The Visitor | September 2016 by Asbury First United Methodist Church

TheVisitor Asbury First United Methodist Church Newsletter September 2016 • Vol. L No. 7 • www.asburyfirst.org

IN THIS ISSUE A Pastoral Reflection 3 Community News 4 On Holy Ground 5 AFUMC News 6 Looking Back 8 Financial Update 10 Fall Preview 12 Community Outreach & Needs 17 The Last Word 19

MISSION STATEMENT

The Visitor

Through worship, education, outreach, and care, we develop disciples of Jesus Christ who live and proclaim the Gospel and thereby work to transform our culture.

Vol. L No. 7

(USPS 558-470) is published 10 times a year, monthly with combined issues for November/December and July/August, by Asbury First United Methodist Church. 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 Our church goal this year: we commit to attending worship on Sundays as often as possible and inviting a friend to worship with us.

Staff

The Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II Senior Minister Kathy Thiel Minister for Pastoral Care and Outreach Katie O’Hern Minister for Discipleship and Mission David Strong Music Administrator; Assistant Organist Dr. William Weinert Director of Music Paula Dugan Children’s Ministry Director Holly Temming Children’s Ministry Assistant; Director, Children’s Music Mike Mullin Youth Minister Richard Moncrief Financial Administrator Morgan Dornsife Development Director Melody Guadagnino Administrative Assistant Ken Carr Property Care Manager Michele Cooley Dining & Caring Center Director Jamie Least Communications Coordinator Duane Prill Organist Carol Lamica Director, Youth Music Elizabeth Church Director, Bell Choir Brian Bohrer Director, Asbury Singers Larry Dugan Director, Youth Theater Linda Clemow Artist-in-Residence

Emeriti Staff

Rev. Dr. Theodore Weeden, Sr., Pastor Emeritus Dr. Roger Wilhelm, Director of Music Emeritus Marian R. Craighead*, Organist Emeritus *deceased Unless otherwise noted, photos are by Greg Francis. Cover Photo Credit: Jamie Least

Please send all submissions, questions, comments, or concerns to communications@asburyfirst.org or 585-271-1050, x109. Deadline for submitting content to the next issue: September 5, 2016

Traditional Worship in our Sanctuary 8:30 & 11 am Sunday mornings 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 our email newsletters, with news of upcoming services, classes, and other events at Asbury First, go to asburyfirst.org and scroll to the bottom of the home page, where you’ll see a sign-up window. 2

A Pastoral Reflection Saddle Your Dreams | The Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II

“Saddle your dreams before your ride them.” -Mary Webb We have spent the last year as a congregation speaking, preaching, praying, and pontificating about dreams. We have written them down, shared them with one another, and organized them into affinity groups. Undoubtedly there are those who are ready for us to “wake up” as a congregation—to shift from dream to reality. And we are almost there, but we want to make that transition in such a way that we don’t let the harsh realities of the day make us forget about our dreams. This summer, a strategic planning team (lovingly nicknamed the “dream team”) has been meeting biweekly to understand, organize, and respond to the dreams shared by members of the congregation. This 12-person team is balanced with long term and more recent members, various age groups, and equally divided between male and female, representing many different points of views and demographics from within the church. The charge of this team is to create a plan to help Asbury First fully live our mission in Rochester, NY and achieve our dreams. In short, it is a team that is attempting to turn our dreams into reality through prayerful preparation and care. It’s an effort, to paraphrase Mary Webb, to saddle our dreams before we ride them. The good news is that some dreams have already been saddled and are well down the road. Many of the dreams shared on the dream board have been brought to life, including opening the sanctuary for prayer and creating more small groups on campus. Others will take some more time. While not all of our dreams will be brought to life, all of them will inform our understanding of who God is calling us to be. We are not the first to tread this path—to try and bring our dreams to life. Many before us dared to dream big and many have found success; some have even changed the world. These are the dream weavers—those who have been able, in the face of unbelievable odds, to champion a dream and transform the world for the better. This fall we will be presenting a sermon series on several of these “dream weavers” in an effort to learn what it takes to saddle our dreams. We hope that you will join us. This year, let’s work together to bring our dreams to life. Grace and Peace, Stephen

Worship

worship schedule SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18

SUNDAY OCTOBER 2

(STARTING SEPTEMBER 11)

Luke 14:25-33

Exodus 3:1-12

World Communion Sunday

8:30am – Traditional Worship

Mike Mullin, Preacher

Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady,

Ephesians 6:10-20

Preacher

Kathy Thiel, Preacher

SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES

10:00am – Chancel Worship with Holy Communion

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11

11:00am – Traditional

Together in Ministry Sunday

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25

John 14:1-7

Jeremiah 1:4-10

1 Samuel 17:32-49

Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady,

Preacher

Worship with Sanctuary Choir

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9

Community News Our Living

Deaths – We offer our prayers and sympathy to … Bob and Linda Payne on the death of their son-in-law Josh Lindenmuth on May 11, 2016 in York, PA. The family and friends of Laura Sherman who died on June 8, 2016 in Springfield, Virginia.

in Community

Elsie Wiberg and Karl and Pat Nelson on the death of Elsie and Karl’s sister, Alice, in Florida on July 8, 2016. The family and friends of Blair Cook who died on July 20, 2016.

Don and Emily Jeffery and family on the death of Don’s brother James Jeffery on August 3, 2016. The family and friends of Emily Marshall who died on August 10 in Bath, New York.

Sam and Carolyn DiStasio on the death of their daughter Lori on July 28, 2016.

Baptisms – We celebrate the baptism of …

The family and friends of William Freiert who died on June 18, 2016.

Ailene Bardwell on the death of her sister Norma Bardwell.

The family and friends of Nancy Ann Jeffery who died on July 1, 2016.

Bruce and Ann Turner on the death of Bruce’s father Dwight Turner on August 2, 2016.

Ava Grace Petrone, daughter of Lawrence and Meagan Petrone, baptized on June 26, 2016. Ryan Bailey Hildreth, son of Kyle and Michelle Hildreth, baptized on July 31, 2016.

Welcoming Our New Members Joined June 19, 2016

Erin Sharp and John Brandt

Courtney Foreman and Scott Handy

Andrea Funk

Cara Mittler

Jennifer Meiring

Maureen Holcomb

On Holy Ground The Abbey of the Genesee | Marty Garland

The Abbey, located in Piffard, NY (just outside of Geneseo) is the home of 30+ contemplative monks who belong to the order of Cistercians, more commonly known as Trappists, and follow the rule of St. Benedict.

Watch for the next date!

Their lives are dedicated to ‘’seeking union with God, through Jesus Christ, in a community of sisters or in this Abbey, brothers’’. They lead a monastic way of life “in silence, assiduous prayer and joyful penitence”. Their work is to make Monk’s Bread in order to help support the Abbey. Three days a week, the Monks go to bed at 7 pm so they can rise at 2 am to celebrate the Office of Vigils and then begin to make the bread. The Abbey is open to guests and small groups for overnight retreats and guests can ask for counseling from a monk for a small fee. There is also a store in which Monk’s Bread is sold at a lower price than in the local grocery stores. A nice selection of books and CDs is also available for purchase. Some of us from the Spiritual Life Committee have gone to the Abbey on several Saturdays to attend a 20-30 minute Vespers service at 4:30 pm. From my personal experience with all three trips, the minute I exit the car, I am in a place of calmness and peace. I can actually feel the tension leaving my body as my mind empties the frivolous. What an experience! From a personal perspective, I would encourage all who have inquisitive minds and are searching for God’s love and peace in this noisy world to join our next trip to the Abbey. I am quite sure it will change your perspective at least for the time spent on this holy ground. All are welcome!

AFUMC News 50th Anniversary Celebration For Growing Spirits/Living Edge

Fifty years ago, in the fall of 1966, our then Senior pastor Dr. Davies helped four couples organize a new Sunday school class for adults. The fellowship class (named Double Ring) had been organized a few years earlier and was becoming very large. The class adopted the title of “Better Halves” and was the first to meet on the second floor of 1010. Through the years, the class at one time or another has met in every single room on the second floor. With the aid of Margaret Wilcox mentioning the class to new members and visitors, the class grew rapidly in size. In the 70s, it had membership of nearly 50 families! It was certainly a family-oriented class, as many of its activities centered around the children, such as the trimming of the Christmas tree in the educational

Welcoming Our Newest Hire

We’re pleased to welcome Asbury First’s newest hire, Jamie Least, as our Communications Coordinator. Jamie comes to us from an inclusive Christian ministry and is excited to employ her experience and skills to help make everyone’s time at AFUMC as engaging and fulfilling as it can be. Please join us in welcoming Jamie to the Asbury First community!

wing, a kids’ Christmas party complete with Santa, the Halloween party, and the Easter egg hunt on the lawn behind 1010. For the adults, Sunday morning classes were led by class members or individuals from the Cokesbury Adult Curriculum, and no year was complete without a Bible study accompanied by informational journals. Socials were held on nearly a monthly basis, including progressive dinners, pot luck suppers, and the keynote of the class, the annual (May) Chef ’s Night. The men of the class bought the food, prepared it ahead of time or on site, served, and cleaned up. It was often accompanied by special themes and/or programs (e.g. a member’s solo bike trip across America).

In the 80s, the name of the class was changed to Growing Spirits to reflect its inclusiveness. Later, they merged with the Living Edge class, which was organized after the Growing Spirits. Currently, it meets on the first floor of 1010 in the Meditation Room. A catered dinner by Tasteful Connections is planned for Saturday night at 6pm on October 1st at 1010 to celebrate 50 years together as a class. Current members, as well as former members, are invited to attend this affair and share memories. (To make things easier for all attendees, name tags will be provided!) Contact Linda Freed at ljfreed@ yahoo.com or Jan Anderson at danders1@ rochester.rr.com for more details.

The Light of Day and a Breath of Fresh Air Ministry & Space

Did you know that the Education Building (1040) has 209 individual windows? Each one of these windows was installed about 56 years ago, when it was built. There are many things that make 1040 an important part of the Asbury First campus. Our children meet each Sunday, our Youth meet there each week, our choirs rehearse there, and it is the home of the Asbury Day Care. After so much time, many of the windows have problems. Some cannot be closed all of the way, the mechanism don’t work on others, and all of them need to be re-sealed. Our storm windows also have maintenance issues. As a part of our Ministry & Space projects, we are working with our architect to get a detailed understanding of the needs to be addressed and define a comprehensive approach to correcting the issues. 6

AFUMC News 10th Annual Dinner Among Friends September 24, 2016

Can you believe we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the DINNER AMONG FRIENDS, the annual fundraiser for Asbury First’s Dining and Caring Center? We are hoping the 10th annual fundraiser will be the biggest and best yet—and there are many ways you can participate.

BE A HOST Can you help us “Cook for a Cause”? PLEASE consider serving as one of our gracious hosts. Here’s what it entails: •As a host, you will hold a dinner at your home starting at about 6:15pm following the Pre-Dinner Reception at the Asbury First Gathering Center. •You can host as few or as many people as you wish. •Your meal doesn’t have to be gourmet. It can be as simple or as elegant as you wish. Have anything from a picnic with burgers and salads to Beef Wellington with roasted vegetables! You can also give your menu a fun theme (fall harvest fest, Hawaiian luau, Mexican tacos)—it’s up to you. •Not sure you want to tackle a dinner on your own? Why not host with a friend? It’s half the work and twice the fun. •Your guests will be a combination of those you invite and those who R.S.V.P. to our invitation to the congregation. Those who have hosted before often speak of the new friendships that have developed, as well as existing friendships that deepen when sharing a meal together for a good cause.

BE A GUEST Within this Visitor is your personal invitation to join us on September 24, 2016 for an evening of fun, food and fellowship.

To sign up to host, contact Bonnie Kay (email b.kay@frontiernet.net or call 478-5611).

We will start the evening at 5 pm with appetizers in the Gathering Center. From there, you will join your hosts at their home for a delicious meal and an evening of fellowship. The suggested donation for this fund-raiser is $50 per person but feel free to donate more or less (even if you can’t come). To R.S.V.P. to your invitation, contact Bonnie Kay at 473-8848 or b.kay@frontiernet.net. KIDS CAN BE OUR GUESTS, TOO! In addition to the 10th Annual Dinner Among Friends we will be having our 2nd Annual Dinner Among Kids. This is a free event for children ages 4 and up whose parents are attending the Dinner Among Friends beginning at 5:00pm. There will be appetizers, games, dinner, movies, stories and an outreach craft for the Asbury Dining and Caring Center (ADCC). Pick-up time for the children is 8:30 pm. For more information or to reserve a spot please contact Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org or 271-1050 x111. 7

BE A SPONSOR As a member of Asbury First, you may already be aware of the ADCC and the work it does feeding the hungry—and that 100% of the donations from people attending the Dinner Among Friends, the largest fundraiser for the ADCC, goes to supporting its mission. But did you know that the Dinner Among Friends also needs the support of corporate sponsors to make its goals? In this, our 10th year, we would greatly appreciate you or your company joining the growing number of corporate sponsors who assist ADCC as we nourish, support, and transform the lives of our guests in the Rochester community with either a monetary donation or a donation-in-kind. We will, of course, frequently and publicly thank each sponsor. For sponsorship option information, please contact Bob Castle at rcastle166@frontiernet.net or 2980130. COME ONE AND ALL TO SUPPORT THE 10TH ANNUAL DINNER AMONG FRIENDS!

Looking Back Tent Week: One Busy Week! Usually the busiest weeks in the life of a church are those surrounding Christmas and Easter. Asbury First has another. Not that all weeks don’t have some degree of busyness—a symptom of the vibrancy of this congregation—but one week each summer we manage to pack in more than virtually any other week: Tent Week. During this week we hold a basement and bake sale, the youth park cars, we have a booth at Park Ave fest, we worship outside under the tent, we hold a vacation Bible school for over 100 children, and host a different event every evening under the tent. This may be a non-liturgical week, but it is the church at its best. And this year was something to celebrate. The basement and bake sales were huge successes, raising over $10,000 to benefit the Storehouse, our longest running outreach ministry. Likewise, the youth report

that the parking fundraiser was the best yet, raising over $7,500 to support their mission trips and activities. These are the two largest fundraisers for the Storehouse and youth ministries and will help them live out their mission fully in the year ahead. Our booth at Park Ave Fest (nicknamed “Hope on a Rope”) encouraged passersby to take a moment to share something about which they were hopeful. The multi-colored fabric strips containing people’s hopes were hung on a string and used to surround the information booth in the evenings for Tent Week. We were surrounded by hope all week. Over 100 children traveled to ancient Egypt to learn about Joseph and his journey from prison to the palace during vacation bible school. They sang, played, and had a ton of fun. Collectively, they added

over 300 cans to our Grocery Bag Ministry and donated over 250 pairs of socks to go to Project Chacocente in Nicaragua and our Dining and Caring Center. Finally, each evening under the tent had a different feel that drew a different crowd from our church and from around the city—from our “Movers and Makers” night in which local artisans set up booths while local yoga and fitness teachers led classes on the lawn, to Beatles night, to our interfaith celebration, to our family night. It was a great week. So many people made each aspect of this week possible. Thanks to all the volunteers that made this busy week a huge success!

Looking Back To Cuba and Back Again Hannah Smith

Imagine this: 45 youth and adults departing flight 2612 that originated in an English speaking country. After some time, we were finally in Cuba after a somewhat bumpy flight. We still needed to clear immigration and customs before we could meet up with our translators and our guide. Thankfully, there were a few Spanish speakers in our group who were able to help with this process. Long story short, we made it through, boarded our bus, and headed to our first host church.

all those in between were consistently warm and welcoming to us strangers, which is not a normal occurrence in today’s world. I saw God in the beautiful sun setting into the clearest and saltiest ocean that I have ever seen or swam in. I saw God within the cold drinking water that was provided for us in many different locations. I felt God’s embrace guiding me throughout this entire week of mission. Everywhere we went and with everything I did, I felt God’s presence all around me.

As a person who hasn’t traveled internationally before, there was a lot to take in. Everything was different; the language, the culture, the food, the scenery, the architecture, were all unfamiliar and it was hard to find something that reminded me of home. It took me a few days to find that connection, but when I found it, I felt silly for not having noticed it sooner. The Cuban people who had been hosting us at the start of the week had become like parental figures or family friends to the majority of our group. They would dance around the kitchen while preparing meals, always making sure that you had eaten enough food and had a full bottle of water.

Cuba is a very special place, which is commonly overlooked, and oftentimes, people shy away from the island altogether. Going to this country has forever changed and left an impact on my life—an impact so powerful that I know that I am not the same person I was before this mission trip.

Considering that this trip was my last mission trip as part of the youth program here at Asbury First, different aspects of the week were hitting me harder than usual. I already knew what questions would be asked of me during the nightly debrief with our family groups, and at each meeting a new answer to the timeless question would come out of my mouth: Where did you see God today? I saw God in the faces of all the people we met while on mission. The young, the old, and

The age-old saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” applies to Cuba, too. When you actually get to open that Cuba book and see it with your own eyes, you will be changed too.

Middle School Mission Trip This year, 13 middle school youth and 7 adults participated in a week of missions. We spent our mornings working with Asbury First’s Vacation Bible School, and then we spent each afternoon volunteering with a different local agency. These included Cameron Community Missions, Begin Again Horse Rescue, Food Link, and even painting at Asbury First. Following this week of work, we took a couple of days to relax by heading up to tour the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. 9

Financial Update

Fall Preview

Volunteer Opportunities This Fall Fall is nearly here, and with the beginning of fall, as people come back from Summer vacation and return to school, we look forward to seeing both new and familiar faces in the pews on Sundays. You may be looking for ways to meet people, and those opportunities are abundant at Asbury First! Volunteering on one or more of the many committees that need your help is a satisfying and helpful way to get connected. In The Visitor and in the Bulletin on Sundays, you will find Janda Hemming asking for your help at the Welcome Desk, or Ann Francis inviting you to be a Greeter. Sue Bickel needs more Gathering Center Team members, too! All of these needs are limited time commitments on Sunday mornings. You are also invited to join the Intercessory Prayer Group and the Prayer Shawl Knitting Group, with once a month meetings, and the list goes on. Contact the person listed, or contact me directly at 486-4141 and I will connect you with the committee chairperson of the group(s) you’re interested in learning more about. I look forward to hearing from all who wish to volunteer their time and skills to support the many ministries and efforts of Asbury First! -Ruth VanDerLinden, Membership Care and Hospitality

New: Small Groups From the beginning, the Methodist movement has affirmed the importance of meeting together in small groups. John Wesley himself was part of a small group called “The Holy Club,” and he encouraged all people of faith to be a part of both a larger church and a small group. These forms of participation together were designed so that Christians could “watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation.” Small groups are one way that we at Asbury First can continue to build relationships with one another and walk the journey of faith together.

Storehouse and The Dining & Caring Center, or the Carvers of Hope and Prayer Shawl ministries. And these are just a few! All of Asbury First’s small groups are open and would welcome new members, and this fall we will offer several new small group opportunities. One group will be a “Small Group Sampler Plate,” a six-week commitment for people interested in dreaming up new small group ideas or being a part of a group that will explore many different ways small groups can meet together. A photography club is in the works. A group for people in their twenties and thirties will begin meeting on Wednesday evenings in the fall.

Asbury First already offers many small groups of which you can be a part. Some groups meet together for prayer and conversation, like the Wednesday morning Men’s group and Women’s Fellowship. Others meet to study and learn together, like the Wednesday morning Bible study and the Diversity Book Club. Still others focus their time together around service, like any regular shift at The

More information about these and other opportunities will be available in the bulletin and on our website; if you have ideas for other small groups or want to learn more, talk to Katie O’Hern at kohern@asburyfirst.org.

Fall Preview AFUMC Churchwide Fall Retreat! October 21-23

One of the dreams we heard repeated this year from the Asbury First community was to bring back the churchwide retreatâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;so from October 21-23, we will offer a retreat for any and all members of the congregation at Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center! Planning is still in the works, but the retreat will feature a guest speaker and activities for people of all ages. From a bonfire to square dancing, to opportunities for fellowship and education, to times of worship, to times of relaxation, the retreat is sure to offer something for everyone. Whether you come on your own or with your whole family, there is a place for you! More information, including registration cost, will be forthcoming. If you have any questions or ideas for the retreat, contact Katie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hern at kohern@asburyfirst.org.

Pricing Adults (18 & up) Ages 11-17 Ages 3-10 Under age 3

$100 $75 $50 FREE

Fall Preview #

Fall Retreat Registration We hope you will join us for the Asbury First Churchwide Retreat! To register, please fill out and return this form to the Welcome Desk in the Welcoming Hall on Sunday mornings or to the church office during regular business hours. Registration will also be available online. The cost for adults ages 18 and up is $100 each, for children ages 11-17 is $75 each, for children ages 3-10 is $50 each, and children under 3 can join us for free. For any other questions, please contact Katie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hern at kohern@asburyfirst.org.

Your Information Name:____________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone:____________________________________________________________________________________________ Email:_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Would you like to be a volunteer during the retreat? YES NO If YES, What is your area of interest?____________________________________________________________________ Attendees*

Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Age (If Applicable)

*Please include your own information in this area of the form

Allergies/Special Dietary Needs

Fall Preview Children’s Ministry All-New: Sunday School News NEW this year! If your children loved this summer’s VBS, they will love Sunday School. We are shifting to a new model of rotation curriculum, like we offered during VBS this year. The rotation model is an exciting Sunday School option that uses art, music, cooking, games, and other activities to teach Bible stories. Find out how it works and all of the benefits it offers at our open house on Sunday September 11th.

Changes to Children’s Music Please note the following changes for Children’s Music programs this fall: 5-5:30 pm 5:30-6 pm 6-7 pm

Hallelujah Kids Community Dinner Wesley Singers & Ringers

All Children’s Music programs will be located in the new music room #205 upstairs in the Sunday School hallway. And remember! There is a family dinner offered in between these rehearsals from 5:30-6pm in the gathering center. If you have any questions about the children’s music program at Asbury First, please contact Holly Temming at htemming@asburyfirst. org. 15

Fall Preview Library News September 2016 Looking for a presentation or film for you, your family, or a class? Check out the Audio Visual collection in our church libraries! Books and other media for all ages and on many different topics can be found in the church libraries within the church building just off the gathering space, as well as in the meditation room in building 1010. This month we are featuring the DVDs available in the library’s collection. These films provide an opportunity for individuals and for church classes and groups to use for special meetings or regular discussion classes. Take a closer look at these featured films:

Sheryl WuDunn’s book, the documentary series introduces women and girls who are living under some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable and fighting bravely to change them. C. S. Lewis through the Shadowlands This is the story of the spiritual crisis of C. S. Lewis when his wife dies of cancer. It explores spiritual values and is about love and death. (90-minute TV version and 73-minute abridged version) A History of Christianity Episodes 1-6 This story of the Christian religion is brought to you by one of the leading historians of the church, Diarmid MacCulloch, an Oxford history professor. The series explores the origins of Christianity and what it means to be a Christian.

Amazing Grace Based on the true story of William Wilberforce, the film depicts the inspiring story of the quest to end the British slave trade. Considered a “must see” and “a sweeping epic.” (118 minutes/PG rating) A Place at the Table This 4-star film depicts the lives of three people who wage a daily struggle against hunger, and presents experts discussing the problem and the possibility of ensuring that every American is well fed. (1 hour 24 minutes) The Muslims We Know: A Documentary Film In case you missed one of the recent numerous documentary showings at Asbury First, here is another opportunity. This 54-minute documentary takes a closer look at Pakistani American Muslims in Rochester with a goal to educate people about basic tenets of Islam and to highlight similarities with the JudeoChristian tradition. Jerusalem: A DVD directed by Daniel Ferguson If you missed it on television, you can check out the DVD and see it in the comfort of your own home or class. Actor Benedict Cumberbatch narrates this 43-minute National Geographic Film that explores the landscape of Jerusalem and why this tiny piece of land is sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Eyes on the Prize Originally broadcast in 1987 via PBS, this six-episode TV documentary series incisively chronicles the struggle for civil rights in America’s South, spanning the years 1954-1965. It is considered one of the best accounts of the Civil Rights movement. Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide This is a four-hour series shot in 10 countries: Cambodia, Kenya, India, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Liberia, and the U.S. Inspired by Nicholas Kristof and

Journey Toward Forgiveness: From Rage to Reconciliation The seven stories in this film feature people who have dealt with anger and forgiveness in the face of racial injustice, violent death, and terminal illness. Great World Religions Depicted in this series are Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity The Bible: The Old Testament on 4 disks and The New Testament on 3 disks. The Face: Jesus in Art A thorough lesson in art history, exploring the diverse and numerous artistic representations of Jesus rendered over the last 2,000 years Walking the Bible: A Journey by Land through the 5 books of Moses A visually beautiful documentary of the holy places in the Bible. From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians A Frontline documentary that is cited as an excellent historical and archeological biblical exploration of the first Christians. A Path Appears This 4.5 hour documentary explores the ways in which every person is capable of making meaningful social change in the world.

Community Outreach & Needs Grocery Bag Ministry Celebrating our Volunteers Pasta and spaghetti sauce, peanut butter and jelly, bread, ham and eggs, soup, vegetables, and fruit. A bag filled with these staples means the difference between filling a family’s last few days

Here’s a reflection from the founder of the Grocery Bag Ministry, Bill Lisi: “I view the outreach programs at Asbury First United Methodist Church as a bridge between Jesus’ life and our world today. The 14 years of my life with the Dining and Caring Center and eight years with the Grocery Bag Ministry have created for me a most rewarding spiritual renewal. I would like to give thanks to all who from the beginning through today have helped turn the Grocery Bag Ministry from a vision to a reality. We have served more than 10,500 pounds of food and are still going forward.” Bill sends his thanks also to all the church members for their continuing support throughout the year by donating essential staples in our drop boxes, for giving during extra efforts at Thanksgiving, and for financial contributions.

of the month with food, and an aching hunger until the next installment for food stamps comes in. For eight years, the Grocery Bag Ministry has been providing bags of food containing similar items to between 75 and 150 people a month, timed to arrive on the third Saturday of the month, when cupboards are starting to run bare.

Churches in poor areas of the city receive the bags and distribute them to members or neighborhood residents. These churches include Antioch Baptist Church, West Avenue United Methodist Church, Baber AME Church, Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Power House Church of God in Christ, St. Matthew’s Missionary Baptist Church, Miracle Outreach Church, and others.

The Grocery Bag Ministry’s long-time volunteers include: • Grace Sherer • Jim Reed • Joe and Janice Cygan • Bob and Bev Schuman • Fred and Carolyn Hamil • Jim and Diana Carter • Don and Jan Anderson • Pat Schwar • Mason Fitch • Betty Stewart • Jeanne Rowe • Betty Stewart • Beth Woolever • Wayne Zeches • Edie Reinhard • Richard Irving • Gary Layton • Eugene Fisher • Jim Ford • George Albright • Ruth Mathews-Leubner • Ken Carr • And many, many more Special thanks are owed to Grant Wolfe of the Samaritan Harvest organization that provides eggs and other items at rock-bottom prices. And the ministry’s work is made easier each month by the staff that helps us set up for packing bags and tears down afterward: James Flack, James McNerney, Lonnie Day, and Arleen Barnett.

School Supplies for #41 In our tradition of assisting with school supplies at the beginning of the year, you may bring donations on the following Sundays: September 11, 18 and 25. A collection box will be provided in the Welcoming Center. Suggestions for donations

include #2 pencils, Bic pens, colored pencils, crayons, pocket folders, glue sticks, and scissors. Teachers can always use extra tape, construction paper, paper clips, post-it notes, Kleenex, and paper towels. Thank you for your support for “our” kids at #41.

Community Outreach & Needs Nancy S. Davidow

Who is Our Neighbor? Recently, a family who had to flee Iraq because of their support of American troops, arrived in Rochester via Houston, Texas. They were at a household sale of an Asbury First member hoping to purchase living room furniture, but sadly did not have enough money. The Asbury First member befriended them and gave them, with love, the furniture. In learning more about them, a call was made to see if the Storehouse could help them with clothing and household goods as they were relocating from their city apartment to the Pines of Perinton. Two Storehouse volunteers had a wonderful time helping the family and they left with many bags telling us that we were a gift from God. One of the volunteers exchanged telephone numbers with them promising them that they could come back for more once the cold weather arrives. This same volunteer is now making school supplies possible for the older child. By the time this neighborly love story reaches you readers, the family will have added one more child. We are now connected to these new neighbors, following Jesus’ call to “love thy neighbor.” In a time of reflection, the words to the following poem grew out of the joy that filled my heart.

Who is Our Brother? A Poem | Nancy S. Davidow They came from a land afar, their names; Aws, Hiba, Lyon, and Jawar. From one location to the next, not knowing what to expect. Their home land an environment so hot, to a city where summers sometimes are not and winters long, cold, and dreary. Frightened and weary, with only the clothes on their back, we were inspired with a plan of attack. We listened with love and tender heart, To the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ to us He imparts When to the least of these to them you give, your life now begins, you’ll know how to live! Our resources we gave, our treasures we shared.

Tears of joy and happiness, none spared, New friends we’ve made. A foundation we’ve laid. For in friendship they became our sisters, our children, our mother, our brother; those in our lives who are the “other”. Little ones too in our favor, The words of our Lord, Jesus Christ, our Savior; When you clothe, feed, and shelter the homeless, the stranger, In friendship to all You’ve answered my call.

The Last Word Saying Goodbye | Michele Cooley

The many guests who come and go from the Dining Center represent a cross section of people. The common thread, though, is often hunger, poverty, and homelessness. We greet each person without judgement as a child of God who deserves dignity. Additionally, a number of our guests have mental health conditions and each day represents an opportunity to listen and assist wherever we can. Over the past seven years I have referred many to rehabilitation, lawyers, mental health programs, housing, employment, etc. It is a never ending story. I have known most of our guests for years—and when they say good bye each morning I never know if I will see them again. The homeless are particularly vulnerable to predators; those who are addicted to drugs are susceptible to overdose. Here is one story, and I hope it will touch your heart as it did mine. Tyrone came to the Dining Center about four years ago as a man who was without shelter, yet cheerful and optimistic about his future. Besides the Dining Center, he was being helped by several agencies, and I also referred him to the Norris Clinic where he enrolled in a substance abuse program. He had just been released from prison and hoped for a fresh start.

When he returned from his trip he was very happy and had lots of pictures to share. This was an emotional time for Tyrone—and he had other news to impart. He told me not to be too sad but he was leaving for prison in the afternoon. As it turned out, there was an old warrant for his arrest and he was required to return to prison for a year and a half. His journey had been difficult. We prayed and hugged. I said we would welcome him back, and he would always be welcome here at the Asbury Dining and Caring Center. He said he would write to let me know how he was doing. He left with a smile on his face. We said goodbye. We helped Tyrone as much as we could and he was very grateful for all of our kindness. We will miss his broad smile. His is a unique story. Each guest has a story, some more disheartening than others. When we say goodbye each day we know we have done the best of our ability to assist those less fortunate in our community. Our guests know they are not alone.

After attending the drug program, Tyrone made a concerted effort to build a new life. Each visit here revealed a gentle soul with a desire to develop relationships with those around him. One day, Tyrone didn’t come back—and he didn’t return for about three months. As I said people come and go. When he returned here he had a prosthetic eye. A man had stabbed him in the eye sometime during those three months. Life was not going well, but Tyrone was still positive. Ultimately the man who stabbed Tyrone was caught and prosecuted. By this time Tyrone was living in a tent near the Time Warner building. He was reasonably content until some one broke into his tent and stole all of his belongings. Fortunately we were able to provide him with a new backpack, sleeping bag, and toiletries. A short time later I read in the newspaper that he had been stabbed. When Tyrone reappeared, he had a brace on his arm to prevent atrophy of his hand. A week later, Tyrone came in to visit me in my office to show me a round trip ticket to Long Island to visit his daughter and his grandchildren.

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Churchwide Fall Retreat

October 21-23 Dunkirk Camp & Conference Center A three-day retreat is a wonderful way to form new connections with your Asbury First family! All are welcome on this quick getaway where we will rejuvinate our spirits, find encouragement and fellowship, and enjoy just-plain-fun together! Details on page 13.

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