VBS will be here before you know it! Make sure to pick up a registration form at the Welcome Desk TODAY! “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” VBS will be held August 9-13 from 9:00 a.m.-noon. Join us as we “pitch”, “catch” and “practice” God’s word. Our week will conclude with taking in a Red Wings game on the 13th where the children will sing “God Bless America” on the field during the seventh inning stretch.
Is Children’s Ministry meeting your child’s special needs? Are there accommodations that we are not making that would be useful to you and your child? Please contact Ashley Eckman, co-chair of the Children’s Education Work Area (
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or 442-3130) to explore possibilities.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
We invite you to join us in praying for members of our church families known to be serving in our military:
Sgt. Philip Noland Bell, 48th Georgia National Guard; Sergeant Christopher M. Birdsall, U. S. Army; Lt. Col. Tom Casey, U.S. Air Force; Vernon M. Collier, US Airforce; Major Thomas Donatelle, U. S. Army; Capt. Joshua Girton, USMC; Staff Sergeant John Huther, U. S. Airforce; Staff Sergeant Charles Key, U. S. Airforce; Midn Adam Kreutter, USN; Midn Jason Kreutter, USN; 2nd Lt. Nathan Lubba, US Army; Ensign Christopher Mosko, USN; CPT. Matthew Ristau, US Army; BMC SW/AW Andrew Stukey, USN; Sergeant Richard K. Salazar, U.S. Army; Isaac Scott, U. S. Army; Scott Shoemaker; Patrick “Rick” Smith, Airman with K-9; MSG Carol Swan; Commander Jeffrey A. Ward, USN; LCPL William Gates, U. S. Marine Corp.; HR Abigail H. Spicer, USN; Lt. Chad Lennon, U. S. Marine Corp; Tim Dickerson (basic training), U.S. Army; Christian T. Dahl, Sgt., U.S. Army Special Forces; Lt. Col. Jerry Svoboda, U.S. Army.
Music Program Announcement
We are happy to announce that Dr. William Weinert will become the artistic director of music and the arts at Asbury First UMC effective August 1, 2010. Dr. Weinert is professor of conducting and ensembles and director of choral activities at the Eastman School of Music. In addition, we are pleased to announce that Brian Bohrer will continue as director of the youth music program at Asbury First and has been named director of Asbury singers effective September 1, 2010. More extensive biographies and information will be published in The Visitor. — Nancy Speck, chair of music program search committee and David Strong, administrative director of music and the arts.
Message from Roger Wilhelm
Dear Friends, I have been humbled by your kind words and your generous support over the past thirty years. My work at Asbury First has been the most rewarding of my career. I have been able to make music with a group of wonderful singers and at the same time grow spiritually in my own personal life.
In addition, I feel very comfortable in leaving the Sanctuary Choir in the hands of my friend, Bill Weinert. You will get to know Bill as a warm and sensitive person as well as a superb conductor. Beth and I look forward to seeing you “at the back of the nave” for many years to come. Thank you for everything you have done for us. May God continue to bless you and Asbury First.
Sincerely, Roger Wilhelm
Would You Like to Brighten Someone’s Day?
Each Sunday after the 10:00 am service the Altar Guild removes the flowers from the altar and wraps them into several individual bouquets. If you have a friend or relative who could use some cheering up, please stop by the sacristy and we would be happy to have you take a bouquet to him/her.
Summer Office Hours
During the summer, the church office hours will be from 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. These hours will be in effect from July 6 until August 30.
It’s Time for the Basement Sale!
Join us for the AFUMC annual Basement Sale!
· Friday, August 6, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
· Saturday, August 7, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
1040 East Avenue
Stop in before you head off to the Park Ave Fest! We have antiques, jewelry, linens, boutique items, housewares, holiday decorations , toys , crafts, books, a bake sale, and much, much more! Proceeds benefit Asbury First Storehouse and United Methodist Women local and global ministries.
Together in Ministry
An initiative of Vision 2020, the new Together in Ministry (TIM) program will help AFUMC members find a good fit for their spiritual gifts and talents from among the many opportunities available at the church. This fall, we will be hiring a part-time TIM Coordinator to work on this project. Information on the position, and details on where and how to apply, will be available in the July/August issue of The Visitor, in mailboxes in early August. If you are passionate about the missions and ministries of AFUMC, and welcome the challenge of creating new ways of helping people bring their time and talents to meaningful participation in the life of the church, we urge you to consider applying for this position.
Baby Honestee Fund
Asbury First UMC has begun a fund for four-month old Honestee Wynn, whose parents were both killed earlier this year in Rochester in separate violent incidents, and who is now being raised by her grandmother. The fund will be used to support the child as she grows, and is under the auspices of the outreach committee. If you would like to help this outreach effort, please send your check, with a notation that it is for the Baby Honestee Fund, to the church office, to the attention of Richard Moncrief. Please help AFUMC to make a positive difference in this innocent child’s life.
Stewardship
Giving couldn’t be easier!
I recently discovered that contributing to Asbury First with a pledge or tithe is even easier than I thought. Usually I write out a check each month to the church but was excited to learn that this paper and pencil process can be done electronically instead through my online banking. With a few clicks of my mouse, I set it up so that Asbury First will receive my pledge electronically with my bank’s auto bill pay system. Now whenever I am paying my monthly bills online, Asbury First receives my pledge as well – no check needed! With a few clicks, my church receives financial support so important to furthering its mission of worship, education, outreach, and care. If you are interested in trying this new way to give to Asbury First, look into your bank’s online bill payment system. Giving couldn’t be easier!– Kristin Smalt, on behalf of the stewardship committee.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Campus Gateway Information Booth
Volunteers are needed on Saturday, August 7 for our outreach information table on the front lawn of the church. Come and share the things you like about being a part of the Asbury First community. Greet people passing by, hand out balloons to children, talk about being a part of Asbury First, and help answer questions about the church’s ongoing ministries. We need people to sign up for one- and two-hour shifts to greet visitors throughout the day. Everyone of all ages, as well as families, are encouraged to participate. For further information contact Todd Phillips, 880-8411 (
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).
Feed the Hungry
The fourth annual Dining & Caring Center “Dinner Among Friends” will be held this year on Saturday, October 2. This year our goal is to raise $15,000 to meet the increasing cost of food and the increasing demand to feed the hungry. The evening begins with dinner hosted by Dining and Caring Center supporters, then moves to the Gathering Center for divine desserts and sacred jazz by Touch of Brass. The suggested donation to attend the event is $50 per person. There are several ways you can support this wonderful cause: say “yes” when you are invited to a dinner; host a dinner; or become a “dessert sponsor” by sending a check payable to Asbury First Dining & Caring Center (memo: “Dessert Sponsor”) to Michele Cooley at AFUMC, 1050 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607. Please contact Deb McLean (
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) or Meredith Pixley (
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) if you have questions or are interested in more information.
Reception Desk at 1050
Please consider volunteering to work as a receptionist in the church office. The hours are 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. You will answer the phone and the door and may be asked to do a variety of clerical tasks depending on the needs of the day. This is a unique way to enjoy the remarkable beauty of this historic house, as you provide this helpful service to Asbury First. Starting in September we are especially in need of volunteers who are available to work on Friday mornings but we are also looking for substitutes on other days. Please call Jeanne Ristau at 223-4356 or email
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for more information.
Storehouse News
Please hold clothing donations to the Storehouse until after July 31. We are nearly buried with clothing donations in our sorting room. Please continue to bring us blankets, sheets, towels, pots and pans, and dishes and silverware. Do not confuse this “stop order” with donations for the basement sale. You may continue to bring your basement sale donations to the room across the hall from the choir room (Wesley Hall) in the lower hall of the education wing. When the basement sale is over, we will receive your clothing donations once more at the Storehouse. As always, thank you for your support.
Basement Sale Donations
Bring your basement sale donations to the junior high room (across from Wesley Hall). We accept items including kitchen items, antiques, jewelry, linens, toys, children’s books, knickknacks, holiday items, baskets, furniture, sports equipment, and frames. Please avoid items that we have a hard time selling, such as phones, analog televisions, large exercise equipment, large appliances, and books. If you wish to help, we will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m.-12 noon throughout June and July. Enter through the daycare entrance in the back parking lot. Proceeds benefit Asbury First Storehouse and United Methodist Women local and global ministries.
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Weight Watcher News
A riddle: What is both growing and shrinking at Asbury First? Our Weight Watchers group is growing, and its members are shrinking! Please join us for meetings on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Gathering Space. Email Jane Beamish at
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with any questions. We promise you bad jokes and good times!
