The Visitor
Capital Campaign News ASBURY FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH November/December 2019 • Vol. MI No. 5 • www.asburyfirst.org
Mark your calendars for the incredible events of Christmas Pages 16–21
Lightof the World THE SEASON OF ADVENT
IN THIS ISSUE
A Pastoral Reflection 3 Community News 4
Youth Ministry News 7 Outreach News 8
Music and Arts News 10 Building Committee 12
Library & Reading News 22 The Last Word 23
The Visitor
MISSION STATEMENT
Love. Live. Serve. Repeat.
Vol. MI No. 5
(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.
FOUR WAYS TO WORSHIP AT ASBURY FIRST
POSTMASTER: Send addresses changes to Asbury First UMC Visitor 1050 East Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14607-2239 (585) 271-1050 Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II Rev. Kathy Thiel Rev. Jacqueline Nelson Rev. Mike Mullin David Strong Carl Johengen, DMA Paula Dugan Holly Temming Richard Moncrief Morgan Dornsife Melody Guadagnino Deb Bullock-Smith James Flack Michele Cooley Sarah Brubaker Casey Woodall Duane Prill Carol Lamica Elizabeth Church Larry Dugan
Traditional Worship in our Sanctuary 8:30 & 11 am Sunday mornings
STAFF
Senior Minister Minister for Pastoral Care Minister for Outreach Minister for Youth & Discipleship Church Administrator; Assistant Organist Director of Music Ministry Director, Children’s Ministry Children’s Ministry Assistant; Director, Children’s Music Financial Administrator Director, Development & Communications Administrative Assistant Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor Property Caretaker Director, Dining & Caring Center Communications Coordinator, Visitor Editor Communications Intern Organist Director, Youth Music Director, Asbury Ringers Director, Youth Theater
EMERITI STAFF
Rev. Dr. Theodore Weeden, Sr., Pastor Emeritus Dr. Roger Wilhelm, Director of Music Emeritus Marian R. Craighead*, Organist Emerita *deceased Cover: Christmas decorations in front of the church. Photo by Neil Montanus Illustration credits: Sarah Brubaker and Freepik; Sarah Brubaker and Vecteezy
Please send all submissions, questions, comments, or concerns to communications@asburyfirst.org or 585-271-1050, x109. Deadline for submitting content for the 2020 Volume 1: January 15
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 www.asburyfirst. org and scroll to the bottom of the home page, where you’ll see a sign-up window. 2
A PASTORAL REFLECTION
REV. DR. STEPHEN M. CADY II
PREPARING FOR 2020...AND BEYOND The first anniversary calls for paper. The eleventh, steel. The fiftieth, gold. What do you get for a two-hundredth anniversary? A reason to celebrate.
and locations have shifted through the years, we also anticipate a special service in one of our previous homes this spring. These services will be accompanied by other special events and services throughout the year that will celebrate the roles of women, music, children, and outreach in our life together. The biggest event, however, will be on the weekend of our actual anniversary. Details are still forthcoming, but we are asking people to save the dates for a Gala event on Saturday evening, September 19 at the Joseph A Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center and a special bicentennial service of worship on Sunday, September 20 followed by a celebratory luncheon. We will have one service that day in which we will invite all living ministers to participate.
Asbury First has come a long way since our humble beginnings in a school house on Fitzhugh Street. Together, we have survived fires, splits, foreclosures, mergers, wars, denominational strife, and enough committee meetings to rival congress. Throughout it all, we have maintained our commitment to share the love of God made known in Christ with the people of Rochester. Now it’s time to celebrate!
In addition to the events of this next year, we hope to challenge ourselves as well. This year, we hope to have: • 200 people read the whole Bible • 200 new members • 200 people pledge 200 hours of service • 200 people commit to a planned gift • AND MORE TO COME!!
Though our official bicentennial is not until Sunday, September 20, 2020, we hope to be celebrating all year long. Intrepid volunteers have been combing through our archives for two years to uncover the stories of Asbury First. Now, it’s time to share them! This next year will be marked by many events and special challenges to help us understand both where we have been and where we are heading.
What the next year will hold is still a mystery, but we look forward to the celebration and the promise that the best is yet to come. Grace and Peace, Stephen
As the founding of “First Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church in the Village of Rochester” (our original name) marked the official arrival of Methodism to this community, we are working on a joint worship service this February with our pan-Methodist siblings (AME, AMEZ, CME, Free Methodist, etc.). As our buildings
Save the Dates
Mark your calendars and join us for these important events to celebrate our 200th Anniversary! Sunday, January 19: Church Conference and Bicentennial Kick Off 3
Saturday, September 19: Bicentennial Gala
Sunday, September 20: Special Bicentennial Worship Service
COMMUNITY NEWS WORSHIP TIMES 8:30 AM
TRADITIONAL WORSHIP
UPCOMING SERVICES SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 All Saints Sunday Luke 6:20–31 Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Luke 19:1–10 Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Luke 20:27–38 Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher
10 AM
TRADITIONAL WORSHIP
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Luke 21:5-19 Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 Longest Night Service at 2 pm Rev. Kathy Thiel, Preacher
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 Isaiah 2:1–5 Rev. Jacqueline Nelson, Preacher
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 Matthew 1:18–25 Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 Matthew 3:1–12 Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 Christmas Eve 12 noon, 4, 7, 9, and 11 pm (See details on page 15) Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 Cantata Sunday
IN THE COMMUNITY DEATHS
WE OFFER OUR PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY TO Margorie Bleeg on the death of her sister Beth Wieting who died on July 16, 2019. The family and friends of Jackie Simpson who died on September 5, 2019. The family and friends of Mary Ann Steele who died on September 22, 2019. Marian and Dan Gottler on the death of Marian’s brother-in-law, Roger Shattuck, who died on September 19, 2019 in McEwen, TN. The family and friends of Vern Collier who died on October 5, 2019.
11 AM
CHANCEL WORSHIP WITH HOLY COMMUNION
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day 10 am joint service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church —25 Westminster Road, Rochester, NY. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 Lessons and Carols TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 New Year’s Eve A service of meditation and reflection from 5–6 pm
50+ FELLOWSHIP CLASS BAPTISMS
WE CELEBRATE THE BAPTISM OF Jacqueline Lorraine and Laura Elizabeth Blough, daughters of Jacob and Jennifer Blough, baptized on September 8, 2019. Robin Kirk Ogden Chan, son of Prescott Ogden and Caitlin Chan, baptized on September 29, 2019. Madison Jayne Dugan, daughter of Jeff and Hayley Dugan, baptized on October 13, 2019.
MARRIAGES
WE CELEBRATE THE MARRIAGE OF Ashley Fraser and Christopher Codd, married on September 21, 2019. 4
The 50+ Fellowship meets on Sunday mornings at 9:45 am in the dining room of 1010 East Avenue. Anyone is welcome to join us for any and all of the following programs: NOV. 13 Marcia Wilke, Asbury member, will speak about Billy Graham NOV. 10 Nancy & Len Davidow, Asbury members, will take us on a tour of the Southwest National Parks NOV. 17–24 Rev. Dr. Timothy Johnson, beloved pastor, will be with us these two Sundays, speaking on a topic of interest to all. DEC. 1 Gary Layton, Asbury member, will help us to ‘Understand Abraham Lincoln’ DEC. 13 The Annual December CRAFT SHOW No class will be held for 50+Fellowship DEC. 15 A talented group of Asbury members, Elizabeth Church, Kristi Phillips and Friends, will entertain all with a Christmas Musical Program. DEC. 22 RAIHN in Bldg. 1010 There will be no class. DEC. 29 Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, we will gather for a social time. Keep watching the Bulletin for more information.
COMMUNITY NEWS WELCOME
YOUNG ADULT PILGRIMAGE TO ROME
THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF ASBURY FIRST
We are excited to be offering a Young Adult Pilgrimage to Rome, Italy, from June 5–12. We will be traveling to participate in an interfaith conference on mysticism: Sacred Texts and Human Contexts: Mystical Traditions and Approaches to Peaceful Coexistence. It is our hope that through this conference, we might encourage more young people to learn about the different mystical approaches of various faith traditions. Ronald Agard
Sarah and Jeff Brubaker
Christopher Gold
The total cost will be no more than $1,200, which includes all conference costs, food, housing, and travel from Rochester, New York. There will also be some time for sight seeing. Because we only have ten spaces available, please fill out a brief application which is due December 1. We will notify applicants by December 8 of their standing, and we will then ask for a $200 down payment by December 15. Find the application at: bit.ly/YARomeConference.
Cora Jackson
Sarah Johnson
Thomas Johnson, Jr.
For more information on the conference, visit: bit.ly/SacredTextsHumanContexts.
WELCOME COMMUNICATIONS INTERN This October, Casey Woodall joined Asbury First as the Communications Intern. Casey recently received her Bachelors in Russian Language, Literature, and Culture from Syracuse University. During her time there, she heavily participated in organizations focused on cultural diversity and community outreach such as the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble and the Multicultural Greek Council.
CASEY WOODALL
Before committing to her Russian studies, she was a Communications Design major, where she gained basic studio experience. After switching majors, she continued to practice communications in minor board positions of her sorority, acting as public relations chair, recruitment chair, and communications chair throughout the 5
semesters. She moved on to serve on the executive boards of both her sorority and its over arching council, working on larger projects dealing with budgeting for cultural events and student organizational relations. Although she is undecided on her career path at the moment, Casey knows she wants to use her skills to better the community around her through educating herself and others. When she isn’t at Asbury First or tending to other responsibilities, Casey enjoys listening to music and podcasts, binge-reading about niche topics on Quora, and watching documentaries. Above all, she enjoys eating good food with friends and family regardless of the occasion.
COMMUNITY NEWS
An Asbury First Proposal
S
SHENEIKA & NICK
heneika and I met in Syracuse, New York. She worked in my building and after a lot of asking, she finally gave in to coming out with me one night. The relationship continued to grow from the first time we hung out with each other. On our first date, Sheneika and I spoke about religion and how important it was to have God present in everything that we do. In that moment I realized that she was very special and that we had the same values on the important things in life. When Sheneika and I moved to Rochester, we both decided that Sunday worship should continue to be a part of our lives. I grew up Catholic and Sheneika is a member of the United Methodist Church in Jamaica and her father is a Minister of AME Zion Methodist in Syracuse. For weeks, we went to different churches in the area that were nice but didn’t quite fit us. The first time we attended Asbury First she was beyond awed and told me that the service reminds her of her childhood in her home country of Jamaica. I also had a very warm welcoming experience that day, and listening to Stephen preach for the first time was extremely memorable. Sunday services at Asbury First gives us a peace of mind and hope
to start the week. It was only fitting to propose in church, because I wanted her to understand that this proposal has been placed at the feet of God and I am asking God to protect our union. And, to be honest, she would have never thought that I would propose in church, so that took her by surprise! I prepared by asking her parents for their blessing and by inviting her mother and niece to church. They knew about the plan for an entire month and helped me execute it to “near” perfection. I was beyond nervous. I almost missed the turn to church that day. Throughout the entire
service I kept rehearsing my mini speech to myself and when that time came around and I got on one knee and pretty much forgot everything I was going to say! Seeing the incredible shock on her face and tears of joy made that moment unforgettable. I am so happy and thankful to the church for allowing me to propose to my beautiful fiancé!
Congratulations and blessings for the happy couple!
AMAZON SMILE Holiday shopping? Support Asbury First at the same time! You shop. Amazon gives! What simpler and more wonderful way to help support Asbury First, than to designate us as your charity on Amazon Smile. Log in to Amazon, choose Asbury First and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchase to Asbury First. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know with the same products, service, and prices. Please support our community by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com. 6
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT SPENCER ANDERSON For my project I enlisted the help of about 15 people (from the Asbury First youth group and from Troop T178 Chili) which helped me over the course of six days. I started planning the project earlier this year in April and completed it in August. For me, the work day started at 7:30 am when Mr. Ross would help me for about 30 minutes with my painting technique and other assorted tasks. At 8 am, the workers that I had scheduled for the day began to arrive and work commenced. We spent two days on cleaning the walls and scraping the baseboard and floors. Then, from Monday to Thursday we painted. With the help of my workers, I painted the upper walls first, followed by two coats of cream color on the lower walls, then a primer and topcoat on the door frames and baseboard. On Thursday, I wrapped up the painting with the main basement doors and the railings leading down the ramp. About a week later I met with Mr. Strong to finalize my project and get his approval. At my scout meeting that week, I reviewed the project with my scoutmaster and officially completed Requirement 5 (the Eagle service project). A total of 230 hours were spent on this project (that number includes my planning time and the time of my helpers). The final bill was around $460 in materials that I had picked up from Meyer’s Hardware over the course of the week and days leading up to the project. I used the EDGE method (explain, demonstrate, guide, enable) to teach my workers the correct process for the task that day (painting, taping, scraping, etc.). This was a method I had learned going through the Boy Scout ranks and was quite instrumental to the success of the project. Many thanks to the Asbury First maintenance staff for hosting the crew.— Spencer Anderson
SUKKOTH SERVICE AT TEMPLE B’RITH KODESH Our youth groups recently joined Temple B’rith Kodesh for the Sukkoth service. They helped decorate a sukkah, eat pizza, and learned a bit more about the holiday. We were very excited to have been invited to participate in this celebration!
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OUTREACH NEWS DINING IN FOR OUTREACH We had an amazing turn out for this year’s Dining in for Outreach! Thanks to you, $11,000 was raised from the dinners, with an additional $11,000 raised from sponsors and individual donors. What a successful campaign to support our amazing ministries. Thank you to all who made this event possible, thank you to all our sponsor and donors, and thank you to all who came out for fellowship and community! The following is the prayer that was offered at every dinner that was hosted:
Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady made it a point to visit all twelve dinners and took a selfie at each one! The above images are a combination of the reception and Stephen’s selfies.
Dear loving and generous God, Be with us here and with all those who gather this evening throughout our community in support of our mission to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and bring your good news to the world. Be also with all those who tonight are hungry, lack adequate clothing, are poor in spirit, are in prison, or suffer from the other slings and arrows with which this world challenges us. Help us to remember that our shortcomings are many and that our exertions in doing your work are weak; and that we do not deserve all of the abundance of our lives any more than the poor among us deserve the scarcity of theirs. May we use the physical energy given to us by this food, the emotional energy given to us by this wonderful group of friends, and the spiritual energy given to us by your presence to better serve you and our fellow creatures. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
BACK TO CHACOCENTE STORY AND PHOTOS BY ROBYN GAGE
Many of you have supported Chacocente since the very beginning, and many have visited Nicaragua once, twice or more. Our first visit was in October 2007, and although we had traveled to other developing countries, there was something incredibly special about this ministry. Knowing and working alongside the people of Chacocente has been a blessing for our whole family. So, it was with glad hearts that we returned in early September. The board of directors had been in close contact with Omar and the Chacocente staff during Nicaragua’s unrest of the past year-and-a-half, but it was vital and so inspiring for us to re-connect 8
face-to-face, and hug-for-hug, with our Nicaraguan friends, families, and students. The students are thriving at Chacocente Christian School, nurtured by passionate and devoted teachers and administrators and our new school psychologist. Their energy, initiative and creativity are amazing! On Friday afternoons, our high school students pursue electives in areas of special interest. They may choose to learn guitar, drums, traditional dance, or oil and watercolor painting—for example— or gather in a small group to prepare a full-course dinner (that they bring home!) under the close supervision of a faculty “chef.” Parents attend lectures about how they can best support their children’s
OUTREACH NEWS NEW MINISTRY
GLEASON BLANKET DRIVE The Asbury Storehouse was happy to receive some very needed blankets from Gleason, as part of their sixweek blanket drive campaign. Storehouse directors, Wendy Cohen and Cindy Connell were on hand to receive the generous donation from our neighbors!
Caregiving Corner is a collaborative effort between Asbury First and Lifespan of Greater Rochester. It has been created to offer easy access to resources, ideas, strategies, and rays of hope for caregivers. We will highlight a variety of community agencies and the scope of their services, introduce people who have struggled with difficult decisions, and focus on the ways all seek to maintain quality of life as they experience this phase of their lives. Check out our website at www.asburyfirst. org/caregivingcorner for videos and information that will continue to develop and grow. Video topics range from living with Alzheimer’s Disease (left) to end of life planning. Questions or suggestions for topics to cover? Please contact us at caregivingcorner@asburyfirst.org.
WARM WINTER JACKETS: As temperatures start to fall there are still people without jackets to keep them warm, so the Storehouse is looking for warm winter jackets for children, men and women. Please bring the jackets to the Storehouse labeled winter jackets, or leave them in the bin or on the racks in the Welcome Hall with a note they are for the Storehouse. Thank you for your generous donations!
education, and all parents contribute to the daily life of the school, rotating through duties that include making school lunches, cutting firewood, and maintaining the lush green campus. Despite the disruption of the past seventeen months, the people of Chacocente remain industrious, cheerful and hopeful! They rely on God for all things. They send greetings to everyone and hope to see you soon! Indeed, Project Chacocente will welcome delegation teams again in 2020. Chacocente is founded upon and thrives on relationships. They look forward to renewing friendships and forming new ones.
If you are interested in visiting Chacocente January 29 through February 5, 2020, please email robynegage@gmail.com. 9
MUSIC & ARTS NEWS Friday, November 8 at 7 pm; Saturday, November 9 at 7 pm; and Sunday, November 10 at 2 pm This year, our 6th–12th grade youth are excited to be performing the Disney musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Many youth have been working tirelessly for the past month and a half to memorize lines, learn choreography, and get into their characters—Madison White even provided the cast T-shirt design pictured to the right. Even more youth will be helping with stage construction, sound, tech, and also in the pit. In addition, countless parents and adult volunteers have come together to help truly make this show a success. Because of the construction occurring in Fellowship Hall, the musical this year will take place in our sanctuary. This is especially fitting, given that the center-point of this show is the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the ability to rely on the safety offered by a sanctuary. Tickets are on sale now for $10, and may be purchased by contacting the church office. The performances are Friday, November 8 at 7 pm, Saturday, November 9 at 7 pm, and Sunday, November 10 at 2 pm. We look forward to seeing you at the show!
Voices returns to Asbury First with
Psalms of David
Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 4 pm
The professional vocal ensemble Voices will again perform in Asbury First’s sanctuary on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 4 pm. The performance will include several choral settings of the Psalms, some with chamber orchestra. Works by Mendelssohn, Sweelinck, Telemann, Pachelbel, and Byrd will be sung, and the centerpiece of the program will be Handel’s dramatic Dixit Dominus. The program will be conducted by Rayvon Moore, choral director at Colgate University and doctoral student at the Eastman School of Music. For more information, contact Carl Johengen at cjohengen@asburyfirst.org. 10
ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE UPDATE
D
uring this stewardship campaign for our 2020 Annual Operating Budget, we asked for 200 reasons why you give to Asbury First, in honor of our upcoming 200th year anniversary. Here’s what we heard from you! To all those who have made commitments to our annual budget, THANK YOU! A funded budget empowers us to achieve our goals for the year ahead. — Cory Tylenda, Stewardship Chair
PLEDGE CHECKLIST
Here’s your giving checklist for the rest of 2019!
3 FULFILL YOUR 2019 PLEDGE
TO THE ANNUAL BUDGET— Not sure what your commitment was? Need an update of your fulfillment? Contact Dick Moncrief at rmoncrief@asburyfirst.org
3 MAKE A COMMITMENT
FOR 2020—Complete a pledge card by going to www.asburyfirst.org/ give/pledging-to-theannual-budget 11
3 MAKE A YEAR-END GIFT—
Consider celebrating Advent and Christmas by making a gift to the annual budget, the Better Together Campaign, or Joy of Christmas Giving
BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATES
1040 Renovation BY CHUCK HANRAHAN, PHOTOS BY JAMES FLACK AND SARAH BRUBAKER
he infrastructure project in the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall is in full swing. The heat has been turned back on, although like last year, it is only a portion of the full system. The full system will be on-line once more of the construction is completed in late December. Much of the old duct work has been removed and replaced with insulated duct work. The ducts that remained were cleaned and sanitized. Rochester Gas & Electric (RGE) is installing new transformers to update our electric service, and our contractors are installing new wire to all of the electric panels throughout the building. In the balcony new exhaust vents are being installed which will exhaust stale air from the building. In the parking lot, the concrete pad on which the chiller sit has been expanded, and a new chiller is about to be installed. Asbury First volunteers are building a new fence around this area.
T
BALCONY/EXHAUST UPDATE
We are very happy with our contractor Frank J. Marianacci, and all of their sub-contractors. They have been very accommodating and have gone above and beyond their assignments to deliver a great experience. Please check out our video update series and pictures on the Better Together web page. Thus far things are going very well and we expect to be substantially complete by year end. If you have any questions, please contact David Strong at dstrong @asburyfirst.org, or Chuck Hanrahan at chuck.hanrahan@gmail.com
Your Gift in Action Video 1: Introduction and boiler update
Each week, we’ve been sending out some video updates on the con www.asburyfirst.org/bettertogether or our YouTube channel at bit.l
Video 2: Electrical update 12
Video 3: Kitchen and vent updates
Video 4: Balc
BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATES BETTER TOGETHER UPDATE As of the end of October, we have received $4,263,000 in pledged dollars to the Better Together campaign. This figure represents dollars from individuals as well as foundations and grant makers. To all those who have given to this campaign—thank you. Together, we will make our dreams a reality for Asbury First, Rochester, and those who find themselves in need throughout our community. As we work together to raise the final amount for our new Outreach Center at 1010 East Ave, fulfilled pledges (cash) are being kept safe in a low risk investment fund in our Endowment. Our Investment Committee (chaired by our very own Patrick Fulford who happens to co-chair our Better Together Campaign) has been managing these funds, and they have earned $70,000 in interest while they’ve been in our trust! That is a significant, major gift to this campaign! This good work can be attributed to both your generosity in faithfully fulfilling your pledge, and the Investment Committee for stewarding these gifts well.
Left and above: Updates to the boiler room and former Bell Room include electrical work and new concrete.
Left: Scaffolding in the balcony. Above: The view from the sound booth.
nstruction and renovation of the 1040 building. Please visit the ly/AsburyFirstYouTube view the videos we’ve created so far.
lcony and exhaust update
Video 5: Fellowship Hall update 13
BETTER TOGETHER CAMPAIGN RAISING FUNDS FROM GRANTS
I
n 2018, we started a brand new, consolidated approach to grant writing for Asbury First, ensuring best practices and expansion of our presence in Rochester, throughout New York, and nation-wide. We have now built a case for support for all areas of Asbury First— including music, outreach programs, capital projects, and annual fundraising. We developed data and budget reporting, and a process for identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of all grant opportunities. We have also received pre-approval from New York State, unlocking new funding opportunities. 2019 marks a year where we’ve sought out more grant opportunities than any other year in the 200-year history of Asbury First. Here’s a little more information about that work:
6 grants received
30
We have applied to grant opportunities (as of October 2019)
from grant makers for the Better Together Campaign, totaling
This includes funding opportunities across Asbury First for both capital and operating needs
$124,500
We have
5 grants received
$1,000,000 $50,000
from grant makers for Outreach operations, totaling
in requested dollars for the Better Together Campaign
$28,800
Our commitment is to continue to expand our grant writing strategy here at Asbury First. We have currently identified 14 new foundation opportunities for the Better Together Campaign and 30 new foundation opportunities for Outreach operations. We will faithfully pursue each opportunity as it comes, working to the best of our ability, and praying for God’s provision. Many thanks to all who play a role in our grant writing success, both now and the future.
Do you know of a foundation to which we should apply? Please let us know by emailing us at giving@asburyfirst.org.
requested dollars for Outreach operations
This means we are awaiting a response to our proposals
Thank You
TO THE FOLLOWING DONORS TO THE BETTER TOGETHER CAMPAIGN • Fred and Floy Willmott Foundation • Wilson Foundation • Harold & Joan Feinbloom Foundation • Kilian Schmitt Foundation • Excellus BCBS Community Health Awards • August Family Foundation 14
TO THE FOLLOWING DONORS TO OUTREACH OPERATIONS • Max & Marian Farash Foundation • Rochester Area Community Foundation • Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation • Foodlink Foundation • FANA of Western NY • Rochester Female Charitable Society
COMMUNITY NEWS
Christmas Altar Poinsettia Donation Form Given by:
(Please Print Clearly)
Phone: Day Evening Please check one of the following and print the names clearly: I would like the gift to be: In loving memory of In honor or celebration of A donation Please return this form to the church office, attention of Beverly Schuman, no later than December 8. Checks should be payable to Asbury First United Methodist Church Altar Guild. Thank you, and have a Merry Christmas!
Save the Dates — Advent at Asbury First Christmas Eve
Contemplative Service (Taizé)
Tuesday, December 24
Wednesdays, December 4, 11, and 18
12 noon — Service of Holy Communion 4 pm — Family service with pageant 7 pm — Traditional service 9 pm — Service of Holy Communion 11 pm — Traditional service
6:15 pm — A contemplative service featuring moments of silent reflection and musical interludes.
Advent’s Winter Wonder Night Sunday, December 8 (for children and families)
5–7 pm — Please join us for dinner, fellowship and storytelling. Make sure to wear your winter or Christmas pajamas!
Christmas Day
Carols and Cocoa
10 am — A joint service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 25 Westminster Road, Rochester, NY.
Wednesday, December 25
Wednesdays, December 4, 11, and 18
7 pm — Come join us for hot cocoa and singing carols around the tree on the front lawn in front of the church every Wednesday during Advent!
December 29
Sunday, December 29
10 am — Lessons, poetry and carols
Longest Night Service
New Year’s Eve
Saturday, December 21
2 pm — A sacred and meditative service featuring Communion on the longest night of the year, for anyone who experiences hardships or hurt during the holidays.
Tuesday, December 31
5–6 pm — A “drop-in” service of meditation and reflection 15
How do you prepare for the season of light?
Asbury First celebrates the season of Advent in many different ways. The preparation for the coming of Jesus is an important time. It is a time of celebration and joy, a time where we can all come together in fellowship and love. However, the holiday season can easily fill up with busy nothings—we can find ourselves endlessly rushing here and there. At Asbury First, our events and services are held to remind us of the “Reason for the Season” and to provide a place to connect, slow down, and prepare our hearts for Jesus’ coming.
Here are the events and celebrations coming up. Take a look and see how the different activities help prepare us for the season.
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SPECIAL SERVICES
Contemplative Service (Taizé) Wednesdays, December 4, 11, and 18, 6:15 pm
During two penitential times of the church year, this service (with its silence interspersed with song) allows me time to personally meditate during the quiet moments. Regular worship services don’t allow this kind of quiet and contemplative atmosphere to exist very much. So while it’s personally enriching for me, this is also the exact reason why I think it’s worthwhile for Asbury First to continue to offer these contemplative services. They allow for a respite of quiet time during an otherwise noisy and tumultuous day/life. — Duane Prill, Organist
Longest Night Service Saturday, December 21, 2 pm
Our Longest Night service recognizes that not everyone experiences the holidays as a season of joy. Held on the longest night of the year, this service brings together those who have experienced loss, who are lonely, or who just need a moment of reflection in this busy season. We face the night together, acknowledge our own mortality, and look for that light which shines in the darkness that no darkness can overcome. After the longest night, each day brings a little more light. — Rev. Kathy Thiel, Minister for Pastoral Care 17
FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS
The Hanging of the Greens Saturday, November 30, 9 am–4 pm
Christmas is such a meaningful time for everyone. The Advent season is full of love, hope, and excitement. The Hanging of the Greens at Asbury First signals the visual beginning of the Advent season, and having families participate strengthens our connections to both the season and the church. One new addition we’ve quickly grown to love is the Children’s Tree in the corner of the Gathering Center. The children of the church create ornaments and have some ownership in the decorations—and they’re thrilled to be a part of it—which just adds to the spirit of Christmas for all of us. The first year we took over, we decided to get a much bigger tree for outside. In the past, they had gotten a 12–14 foot tree for out front, but we wanted something enormous. We found a 22-foot tree and got it delivered! The morning of Hanging of the Greens, all of the men went outside. There were ropes, helping hands, and advice flying everywhere as they worked to get the tree upright. The tree fell over three different times (trapping people underneath!), but at last they managed to get it set. Unfortunately, later that week the tree fell over again! Stephen reached out to a congregant with connections, and he was able to send an electric line truck and get the tree set up perfectly! Since then, we go straight to the linemen to get it done—they even string the lights for us! — Ali Parent and Amy Allen, Hanging of the Greens
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FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS
Carols and Cocoa
Wednesdays, December 4, 11, and 18, 7 pm Being in ministry, there is always a tension that exists between trying to prepare my own heart and mind for the promise of the Incarnation and making sure that everyone else has it in mind as well. The carols, the cocoa, the greens, and the lights, all help. There is nothing quite like pausing from the chaos, stepping onto the front lawn, and singing around the tree with friend and stranger to remind me of what is different about this season. If you have never joined us for Carols and Cocoa, consider taking a moment this year. You won’t regret it. — Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, Senior Minister
Advent Winter Wonder Night Sunday, December 8, 5–7 pm
This will be the 11th year for Advent Winter Wonder Night. The reason we started this family event was to have a night at church in our pajamas. It is to slow down the hustle and bustle of the Advent season. We have this event so we can enjoy a breakfast dinner and hear the Christmas message from a child’s perspective. Although it may seem like a simple event, it takes days to think of the theme and even more preparation (see below). — Paula Dugan, Director of Children’s Ministry
6 hours of music 4 hours
of meal preparation
rehearsals
2 hours
of set up 19
20 youth help serve dinner
SEASONAL SALES
Christmas Treasures Sale to Benefit The Asbury Storehouse
Saturday, December 7, 9 am–4 pm Sunday, December 8, 9:30 am–2 pm The Christmas Treasures Sale is a wonderful way to raise funds for the Asbury Storehouse. It started out with church members who sold photos, crafts, and other Christmas items, and now we have 25 vendors. Christmas treasures arrive throughout the year in our multitude of donations. Christmas trees, ornaments, dishes, linens, jewelry, decorations, and more are set aside to be sold at the sale. Craft vendors are invited to sell their crafts, and the vendors generously give the Storehouse a percentage of their sales. Last year, we had such a great turnout that we were left with very little to sell on Sunday. We had to hustle to get some more items, but it worked out as we raised more for the Storehouse. The sale is a great place to get nice gifts while supporting those in need. — Cindy Connell, Co-Chair of the Asbury Storehouse
Christmas for Storehouse Kids The over 6,000 families served each year at the Asbury Storehouse are just some of the 65,000 people who live below the poverty level in Rochester. While we supply them with much-needed essentials of clothing, bedding, and housewares all year long, during the holiday season, we have the extra pleasure of providing parents with something not as essential but just as important: a brand-new present for each of their children. Whether they’re selecting a doll, truck or game, the delight on a parent’s face is a joy to see. Please help our parents in need by supporting the Christmas for Storehouse Kids drive. Donations will be accepted beginning on Sunday, November 24 and continuing through December 15. Thank you all for your generosity!
Day Care Wreath Sale Sunday, December 8, 5–7 pm
Every year, the Asbury Day Care Center is happy to offer fresh holiday wreaths from Clover Nursery and Garden Center. The Wreath Sale proceeds benefit the classrooms at Asbury First. We do this to show that the Day Care Center is a part of the Asbury First community. It is a great way to connect the children, teachers, and parents of Asbury Day Care Center with the congregation. For more information or to pre-order your wreath, please email Ellen Donovan at ellen.asburydc@frontier.com. — Susan Rosa, Asbury Day Care Center 20
PREPARING FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS WORSHIP MUSIC BY DR. CARL JOHENGEN, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY
If you’ve never taken part in a musical ensemble and attended weekly rehearsals, you may be unaware of the amount of behind-the-scenes work that goes into preparing for weekly worship services. Here at Asbury First, our musical staff spends many hours selecting music, planning rehearsals, and working with our dozens of talented volunteer musicians to make each service come alive with music. It should come as no surprise that these efforts increase as the Advent and Christmas season near. As director of the Sanctuary Choir and Asbury Singers, it’s my job to select the music each of these groups will sing. That work begins in our music library, which is located just off the Choir Room. Asbury First’s choirs have sung hundreds of pieces of choral music, including dozens of Advent and Christmas pieces, and these serve as the starting point for selecting a season’s-worth of music. Each year, we also purchase new pieces to keep the repertoire fresh and interesting for singers and worshippers alike. Shopping for new music is among the most fun parts of my job! These days, much of this work can be done on the internet; publishers routinely display sample pages and produce helpful recordings of their new pieces, which can make choosing music much easier than in the past. Sometimes though, handson is the best way to get to know new music. Elizabeth Church, Director of the Asbury Ringers, attended a workshop this
Dr. Carl Johengen prepares for the upcoming Advent and Christmas worship season by coming through the choir archives.
summer featuring “reading sessions”; workshop attendees come together to play through newly published and classic works. Elizabeth came away with great pieces that she is eager to share with her ringers and all of you. Once the music is selected, and our directors have thoroughly studied each piece, it’s time for rehearsals. While many of us may groan when we enter a store that has already begun to decorate for Christmas weeks before Halloween, church musicians are quite accustomed to hearing Christmas music in October and November! In order to be ready and polished, we need to begin rehearsing these pieces weeks in advance. Of course, none of this would be possible without the generous donations of time
and effort on the part of our volunteer musicians. Asbury First is blessed with an abundance of talent among each of our music ensembles, who freely give of their time and talent to enhance the worship we all engage in each week. Recruiting new members and maintaining each of our ensembles is a major priority for your musical staff. I am especially grateful to be working with the excellent professionals of our musical staff: Duane Prill, who is in his twenty-third year as our organist; Elizabeth Church, Director of the Asbury Ringers; Carol Lamica, Director of Youth Music; Holly Temming, Director of Children’s Music; and David Strong, our long-time Assistant Organist. I hope you will join me in thanking each of these dedicated servants.
Asbury First’s musical staff and volunteer singers and ringers wish everyone a musical season ahead! 21
LIBRARY & READING NEWS
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
HOLIDAY BOOKS ON DISPLAY Look for books from the library collection on Thanksgiving during November and books on advent and Christmas in December. Find them on special display on a bookcase in the church library. Come in and check them out. We’re right off the gathering space and all ages are welcome.
ASBURY FIRST BARNES & NOBLE BOOK SALE
All day Saturday, November 9 is the date of our Asbury First book sale at the Barnes & Noble book fair at the Pittsford store. Come join the shopping fun (just in time for Christmas shopping) and enjoy performances by the Asbury Ringers, Women of Note, and other musical groups. The proceeds of the sales go to the church library at Asbury First and are used to add to the library’s book collection. It’s a win-win for you and the church library.
Want to renew a book, ask about a book, and find out church library information? Just e-mail the church library at library@ asburyfirst.org.
NEW ADDITIONS • BLESSED: A HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN PROSPERITY GOSPEL by Kate Bowler — This book traces the roots of the prosperity gospel—from the touring mesmerists, metaphysical sages, Pentecostal healers, business oracles, and princely prophets of the early 20th century; through mid-century positive thinkers like Norman Vincent Peale and revivalists like Oral Roberts and Kenneth Hagin; to today’s hugely successful prosperity preachers like Joel Osteen and Joyce Myers. • IMAGINE HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL: 100 REFLECTIONS TO BRING HEAVEN TO YOUR LIFE TODAY by John and Kathy Burke — The devotions include near-death stories from the bestselling book, Scripture, a prayer, as well as brand new stories and content that helps readers apply them to how they live life today. • UNIVERSAL CHRIST: HOW A FORGOTTEN REALITY CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING WE SEE, HOPE FOR, AND BELIEVE by Richard Rohr — Drawing on scripture, history, and spiritual practice, the author explores what it means that Jesus was called “Christ,” and how this forgotten truth can restore hope and meaning to our lives. • IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: A CONVERSATION FOR THE LIVING by Nancy Howard Cobb — This book is a longer conversation about loss by telling stories about encounters with grief. • THE QUEER BIBLE COMMENTARY by Deryn Guest — The Queer Bible Commentary brings together the work of several scholars and pastors known for their interest in the areas of gender, sexuality, and Biblical studies. • NOT IN GOD’S NAME by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks — The author tackles the phenomenon of religious extremism and violence committed in the name of God. • TO HEAL A FRACTURED WORLD: THE ETHICS OF RESPONSIBILITY by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks — One of the most respected religious thinkers of our time makes an impassioned plea for the return
of religion to a partnership with God in the work of ethical and moral living. • THE DIGNITY OF DIFFERENCE: HOW TO AVOID THE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks — The Dignity of Difference is Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’s radical proposal for reconciling differences and become a force for peace.
NEW IN CHILDREN’S
• HOW TO READ A BOOK by Kwame Alexander and illustrator Melissa Sweet — A poetic and beautiful picture book journey about the experience of reading. • WHEN SADNESS IS AT YOUR DOOR by Eva Eland — A comforting picture book on emotional literacy and mindfulness that suggests an approach to the feeling of sadness. • YOU ARE HOME: AN ODE TO NATIONAL PARKS by Evan Turk— This gorgeous picture book showcases the beauty and importance of the National Parks as it takes readers on an amazing tour across the United States. • HOLD HANDS by Sara Varon— A rhyming story for toddlers about friendship and connection.
NEW IN YOUNG ADULT
• GIRL GONE VIRAL by Arvin Ahmadi — A book for young adults about the role and influence of social media in our lives. • PATRON SAINTS OF NOTHING (YA) by Randy Ribay — A pageturning coming-of-age portrayal of the struggle to reconcile faith, family, and immigrant identity. • AN INVISIBLE THREAD: A YOUNG READERS’ EDITION by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski — The true story of a heartwarming journey of hope, kindness, adventure, and love—and the power of fate to help us find our way. 22
THE LAST WORD
A
dvent season has come upon us! Literally, since it derives from a variation of the Latin word for “coming.” Often times when one hears Advent, they may think about the early stages of setting up Christmas decorations and transitioning into household holiday traditions. Advent signifies the transition of physical space and season, and so it calls for the transition of our mental space as well. Among the wreaths and candles, we reflect on what aspects are personal to us in this new beginning, specific memories of previous Advents that reveal lessons to us now, and lessons we seek out for our future growth.
Advent Reading List Short Reads
The Mood of Christmas by Howard Thurman African American theologian Howard Thurman boasts a collection of contemplative and compassionate yuletide writings, all of different lengths and of prosodic and poetic forms.
• • • •
Kneeling in Bethlehem by Anne Weems Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou Believe by Desmond Tutu
We’ve asked several church members for literature that comes to mind in preparing for Advent and have compiled them into a reading list below. There’s poetry that can be used as devotionals and for family gatherings, informative and inspiring paperbacks, and children’s books. We hope each text feeds your spiritual goals for this new coming!
Extended Reads
The Vigil by Wendy M. Wright This semi-autobiographical meditation combines scripture and liturgical elements, serving as a good companion through Christmas.
• The Drama of Christmas by Morton Kelsey
Family Reads
Refuge by Anne Bouth and Sam Usher This children’s book depicts the nativity story with a lens on the experience of Mary and Joseph as refugees on their journey. Through vast yet serene illustration, Bouth and Usher communicate the universality of this experience and its relevance to this day.
Cultural Reads
Stories Behind the Greatest Hits of Christmas by Ace Collins Collins discusses how certain Christmas songs came to be. These classic songs and their stories will resonate well with audiences of all ages.
• •
Christmas Customs Around the World by Herbert H. Wernecke Stories Behind the Greatest Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins
BY CASEY WOODALL
• • • • • • • 23
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Charlie Brown Christmas by Maggie Testa and Charles M. Schulz The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown How Many Miles to Bethlehem? by Kevin Crossley-Holland The Nativity illustrated by Julie Vivas Three Christmas Journeys by Ro Willoughby and David Miller Manger a collection of poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins and Helen Cann
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Bicentennial Bible Challenge DISCOVERING SCRIPTURE TOGETHER
We are calling on 200 PEOPLE to join us in reading the ENTIRE Bible in honor of our 200th anniversary. For more details, including a reading schedule, email Rev. Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org, or visit www.asburyfirst.org/get-involved/bible-200.