E-Newsletter of Asbury First
Asbury Staff Meeting
Share your stories of community with us!
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. Each week, we will share some of the incredible ways we are Better Together while being apart.
Asbury Choir
Zoom with Paula & Holly
April 2, 2020
If you have a story about kindness or connection in a time of isolation, please share them with our Communications Coordinator Sarah Brubaker at sbrubaker@asburyfirst.org.
Here are a few screen grabs from the many virtual meetings we have had as a church during these isolating times.
Fellowship 1/2 Hour
By Rev. Kathy Thiel
OUR COMMUNITY
At the beginning of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Rochester, I received an email from a member who wanted to do something to help people who are suffering. This person wishes to remain anonymous, so I will refer to this person as "they." They wrote telling me that they wanted people to be comforted by a surprise book or CD — something that would offer peace and remind people of the love of this community. They told me they had opened an Amazon account and put money in the account so that I could feel free to select items to have sent to people in a time when visiting is restricted. Some of the gifts that have been sent: A book of poetry by ancient mystic Hafiz, who wrote: "this sky, this sky where we live, is no place to lose your wings, so love, love, love." A book about surviving the hardest situations in life, titled, Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor. A coloring book which follows the Psalms, and colored pens to go with it. A book about the vagaries of life, titled, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. This creative, generous person has shared what they know of the love of God in their own lives, enriching the lives of those whom they do not even know with a gift to bring peace, comfort, love, and a reminder of God's community.
A Book is the Gift of Discovery
Our kids are out there trying to keep the world around them positive with words of kindness in chalk. Keep up the good work!
CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRIES
Acts of Kindness
Virtual Youth Group
Our Youth have started a weekly, virtual meeting and attempted a unison recitation on Zoom, which produced an unintentionally funny version of "May the Lord Keep You." Rev. Mike Mullin and Summer Sattora are doing a wonderful job of finding different ways to connect in the midst of physical isolation.
There was only one family left after the initial scare about the virus. I cooked up a nice baked pasta with little meatballs I made. I figured that I could transport that in some dollar store foil pan that I also baked it in. I got a fresh loaf of Leo’s Italian bread (supporting local), and then meet up with Dave Kay and Larry Guage in the Asbury First parking lot to gather some items they were putting together. I hightailed it down to Webster Avenue where the Day Center for RAIHN is. I rang the bell outside the door and set the dinner down on the step. I rang a few times and was peering through the windows like I was casing the joint, when I decided to try and call the director. I didn’t want to leave that bag on the step as traffic is whizzing by me on the corner. I got trough to the director and she was able to contact a neighbor to come snag the bag for the guests. See, aren’t we better together? Someone came downstairs within a minute and got the dinner. I hope the ice cream didn’t melt. — Ian McDonald
OUTREACH
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What a different RAIHN experience this time. The families were staying at the RAIHN Headquarters on Webster Avenue instead of the elegant 1010 East Avenue. With the Coronavirus pandemic in full swing, the meal must be made and served with disposable dinner utensils. My helpers, Chloe and Fred, and I decided on KFC. We ordered dinners to include chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw, and biscuits. We added beans, cupcakes, lemonade, and gingerale from Wegmans. We supplied disposable plates, glasses, silverware, and napkins. The procedure for delivery was to call Kim, Director of RAIHN, 15 minutes before expected arrival at 142 Webster Avenue and she would be there. We put the dinner set-up in the box outside the door at 142 and rang the bell. To tell the truth, it felt a little like a reverse Halloween Trick or Treat! We couldn’t leave until we knew Kim had gotten the food. Soon, out she popped, thanking us and wishing us good health and safety. The enjoyment of sharing the meal with the families was sorely missed but the mission was completed successfully. Our thanks to RAIHN for the great job they do. — Carolyn, Fred, and Chloe Hamil
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Supporting RAIHN in Uncertain Times