continued efforts of our outreach committee to educate the congregation around issues of systemic and structural injustice. Pamela’s presence and gifts of ministry were much appreciated and we wish her well on her next endeavor.
Maria Hackett: During the Summer of 2017, Maria Hackett joined our team as an intern from the University of
Rochester. After spending her first few months as a volunteer at our campus outreach programs, Maria recommended invaluable suggestions for the implementation of A Way Forward, our strategic plan for outreach. She proposed and outlined an Outreach Training Handbook, developed volunteer and guest questionnaires to aid the Outreach Committee in the development of an outreach training program, pursued grant opportunities to benefit our Outreach ministries, and assisted in planning our first annual Outreach Appreciation Luncheon. As Maria enters her senior year as a Russian major, she will be traveling this summer to Russia for a study abroad opportunity. We pray for Maria’s travels and anticipate welcoming her back to Asbury First as a crucifer, lay reader, and intern for the next school year.
Rev. Geri Judd: As our 2017/2018 CRCDS intern, Geri
We look forward to welcoming...
will be doing her field education work with us and looks forward to getting to know every aspect of our ministries here at Asbury First. She is particularly interested in outreach ministry and pastoral care. Geri is a licensed local pastor serving a United Methodist church in Jacksonville, NY.
Brooke Caton: For the summer months, we are happy to
welcome Brooke to our team. Brooke grew up in Spencerport, NY and attended Roberts Wesleyan College. She is currently studying at Princeton Theological Seminary where she will receive her Master’s in Divinity and additionally hopes to attain her Master’s in Social Work. She has a passion for social justice, sociology, philosophy, psychology, and theology, and looks forward to her internship at Asbury First. 6
As we prepare to say goodbye to some and welcome to others, we are excited that Asbury First continues to be a place where students are interested in participating in our ministries, sharing their expertise, and growing with us as a congregation.
Community News Celebrating the Ordination of The Rev. Jacqueline J. Nelson by Martha Neubert and Stuart Mitchell
Sunday, April 15, 2018: Despite the icy weather, we were determined to
get to Hackensack, New Jersey in time to meet up with Rev Jackie and her family for lunch before going to Mount Olive Baptist Church to attend her ordination service to the Gospel Ministry. Our hope was that the weather would improve (and it did) as we headed south from Rochester. We made it in time to enjoy lunch with Jackie, her mother, sister and her Poppa (grandpa) at Olive Garden (aptly named source of energy in preparation for this auspicious event). Our time together was a priceless gift as we got to know Jackie’s family and experience with them, the joy, anxiety and anticipation Jackie was experiencing of this once-in-a-lifetime, sacred occasion. Jackie was radiant, beaming with pride, exuding grace filled confidence. Our table shared many stories that brought laughter and family admiration for Jackie’s accomplishments which have led her to this place. Jackie had been told by her pastor, the Rev Gregory J. Jackson, to “just to show up”. She had no idea what to expect and was fully prepared to leave the celebration, and the promises she was about to make, in God's hands. Jackie arranged for us to sit with her family and friends and therefore intimately connected us to the warm, embracing spirit of the service. We sat next to proud Poppa (which was a treat!) as we witnessed his ever present pride and emotion. Bob and Barb Castle arrived and sat behind us, and there were others from Asbury First who also were in attendance. Mt. Olive Baptist Church is an engaging spirit filled congregation that created a very special service to honor two of their congregants on the occasion of their ordination. Jackie reminded everyone that it was here where she was dedicated as a child, baptized as a youth, and now is being ordained by Rev. Jackson. The same was true for Jackie’s good friend Donna West. The church was filled to capacity, including the balcony, with church members friends and family who were there to witness the ordination of two remarkable women who had grown up in their church. It was evident to all this was a church family gathered in worship to celebrate God’s call of two parishioners who had grown up under their tutelage and lifelong mentoring. Reverend Jackson is Jackie's spiritual father in ministry. The service began with hymns of praise from the multigenerational choir and instrumentalists. The clergy officiants included ministers from The North Jersey District Missionary Baptist Association Permanent Council, and our VERY proud Senior Minister, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady. We could feel the spirit of God flowing through all that unfolded through this ceremonial welcoming of Jackie and Donna into church ministry. In her ordination vows, Jackie promised to “keep her ears open to the cries of those in need, her eyes open to the world around her, and her heart open to the feelings and thoughts of those seeking truth” What a privilege it was to witness this glorious affirmation of Jackie's journey of faith. We shared praise, thanksgiving and tears of joy with a church who is sending out one of their precious, God-fearing, young disciples to minister to the people of Asbury First and Rochester. Rev. Jackson reminded us gently (yet firmly!) to take good care of her or he would be up to take her back home!!! It is evident that our congregation has adopted Jackie into our Asbury First family and will ensure we have embraced her leadership as our Outreach minister. It is apparent to us that we have embraced a spirit filled ordained pastor who is filled with the spirit of God with unique gifts of transparency, talent, and abilities which will lead us to do God’s will as we endeavor to serve our church and community with grace and humility. 7
Community News Love Tent Week? Now Introducing: Tuesday, August 7
Celebrate the 1960s and 1970s and dress up to show your knowledge of these decades. Best costumes. Record Breaking and much more!
Wednesday, August 8
Challenge yourself with a prison escape! We will have an escape room that will give you 15 minutes to find your out! We will kick it up another few notches with more prizes, another night of Record Breaking and featuring the “big hair” of the 1980s and the “grunge” of the 1990s
Thursday, August 9
After warming up with breaking some smaller World Records, we will capstone this summer’s Vacation Bible School with a Guinness record-breaking game of hopscotch where those who are young– and young at heart, will break a World Record for the world’s largest game and we’ll need 650 hoppers to break the record! Food trucks and live music will also join us each night. Stay tuned for more details and volunteer opportunities. It’s going to be BIG!
Join Asbury First at Park Ave Fest Saturday, August 4 10 am–6 pm Sunday, August 5 10 am –5 pm Stop by the table and see what we’re up to! Interested in volunteering that weekend? Contact Morgan Dornsife at mdornsife@asburyfirst.org. Help us show our neighborhood what Do More Good looks like in action! 8
Community News Asbury First Journeys to Taizé by The Rev. Mike Mullin Last year, a group of 8 young adults embarked on a pilgrimage to Taizé, France to experience a worldwide communion of peace. This year, we were excited to return with children, young adults, and older adults (remember, "older adults" is 30+ by Taizé standards!). We were 19 individuals in total. On Thursday, May 17th we boarded a bus along with 12 young people from Nazareth College to begin our trek to Taizé. We arrived in France on Friday, and spent a day and a half sightseeing, before continuing our journey to the Burgundy region of France. We arrived to Taizé around noon on Pentecost amidst a flurry of people coming and going. Eventually, we received our work assignments, and got ourselves settled in to our new homes for the week.
of prayer, work, silence, and community is palpable. Over the course of the week we built incredible bonds with each other and with faithful brothers and sisters from around the world. These were not cursory platitudes, but truly inspiring and interpersonal interactions. As the bells toll and we all gather together to pray, to chant, and to experience God in this liminal space, we are encouraged by the hope that this place presents to the world. There is a peace felt here that transcends culture, nation, race, gender, class, age, language, etc. The hope for our group is that we might be able to harness some of this hope and peace and bring it back home to our varying contexts and day-to-day lives. We invite you to stay tuned as to how we might continue to share our experiences with the congregation in the fall!
Everything at Taizé is focused on a spirit of community. You are assigned to work groups and Bible study groups with fellow travelers from around the world--thankfully the common language is English. The profundity experienced in the simple daily routine
Flute & Piano Recital Benrfit for Our Ministries on June 9 On Saturday, June 9 at 7:30 pm in the Asbury First sanctuary, flutist Annette Farrington and pianist Tony Caramia will present a recital entitled Impressions for a Summer Night. This program, their first collaboration, includes music ranging from the romantic Nocturne by Lili Boulanger to the jazzy and jaunty Bubble-Up Rag by Judith Lang Zaimont. More women composers are represented including Grace Williams and Ann Ronnell. Jazz influences abound in works by Richard Rodney Bennett, Billy Strayhorn, Mike Mower, and Eric Ewazen. Annette's flute artistry is familiar to the Asbury First congregation. As a member for almost 20 years, she has played often in worship services, is a charter member of Asbury Singers and is director of the Asbury First Flute Choir. She is on the faculty of Nazareth College teaching applied flute and flute methods and runs a vibrant flute studio in her home. Tony is Professor of Piano, Piano Pedagogy, and Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media at Eastman School of Music. He was a guest on Marian McPartland's acclaimed NPR radio program, Piano Jazz in 2013, and her 1927 Steinway is now housed in his Eastman studio. Tony has lectured and performed at numerous conferences on jazz piano and piano pedagogy and performed at the prestigious Rochester International Jazz Festival. His multi-media themed recitals play to sold out audiences. This recital is presented to benefit the outreach ministries at Asbury First. A freewill offering with a suggested donation of $10 is appreciated. 9
Community News On Holy Ground It’s time to “Lighten-Up”! Yes, sunny,-summer-like breezes are on the way (finally) and we are looking forward to times to rest, renew and relax. For many, our schedules lighten to enjoy and appreciate times with family and friends, as well as the beauty of God’s creation right in our own back yards. Spiritual Life Ministry invites all, no matter one’s age or stage in life, to welcome summer opportunities to lighten-up: Check out Asbury First’s summer worship schedule, including gathering on our front lawn (consider joining us). Vacation Bible School plans are underway for our children (consider volunteering); Block Party on East is quickly approaching (consider attending), our labyrinth is open the second Wednesday of each month (consider participating) and there is much more. For times on the road, whether close to home or traveling out from Rochester, we invite you to note opportunities posted on our website, weekly e-newsletter, Facebook, and our Sunday bulletin. This will include places to visit, outdoor labyrinths, and sites to see. “LIGHTEN-UP” friends! Rest, Renew, Relax, and Repeat.
Bereavement Support At Asbury First
W
hen someone in our life has died, how do we live beyond our loss? How do we navigate this journey of grief, that we neither asked for, nor want? Our relationship with God, our family, our community, and even ourselves can help us discover ways to soften the pain we are experiencing. Grief is a normal part of our lives, but this does not diminish the emotional roller coaster we experience. The world does not stop for your grief, but we do.
Asbury First provides a Bereavement Support Group that meets in the fall and spring, once a week, for seven weeks to encourage those who are grieving to find ways, together, for healing and growth. The goal of the group is to offer a place where we can find avenues for a healthy expression our pain and for personal devolpment. Topics for discussion include: Normalizing the Grief Experience; Family Dynamics Surrounding Loss; Coping with Holidays
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and Other Special Days; Ways of Coping; Sharing Our Stories. Registration is required in order that we know the nature of your loss. Please contact the Rev. Kathy Thiel at kthiel@asburyfirst. org or (585) 271-1050, ext. 106 by September 10, 2018 for more information and/or if you wish to participate in the fall session.
Advent Community & Seasonal News News "
Help US Keep YOU Informed About Asbury First!
The Asbury First Communications Team is seeking your input regarding the effectiveness of the communications and information you receive from and about Asbury First. We ask you to take a few minutes to evaluate current communication tools and share your priorities for future communication. Please fill out, cut out, and return this form to the church office at 1050 East Ave. Rochester, NY 14607 1.
Where do you currently get most of your information about events, programs and ministries of Asbury First United Methodist Church? Please rank "1-4" with "1" being the most used source. 1: Most Used
2: Occasionally Used
3: Rarely Used
4: Never Used
Website The Visitor Sunday Bulletin Weekly Email Facebook Worship Service Membership Class Word of Mouth Information Desk Radio Live Stream YouTube
2.
If other, please specify: What is your preferred method of receiving information about events, programs and ministries of Asbury First? qHard Copy/Printed Communications qElectronic Communications qSocial Media qSunday Announcements
3.
In which of the following ways have you interacted with Asbury First? qInformation Desk qCalling the Church Office qEmailing info@asburyfirst.org
4.
Tell us about yourself. How do you identify yourself as related to Asbury First? (check all that apply) qCurrent/New Church Member qRegular Attendee (non-member) qVisitor qVolunteer for Asbury First Outreach Ministry Please rate each of the following communications tools regarding effectiveness and awareness:
5.
1: Very Effective 2: Somewhat Effective 3: Somewhat Ineffective 4: Ineffective
5: Unaware it Exists
The Visitor Sunday Bulletin Asbury First Weekly Email Asbury First Website Asbury First Main Facebook Page Asbury First YOUTH Facebook Page Asbury First CHILDREN'S Facebook Page Ministry Brochures Welcome Hall Display Cases & TV Monitors New Member Packets Seasonal Educational/Event Booklets
6. Please share your suggestions for how Asbury First might improve upon its current communications:
7. OPTIONAL: Please share your name, email address, and/or age 11
Better Together Campaign
Thank You! During the month of May, we launched an initiative to raise funds for the Outreach Terrace project of our planned newly renovated Outreach Center. The purpose of this initiative was to create new and meaningful ways for people to commit to the Better Together campaign for the first time. And what a success it has been! As of the end of May, we have received commitments from 9 individuals/families who are first time donors to the Better Together Campaign. To all who made a commitment for the first time, thank you for joining our legacy of generosity here at Asbury First. Your gift is helping further our vision to Do More Good through our Outreach. While unexpected, we had a number of people give to this project who have already made a Better Together Campaign pledge. We are so grateful this project resonated withe each of you, and want to extend a heartfelt thank you to those donors for their continued generosity. Thanks to a matching gift from the Outreach Work area, we only need to raise $50,000 of the $75,000 cost of the project. Once we raise the $50,000, we will unlock a match gift of $25,000 to fund this project. At the end of May, we received $22,350 from 27 individuals/ families. The opportunity to give to this initiative will continue, and our prayer is that it will continue to bring in new donors to the Better Together campaign.
A note about tax law changes and giving: Changes in the tax law take effect for tax year 2018, and you will notice the application of these changes when you file your 2018 income tax return (by April 15, 2019). One change is that the standard deduction amount has been raised. In 2018, if you are single taxpayer, your standard deduction will be $12,000 and, if you are a married taxpayer, your standard deduction will be $24,000. Many taxpayers will now find that their itemized deductions (typically for charitable contributions, mortgage interest, state income taxes and local property taxes) are less than the standard deduction and these taxpayers will loose the ability to deduct these items.
You can satisfy your RMD by directing all or a portion of your RMD to charity. This strategy involves directing the custodian of your IRA to transfer the amount of your charitable contribution directly to your favorite charity (this is a great way to make a meaningful gift to Asbury First). If you follow the direct transfer rule, you will not have to report the amount transferred from your IRA as income on your tax return. This will lessen your adjusted gross income and may mean that your reportable social security income is lessened, as well. If you are over 70 1/2, consider making your annual pledge and/ or capital campaign pledge to Asbury in this manner. Qualifying taxpayers can transfer up to $100,000 each year from their IRAs and not have to report the amount transferred as income on their tax returns. To learn more about this tax-saving method, contact your IRA custodian or your tax professional.
For taxpayers over 70 1/2, there is still an opportunity to reduce income taxes by making gifts to charities, even if you are not able to itemize your deductions. If you are over 70 1/2, you are required to take an amount each year from your IRA, based on your life expectancy. This amount is called your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).
-The Investment Committee
PROJECT GIVING PROGRESS: $3,222,350 12
Better Together Campaign AN UPDATE FROM THE BUILDING COMMITTEE: In case you haven’t been outside of the East Ave entrance of our Sanctuary Building (1040) recently, the front steps and one of our side door sets of stairs, along with the ramp, have been removed! The ramp foundation has also been removed and salt contaminated soil has replaced. The step foundations look solid and are being prepared now for the new stone. The stone will arrive sometime in May, and the remaining construction will take about 6 weeks after that (so we should finish around the beginning of July). The concrete lower side steps (northwest side) were removed and new concrete steps have been poured. The railings have been removed and are being sandblasted and powder coat finished. They will be re-installed when the steps are complete. We have temporary wooden steps in place at the side for emergency exit. Our design work for our new Outreach Center (1010) is being finalized and we will have an update on that soon. Stay tuned for our next update! In order to engage our local community with our plans (especially regarding 1010), we held a Community Meeting recently, where we informed our neighbors about the building plans. It was well received! -Submitted by Chuck Hanrahan on behalf of the Building Committee
Save the Date!
June 24 Town Hall Meeting
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGN? READY TO SUBMIT YOUR PLEDGE CARD?
On June 24, following the 10 am worship service, the Capital Campaign and Building Committee will be hosting a town hall meeting to discuss our progress thus far—and plans for the months ahead. Please join us in the sanctuary for this important conversation. Childcare will be available.
Visit our website at asburyfirst.org/bettertogether Email us at bettertogether@asburyfirst.org Stop in the Welcome Hall and pick up a brochure
PROJECT GIVING GOAL: $6,240,000 13 13
Library & Reading News Summertime and the reading is easy—especially at the Library at Asbury First. So check out the following recommendations of books in our Library collection at Asbury Church. It’s free. It’s easy. And, you’ll learn all sorts of new things. Come check us out. The library is just off the church Gathering Space by the elevator. The library is open when the church is open. Come visit. Ape House by Sara Gruen We do have fiction in the church library. Recently, I read a book by Sara Gruen who wrote Water for Elephants. The book has the unfortunate title: Ape House. It’s a police procedural, without the police. Instead, the main characters are a linguist who has devoted her career to teaching a troop of bonobos to communicate in American Sign Language, and an investigative reporter who has lost his job, but not his need to investigate. There is a real crime and a real mystery and a real witness. Unfortunately, it’s Sam, a bonobo who keeps signing the answer in ASL. But who’d believe an ape? Read it and find out. This fascinating book is in the library large print section. (Recommended from the church library collection by library committee member Monica Gilligan)
writes “Know your history. Study it. Share it. Shed a tear over it. Laugh about it. Live it. Act it out. Understand it.” “As Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Lewis was at the epicenter of the civil rights movement in the late '50s and '60s. Arrested more than forty times, he was one of its youngest and most courageous leaders. Writing with charm, warmth, and honesty, Lewis moves from the Nashville lunch counter sit-ins as he reflects on the era to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where he led more than five hundred marchers on what became known as "Bloody Sunday. I was very moved by his focus on faith, non-violence, community, justice and his commitment to an African proverb “When you pray, move your feet”. (Recommended from the church library collection by library committee member Karen Hibbard) Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. This book has been around for many years and remains one of my favorites to read out loud. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (he has four names) regularly visits a home for elderly folks where he becomes friends with Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper (she has four names too). When he learns she has lost her memory, Wilfred sets out to learn about memories so that he can help Miss Nancy find her memory again. The story is a delight and the illustrations are very colorful and just this side of fanciful. This is a paperback that can be found in the “Pink Dot” children’s section. (Recommended from the church library collection by library committee member Karen Hibbard)
Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. This is one of my all-time favorite novels from one of my favorite authors. You may know her as the author of the Pulitzer Prize nominee, The Poisonwood Bible. Animal Dreams is less dark than Poisonwood and is a beautiful story of real redemption. Cosima “Codi” Noline is a medical school graduate unable to practice due to a breakdown she had while working with a patient. She returns to her hometown of Grace, Arizona to care for her estranged father, Homer “Doc” Noline, a physician developing Alzeimer’s disease. When she gets there, she faces a daunting new job, an environmental and economic catastrophe in the making, and an ex-boyfriend, Lloyd Peregrina, an Apache trainman, with whom she has a difficult history. She also has to let go of her sister, Hallimeda “Hallie” Noline, the only close family she has ever known, because Hallie left for war-torn Nicaragua. The book is interwoven with joy and sadness, just like life, but through it all, each of the three main characters grows in unique ways. (Recommended from the church library collection by library committee member Carol Roote)
365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life by John Kralik. Studies have shown the wisdom of the old saying that an attitude of gratitude is good for us. This unusual memoir 365 Thank Yous by John Kralik shows the improvement in well-being of a man who emerges from the depths of a nearly ruined life by way of thank-you notes. This short work is not a how-to write thank you notes by hand. Instead, it is a record of a fascinating emotional and spiritual journey. It can be found on or library shelves under 179 KRA. (Recommended from the church library collection by library committee member Monica Gilligan)
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It sounds like a cliché, but this really is a non-fiction book that reads like a novel. The author is an attorney, who founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those who are lost in the criminal justice system. Woven throughout the book (roughly every other chapter) is the story of Walter McMillian, a man who had a whole host of witnesses that saw him at a backyard barbeque for the entire morning during which a murder took place, but of which he was accused anyway. The rest of the chapters deal with others who came to Stevenson’s law practice for help— women, children, those with physical and/or mental disabilities, and people who couldn’t afford to pay for council and therefore got very poor representation. This book is very sad but also very eye-opening. (Recommended from the church library collection by library committee member Carol Roote)
Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast. Have you experienced a graphic novel? Try this one. It deals with the author’s relationship with her aging parents. She tells in print and cartoons of being a caregiver for parents as they age. It is funny and “right on” with the subject that is a part of many of our lives. The book is a New York Times bestseller and a National Book Award Finalist. (Recommended from the church library collection by library committee member Peggy Lyons.) The Color of Me by Linda L. McDunn, illustrated by Barbara Knutson. The Color of Me is a beautifully illustrated children’s book about the many colors of God’s creations and the importance, acceptance and respect for everything that God makes. It is a perfect book for parents and educators to read to children and for early readers to read themselves. For children ages four to eight. (Recommended from the church library collection by library committee member Peggy Lyons.)
Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by Congressman John Lewis. In this book, Congressman John Lewis 14
Outreach News The Storehouse Summer Sale Returns August 2, 3, 4, & 5! “What does the Lord require of you? To seek justice, and love kindness and walk kindly with our God.” -Micah 6:8 This August, we will celebrate the 51st Anniversary of The Storehouse Summer Sale in support of the Asbury First Storehouse. As we prepare to open our doors, we want to pause and remember the 50 years that precede this event and its history
from our generous and large population make the sale much more that a glorified garage sale. We have had furniture, household items, small appliances, vintage clothing, antiques and collectables, jewelry, linens, framed artwork, accessories such as scarves and purses, and so much more. Items are set aside and priced throughout the year as we receive small donations that could be a part of the sale. The week before the sale opens, many hands work long hours to get the sale tables set up, boxes opened, and items unwrapped and priced. We are blessed with many volunteers who have years of experience Founded in 1965 by five women of and know how to merchandise the sale to make items appealing our congregation, The Storehouse and attractive to buyers. Pricing is modest and great deals are to be has served thousands of families in found! need. I wonder if our founding mothers could have imagined that in 2017 we would have 100 volunteers and serve 2,967 adults, 2,505 But we need you! Starting Monday, June 4, we will accept your children, and receive referrals from 372 local agencies? donations specifically for the sale—please no books, records, sports equipment, or large electronics/computers). Donations can be taken When founded, The Storehouse consisted of a few rooms and to the lower level of the church and left in the old Bell Choir room, closets on the second floor of the building we call 1010. Now across from the Fellowship Hall kitchen. Friday, July 27 we will set encompassing the entire lower level of 1050 (the building that up the tables in Fellowship Hall and move needed fixtures from The houses the church offices), the need has continued and increased. Storehouse which will be used for display. During the sale we need While supported by the Annual Budget, the needs exceed what the people to help customers and assist with wrapping purchased goods. budget alone can provide. Fundraisers for The Storehouse help us This year, we plan to host the sale on Sunday after our annual tent to purchase socks, underwear, blankets and at times, winter jackets. service on the lawn and helpers are needed for clean-up at 2 pm. Our sale dates this year are August 2, 3, 4, and Sunday, August Your help with donations, set up, or clean up is greatly appreciated. 5. Since we are run entirely by volunteers, and our church provides If you can offer some time to support this vital ministry event, please the lower level of 1050 for the operation, all monies go directly to contact Elizabeth Church, Sale Coordinator, at emchurch418@ supporting our clients' needs. Last year, 2017, the sale generated gmail.com or call 461-9802. Assistance delivering large items to the over $10,000. With the contribution of the Bake Sale (held in the church is also available by contacting Elizabeth. Welcome Hall) the total exceeded $11,000. Donations for the sale
Help Me Read Program: An Asbury First Partnership with Schools #17 and #45 by John Smalt, Asbury First Coordinator, Help Me Read Program This past year a new reading tutoring program for Asbury First was started at Enrico-Fermi #17 School with additional volunteers at Mary McLeod Bethune School #45. Our decision to be involved was based on one of the goals of the Outreach Task Force, to focus outreach ministries in one area of the city. We partnered with the Help Me Read Program operated by the Arc of Jesus Church and the Celebration of Life Program to help out at both schools. The reading program has been in operation for several years at School #17 and School #45. New volunteers have participated in a training session explaining the program
prior to volunteering. Each session working with students is about one half hour with most people completing two sessions. At School #17, students are matched with volunteers through a Help Me Read Coordinator who is at the school. At School #45, coordination of the program is done by Reverend Dr. Bishop Singleton the program director. Currently, there are about 25 people who help with the reading program at School #45 and School #17. The schools have many more volunteers from around the community helping out. In addition, there is a Therapy Dog Program from Asbury First with two dogs working in the classrooms. 15
One of their primary focuses is to help students deal with feelings and emotions. Two students from Mercy High School also helped with the reading program this year, as they had 2000 books donated from their Senior Project. With help from both the school principal and Asbury First, each child in the school received a book of their choice. Thanks for the hard work! You are making a real difference.
Advent Outreach & Seasonal NewsNews A Storehouse Success! Proms & Moms Popup Sale by The Rev. Jacqueline J. Nelson Over the course of just a few days, our dedicated Storehouse volunteers learned of an amazing opportunity, coordinated the logistics, and successfully planned and executed a brand-new fundraiser for Outreach at Asbury First! The Proms & Moms Pop Up Sale was available to the community for two days and raised over $2,000 that will be used to purchase supplies and needed items to meet our growing number of referrals to the Storehouse. We want to take a moment to express special thanks to all of our volunteers, including those who drove and loaded over 300 brand new dresses, more than 70 pairs of dress shoes, and other miscellaneous items into a van; those who worked behind the scenes to design the flyer; those who communicated with various organizations and schools throughout the city; volunteers who worked for hours to sort the dresses in preparation for the sale; and everyone who showed up to provide outstanding customer service to our shoppers. We could not have made this happen without your dedication and hard work. As the need for clothing and household supplies grows in this city, it is a joy to know that members of this congregation are thinking through unique ways to effectively and efficiently meet the need. We commend our Storehouse Chairs, Board Members, and Volunteers for their consistency, selfless love, and genuine desire to ensure we always have what we need to care for those around us. Join me in thanking and congratulating the Storehouse on another successful fundraiser!
Why 2,448 Pairs of Socks Arrived at Asbury First In late April, 17 large boxes from the Bombas company arrived at 1050 East Ave. Inside each box were 144 pairs of size large socks, for a total of 2,448 pairs. As many of our volunteers know, our guests at both the Dining and Caring Center and the Storehouse are often in desperate need of socks. Bombas (the name is derived from the Latin word for buzzing, hence the bee and honeycomb designs on the socks) has a company policy of donating one pair of socks to a homeless shelter or other human services program for every pair it sells. Bombas sock fan Diana Carter, who is also chair of the Dining and Caring Center board, contacted the company in October 2017 and made the request on behalf of the dining center for the maximum donation amount Bombas gives out. Then she waited to see what would happen. The abundance of such a deeply needed item is almost overwhelming. The dining center normally gives out socks in the Christmas gift bags it presents to guests but also makes them available during the year when they’re needed. Because there were so many socks, the DCC immediately shared the wealth with the Storehouse, put some boxes in storage for future use and took a couple of boxes to the dining center, where Michele Cooley is sharing them as needed with guests. We are so thankful for Bombas’ generosity and intend to shepherd this donation wisely.
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Outreach News Balancing Justice and Mercy? Our Journey Forward
by The Rev. Jacqueline J. Nelson A simple Google search will provide anyone interested with a list of statistics and data that attempts to define the severity of poverty across the globe. A similar search will also go a step further and provide information about poverty here in Rochester and leave you feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, and defeated. These kinds of internet searches have left all of us pondering questions such as, “How can we help?” “How can I impact meaningful change in this city I love?” “What are we doing wrong?” “What are we doing right?” “Are we doing enough?” “Where do we go from here?” The search itself and the process of digesting is difficult. At times, we are left motivated and empowered to go out into the world and impact change. Other times, we are left without any real clue of what to do. In those moments, what we are sure of is that there is work to do and similar to any other complicated task, it begins with us. During the month of April, we took some time to think through the very difficult task of balancing justice and mercy as a congregation. We raised questions about cultivating safe spaces that are nurturing, affirming and loving for every individual that walks through our various doors on campus; we thought through the ways in which meaningful relationships might better connect us beyond charitable giving to those within our reach; we considered what it might mean for us to start internally by checking our biases, privilege, and fears so that we can become the inclusive and affirming space we aim to be. None of this is easy work. However, we agreed that any attempt to radically change the world “out there,” has to start “in here.”
"...on our journey to figuring out what feels best for us and aligns most with our mission, values, and call to Christian service, may we remain open to new ideas, but committed to who we are."
At the end of April, we welcomed to our campus the author of Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (and How to Reverse It), with the sole purpose of sharing principles of justice as recommended in our Outreach Task Force report, A Way Forward. As the report urged the AFUMC community to combat poverty by striving for justice, our April 29th event gave us the opportunity to listen to ideas and strategies that worked for someone else. In a world where the pains of poverty prevail, we will always find several different suggestions for how to best address the issues we see. I believe if there were one single way to accomplish this goal, the issue itself would no longer exist. But since it does, on our journey to figuring out what feels best for us and aligns most with our mission, values, and call to Christian service, may we remain open to new ideas, but committed to who we are. Outreach at Asbury First is a blessing not only to the membership, but to this community and the world and we can be sure that we are faithful to the Christian call to respond to the needs of the least, the lost, and the forgotten. As such, our ministries are beneficial and helpful, and will continue to respond to that call for Christian service. Moving Forward, we will continue to create space on this campus for meaningful dialogue that allows us to wrestle with difficult questions, educate ourselves on the layered reality of poverty and injustice, and seek ways to evolve into all that God desires for outreach at Asbury First. The blessing of a journey, is that it takes time. May we take our time, trust God’s voice, and strive to do all God has called us to do. We will get there!
Calling For Your Extra Backpacks and Bibles! We are in need of backpacks for our Dining and Caring Center guests. Bags can be any type-backpack, rucksack, etc. Donations may be left at the church office or the Dining Center during business hours.
We also have continuing need for bibles of any type-English or Spanish-for our Dining and Caring Center, Storehouse, and several women's support groups. You may drop them off at the church office. Thank you!
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The Last Word “Reaching In” to City Neighborhoods: The Grocery Bag Ministry is on the Front Lines of Hunger, Alleviating Food Insecurity for Almost a Decade!
A
ddressing a group of young students, the world renowned humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer once said, “I don’t know what your destiny is or will be, but one thing I do know is the ones among you who will be really happy, are those who have found a way to serve.” Asbury First’s Grocery Bag Ministry (GBM) has been in service for more than nine years and has distributed thousands of grocery bags of food from the caring Asbury First community by “reaching in" to our partner churches and refugees, filling real needs! We thought we would ask the leaders of our partner churches and refugees, the distributors, and recipients of Asbury First’s caring outreach, in their own words, what our ministry means to their flocks. Their thoughts reflect the true result of the GBM’s nine years of “reaching in” to challenged neighborhoods through these lighthouses of hope—our valued and respected partners. From Bishop David J. Singleton and the Ark of Jesus Ministries (506 Jay St. Rochester, NY 14603): “The members of Ark of Jesus Ministries greatly appreciate your Grocery Bag Ministry. It has not only been a blessing, but it has also been the answer to some people’s prayers. So for that we are thankful and grateful to God for your ministry. Only the Lord knows the depths to which your acts of kindness have reached. Now, may the kindness you have shown be returned to you again and again in our prayers.” Pastor Zenaida Sosa picking up Grocery Bags
Another one of our valued partners
by Bill Lisi on the front lines of hunger, Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church (550 Meigs St. Rochester, NY 14607)) led by the Rev. James C. Simmons, Pastor, has Betty Crews, the Missionary President saying in part: “Our church is very proud to be part of this ministry. The recipients that receive the grocery bags are very grateful. They always express how much the bags help them through the month and especially over the years. We at Baber thank Asbury First for your dedicated service to our community.” Our friends at PowerHouse Church of God in Christ (48 Clifton St. Rochester, NY 14608), led by Bishop Jeffery L. Melvin, Pastor, has Reverend Fannie Ethridge-Reeves, Outreach Minister, saying from their hearts: “We would like to thank the Grocery Bag Ministry for supporting our Outreach Ministry. Over the years, your group has supported us by providing grocery bags to our congregation. Your donations make it possible for us to provide food to needy families in our congregation and the surrounding neighborhood. Since the beginning of our relationship, Asbury First not only provided physical food but has provided spiritual enrichment through prayer and fellowship. We look forward to continuing our connection and welcome you to join us at PowerHouse for a Sunday worship service. Once again, thank you for your generous support. We are grateful for the fellowship and the food contributions you provide for our families, friends, and neighbors.” Another point of light GBM partner is Light of the World Church (200 Child St. Rochester, NY 14611), led by Senior Pastor Ruben Serrano, and these kind words from Outreach Pastor Zenaida Sosa: “Light of the World Church is a multicultural congregation located in the northwest 18
Bill Lisi, Joe Cygan delivering grocery bags to West Ave Methodist Church quadrant of the City in the 10th Ward. We would like to express our gratitude to Asbury First for the food donations we have been receiving. Families have been blessed with this gesture of love and compassion meeting their needs. Thanks very much for your love, dedication, and your time. May the Lord bestow and multiply abundant blessing to Asbury First and all who are involved in this ministry. Thanks again, and we are very grateful.” Our recent refugees and Cindy Malone, Refugees Coordinator for No One Left Behind, have these words to say in part about their connection to the GBM: “The Rochester, NY Chapter of No One Left Behind (NOLB)* is dedicated to ensuring that Afghan and Iraqi interpreters and support personnel who worked side by side with our American troops and are now targets of the Taliban and ISIL in their own country are able to safely resettle in the Western NY region. One thing that many families struggle with is having enough money to put food on their tables. With the help of the GBM, NOLB is able to supply food to new families that have just arrived, and whose food benefits haven’t yet started. These supplemental groceries make a meaningful and substantial difference in the lives of the families that I encounter. With the support of the GBM, we are better equipped to help circumvent some of the challenges that these brave families face as they begin their new lives in our community.”
The Last Word One of our "A mountaintop experience is found in a beloved long-time heart given over to the stewards service of God to fellow working with GBM human beings."
is Edna Craven, Outreach Coordinator for Antioch Baptist Church (304 Joseph Ave. Rochester, NY 14605), led by Senior Pastor Reverend James L. Cherry Jr., and Edna says in part: “The GBM serves senior citizens, and we thank you for your dedication to serving individuals less fortunate than yourself. The food bags are greatly appreciated. Without your generosity and kindness, these blessings would not happen. May God continue to bless you and your ministry.” Pastor Mary Lee Robinson of the Miracle Outreach Church of God, in the Otis Street area, a long-time partner with Asbury First’s GBM says: “Thank you for your generous food donations. The food you donated has made a positive difference in the Rochester, NY area. They have helped eliminate food insecurity for families in crisis and we are so grateful for your support.” Thanks to the faithful coordination of Mother Hughes over the years, Asbury First has formed a lasting and continuing partnership with Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, (250 Dr. Samuel McCree Way, Rochester, NY 14611 ),led by Rev. Dr. Richard Douglass. Mother Hughes has recently turned over her responsibilities to Sister Charlaine Anderson, Food Pantry Coordinator, who says: “The Zion Hill Food Pantry—one of our outreach ministries—is free and open to the community and surrounding area 12 months out of the year. Our partnership with the GBM helps us to serve over 200 families per month through their generous food donations. These groceries are a welcome blessing to our feeding-the-hungry efforts because there
is a growing need among senior citizens, single parents, and college students in our community. In addition, there has been an influx of persons from Puerto Rico due to the last hurricane, who frequent our pantry. The smiles and appreciation we see upon receipt of the food is truly rewarding. We are forever grateful and look forward to a continued partnership.” West Ave Methodist Church, which the GBM has served for its entire nine years, through Thelma Brown, Outreach Coordinator, expresses her appreciation of Asbury First’s support. We would be delivering grocery bags through the church’s doors on West Ave while numerous recipients would be waiting outside on the Chili Ave. doors of the church. Need and hunger, up close and personal. Your food donations and funding for continuing the GBM are always a big challenge and you and the Asbury First community can always be part of our efforts at “reaching in” to our partner churches and refugees. A sincere thank you to all who have donated food items and funds over the past decade. On a personal note, as my beloved Maxine and myself have recently faced some challenges of aging, I offer a great big “thank you ” to all Asbury First Grocery Bag Ministry volunteers over the past decade. I also want to especially thank current volunteers who have, in my absence, persevered and stepped up to faithfully carry forward the GBM as we head toward our second decade of service. Joe and Janice Cygan have taken a leadership role, ably supported by Jim Reed, Jim Carter, Cindy Malone, Pat Schwar, George Albright, and Bob Castle, behind the scenes, ensuring the GBM is ready to perform our mission every third Saturday morning of each month.
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Food Donations Are Always Appreciated!
You may leave your gift in the outreach box in the Welcome Hall near the coat racks. No matter how small the donation is, it has a great impact on our recipients as you can see from the comments included above. Tuna, jams, peanut butter, pasta, pasta sauce, canned fruits, canned vegetables, rice, soups, and donations of your time as a volunteer are wonderful gifts to help us fulfill our continuing mission of “reaching in.” We also include in each donated grocery bag a dozen eggs and a fresh loaf of bread. Our invaluable GBM “baggers” are equally important in completing each and every full grocery bag that goes out the Asbury First doors to our partners, who are points of hope and light in City neighborhoods facing many, many challenges. Thank you to Betty Stewart, Richard Irvin, Gene and June Walters, Beth Woolover, Mason Fitch, Eugene Fisher, Edie Reinhard, Bob and Bev Schuman, Bill Masters, Ling Xiang, Jeanne Rowe, Don and Jan Anderson, Fred and Carolyn Hamil, and Tiayi (Emily) Yuan. Through the GBM and all of the caring Asbury First outreach programs, we have all been “reaching in" to our sisters and brothers in areas of our city most in need of our caring and compassion. A mountaintop experience is found in a heart given over to the service of God to fellow human beings.
Grocery Bag Ministry "baggers" volunteering their time
PERIODICAL 1050 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14607-2293 Address Service Requested
Block Party on East
August 7, 8, & 9
Guinness World Record Attempt
Guinness World Record Attempt Thursday Night Hopscotch
Thursday Night: World Hopscotch Record
Food Trucks Live Music Games
Help us break the record— invite all your friends and family!
Get the Details on Page 8