Click here for the December recap
2020 was a long year filled with an upheaval of our norms—individually, nationally, and as a church. Despite the raging pandemic, political unrest, and economic uncertainty, our incredible congregation found creative ways to come together and find fellowship while being physically apart. The last few months showed just how involved and inspired our members, volunteers, staff, and ministers have been to continue our efforts of outreach and generosity in the Rochester community. We also were able to have some fun along the way! We hope you enjoy the following recap of the holiday season and new year.
A church is more than the building, and the members of Asbury First are proving this time and again. We aim to keep connected with an e-newsletter that will highlight the unique stories of our amazing community.
E-Newsletter of Asbury First
Click here for the November recap
Click here for the January recap
February 6, 2021
Fellowship During the Pandemic
In January, we launched the Better Together: Bring It Home campaign with the above video. The economic challenges brought on by the pandemic have meant that more people than ever are in need of essential services, with likely more to come. When someone needs to get back on their feet, they often need multiple services: from a physical to a haircut, to an outfit for an interview for the job itself, to food in their bellies. With your help, we can make sure that 1010 East Avenue continues to serve these needs and to be a home for our community. Thanks to your continued generosity, we have raised 48% (as of Feb. 5) of our goal of $500,000!
JANUARY
Our contractors have completed their work in 1040. Here’s a summary of what’s changed as a result of our Better Together build: Focus of Project: Infrastructure HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) Electrical Lighting Boiler Room and Bell Room Asbestos abatement Rooms combined for larger boiler room — needed to accommodate equipment which was previously suspended above the ceiling Two new boilers Three new air handlers for Sanctuary and lower level New electrical service to entire building (including Education Wing) Fire-rated wall amendments New lighting New kitchen exhaust fan and vent New stale air exhaust vent All new duct work New steel exterior doors for security Fellowship Hall Kitchen Asbestos abatement New duct work New ceiling New lighting New epoxy floor New kitchen hood with fire suppression New copper plumbing Fresh paint Refurbished existing dishwasher Cleaned and high temp painted stoves, oven Cleaned all stainless steel surfaces Replaced one grease trap, cleaned out two others New electrical service New professional fridge and freezer Butler’s Pantry — This room is underway with a local explorer group — High School students working toward careers in the Trades, working under professional supervision. Asbestos abatement New floor New ceiling New lighting Fresh paint Refresh of existing cabinets New countertop adjacent to Kitchen Reconfigured for versatility — small dining room, meeting space, or prep space Northwest Stairwell New ceiling New lighting Fresh paint Restored brass railings Fellowship Hall Asbestos abatement New ceilings New lighting Partial Air Conditioning New projector and motorized screen New speakers mounted in ceiling Removal of old equipment (wiring, mounts, clean-up walls, etc) New emergency lights and exit signs Fresh Paint Theatrical infrastructure Repair, cleaning and waxing of floor Cleaning of air returns Sub-Narthex Restrooms Asbestos abatement New Ceilings in Toilet rooms New lighting Fresh Paint Lower Level Hallways Asbestos abatement New ceilings New lighting New floor in back hall Cleaning and waxing floors Sanctuary New chancel light fixtures and controls Retrofit of nave lighting and controls Partial Air Conditioning New electrical panels Organ refurbishment and upgrades Organ Screen installation New stained-glass window lights (in Gathering Center) New stale air exhaust through bell tower Cleaned existing duct work — Chuck Hanrahan, Building Committe Chair
To donate, please visit www.asburyfirst.org/bettertogether and help us Bring It Home!
BETTER TOGETHER
BUILDING UPDATE
Your iGift in Action
The staff recently celebrated Stephen's birthday with surprise signs and a visit from the Birthday Minion during our staff meeting.
Celebrating Ida Hickman
Have a birthday coming up? We'd love to help celebrate. Let us know about it by emailing communication@asburyfirst.org.
Wednesday evening, January 27th, the UR Well Team celebrated the decade of work that Ida Hickman put into the clinic. We met via Zoom in the Gathering Center and Reverend Cady, Bruce Thompson and Ida’s daughter, Angela Burch were able to be with her in person. Ida was able to chat with the other members of the team via the Zoom connection and we were able to share stories about her amazing service to the UR Well Committee. Since 2009 Ida, who is a nurse, was able to use her medical skills as well as her caring personality to guide patients through the clinic each night that it was open. She acted as a liaison between the patients and the medical students, social workers, pharmacists, preceptors, greeters and all the other volunteers who served in the clinic. She arranged for food to be available for the staff and patients, with the help of Sandra Holloway and Dr John Hansen, and often brought in food herself. She placed fliers all over Rochester notifying people of the services our clinic offered and its location and schedule. She represented the UR Well clinic on Outreach and other pertinent committees in the church. But most of all, she was known for her care, positive attitude and vision and her strength and endurance to make sure that the clinic served its mission and moved forward. As Reverend Cady remarked, Ida was “the heart and soul of the clinic”. She received flowers, a necklace of the Methodist Cross and Flame, and two engraved clocks, both with a plate outlining her service to UR Well. She took one clock home with her and we will display the other clock in the office of UR Well to honor the blessing she has been to us. — Brude Thompson
Above: The UR Well Team honored Ida Hickman over Zoom, since we weren’t able to hold her celebratory luncheon last year.
Happy Birthday, Stephen!
Congratulations, Summer Sattora!
We are excited to announce that the congregation of United Presbyterian Church in Sacket's Harbor unanimously voted in mid-January to call Summer Sattora as their new pastor. In this moment in time, we should not overlook the significance of a unaninmous vote. And while we will certainly miss Summer's presence with our group, we are very excited to have ministered alongside her for the past several years as she navigated the tumultuous waters of the Presbyterian Ordination process. To celebrate this transition on January 17, the Youth Group recognized both the volunteer and employed ministries that Summer has committed to our youth program through the years. — Mike Mullin, Minister for Discipleship and Youth
DECEMBER
Where's Sarah?
Since we were physically apart for the season, we put in extra effort to creatively bring us together virtually. Check out the special Silent Night video above, our adorable children's Christmas Pageant and the movingly, beautiful Illuminated Lessons and Carols videos below.
Here are some behind the scenes images from our Christmas Eve service.
Did you catch me on screen? I had a great time running around the sanctuary in soft, fuzzy socks to not make a sound.
Christmas at the D&CC
Though it was different this year, we were still able to have a few symbols of the Christmas season decorate our campus.
Thanks to Michael Parkes and the O'Conell Electrical Co. for putting up the beautiful tree and angel on the front lawn!
Youth Painting Challenge
Ali Parent and Amy Allen hang the wreaths on the front doors of the main church building.
Hanging of the Greens
The last of the BBC Bible Study Group, minus a few members, met on Sunday, December 27. Congratulations to all who participated in the challenge!!
Terry happily poses with the Dining and Caring Center's donated Christmas tree after finishing the decorations.
What a great time the Youth had! We got the chance to do a painting class and create beautiful art work, which I now plan on giving to my mom and making her hang on the refrigerator. Everyone's paintings turned out so well! If you have a picture from last night post it so everyone can see what an amazing job you did. — Summer Sattora, Assistant Youth Minister
Bicentennial Bible Challenge
Thank you for the amazing donations!
Check out the special Thanksgiving In-Gathering video above, which connects the Festival Choir's anthem from 2019 with a time-lapse view of the altar, showing the build up of generous donations.
NOVEMBER
Producing A Different Kind of Christmas Pageant
One of the most beloved traditions at Asbury First is our children’s Christmas pageant that takes place during one of their five Christmas Eve services and is attended by approximately 1,000 people. How could they begin to replace a service full of candlelight and carols, handbell choir and organ, angels skipping down the aisle, wisemen following a moving star and Mary & Joseph traveling with live donkey down a long cathedral aisle? In late November, as our city entered an orange zone due to COVID-19, gatherings of more than 10 were prohibited and it was quite clear Christmas Eve services would not be happening this year. But, in spite of restrictions there had to be a way to let the children tell the Christmas story in a safe way. So, on a cold brisk day in late November about 50 eager little children from Asbury First gathered in small, staggered groups at two local farms—Quigley Farm in Macedon, NY and The Lazy Acre Alpaca Farm in Bloomfield, NY—to re-enact the Christmas story with a film crew capturing each moment. In full costumes with coordinated masks the shepherds wandered the fields, the herald angels sang atop a hill and the wisemen traveled with alpaca from afar to present gifts before the blessed family in a manger surrounded by goats and donkeys. Dressing up to tell the story of Christ’s birth is one of the greatest joys for children at Asbury First and to have it happen in a real manger this year instead of a sanctuary brought the story to life in a thrilling way. Paula Dugan said: “I’m afraid the children will want to do this every year!” Harper Temming, who played one of the Wiseman, had not participated in the pageant in years because he’s shy, but had no hesitation participating this year because he said: “There’s no live audience and I get to play with farm animals!” — Holly Temming, Children's Ministry Assistant; Director of Children’s Music
Nothing says Thanksgiving like getting together on Zoom to share food! We did our own version of Chopped and tried our creations for the first time in front of each other. A few of us even recreateed their recipes on Thursday!! 🙂 — Summer Sattora, Assistant Youth Minister
Youth Chopped!
Mike Mullin's sweet potato pie (with a few bonus ingredients) baking to be ready for the event.