The Visitor | April/May 2019

The Visitor

Capital Campaign News ASBURY FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH April/May 2019 • Vol. MI No. 2 • www.asburyfirst.org

s i e v o L Love

#RAINBOW SUNDAY

IN THIS ISSUE

A Pastoral Reflection 3 Community News 4

Better Together Campaign 12 Youth Ministry News 16

Children’s Ministry News 18 Outreach News 20

Library & Reading News 22 The Last Word 23

The Visitor

MISSION STATEMENT

Love. Live. Serve. Repeat.

Vol. MI No. 2

(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 Duane Prill Carol Lamica Elizabeth Church Brian Bohrer Larry Dugan Geri Judd

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 Interim Director of Sanctuary Choir 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 Care Manager Director, Dining & Caring Center Communications Coordinator Organist Director, Youth Music Director, Asbury Ringers 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 Montage: Images from #rainbowsunday.

Please send all submissions, questions, comments, or concerns to communications@asburyfirst.org or 585-271-1050, x109.

Deadline for submitting content for the Summer issue: MAY 1

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.

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A PASTORAL REFLECTION

REV. DR. STEPHEN M. CADY II

AND THEY’LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR...

No sooner had the vote been announced on the floor of the special session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church on February 26, than an alert detailing its heartbreaking results popped up on my phone. And then came another. And then another.

And still another.

church (or religion in general). We have been tried in the court of public opinion and found guilty. The charges are manifold, but the most pernicious one is the failure to recognize what experience (not to mention the gospel) tells us: gay people are people!

To be clear, faithful people can disagree about scriptural interpretation (see the “Final Word” of this issue of The Visitor on page 23 for some biblical insight), but not on who we are called to be. The call of Jesus Christ is toward a new way, a better way—the way of love. The four gospels function as primers for those who would choose law over love. They tell the story of those who were so concerned with the letter of the law, that they forgot the Spirit of it.

Their failure, like ours, led to pain and suffering. In the end, however, each gospel is ultimately an Easter story, which means love wins in the end. It may take some time, but the same will be true for us.

Within an hour, dozens of national media outlets had reported our great disappointment. By the next morning, hundreds more had joined them. Over the last few weeks, I lost track of how many have told our shameful tale.

Sometimes the people we love disappoint us the most.

My prayer was that this special session would finally provide an official way forward for those among us who, responding to the call of Christ, long to fully embrace our LGBTQ+ siblings in marriage and ministry. It did not. The “One Church Plan” (the compromise supported by a clear majority of U.S. delegates and for which many of us advocated) failed. Instead, the “Traditional Plan” (which hardens our restrictive language) passed—due largely to the support of international delegates.

The season of Lent calls us to repentance and reconciliation.

We are asked to consider who we are and who God is calling us to be, both individually and collectively. Asbury First is and will continue to be a place that is open to all of God’s children. We stand united in our rejection of the shameful actions of the General Conference and recommit ourselves to the work of full inclusion. We will not let these be the last headlines of the Methodist movement.

Individually, each of us needs to consider how we can be a more faithful witness of Jesus Christ. If we never speak up, or show the world something different, they will be left to piece our faith together from the alerts on their phones.

If we know a better way—and we do—it is time to trust the Spirit and share it. We might not make headlines, but if we can work together, we just might make a difference.

Much of what passed will be ruled unconstitutional (according to our Book of Discipline), but not all of it. The Judicial Council (the United Methodist equivalent of the Supreme Court) will meet at the end of April to determine just what provisions will stand. The damage is already done.

With every news alert, with each headline, came a loss.

Some are quantifiable—like the people who have formally withdrawn their membership in ours and other United Methodist churches. The more perilous losses, however, are the ones for which we will never receive a letter. These are they who received this news as the final damning bit of evidence needed to rest their case on the nature of the

Grace and Peace, Stephen

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COMMUNITY NEWS WORSHIP SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES 8:30 AM

TRADITIONAL WORSHIP

10 AM

CHANCEL WORSHIP WITH HOLY COMMUNION

11 AM

TRADITIONAL WORSHIP

UPCOMING SERVICES SUNDAY, APRIL 14 Passion/Palm Sunday Luke 19:28–40 Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher

SUNDAY, APRIL 21 Easter Sunday John 20:1–18 Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher

THURSDAY, APRIL 18 Maundy Thursday, 7:30 pm

SUNDAY, APRIL 28 John 20:19–31 Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher

FRIDAY, APRIL 19 Envisioning the Passion Good Friday, 12 pm

SUNDAY, MAY 12 Acts 9:1–20 Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II, Preacher SUNDAY, MAY 19 Acts 11:1–18 Rev. Mike Mullin, Preacher

SUNDAY, JUNE 2 Youth Sunday SUNDAY, JUNE 9 Acts 2:1-21 J.J. Warren, Guest Preacher

SUNDAY, MAY 26 Summer Schedule Begins Isaiah 55:10–13 Rev. Kathy Thiel, Preacher

SUNDAY, MAY 5 Children's Musical Children's Sunday

SUMMER WORSHIP TIMES

BEGINS MAY 26 | MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TO LABOR DAY WEEKEND (INCLUSIVE)

8:30 AM

10 AM

OUTSIDE WORSHIP WITH HOLY COMMUNION

TRADITIONAL WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY

WEDNESDAY EVENING GROUP STUDIES PRAYING WITH THE WESLEYS – April 10 and 17

PEACEMAKING – April 24

Our present culture and sociopolitical climate is one that seems to be increasingly divisive. As Christians, it can sometimes be difficult to discern our role to help both do justice and keep peace. In April, we welcome Craig Bullock, the founding director of The Assisi Institute, as he leads us in conversation and discussion about how the gospel can help inform and instruct us to function as peacemakers.

Continuing through April 17, we encourage you to join the Rev. Dr. John R. Tyson as we consider his newest book Praying with the Wesleys. Dr. Tyson is the Professor of Church History and Director of United Methodist Studies at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. His passion for United Methodism— especially for the hymns of Charles Wesley— will undoubtedly invigorate our prayer and devotion this lent. Each week will have a different topic. Topics are: “What a Change God Can Make,” “A More Excellent Way,” and “The Methodist Methods.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS IN THE COMMUNITY DEATHS

WELCOME

THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF ASBURY FIRST

WE OFFER OUR PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY TO Lisa and Mark Wainwright on the death of Lisa’s mother, Connie Myers, on January 7, 2019 in Illinois.

The family and friends of Irene Lamberton who died on January 28, 2019.

Craig Everhart on the death of his father, Gerald Everhart on January 30, 2019.

Dr. John and Rev. Janice DeMocker on the death of John’s brother, Robert DeMocker on February 2, 2019.

Anne Marie and Mark Strivings

Kristen Cronmiller and Joshua Douglass

Emily Cady and her family, Jan and Bob Hill and their family, on the death of Jan’s father, Rev. Dr. Robert Pennock on February 10, 2019.

Valerie Busacco on the death of her daughter, Stephanie Thomas on February 12, 2019.

The family and friends of Ray Waring who died on February 21, 2019.

Brian and Melissa Bohrer and family on the death of Brian’s father, Ed Bohrer on February 24, 2019.

Barbara Howell

Donna LaMura and Don DeMarsh

Simone Araya

Donna and Hugh Cunningham on the death of Donna’s sister, Sharon Fulkrod on March 10, 2019 in Geneva, New York.

Taya Ziegler on the death of her grandfather, Edward Ziegler on March 12, 2019.

Ron and Kathleen Fithen on the death of Ron’s father, Dewey Fithen Jr. on March 11, 2019.

Kathy and Jim Farrar

Karen Jamison on the death of her husband, Dr. Robert Jamison on March 12, 2019.

Kay Wallace and Peter Oddleifson

Barbara Howell on the death of her mother, Jean York on March 12, 2019.

BAPTISMS

WE CELEBRATE THE BAPTISM OF Gracelynn Sky Hewitt, daughter of Ryan and Kelsey Hewitt, baptized on January 13, 2019.

Caden Jospeh Barr, son of Jesse and Laura Barr, baptized on February 10, 2019.

Yvonne Colton

Kim McNulty and Ross Hutchinson Not Pictured: Cindy Proukou

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Susan Lovejoy

COMMUNITY NEWS

s i e v o L Love

Thank you to all who supported #rainbowsunday by dressing in the magnificent colors of the rainbow! From the snacks to scarves and bow ties aplenty, it was wonderful to see a visible show of support and love for all the children of God. At Asbury First, All Are Always Welcome!

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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COMMUNITY NEWS FROM THE CHURCH HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE STREAMING MINISTRY IMPACT

The Streaming Ministry means a great deal to me as I no longer drive and unable to be present on Sundays. I find it helpful to be in touch. I am so thankful for this service. It is a wonderful service for those of us to feel connected with the church while not being able to be present in person.

– Phyllis Kennedy

I moved to Rochester in 2006 for my first assignment as an Area Sales Manager. My first apartment in Rochester was on Berkley Street and I discovered Asbury First by simply walking down the street for a Sunday service. I was shocked by how nice everyone was and the number of families who invited me to sit with them. I remember being homesick at the time. I remember feeling far away from my home and family in Ohio, yet I immediately felt part of a new family at Asbury First.

I only lived in Rochester for a little over a year when I was promoted. I ended up making a tour back through central Ohio where I was raised, but I never really felt like I had a permanent home again.

That is, except for Asbury. When I returned back to the Midwest I realized the “old fashioned” thinking that had kept me away from church. When major events happened, I found comfort in Asbury even though I was living hundreds of miles away.

When we moved back to Rochester, I made it a point to join the church. I attend as much as possible but It’s hard given the 80% travel required by my job. When I can’t attend in person I watch on the live stream. When I miss the live stream, I make it a point to go back and watch it later in the week. For me, the live stream is a way to maintain my spiritual relationship with Christ while working my way up the ladder in a modern corporate world.

– Adam Croneis

I used to listen to the service before the livestream started, and was so happy when Livestream started so I could see everyone—especially my dad (Dick Eastman)!

He would sit down every Sunday and text me to say “I’m here!” And I would reply “I see you!” It meant the world to me to be able to worship with my dad every Sunday for years, before he died last summer.

– Karen Eastman

Howdy y’all! When I moved to Texas last September, I knew I would be saying “goodbye” to the many things I loved in Rochester. And I also knew that Asbury First was among the things I would miss the most. I am so grateful to be able to access the 11 am Sunday worship service via streaming. It is a marvel! I “see” my friends in the congregation, and I am swept away by the music and moved by the sermons. But, the most gratifying feeling I have is the comfort of being “home,” in the church I love.

Thank you, Asbury First, for providing this service.

– Nancy Boerner

STREAMING MINISTRY BY THE NUMBERS

recent streamers are in New York.

43% OfOther states with large amounts of logins in include Florida, California, and Missouri.

number of unique streaming 115 Average devices per week of the 11 am service. countries around the world 10 Different have recently logged in including:

Canada, Great Britain, India, Germany, China, South Africa, France, and Japan.

We offer live video stream of the 11 am service A video archive of past services is also available. You can also stream to your TV using Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast. For more information on how to stream, please visit our website at asburyfirst.org/worship/live.

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COMMUNICATIONS SURVEY

BY THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

T

he results of the Communications Survey from June 2018 are here! We surveyed 242 individuals to see the effectiveness of the different forms of communications coming from Asbury First.

Over 50% of respondents say that the Sunday bulletin, weekly email, worship service, and The Visitor is where they receive most of their information from Asbury First. The Sunday Bulletin is the most used communication tool and is viewed as the most effective.

The first way (60.7%) that respondents said they would prefer to receive communication is electronically. The second preferred way to receive communication was hard copy/print (49.2%).

The overall comments were positive, and we look forward to continuing to share important information with everyone. Thank you to all who participated in this survey!

HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF RELATED TO ASBURY FIRST

2.5% Visitor

23.2%

55–64 49.2%

65+

9.6%

45–54 35–44

9.6%

5.2%

3.2%

25–34

Sunday Announcements

12%

18–24

242 Responses

21.1%

49.2% Hard Copy/ Printed Communications

8.3% Social Media

12.8%

Volunteer for Asbury First Outreach Ministry

177 Responses

PREFERRED METHOD OF RECEIVING INFORMATION ABOUT ASBURY FIRST

242 Responses

Regular Attendee (Non-Member)

DEMOGRAPHICS OF RESPONDENTS BY AGE

86.8% Current/New Church Member

60.7% Electronic Communications

MOST USED SOURCE TO GET MOST OF YOUR INFORMATION 200

MOST USED

OCCASIONALLY USED

RARELY USED

NEVER USED

150 100 50 0

Asbury First Website

The Visitor

Sunday Bulletin

Weekly Email

Facebook

Worship Service

200 150 100 50 0

Membership Class

Word of Mouth

Information Desk

Radio

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Live Stream

YouTube

BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATES

A

n important part of our 1040 East Avenue project is improved lighting in the chancel. As part of the boiler project we are moving the air handling units which move air through our building out of the ceilings, and onto the floor where filter changes and maintenance will be far easier. This, coupled with needed electrical improvements to support the new equipment, necessitate changes in the boiler room. The old dimmer motors (yes, they are actual motors which dim the sanctuary lights, and they are very obsolete) will be eliminated.

We will take this opportunity to install new digital controls.

architectural fixtures will remain, but some may no longer emit light.

The lighting will have up to date electronic controls which will allow pre-programed “scenes” via a touch pad. This control will extend to all of the existing light fixtures in the sanctuary as well.

No longer will there be a “clunk” on Christmas Eve and Maundy Thursday as the old dimmer motors literally wind down to a stop.

All of the lights will dim silently and together.

There are several lighting challenges with the current lighting in the chancel including shadows, general lack of illumination, a lack of lighting in key places, and poor control. This affects musicians who can’t see their music, preachers who go into shadow as a result of normal movement, harsh lighting on the choir or bells, and not enough light to take full advantage of our new high-definition (HD) streaming.

Our project will kick-off in just a few more weeks. At the writing of this article, construction documents are nearly complete, the preservation board has approved our plans, and we are nearing our invited bid to qualified contractors. We have pledges to fully fund this phase, and soon construction will begin. It is an exciting time!

The new lighting and controls have been designed by a professional lighting company with several goals: increased energy efficiency, improved down lighting for musicians to see their music, and improved lighting for the congregation and HD live stream to see the participants in the service, all without blinding anyone! Toward that end, we will be adding new high quality commercial LED fixtures—not simply replacement bulbs, and removing old lighting. These will be discretely and tastefully mounted to be as unobtrusive as possible.

New lights will be mounted behind the Rune beam and in the side chapels, as well as smaller fixtures in chancel ceiling. All of the

If you have any questions, please contact David Strong at dstrong@asburyfirst.org or at (585) 271-1050 x110, or Chuck Hanrahan at chuck.hanrahan@gmail.com or at (585) 690-7509.

COMMUNICATIONS SURVEY, CTD. EFFECTIVENESS AND AWARENESS FOR EACH TOOL 200

VERY EFFECTIVE

SOMEWHAT EFFECTIVE

SOMEWHAT INEFFECTIVE

INEFFECTIVE

UNAWARE IT EXISTS

150 100 50 0

The Visitor

Sunday Bulletin

Weekly Email

Asbury First Website

200

Facebook/Asbury First Main Page

Facebook/Asbury First Youth Page

150 100 50 0

Facebook/Asbury First Children's Page

Ministry Brochures

Welcome Hall Display Cases/ TV Monitors

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New Member Packets

Seasonal Educational/ Event Booklets

BETTER TOGETHER CAMPAIGN

BETTER TOGETHER

A NEW OUTREACH CENTER This year we hope to begin converting 1010 East Avenue into a newly renovated and accessible Outreach Center. This will allow us to centralize services, share resources, and put the needs of our guests first. It also marks a shift in our focus to a more holistic approach to caring for the needs of our guests.

Our goal is to break ground in the fall of 2019 so that we can dedicate the new Outreach Center on our 200th Anniversary in 2020. In order to do this, however, we need to raise another $1.5 million in commitments this spring. With your help, we can make sure that 1010 continues to be a home for community—a visceral reminder that we are better together.

Please join us.

Make your pledge to the Better Together campaign today. Your gift to this Phase of the project will be DOUBLED, thanks to the generosity of the leadership of Asbury First.

We believe this project has the chance to affirm our commitment to outreach and our community —to help us Do More Good each and every day.

GO ON A TOUR OF OUR NEW OUTREACH CENTER!

SUNDAYS AFTER THE 11 AM SERVICE! 12

BETTER TOGETHER CAMPAIGN

Matching Gift

PHASE 2 GOAL $1.5 MILLION

CURRENT FUNDS RAISED

$220,000 GIVING CHALLENGE

MATCHING GIFT CHALLENGE

ADDITIONAL PHASE 2 GIFTS

CHALLENGE $220,000 LEADERSHIP MATCHING GIFT

$224,000 RAISED TO DATE

In order to raise additional funds, we have a matching gift challenge for our congregation! The leadership committees of Asbury First (Church Council, Trustees, SPRC, Outreach, Finance, Stewardship, and the Capital Campaign Committee) have pledged a matching gift totaling $220,000.

For each gift you give, they will match it up to $220,000. Thanks to their generosity and because of their faith in you, any pledge/gift that is committed during the Phase 2 campaign will now be doubled.

PARTICIPATION IN THIS CAMPAIGN • We have currently received pledges and gifts from just over 400 individuals and families. To these people—thank you.

• There are many people who have yet to make a contribution to this campaign. And we need your help. If we are to break ground this fall, and dedicate this building on our 200th anniversary, we must raise pledges for the full funds by May. And if ever there was a time to make a commitment, now is that time! Your commitment to the Outreach Center will be doubled!

COMPLETE A PLEDGE CARD AT ASBURYFIRST.ORG/BETTERTOGETHER

HERE’S HOW WE WILL RAISE THE REST The additional funds necessary to meet our Phase 2 goal and build our Outreach Center will come from a variety of different sources. First, given the favorable market, the Trustees have voted to offer a significant pledge to the campaign through our endowment’s interest distribution. Second, during our last Capital Campaign, we were given a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT), which has gained enough interest to fulfill the original pledge, with $76,000 remaining. The Trustees have voted to use that toward the Phase 2 campaign as well.

Third, we have several foundation and grant applications that have been submitted and for which we are awaiting a

response. We have fourteen more in process. We have already received $67,000 in foundation funding and anticipate many more successes along the way. Finally, the campaign team has been busy making connections with local organizations and individuals who may be interested in funding a project like 1010 East Avenue. We have hosted many visits and tours, sharing the good news of outreach at Asbury First. Our goal is to raise an additional $150,000 in new lead donor gifts through these efforts. As you can see, we have a solid plan for meeting this goal, but we need your help to close the final gap by making a matching gift to this campaign!

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COMMUNITY NEWS WHAT IF THE STARFISH STORY HAPPENED TODAY?

BY ERIN GREEN

I had been thinking a lot about what “purpose” means to us. The original starfish story kept coming into my head. I wish I could say I came up with the idea of the modern twist on the story, but it was one of those things that seemed more to come to me.

I shared the story with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady because I have consistently found (and find) his sermons to be thought-provoking and inspiring.

In each one of them, there seems to be the core message of the original starfish story—that we can and should each do our own small part to heal the hurts we see in the world. Also, last year I had hit

a point in drawing and writing the story where I wasn’t sure if it was worth it, and at one service, the youth group sang the “Do Something” song.

One of the parts in the introduction of my story— which I sometimes feel is a sort of anthem in our society—was a woman asking “Why isn’t anyone doing anything?” as she stood and watched. So, attending that service was incredibly meaningful and helpful for me, because I saw it as a kind of friendly nudge. My goal with this story is to remind people in a way that will make them laugh (or at least smile) that we are not as powerless as we sometimes feel.

The original starfish story is about a child seeing a problem and making a difference, even if it is a small one.

PANELS FROM THE STORY These are just a few panels from this amazing work. To view the entire story, please visit www.starsandjars.com.

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COMMUNITY NEWS CARE PACKAGES

BY MORGAN DORNSIFE

What an interesting moment it is when I am driving somewhere (Wegmans probably…) and find myself at an intersection where someone is standing, holding a sign, asking for help. I don’t know about you, but my mind begins spinning.

Should I make eye contact? Roll down the window and say hi? Ask If I can help? Is that even safe? What if this person tried to harm me? Should I give him/her money? Do I have a granola bar in the glove compartment? Or, should I just pretend I don’t see them?

As the questions spin, a verse always comes to mind. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”—Matthew 25:40. I realize that this is a topic with both many answers and also no answers. And that verse can be interpreted and applied in many ways. However, for me and my family, we share the value of acknowledging all people. This compels me to have some response to the person on the side of the road. I have no answers for them, and I know nothing of their life or of the circumstances that have brought them to this moment. But, I do feel compelled to look them in the eye and offer something. I am convinced the thing I offer is secondary to the time I take to say hello. However, the offering is an opportunity to be creative!

My family and I have made homeless care packages for years. We stash them in the car, and offer them when we see someone in need. We’ve been creative about what we put in them—rain ponchos, hand warmers, toothbrush and toothpaste, socks, lip balm, cough drops, and some sort of food item.

What we always include is a printed packet of resources in the area. We list agencies with their specific focus area, location, open times, and how to get to them through public transit.

MAKE A BASIC KIT Start with a plastic bag that can keep the items safe from the elements. Then pack items of your choice:

• • • •

Toothpaste Toothbrush Lip Balm Bandages

• • • •

Wet wipes Toilet paper Tissues Hand warmers

• • • •

Granola bar Sunscreen Deodorant Rain poncho

CUB SCOUTS TROOP 60 Cub Scouts Troop 60 recently packed 30 care packages for the needy. The packages included a toothbrush, toothpaste, bandages, travel wipes, tissues, hand warmers, a granola bar, socks, and toilet paper.

Pictured left: Jennelise and William Mellon are part of Cub Scouts Troop 60 and delivered the care packages to Asbury First to help those in need. Thank you, Troop 60, Jennelise and William for your generosity!

The Dornsifes have loved this practice. It gives us a chance to teach our kids how our family responds to these moments. It challenges us to interact with someone with whom we might not have otherwise. And it creates a space where we acknowledge those lives on the fringes. Yes, we have no answers. But we do have love.

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YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS SOUPER BOWL AND PIE FOR PI DAY SUCCESS

Pie for Pi Day

Many thanks to our congregation for helping to make our youth Souper Bowl and Pie for Pi fundraisers a huge success again this year.

In order to make this happen, we had over 75 youth and parents chopping vegetables, peeling apples, stirring soup, and freezing pies. In the end, we were able to make and sell over 200 quarts of soup and over 300 pies. This is truly remarkable, and we couldn’t do it without you!

Souper Bowl

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YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS CONFIRMANDS CELEBRATE ASBURY FIRST’S CLASS OF 2019 Confirmation is one of the rites of passage in the church where our baptized young people can decide for themselves to step out in faith and join the church. This does not mean that we have it all figured out, but it does mean that we are committing to work together to do more good.

This group of confirmands have spent time learning about the Bible,

experiencing worship with various faith traditions, and experiencing what it means to live out our faith through love and service to the community. We hope you will join with each of them on Sunday, May 19, at the 11 am service as we celebrate their confirmation as members of Asbury First United Methodist Church.

Charles Shaun Bohrer Dake Junior High School

Emma Grace Giordano Barker Road Middle School

Emily Catherine Glaza Bay Trail Middle School

Asha Mary Chaly Temperley The Harley School

Favorite memory: Charlie always enjoyed children’s movie nights, especially VeggieTales.

Emma loved going on the middle school trips to NYC and Toronto and can’t wait to go on her first high school mission trip this summer!

Favorite memory was when everyone in youth group was on teams and running around the lawn with plastic cups throwing colors at each other.

Favorite Memory: Volunteering at VBS and Foodlink, and traveling to Toronto with the youth group.

Natalie Stinehour Bay Trail Middle School

Addyson McHenry The Harley School

Quentin Parks Twelve Corners Middle School

Emma Grace McQuillan Twelve Corners Middle School

Sean Mahan Twelve Corners Middle School

Favorite memory: Going to church every Sunday her first two years with grandma and grandpa.

I enjoyed working with the younger children at summer vacation bible camp.

Favorite Memory: Playing Sardines in the Sanctuary.

Looking Forward to: Developing friendships in Youth Group.

Favorite Memories: Camp Casowasco, the trip to Toronto, and participating in The Lion King musical.

My favorite memory at church was being in The Lion King musical with my friends.

Sophia May Seiffert Bay Trail Middle School

Favorite memories: the Christmas pageant, summer camp, youth group and the mission trips. I am really looking forward to the high school mission trip.

Meredith Reynolds Twelve Corners Middle School

Emily Mae Clark The Harley School

Claire McKechnie Clark The Harley School

Favorite memory: Being baptized by Susan Shafer on Susan’s last Sunday as Senior Minister of Asbury First.

I always enjoyed seeing my grandma at children's time sitting in her lap and when she used to smile up at me in the pulpit when she was preaching.

It's important to me to be a part of the youth group. It has become important to be to be a crucifer in the services. I enjoy worshiping at Asbury First.

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NEWS CHILDREN’S MUSICAL SUNDAY, MAY 5

The Life of the Party — The Story of Mary & Martha On Sunday, May 5, our children ages Pre-K through 5th grade will present the musical The Life of the Party—The Story of Mary & Martha. The stories of Mary and Martha in the gospels deal with issues that are instantly recognizable—family conflict, making time for Jesus in the midst of hectic lives, and trusting God when things get tough. In this musical production our children will experience the truth of this story: we sometimes become so busy doing things for God that we forget to spend time with God. May 5, will be a special service as the children will be leading us in worship in both the 8:30 and 11 am services. For more information contact Holly Temming, Director of Children’s Music, at htemming@asburyfirst.org.

MINI VBS FIVE SENSES

BY PAULA DUGAN

What a great time during Mini VBS this February! The children had an amazing time using their sense to explore a Bible story about Jesus. I think the children had fun making sand, playing games, eating goldfish and singing the “taco” song. We also learned how the church organ works. We got to smell, and eat fish while learning all about the fishing industry. We had very brave kids use their sense of taste and try strange flavored jellybeans, and their sense of touch to feel icky things. Finally, we walked to the Rochester Museum & Science Center and enjoyed the interesting exhibits.

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MUSIC & ARTS NEWS UPCOMING CONCERTS AND EVENTS ENVISIONING THE PASSION SERVICE – FRIDAY, APRIL 19 AT 12 PM IN THE SANCTUARY. FREE WILL OFFERING. Asbury First’s Good Friday service on April 19 at noon is a multi-media presentation of carefully coordinated art, music, and Bible readings to evoke vivid images and feelings about Christ’s crucifixion. The service includes images selected by Lucy Winters Durkin, an Instructor in Art History at the Eastman School of Music; choral music; and organ music played by Duane Prill. Envisioning the Passion, through this cohesive multi-media presentation is always a powerful experience for all who attend.

LIFE OF THE PARTY CHILDREN’S MUSICAL – SUNDAY, MAY 5 AT 8:30 AND 11 AM SERVICES. Allen Pote’s musical “Life of the Party” the story of Mary and Martha, will be presented by our children during the 8:30 and 11:00 AM worship services. The stories of Mary and Martha in the gospels deal with issues that are instantly recognizable—family conflict, make time for Jesus in the midst of hectic lives, and trusting God when ENVISIONING things get tough. Holly Temming is the director.

THE PASSION ASBURY RINGERS BELL CONCERT — SATURDAY, MAY 18 AT 7 PM IN THE SANCTUARY The Asbury Ringers and The ROC City Ringers will be performing in a joint concert on Saturday, May 18 at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. The ROC Ringers is a community bell choir comprised of ringers from several area churches, including Asbury First UMC, Summerville Presbyterian, Third Presbyterian, Emmanuel Lutheran (Webster), Webster Presbyterian. The Asbury Ringers is the adult hand bell choir of our church. A wide range of music, from pieces composed specifically for bells, and others pulled from contemporary music and movie themes will be represented. The two choirs consist of over thirty ringers.

YOU are beautiful for YOU are

fearfully &

wonderfully

MADE.

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Psalm 139:14

OUTREACH NEWS THE MIRACLE IS MORE THAN A GARDEN

O

BY ELIZABETH CHURCH

n December 26, 2004, a massive, undersea earthquake caused a tsunami that sent destruction across Asia and countries that abut the Indian Ocean.

Thousands of miles to the west of the epicenter, the south east coast of India was hit with water and waves that decimated villages and cities like. While the Indian government established camps to help those displaced, there were many thousands who had no where to go and no way to fend for themselves.

For several years John and Michelle Pandian had been living in the state of Tamil Nadu, in the center of the tip of the sub continent. Michelle had recently returned to Rochester, NY for the birth of their son, Adam, and John remained in India, directing the Bible College they had established several years prior. Though half a world apart, the two discussed ways they felt called to respond to the crisis. A long-time goal of the couple had been to open an orphanage, and they finally received approval by the Indian government to do so. In a way that they describe as being a call from God, John ventured to the east coast with the hope of providing some stability and comfort to the children who were left behind. A few children became 35 children and Miracle Garden Tsunami Children’s Home was established.

In the years since, those displaced, orphaned children have grown to young adults. Many have returned to their native villages to become fishermen like their fathers, or to live with extended family. Some children have been able to attend trade school and have found work repairing refrigerators or air conditioning.

Originally the children attended a local village (state run) school. As it became clear that this sub par education would not provide the skills these children would need to become independent, John and Michelle worked to establish a school on the Miracle Garden property.

While a Christian-based orphanage has not always been welcome in this conservative Hindu state, the quality of education provided

by Miracle Garden more closely matches Western standards, and is desirable to the local community. Renamed Miracle Garden Home and School, children from the village as well as the current residents of Miracle Garden enjoy

Above left: Children at Miracle Garden with donated, hand-made pillow cases. Above right: The children harvest radishes grown from their very own garden. classes led by certified, college-trained teachers.

They receive instruction in English, along with their native Tamil; math, arts, science, physical education, music, and Christian education.

Profession of faith in Christianity is not required, yet many of the orphans have embraced the faith as their own. A loving God with outstretched arms of love and comfort is a message many of the children needed to hear.

Miracle Garden School benefits from a small tuition from each village child. Indian law allows this contribution, and those rupees add up to help provide salaries for the teachers and supplies for the school and orphanage.

Most of the funds for Miracle Garden come from donations, grants, and gifts from western countries. Many families at Asbury First have sponsored a child at Miracle Garden with a donation of $30 a month. As these children grow and move on, the sponsorship can be transferred to another child. We at Asbury First have supported Miracle Garden through individual sponsorships, donations given during the Christmas season through the “Joy of Christmas Giving,” and specific donations when needed. Miracle Garden purchased a new water pump thanks to a recent donation of $1,200.

Miracle Garden’s reputation has grown over the

years. There has been occasions where children are dropped off at the gates by extended family that cannot care for the child, or are referred by others in the community around Coimbatore.

I will never forget the story of two children, siblings, who were living under the metal bed their mother lay on in the local hospital burn unit. She was a victim of an “honor burning” and the children had no where to live. A nurse knew about Miracle Garden and was able to get them to the orphanage. As the mother later passed, the children had a safe, loving place to live.

Miracle Garden welcomes teams of volunteers.

In 2005, Asbury First’s Church Family (Rick, Elizabeth, Mary, and Johnny) and Merilyn Israel visited the orphanage with a delegation from the Western NY Conference on the first anniversary of the tsunami. Later the Gage family (Larry, Robyn, Emily, Katherine and Mary) traveled twice to be with the children.

On Sunday, April 7, the Ministry Corner in the Gathering Center will host a table with information about Miracle Garden. Be sure to stop by to see the faces of the children and hear their stories! We continue to remember and pray for our friends and their work in India.

Miracle Garden is an amazing place of hope and support for children and adults.

If you wish to learn more, please feel free to contact Elizabeth Church at emchurch418@gmail.com. Miracle Garden can also be reached through their blog spot: www.tsunamichildrenshome.blogspot.com, or Miracle Garden Global Outreach, 405 W. Norwood Pl., Indianola, IA 50125. Gifts can be directed to specific needs at the school if you wish.

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OUTREACH NEWS STOREHOUSE VOLUNTEERS LUNCHEON In November, the Storehouse Volunteers luncheon honored Sandra Holloway and Ellen Lamb with the Storehouse Founder’s Award. This award is given each year to a volunteer or volunteers who have given of their time and talents to the Storehouse beyond the usual contributions.

Thank you, Sandra and Ellen; and a big thank you to all who support and volunteer at the Storehouse!

Honorees Ellen Lamb and Sandra Holloway

Row 1: Jeanne Rowe, Phyllis Kennedy, Helen Bellanca, Nancy Davidow, and Ginny Fitch Row 2: Ellen Lamb, Sandra Holloway, Betsy Christiansen, Kay Layton, Margaret Reiners, Kate Crosby, Ed Crosby, Betsy DiPaola, and Bob Fitch

GROCERY BAG MINISTRY

T

BY JIM CARTER

hank you Asbury for the generous donations! Your continued filling of the outreach box on Sundays as well as the plethora of supplies from the Thanksgiving In-Gathering has gone a great way to helping us keep our expenses down through these winter months.

And later this month, we will once again be getting help/supplies from the Scouting Food Drive, always a great supply of staples like pasta, peanut butter, and vegetables.

Given our group of partner churches, we pretty much cycle through the entire group over the course of five months, along with the monthly support of our friends at No One Left Behind (the refugee support program), so it’s been another great season of helping to Feed the Hungry in Rochester. And thanks to our wonderful new Communications Coordinator (Sarah Brubaker), we have a new Outreach brochure!

We continue to explore new ideas for how we can evolve the ministry further, and work towards our Asbury First Outreach goals laid out in the Way Forward report on the church web site. If you are interested in being more actively involved, we gather on the third Saturday of each month, down in Fellowship Hall at 8 am, and are usually wrapped up by 9 am, or so. Feel free to reach out to Jim Carter at jimc4mail@gmail.com or the Rev. Jackie Nelson at jnelson@asburyfirst.org, as we can always use more help. And thank you once again for all your generosity!

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E

LIBRARY & READING NEWS

APRIL/MAY

very season, including spring, is reading time. We have just the book for you in the Church library collection, right off the church gathering space—not only nearby, but loaned to you for free. The following books come recommended by avid readers and notable organizations. Give them a try and let us know what you think.

I’d Like You More if You Were More Like Me: Getting Real About Getting Close by John Ortberg. The good news is that a deeper, more meaningful relationship with your spouse, friends, kids, coworkers—even God—is not only attainable, it’s what you were made for! This book offers help in overcoming one of the biggest obstacles to making deep connections: the fact that we’re so different—different from God and different from each other. Luckily, connectedness is not based on similarity, but on shared experiences. This book shows us how to overcome obstacles and create the kind of deep, meaningful relationships we all crave—with God and with others. And, he does this with a sense of humor that has you laughing your way through this helpful book.

(This is a book selection of the Asbury Women on Wednesday book group.)

I’ve Been Thinking by Maria Shriver. This is a book of reflections, prayers and meditations for a more meaningful life. In the words of Glennon Doyle, “Maria Shriver has always been a voice of hope, unity, equality, and love—a wise, steady voice calling us to become our best selves.” This approach is ever present in her chosen topics. She begins each short reading with a quotation and ends with a thoughtful prayer. I was so inspired by her compassion and thought-provoking spirit that I have ordered two copies to share with friends.

Recommended by church library committee member, Chris Burton

RECOMMENDATIONS

BY THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE MEMBER, MONICA GILLIGAN

EDUCATED by Tara Westover

MY STROKE OF INSIGHT By Jill Bolte Taylor, PhD

A neurobiologist, Taylor had a stroke at the height of her career. The memoir gives many helpful and unexpected tips on how to relate to and treat a person recovering from a stroke.

THE JOURNAL KEEPER: A MEMOIR by Phyllis Theroux

This is about a novelist who gave up a city-centered literary life to move to a small town to care for an elderly mother. It is a memoir of the last third of a productive life.

THE SIMPLE FAITH OF MISTER ROGERS by Amy Hollingsworth

Hollingsworth, a longtime friend and correspondent of Fred Rogers, asked for and received his spiritual insights. These were not explicit in the show, although they informed it, and both the author, a pastor’s wife, and Mr. Rogers, an ordained minister, were strong believers. This book is an absolute must-read for our congregation. It is both kindly and easy to read, but also very profound.

This best-seller has been on the New York Times list for many weeks. Westover is a fine writer; a talent that was almost miraculously recognized by those in education who helped her escape a Dickensian horror of a childhood.

Growing up in rural Idaho, she was the youngest child of survivalist parents, at least one of whom appears to be clinically insane.

Physically threatened by forced labor in their totally unsafe junk yard family business and with a violent and aggressive brother, she was without schooling, a birth certificate, medical care, or much hope. Westover tells how education and those who helped her achieve it changed her life and her world.

RECOMMENDATIONS/NEW ADDITIONS The Push—A Story of Friendship by Patrick Gray, illustrated by Justin Skeesuck and Matt Waresak is the children’s version of the popular adult book I’ll Push You by the same authors. It tells the story of two boys—Marcus and John—who become friends and do almost everything together although John is in a wheelchair. The story shows how we all have important roles to play and something to offer others, concluding that we’re all better together than we are on our own.

The library at Asbury First recently purchased three wonderful additions to the children’s picture book section by the team of author Kobi Yamada and illustrator Mae Besom. What Do You Do with an Idea? (2014) inspires readers to welcome new ideas, give them space to grow, and see what happens next. What Do You Do with a Problem? (2016) encourages the reader to face their problem to find out why it is there because problems can challenge us, shape us, push us, and help us discover how brave and capable we really are. What Do You Do with a Chance?

(2017) inspires readers to find the courage to go for the opportunities that come their way. Although written for children, the positive messages in these books are perfect for anyone from ages 2 to 102.

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THE LAST WORD

BY REV. MIKE MULLIN

THE BIBLE’S AFFIRMATION OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

Y

ou believe the Bible professes love for all, but you are not sure how to respond when someone is quoting Leviticus at you. We get it; so, let’s see if we can help: First off, of the over thirty-thousand verses in our Bible, there are just six passages that allegedly refer to homosexuality: Gen. 19:1–11; Lev. 18:22 and 20:13; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; and 1 Timothy 1:10.

Notice the absence of the Gospels. Even so, some modern-day Pharisees will point to Matthew 19 where Jesus is asked about divorce. In his response, Jesus quotes two different creation stories: Gen. 1:27, “God created humankind in God’s image… male and female God created them;” and Gen. 2:24, “a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Some interpret this to mean that Jesus exclusively affirmed binary-heteronormative unions. However, ancient Hebrew only has two grammatical genders: masculine and feminine (there is no neuter). This means that it might be better to interpret Gen. 1:27 as expressing the fullness of all humanity as created in God’s image. It was expressed in binary terms thousands of years ago due to restrictions in language, but it need not remain restricted today. Jesus’ silence to a modern understanding of gender and sexuality should never be interpreted as condemnation.

Returning to Genesis, we see that focusing on the sexual sins of Gen. 19 is another example of missing the mark. Sure, the text says the entire town wanted to “know” the strangers (cf. Gen. 4:1, when Adam “knew” Eve), but this is just one hyperbolic expression of the utter inhospitality of the town. The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is not sexuality, but is inhospitality. This inhospitable truth is even expressed by Jesus in Matthew 10:4–15.

The passages in Leviticus, on the other hand, are a bit more explicit. Certainly, we can point to other contemporaneous capital condemnations like cursing one’s parents (cf. Lev. 20:9), but this doesn’t really help us understand Lev. 18:22 and 20:13 today. Additionally, if we denounce these passages as fruitless and archaic, we risk missing out on the indelible passages of love and grace found throughout our Bible. Instead, we should seek to understand the historical and cultural contexts of these passages.

Sodom should best be understood as a sin of inhospitality and not sexuality. And what is more, the Greek word here is derivative of terms used in the Levitical passages— which we have already expressed speak against sexual violence. Once again, we have biblical evidence condemning sexually oppressive behaviors—we do not have condemnations concerning life-affirming homosexual relationships.

This leaves us with Romans 1:26–27. This is the only passage in the Bible that alludes to any type of female homosexuality. And Bibles that input the term “homosexual” what it says—about both men and women— into these passages are committing an may actually be affirming to the LGBTQ+ anachronistic atrocity community. This passage (cf. the New Living condemns individuals for God created all Translation). At this time in going against their Godhistory, women were still created nature. Thus, this of humanity considered property. These passage may be interpreted in God's image, passages are not referring to tell us that we are and we are all to consensual relationships; created in God’s image, we they are calling on us are created very good, and very good.” to not use our power to our natural identities and treat others as property. orientations are affirmed by – Rev. Mike Mullin Transposing this full the Bible. thought—and not just the literal verbiage—into modern times might This is what critical biblical scholarship be better rendered as, “you shall not treat looks like. You take the text and discern people as objects, nor use your power to the meaning in its time, to help profess force or coerce others into sex.” a timeless truth. In each of these Bible passages that have been used to condemn Moving onto the New Testament, we see homosexuality, we can faithfully see two lists of “wrongdoers” that—even in the how that interpretation has “missed the New Revised Standard Version—include the mark;” that is to say, an interpretation of term “sodomites” (1 Cor. 6:9 and 1 Tim 1:10). scripture that condemns homosexuality is, This is a fallacious translation of the Greek. itself, sinful. God created all of humanity We have already expressed that the sin of in God’s image, and we are all very good.

Still have questions? Contact Rev. Mike Mullin at (585) 271-1050 x105 or at mmullin@asburyfirst.org. For a deeper look at this subject, please check out Fish Out of Water from the church Library. Fish Out of Water is a documentary that explores the impassioned relationship between homosexuality and the Bible.

For more information, visit www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com.

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PERIODICAL 1050 EAST AVENUE • ROCHESTER, NY 14607 WWW.ASBURYFIRST.ORG

Address Service Requested

JOIN US THIS SUMMER FOR

VBS AT ASBURY FIRST! When: August 5-9, 2019 | 9 am-12:30 pm Cost: $15/child ($40 max/family) Register: asburyfirst.org Our message for kids is one of kindness, inclusion, and most importantly...FUN!

Save the Date !

After the great success of last year’s Hopscotch event, this year during the Block Party, we will attempt a new world record with the

Longest Hug Relay!

Please mark this date on your calendar and help us spread the love!

August 8, 2019 6 pm