In ThIs Issue

Advent Schedule, 4

Basketball Road Trip, 6

Stress Reduction, 6

TOPS Weight Loss, 8

New Members, 9

Hoedown, 10

City Sing, 16

Asbury First United Methodist Church NewsletterDecember 2015 • Vol. XLIX No. 10 • www.asburyfirst.org

TheVisitor

Fall Festival & Hoedown Good Times on the Granger Street Lawn

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staffSenior MinisterMinister for Pastoral Care and OutreachMinister for Discipleship and MissionMusic Administrator; Assistant OrganistDirector of MusicChildren’s Ministry DirectorChildren’s Ministry Assistant; In-terim Director, Children’s MusicYouth MinisterMinistry InternFinancial AdministratorAdministrative AssistantProperty Care ManagerDining & Caring Center DirectorCommunications DirectorOrganistDirector, Youth MusicDirector, Bell ChoirDirector, Asbury Singers Director, Youth TheaterArtist-in-Residence

Unless otherwise noted, photos are by Greg Francis.

Cover: Elizabeth and Rick Church dance down the row at the Asbury First Fall Festival and Hoedown in October. More pics on page 10.

Please send all submissions, questions, comments, or concerns to Mary Van Keuren at mvankeuren@asburyfirst.org or (585) 271-1050.

Deadline for next issue: Monday, January 4

The Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady IIKathy Thiel

Katie O’HernDavid Strong

Dr. William WeinertPaula Dugan

Holly Temming

Mike MullinSummer Sattora

Richard MoncriefMelody Guadagnino

Ken CarrMichele Cooley

Mary Van KeurenDuane Prill

Carol LamicaElizabeth Church

Brian BohrerLarry Dugan

Linda Clemow

The VisitorVol. XLIX no. 10

(USPS 558-470)is published 10 times a year, monthly with combined issues for November/December and July/August, by

Asbury First United Methodist Church.

Periodical postage paid at Rochester, N.Y.

POSTMASTER: Send addresses changes to

Asbury First UMC Visitor1050 East Ave.

Rochester, N.Y. 14607-2239(585) 271-1050

Emeriti StaffRev. Dr. Theodore Weeden, Sr., Pastor EmeritusDr. Roger Wilhelm, Director of Music Emeritus

Marian R. Craighead*, Organist Emeritus

*deceased

Mission stateMentThrough worship, education, outreach, and care, we develop disciples of Jesus Christ who live and proclaim the Gospel

and thereby work to transform our culture.

inCLUsiVitY stateMentAsbury 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 hospital-ity and encouraging full participation of all, regardless of age, race, national origin, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orien-tation, 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.

Traditional Worship in our Sanctuary8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday mornings

Chancel Worship with Holy Communion10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings

Listen on WYSL 1040 AM or 92.1 FM11:00 a.m.-noon Sunday mornings

Watch live at www.asburyfirst.org11:00 a.m. Sunday mornings

Watch past services in our video archive at www.asburyfirst.org any time!

sign Up for oUr e-newsLetterTo 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. Or, if you have a smartphone, scan this QR code to take you directly to a sign-up page.

fiVe waYs to worship at asbUrY first

Our church goal this year: we commit to attending worship on Sundays as often as possible and inviting a friend

to worship with us.

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AFUMC news

’Tis the SeasonA Pastoral Reflection

Advent is a season of preparation. While we typi-cally think of it as preparation for Christmas, it is actually

the time set aside in the liturgical calendar year when we prepare for the coming kingdom of God — for the time when God’s hope for the world is finally realized and we live as Christ commanded. Given the state of the world, we are going to need some prep work if we are going to get there. Fortunately, we have a head start.

This is a year of preparation. All fall as a church we have been dreaming together about who we are and who God is calling us to

be. We know the ultimate vision — the same one Jesus shared with his disciples — a world in each and every person knows that they are beloved of God. Our job is to dream our way there. In other words, we have already begun preparing for the kingdom of God — one dream at a time.

The dream board is filling up. As I look at the ideas shared, as I read emails, as I replay conversations, I am struck by our hopefulness as a congregation. After so much tran-sition, after a year filled with such harsh news in our community and world, one would expect to find a defeated people, but the opposite is true here. We are a people look-ing with hope toward the future. Now it is time to share some of that hope with the community

around us.

Let’s lift our voices. Here’s a dream: that the city of Rochester comes together for something beautiful, something hopeful, something peaceful. To that end, the vision team of Asbury First has an idea. After a hard year, we are inviting anyone and everyone in the city of Rochester and its surrounding regions to come together on the afternoon of December 20 at the Public Market at 4:00 p.m. for what we are calling a “City Sing” for peace. So far, Third Presbyterian, Mt. Olivet, Temple B’rith Kodesh, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Historic Parsells Church, and several others have agreed to rally their congregations to this end, but all are invited. We will sing songs of Christmas, of

Hanukkah, of Kwanzaa, all in the name of peace. Please mark your calendar, bring your candle, and plan to join us.

Be prepared. The challenges of our world can easily overwhelm us and we can convince ourselves that we are too insignificant to make a difference, but that is not what Advent is about. Advent is a season which asks us to pre-pare for our love to work. It is a season that reminds us that no matter how insurmountable the challenges of this world seem, the kingdom of God is never far away. We can make a difference in this world, but we have to do it one relationship at a time. ’Tis the season!

Grace and Peace,

Stephen Cady

Asbury First Supports School #9Recently, the Outreach Committee approved the funding for blaz-ers for students at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Rochester. This school gives at-risk young men the support they need to learn and be successful. The blazers were welcomed by these young men, and each of them

wrote a personal letter of thanks to Asbury First. This generous gift has already made a difference in their young lives.

Habitat House at 57 Ries Street is Being Built!The Roger Cross Memorial House (Roger Cross was the founder of the Flower City Chapter of Habitat for Humanity) sponsored by the Harvest Home Coalition (which includes AFUMC) has begun. Our participation continues Asbury First’s 25+ year involvement with Habitat. We have had 16 people volunteer from Asbury First at the site – more are needed. To sign up, go to www.rochesterhabitat.org – “Volunteer” – “Online Volunteer” and follow the instructions. Register as a new volunteer. Then go to the calendar and sign up under “Harvest Home” or “House Building”. For more information contact John Smalt at 924-8624 or jhsmalt@gmail.com.

• Christmas Hospitality •As we prepare for and celebrate the coming holiday season, there will be many visitors to our church who have never stepped through our

doors before. The members of Asbury First have always extended their hands in friendship to those who are new, and we want to ask you

to continue this tradition in December, and take an extra moment when you are on campus to greet and welcome any new faces you see.

This is especially true for Christmas Eve, when hundreds of first-time visitors will attend our services. They may be nervous about being

in a new, unfamiliar place, or they may have questions that you can answer for them. Please join with us in helping to turn strangers into

friends, and in making our services comfortable and welcoming for all. Thank you!

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❆ Labyrinth Wednesdays, December. 2, 9, 165:00-7:00 p.m.

❆ Taizé Wednesdays, December 2, 9, 16 6:00 p.m.See page 5 for more information.

❆ Advent RetreatSaturday, December 59:30 a.m.-noonSee page 5 for more information.

❆ A Service of RemembranceSunday, December 63:00 p.m.We remember our loved ones who are no longer with us with a meditative service of word, music, and communion, and the lighting of the remembrance candles.

❆ Stress Reduction WorkshopDecember 8 & 12Learn how to handle the many stressors of the holiday season. For more information, see page 7.

❆ Advent’s Winter Wonder Night(for children and families)Sunday, December 134:00-8:00 p.m.Come join us for dinner, fellowship, and storytelling.

❆ A Listening LifeTuesday, December 157:00-8:30 p.m.See page 13 for more information.

❆ Christmas EveThursday, December 24

12:00 noon A Service of Word, Carols and Holy Communion.

4:00 p.m. A Service for Families and Children featuring the Children's Pageant.

7:00 p.m. A Service of Word, Lessons & Carols.

9:00 p.m. A Service of Word, Carols and Holy Communion.

11:00 p.m. A Service of Word, Lessons & Carols.

All Christmas Eve services except 4:00 p.m. feature candlelight.

❆ Christmas DayFriday, December 2510:00 a.m.Lessons & CarolsPoetry and music (this will be the only service on Christmas day).

❆ Sunday After ChristmasSunday, December 2710:00 a.m.(This will be the only service on this day).

❆ New Year’s EveThursday, December 315:00-6:00 p.m.Communion and MeditationCome and go as you wish. Labyrinth will be available.

• A LOOK AHEAD •to December’s Advent Activities

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on holy ground

LabyrinthWednesdays,

December 2, 9, 165:00-7:00 p.m. (there

will be no walk on December 23)

Come, walk, and listen to beautiful music as you

experience some quiet, meditative time during

Advent.

Created by the Center for Spiritual Life, On Holy Ground highlights opportunities for spiritual growth and renewal.

Join us for a Retreat Workshop

Advent is God’s Dream for the World, Coming True in Jesus!

Saturday, December 5 1010 East Avenue (the red brick building west of the church)

Beverages and snacks will be available at 9:00 a.m.Program runs from 9:30 to noon

At Asbury First, we’ve committed to dreaming together and turning our thoughts and prayers toward the leading of God as we pursue being the hands, eyes, ears and heart of God for and with

our community. What a exciting adventure!

Advent is the season to remember and give thanks that God took on human flesh in and through Jesus, who walked and lived among us. In Advent, we are called to remember and learn from Jesus’

coming and how that inspires and guides us today.

The themes of Advent invite us to

DREAM, AWAKE, REMEMBER, REJOICE and ANTICIPATE.

Please join us for a morning of Advent Reflection and Dreaming. All are welcome; bring a friend, a neighbor, a guest. There is no charge, but registration is requested. Please contact Melody

Guadagnino at (585) 271-1050. x103.

Hosts: Spiritual Life Committee

Facilitator: Bonnie Matthaidess, (585) 752-4650. For questions and more information, contact Bonnie.

Advent is the start of the new

year for the church! It is our sea-

son of preparation, beginning on

Sunday, November 29 and end-

ing on Thursday, December 24,

Christmas Eve. There are many

things we can do to ready our-

selves for the celebration of the

birth of Jesus of Nazareth. One of

the many offerings here at Asbury

First UMC is a contemplative ser-

vice with music to soothe us and

remind us of the joy of sound;

scripture to remind us of the

importance of words in our lives;

communion to bring the peace of

Christ to our lives; and silence to

center and settle us when we stop

and listen. All of this happens

at the Taizé service, which takes

place on three Wednesdays dur-

ing Advent: December 2, 9 and

16 from 6:00-6:45 p.m. Please

consider joining us to experience a

familiar, or a new way to connect

with our God of love.

Our Taizé service takes its name

from an ecumenical community

of the same name in the town

of Taizé, France. More than 100

brothers from both the Catholic

and Protestant traditions live

there, and it has become an im-

portant pilgrimage destination for

Christians across the globe. The

founder, Brother Roger Schütz,

wanted to build a community

where people lived in a spirit of

kindness, simplicity, and reconcili-

ation. More than 100,000 people

– mostly young adults – travel

to Taizé every year to pray, study,

and work communally. Our Taizé

at Asbury First is similar to the

sort of prayer service you might

find at the Taizé community.

Another Opportunity for Worship

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Stress Reduction WorkshopTuesday, December 8 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. or

Saturday, December 12 from 9:00-11:00 a.m.

1010 East Avenue (red brick building next to the church)

free-will offering will be taken

During the holiday season many of us experience feelings

of great stress. If you would like to learn how to relieve

it using spiritual and holistic means, please join us for a

workshop with Jennifer Klein, a gifted teacher and leader

who will share insights and ways to reduce

stress in our lives. Open to the Asbury First

community and you are welcome to

bring a friend! Childcare will be

available. Please RSVP to Melody

Guadagnino at (585) 271-1050 x103

or mguadagnino@asburyfirst.org.

Let’s Go Orange! Join us for an Asbury First Basketball Road Trip to the Carrier Dome!

Syracuse Vs. Georgia TechSaturday, January 30Leaving AFUMC at 9:30 a.m. for the noon game

Once again this year we are planning a college hoops road trip

to Syracuse! Last year, this event sold out fast, so check your

calendars and plan on joining us. The details: The chartered bus

will depart from the Asbury First parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and will

return at about 4:15 p.m. We have 55 tickets in the 300 level – 40

adults and 15 youth. The cost is $53 for adults and $33 for youth

12 and under. This includes transportation and game ticket. Our

crew had a fabulous time last trip. The orange-clad fans on the

bus and fellowship with new and old Asbury First friends made

it a treat! Once again, Craig Dennison will lead a fun, SU-related

trivia contest on the bus. To reserve your seat today, contact

Melody Guadagnino in the church office at (585) 271-1050 x103

or mguadagnino@asburyfirst.org. This trip would make a great

Christmas gift or family event. We hope you can join us!

Children’s Ministry Presents

Advent’s Winter Wonder NightSunday December 13

Gathering Center 5:00-7:00 p.m.

You are invited to leave behind the hustle and bustle this season brings for one evening, don

your pajamas, and enjoy a breakfast/dinner in the Gathering Center. We will round out the evening

with special Christmas music and a family worship service in the Sanctuary. We hope you can join

us as we look forward to sharing the magic of the season with you and your family. Please RSVP to Paula Dugan by December 9 at pdugan@asbury-

first.org or by calling 271-1050 x111.

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outreach news

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The answer to that question – a lot!

School #41, where Asbury First has a tutoring program, was among those cited this spring as failing in both reading and math test scores. The school is now in receivership, meaning that if math and reading scores do not improve significantly within the next two years, administering the school will fall to the state or an educational intervention similar to that of East High School.

What is being done? The City School District has required the formation of community advisory groups for schools in receivership. Under the leadership of a new principal, the group has begun meeting at the school. Since Asbury First has had a presence at 41 for eight years, they requested that we have a part in the community plan, and I am honored to serve in that role. We will not only support changes, but will do as much as possible to assist 41 getting “back on track.”

So what will our help look like?

• Asbury First volunteers began math and reading tutoring during the second week in October, following an informative orientation with the School #41 administration and the City School District Volunteer Coordinator.

• As mentioned above, Asbury First will have a presence on the community advisory board.

• Asbury First’s outreach committee will assist with the purchase of educational materials.

• We will continue to assist in special projects: filling 20 grocery bags (with the assistance of the Asbury First children) at Christmas, helping with the transportation cost of field trips, and providing school supplies.

A little story in support of school supplies: Because I have been out-of-town this fall, it wasn’t until this past week that I was able to deliver the school supplies collected at Together In Ministry Sunday. As I was pointing out the various supplies to the parent-teacher liaison, a vice-principal overheard that there were two backpacks included. She had just received a call from a parent asking for help in getting her child a backpack. So the very next day, the child in need had a new backpack. I call these happenings “God Moments.”

As the community advisory board continues meeting monthly, we will explore ways in which groups such as Asbury First can be of assistance. Please hold in prayer the children of School #41, teachers and adminis-trators, our Asbury First volunteers and the community advisory board. – Nancy S. Davidow, School #41 Project Coordinator.

What is Happening at School #41?

Thank you to all who participated in Together in Service 2015! This year, we:

• Put together nearly 200 hygiene kits, which were given to four local aide agencies: Including the YWCA, the Salvation Army’s Genesis House (a 14 bed shelter for homeless youth ages 16-20) and anoth-er Salvation Army initiative, Hope House, which provides transitional housing for women who are homeless or coming out of prison..

• Volunteered with RAIHN, the Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network, of which Asbury First is a member, and which provides support and temporary housing to homeless families.

• Built two “Sheds in a Kit” for Habitat for Humanity, working with teens and adults from several area churches. The sheds were built at Asbury First and then trucked to their final location, with Habitat-built homes.

• Cooked and served a spaghetti dinner and ice cream social for Gen-esis House, and contributed needed items such as hats and mittens for the approaching winter.

• Cooked and served dinner for Hope House.

• Provided groceries to the YWCA.

• Helped in construction of the Roger Cross Memo-rial House, a Habitat house being built by the Harvest Home Coalition, a group of Rochester- area churches including Asbury First.

• Served meals at Unity Adult Day Services, which provides a supportive environment for people who need care during daytime hours.

• Received and allocated $1,500 in Wegman's gift cards to the programs with which we were working.

The Together in Service Committee, with members from Baber AME and AFUMC, is the epitome of “together,” bringing our passions, per-spectives, experiences, talents and time together to make a difference in Rochester. Please join us next October! – Barbara Eltinge.

Together in Service Wrap-Up

Cynthia Herriot Sullivan and Betty Crews of Baber AME Church, delivering groceries to the YWCA. Baber is Asbury First’s partner church for our Together in Service activities.

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You’ve heard the saying

that “size matters.” But it

doesn’t matter when it comes

to the Asbury First TOPS

group. We’re small in number,

but big in support – and in

more ways that you might

think.

Yes, the Asbury First TOPS

(Taking Off Pounds Sensibly)

group is a weight loss sup-

port group. Each Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

(weigh-in begins at 5:30 p.m.) we come together to share healthy

eating tips, challenge one another, set goals, celebrate losses, and

encourage and support those who are stuck. The group is even

counting steps toward a challenge to walk around the United

States, hitting all 50 states. So far we’ve already walked to Alaska

and Hawaii and we’re in the center of the (virtual) country.

But supporting each other in weight loss isn’t the only way we

believe support is important. Each month, we have very small dues

that help cover club expenses. We also have a “temptation” jar into

which we contribute if we gain over the course of the week or give

into the specified weekly named “temptation.” With the money

raised through the “temptation” jar, Asbury First TOPS has sup-

ported a number of projects at the church.

Several times each year, the Asbury First TOPS group prepares

and serves a meal to individuals participating in the RAIHN

(Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network) program, a

non-profit, non-denominational group of faith communities in

Rochester who help homeless families achieve sustainable indepen-

dence. It helps us focus on how important food and fellowship are

to these families, and how food is a necessity and not something we

should abuse.

The TOPS group has also contributed funds to support Asbury

First’s Grocery Bag Ministry, the Resource Library, RAIHN (used

to buy new toys, snacks, etc.), Miracle Garden Tsunami Children’s

Home, West Avenue Kids Café, and the United Methodist Com-

mittee on Relief to help with

earthquake relief in Nepal this

past spring. TOPS club mem-

bers are already discussing how

we can support the ministries

of AFUMC in the future,

including reaching out to the

Rochester community during

“Together in Service” Week.

TOPS members may not

always be the biggest losers;

but together we are all winners as we support each other in weight

loss and in the ministry of Asbury First United Methodist Church.

Please feel free to check out Asbury TOPS. It’s always free to try!

TOPS Club Inc. is a nonprofit, non-commercial network of

weight-loss support groups and wellness education organizations.

Asbury First TOPS is just one of 12,000 chapters throughout

the U.S. TOPS offers tools and programs for healthy living

and weight management, with exceptional group fellowship and

recognition. Established in 1948 to champion weight-loss support

and success, we've helped millions of REAL People achieve REAL

Weight Loss and live healthier lives. More information available at

http://www.tops.org/.

by Ruth PhinneySecretary, Asbury First TOPS

• GAINING WHILE WE LOSE •

Plan Your New Year’s Resolution Now: Make it a TOPS Year!

You don’t need to spend a lot of money or eat nothing

but carrots to lose weight in 2016. At the Asbury First

TOPS group, you’ll find out tips and pointers for safe

weight loss, guidelines for healthy eating, and the sup-

port an encouragement of your Asbury First friends. If

you’d like to find out more information on the AFUMC

group, contact Jane Beamish at jbwwtod@gmail.com –

or just stop by on a Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m.

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Introducing Asbury First’s newest members. We’re so glad you’ve become part of our faith family!

Welcome ourNew MembersNew Members

Bonnie GregoryBonnie, who lives in Henrietta, is retired from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. She moved to Rochester several years ago to care for her late brother, and was active in her previous church in a variety of ministries. She enjoys skiing, art and music, nature, and reading.

The Brocht FamilyAlicia and Jeff Brocht and their daughters Kimberlyn and Tori live in W. Henrietta. Alicia is a statistical programmer at University of Rochester while Jeff, we’re delighted to note, is a candy maker with Stever’s Candies on Park Ave. Tori is currently a college sophomore and Kimberlyn is in tenth grade.

JeannÉ McWilliamsonJeanné is retired and lives in Pittsford. She comes to us from University United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas, where she was active in United Methodist Women. She enjoys reading and crafts, and hopes to learn more about discipleship at Asbury First.

Peggy MacDonaldPeggy, shown here with her son Ian MacDonald and daughter-in-law Maggie Tobin (both members of Asbury First), lives in Webster and is retired. She has four adult chil-dren. She is hoping to use her baking and secretarial skills in service to others, and has al-ready begun to volunteer in the church office as a receptionist.

The Karpovich FamilyChristie and Tony and their children Scott, Isabelle and Sophie, live in Pittsford. Tony is the owner of True Energy Solu-tions, Inc. Prior to attending Asbury First, they were active members of United Church of Pittsford. They enjoy support-ing their children's activities, and Tony likes hiking, fishing, mud runs, and biking.

Nancy MinorNancy lives in Rochester. She is interested in learning more about her faith through adult Bible study, spiritual life enrich-ment opportunities, and other educational programs at Asbury First. She has been active in cre-ating handmade cards for mem-bers of the military through Operation Write Home.

Not Pictured: The Parent Family

Ali and Jonathan Parent live in Macedon with their children Riley, Madden, and Will. Ali, a former middle school teacher, is currently a stay-at-home mom, while Jonathan is a senior sales engineer at Eaton. They previously attended Mills River First United Methodist Church in North Carolina. They enjoy reading and spending time with their family.

Kenny and Jen BaileyKenny and Jennifer live with their two-year-old son, Sebas-tian, in Rochester. Both work in academia: Kenny as a senior academic tech support special-ist at St. John Fisher and Jen at RIT, where she is a lecturer. Kenny has already volunteered to work with Asbury First’s tech committee, and Jen is exploring volunteer opportunities at the church.

Jay NelsonJay and his wife, Barbara, have attended Asbury First for many years. The Nelsons live in Pen-field, where they home school their four children: Connor, Trevor, Harper, and Audrey. Jay is an associate professor of English at MCC, and he has taught numerous adult Sunday school classes at Asbury First. The Nelsons have also been active in children’s ministry for many years.

Photos courtesy of Kurt Mueller.

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Even Mother Nature cooperated on Saturday, October 24 when a balmy fall evening ushered in the first-ever, multi-generational, church-wide Fall Festival and Hoedown at Asbury First. Guests shared a delicious barbecued chicken dinner, scoped out the many pumpkins and gourds for sale at the youth fundraiser, par-ticipated in games and face painting (the kids did, anyway!), and finally, cleared the dance floor for a good old-fashioned hoedown, led by veteran caller, the Rev. Gary Burdick. Enthusi-asm for the evening’s events left little question about turning this into an annual Asbury First event. Here are a few of our favorite photos from the evening.

Church-Wide Festival and Hoedown

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youth ministry news

AFUMC Ski/Snowboard DaySaturday, January 2

Bristol Mountain (5662 Route 64, Canandaigua, N.Y. 14424)

Open to ALL in our Asbury First family!

Whether you’ve been riding the diamond moguls since you were a tot or have never strapped on a ski, you’re invited to an Asbury First Ski/Snowboard Day at Bristol Mountain. This has been an annual event for our youth, and this year we are excited it open it to our entire church family, all ages are wel-come!

We’ll meet at the church at 8:00 a.m. and carpool/caravan to Bristol; we’ll return to the church at about 6:00 p.m.

Cost is $80/adult (adults can add lesson option for an additional $35), $65/ under 18 (includes a free lesson if interested); ). This price includes a lift ticket and rental of skis or a snowboard. If you have your own gear, cost is $52 for adult, $45/under 18.

Reserve your space by Sunday, December 20 by contacting Melody Guadagnino in the church office at (585) 271-1050 or mguadagnino@asburyfirst.org. Checks should be made out to Asbury First and sent in by Dec. 20 in order for us to qualify for the group rate.

Children of Eden a Success!In mid-November, the Asbury First youth presented their annual fall musical. This year’s selection was Children of Eden, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (of Godspell and Pippin fame) with a book by John Caird. The play was directed by Larry Dugan, with vocal direction by Carol Lamica, and Chelsey Backer on hand for choreography. The cast breathed new life into the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the flood. Congratulations to all those who participated!

Photos by Dave Kennedy.

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WORSHIPworship schedulesUndaY serViCe tiMes8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship10:00 a.m. – Chancel Worship with Holy Communion11:00 a.m. – Traditional Worship with Sanctuary Choir.

sUndaY deCeMber 6Second Sunday of AdventLuke 3:1-16Choral Cantata

Service of Remembrance will be held at 3:00 p.m.

sUndaY deCeMber 13Third Sunday of AdventPhilippians 4:4-7 Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, preacher

sUndaY deCeMber 20Fourth Sunday of AdventLuke 1:39-45 Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, preacher

See schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on page 4.

sUndaY deCeMber 27First Sunday After ChristmasLuke 2:41-52 Kathy Thiel, preacherThere will only be one service at 10:00 a.m. on December 27.

sUndaY JanUarY 3Epiphany of the LordMatthew 2:1-12 Katie O’Hern, preacher

sUndaY JanUarY 10Baptism of the LordLuke 3:15-17, 21-22Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, preacher

sUndaY JanUarY 17Dr. Martin Luther King Day1 Corinthians 12:1-11Katie O’Hern, preacher

Sundays, November 29, December 6 and 13Would you like to give a gift to a child who might not receive any this Christmas? The Asbury First Storehouse will be presenting gifts to all visiting children in December, and they need YOUR help.

Here’s what they’re looking for:

• Infant and preschool learning toys.

• Games, dolls, trucks and cars for young boys and girls.

• Nail polish, eye shadow and make up for teen and pre-teen girls.

• New pajamas, games and books for teens.

• Games, books and sports equipment for teen and pre-teen boys.

All toys should be new or gently used. There will be a table for your donations in the Welcoming Hall. Thank you for your generosity to our neighbors in need.

Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.Sunday, December 6 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Fellowship Hall scarves & hats

photographic cards

prints

pottery

and much more!

Holiday Craft Sale

A portion of all proceeds benefits the Storehouse.

Christmas for Storehouse Kids

ornaments

doll clothes

jewelry

pet items

Asbury Day Care Center is pleased to offer fresh holiday

wreaths again this year. The Annual Wreath Sale will be

held before and after each service on Sunday, December 6.

A pre-order, pre-pay option is also available. Call 461-2920

(the Day Care office) to reserve a wreath. All proceeds will

benefit the classrooms at the Center. The teachers, parents,

and children of Asbury Day Care Center greatly appreciate

your joining us in this effort. Thank you! Z

Asbury Day Care Center Y Annual Wreath Sale Z

13

Tuesday, December 15 7:00-8:30 p.m. | 1010 Red Room

When we hear something, do we

really listen? From the whisper of

a breeze in the trees to a baby’s

piercing cry for attention, we use our

sense of hearing every day. But do

we fully understand and appreciate

what we’re hearing? In this series

of discussions, we’ll look at how we

listen to many voices: from God’s still

voice to the voices of the world around us. We’ll explore

ways to ensure that we don’t succumb to the old adage:

“in one ear and out the other,” and we’ll talk about how

listening carefully can help us to learn, to grow, and to

reach out to God and others. Series will continue in spring.

a Listening Life

Sunday, January 32:00 p.m.

Asbury First Sanctuary

Join host Michael Lasser, vocalist Cindy Miller, and pianist Alan Jones in this exploration of show tunes and popular music that would have been fa-miliar to the characters from the beloved television series during the roaring 20s. Presented by WXXI

and Asbury First. Tickets are $20, available by calling (585) 258-0200.

Roaring Through the 20s at

DOWNTON ABBEY

The early Christians placed greens in their windows to

indicate that Christ had entered the home – greens such

as cedar for royalty, fir and pine boughs for everlasting life,

holly symbolizing Jesus’ death and ivy representing the

resurrection. And so it is time for us to once again prepare

our church home for Advent. The church campus awaits

your special touches for this Christmas season. Many hands

are needed to complete everything in one afternoon and

evening. Our schedule is:

10:00 a.m. – Set up the Gathering Center tree and tree in

1010 East Avenue.

1:00 p.m. – Decorate Fellowship Hall window wells.

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Make wreaths for the front doors.

5:00-7:00 p.m. – Set up and decorate trees in the Education

Wing and 1050 East Avenue (the church office building),

hang wreaths and lights outside.

6:00 p.m. - Join the children and families for dinner in the

Gathering Center. Please let Paula Dugan know if you are

planning to come for dinner at pdugan@asburyfirst.org by

Tuesday, December 1. All are welcome; there is no charge.

7:15 p.m. – Join us to celebrate the “Hanging of the Greens”

in the Gathering Center as we light the tree, sing carols, and

enjoy the fellowship of Asbury First!

Come and go as you can, help while your children are at

rehearsals, before Taizé, before Sanctuary Choir rehearsal,

after Women on Wednesday, before or after walking the

Labyrinth. Bring a group, bring your family, come alone,

come for the whole time, come for an hour, but as we say,

“Whatever you do, just come!” Many hands make light work

and finishing it on Wednesday will have the church ready for

the upcoming concerts, the craft sale, and all of the other

programs and services of the season. Come and join in the

fellowship of the Hanging of the Greens!

Hanging of the Greens Wednesday, December 2

14

Scripture reading suggestions courtesy of the American Bible Society, www.americanbible.org.

library news

Children:The Message of the Birds, by Kate Westerlung.This beautifully-produced, 32-page book begins with a wise owl telling the other birds the story of the birth of Jesus. When the baby is born, the animals recognize his infant cooing as words of a song conveying peace, goodwill, and joy. The birds plan to carry the song far and wide and sing it to the children and let them pass the message to their family and friends. Full-color illustrations and an elegant text carry the simple story. According to Children’s Literature, “This would be a nice read-aloud at home or in the classroom, especially during the end of year holidays.”

Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story, by Cynthia Rylant.Grades 1-4 will enjoy this book complete with full-page watercolor paintings of a story loosely based on actual events. Rylant traces the origins of an Appalachian “Christmas Train” that travels through the mountains each year on December 23 to deliver silver packages to needy children.

Teens:Bless This Mouse, by Lois Lowry.Although especially for ages 9-12, all ages will enjoy this wonderful talking mouse story, a hilarious and timeless tale about a village of church mice. It is a good-humored adventure filled with master plans, near disasters, and brave rescues.

Counting by 7’s, by Holly Goldberg Sloan.This is an intensely moving middle grade novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family. It contains lessons about resourcefulness, community, and true resilience in the face of loss.

December is a perfect time to explore special holiday books for all ages. Take a look at the following books available in the library’s collection of books for children, young adults and adults. The library has a large collection of Christmas fiction that will be on display in the library this month. The library is located just off the gathering space near the elevators. Everyone is welcome and it’s free!

Adults:52 Little Lessons From It’s a Wonderful Life, by Bob Welch.Bob Welch takes us deeper into the nuances of Frank Capra’s 1946 tribute to bedrock values. This 224-page book takes readers back to the favorite Christmas classic and teaches us how God wants us to learn things to make us better people. There are 52 lessons – one for each week. It includes little “nuggets of wisdom that, when applied, can change our perspective.” This was the men’s 2015 retreat book, so check with them for their recommendation.

Parenting:I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Gifts, Decorations, and Recipes That Use Less and Mean More, by Ann Getty.In only 180 pages, Anna Getty, environmental advocate, writer, television personality, chef, mother, and organic living expert, helps families reduce their carbon footprint and save money without sacrificing style or tradition in this holiday season. She advises on how to best choose a tree (real or fake?), mitigate the negative effects of necessary travel, and recycle post-holiday, and shares favorite holiday recipes for organic appetizers and homemade craft ideas such as pinecone wreaths and recycled sweater pillows.

Everyone: Goodness and Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas, by ed. by Michael Leach, James Keane, and Doris Goodnough.These 300 pages bring 48 reflections, poems and stories by notable authors providing daily inspiration, not only for the days of Advent and the Christmas holidays, but for every season of the year.(Located in the Spiritual Life Library, in 1010 East Avenue, the red brick building adjacent to the church, in the meditation room).

December1 Philippians 1:1-30

2 Philippians 2:1-30

3 Philippians 3:1-21

4 Philippians 4:1-23

5 Isaiah 40:1-31

6 Isaiah 41:1-29

7 Isaiah 42:1-25

8 Isaiah 43:1-28

9 Isaiah 44:1-28

10 Isaiah 45:1-25

17 Malachi 1:1-14

18 Malachi 2:1-17

19 Malachi 3:1-18

20 Malachi 4:1-6

21 Luke 1:1-25

22 Luke 1:26-56

11 Isaiah 48:1-22

12 Isaiah 49:1-26

13 Jeremiah 23:1-8

14 Jeremiah 31:1-22

15 Jeremiah 31:23-40

16 Jeremiah 33:1-26

23 Luke 1:57-80

24 Luke 2:1-20

25 John 1:19-34

26 John 1:19-34

27 Luke 2:21-52

28 Luke 3:1-22

29 Titus 1:1-16

30 Titus 2:1-15

31 Titus 3:1-15

the last word1 by Robyn Gage 2

15

One thing is certain: the road out of poverty is

long, exhausting and fraught with pitfalls. We are all called to do our part for our neigh-bors in Rochester and those in other countries. Books such as Toxic Charity by Robert D. Lupton or When Helping Hurts by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett point out the need to be in an ongoing relationship with those we seek to help. They outline well-meaning ministries and services, or-ganized and carried out by smart, caring people, that fail to improve the lives of those they aim to help. While Proj-ect Chacocente has certainly had failures, there have also been successes. Operating since 2004 in rural Nicaragua, with a primary goal of creat-ing Christian community among the families removed from their homes in the Ma-nagua dump, the ministry has learned much along the way. Below are the stories of a few Chacocente residents show-ing the difficulty of their jour-ney from despair to hope.

Deyvin: His story is painful. While foraging for food with his three older brothers at the Managua dump, they came upon candy, and like any chil-dren, his brothers immediate-ly ate it, not knowing it was laced with poison. Within an hour, Deyvin watched as his three older brothers died; all victims of extreme poverty. Deyvin was two at the time. With social services threaten-ing to take away their other

children, his parents fled to the mountains with their three remaining sons and one daughter. Project Chacocente founder, Cheryl Avery, heard of the incident and worked with the local authorities, as-suring that no charges were brought against the parents. The family moved to the Proj-ect. Deyvin, having lost his brothers and the only home he knew. became despon-dent, refusing to eat or smile. Losing weight rapidly, he was expected to die. Nurtured back to health with love and baby food (unheard of in Ni-caragua at the time), Deyvin now is a student at Chaco-cente Christian School. He remains small for his age and he struggles with his studies, but the good news is that he smiles, plays with his friends and tries hard at school. He has hope!

Madeling: Always deter-mined, Madeling has made the best of the opportuni-ties with which she has been blessed. Moving to Project Chacocente in 2004 with her parents and six siblings, she graduated from the public high school, the first in her family for generations. It may sound like a small thing, but to do so she had to ride her bike an hour to and from school, the unpaved road nearly impassable in the rainy season and clouded with dust during the dry season. Upon graduation, she was hired as the librarian at Chacocente Christian School, where she surpassed expectations. Currently, she is the fourth grade teacher at Chacocente Christian school and attends Teacher School in Masaya. She hopes to earn her teach-ing certificate in one year.

This past summer, she was presented with the key to her home, built by members of the Chacocente community and visiting mission teams from the United States. Once she has saved enough money for windows and a door, she, her husband and daughter will reside there.

Asbury First has been a bless-ing for Deyvin and Madeling, as well as many others at Proj-ect Chacocente and Chaco-cente Christian School. Plans are underway for a 2016 trip for Asbury First members to see first hand the wonders of this ministry! Details to follow.

If you would like to sponsor a child for $30/month or a teacher (full sponsorships is $6,000/year or partial sup-port is $100/month), please contact Robyn Gage at pro-jectchacocente@gmail.com or 585-752-9070.

Small Steps Taken Together: A Chacocente Update

Left, Deyvin loves to ride his bicycle, which was a gift from his sponsor. Child sponsorships are available for $30/month and provide schoolbooks, desks, and healthy lunches for the students of Chacocente Christian

School. Right, Madeling is presented with the key to her new home. Built on land earned by her parents, Madeling and her husband are saving for windows and a door. From left: Gabril Godinez, in-country direc-

tor, Madeling, AFUMC member Robyn Gage and Ashley Dubois, board of directors member.

PERIODICAL

1050 East AvenueRochester, NY 14607-2293

Address Service Requested

ALL ARE WELCOME

Refreshments will be available for a small cost.

A City United in Song, Singing for Peace

Join Your Neighbor in Song

Walk Together in Peace

Singing Songs of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and

Peace

Song Books Will be Provided – Bring Your Own Candle CITY SING

F O R P E A C E & U N I T YDECEMBER 20 ~ 4:00 pm ~ Starting at the Public Market

After a season marked by violence in Rochester, we invite you to join your neighbors on December 20 at 4:00 at the Public Market. We will walk out together into the Central Park neighborhood singing songs of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, peace, and Christmas.