E-Newsletter of Asbury First
Paul Angotti installs the updated Asbury First logo on the directional signage in 1040.
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 a weekly e-newsletter that will highlight the unique stories of our amazing community.
Keeping Things Fresh
May 7, 2020
Though the halls are empty and the pews are vacant, our living church is thriving online. We are still making new connections amidst prolonged separation. The love we all share keeps our faith and our connteion fresh. While we wait to join our siblings in Christ in person, a few are tending our physical space. The Sextons continue their upkeep of the campus, and Paul Angotti even got a new project to update the logo on the directional signage in 1040. Outside, Dale Griswold and Bonnie Gregory were pruning and cleaning up—beautifing the now-blooming campus. "I came for a few minutes, and ended up staying a few hours," Bonnie (bottom, right) said. "I want to help make it beautiful for when we can all be together again. Hopefully, it will be soon."
Here are a few screen grabs from the many virtual meetings we have had as a church during these isolating times.
Virtual Meeting of the Appetizer Group
I live at St Johns Community, a Senior Living community of apartments. I've been baking brownies and cookies now and then, packing them in small amounts and delivering them to the apartments on my floor. I just leave them on the shelf outside the doors. It's pretty funny when I hear people talking, through their masks, about the mystery treats. Several of our neighbors who have sewing machines, are making masks. They each turn out 25-30 per day. They are in bright fabrics and are almost fun to wear. Stay safe, be well, and keep smiling! — Karyl Friedman
To show solidarity with our health-care workers, the staff at Asbury First all wore their face masks during our staff meeting. Wearing a mask when out and about will help protect you and others as our area begins the slow process of opening up in the near future. Make sure to stay safe to keep the curve flat and to give a break to the incredible, dedicated group who are risking their lives on a daily basis to keep us healthy and safe. Thank you to all those on the front lines of this pandemic!
Bob and I are prepared some food for our dear neighbors next door. Fried chicken and Sabbath rest Farm rolls are two of their favorites. On Wednesdays our neighbor Sarah shops for us and they've been so kind in many other ways because Bob and I are cloistered at home. So we thought that we would make these treats for them today. — Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Johnson
COMMUNITY
Acts of Kindness
If you have any acts of kindness, please share with us! We are all in this together, but it is good to have a reminder of the love and hope in our community. Send your stories to Sarah Brubaker at sbrubaker@asburyfirst.org.
Masks of Love
The Appetizer Group was started about 25 years ago by Jan Hill—Bob Hill's wife, and Emily Cady's mother. The original idea was for Youth Group parents to get together Sunday evenings in 1010 while their kids were in Youth Group. Over the years, others have joined and some people have moved away. We get together several times a year for a Superbowl party, Christmas party, summer picnic, Youth Musical and other events. We normally gather at someone's house. It is strictly a special social gathering. Over time we have become close friends. The Saturday Zoom gathering was simply a chance to reconnect with each other and find out how family and friends were doing. — Bob Castle
Pretzel Sunday @ Home
Since 1977, Asbury First has been celebrating the history of the pretzel with a morning full of fun activities for our children. One of the most beloved activities for the children is making their own pretzels. If you'd like to make pretzels at home with your child you may click here for a pretzel dough recipe. If you don't have time to make dough, Wegman's pizza dough works well.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES
One of our own was highlighted on WROC Channel 8's "First Repsonder Spotlight" on Monday, April 4. Dr. Dawn Reidy, who has been a member since 2000, works at Rochester General Hospital. Dawn and her laboratory team have tested over 8,000 people for COVID-19, working for 18 to 20 hours a day to make sure the test results are done within 24 hours. We are so grateful for Dawn and her team's hard work in the fight against an invisible enemy. Thank you so much for your effort and determination to help others on the front lines of this battle!
From Left: Joscelyn, Declan, and Patti Crawford enjoy their yummy, home-made pretzels while watching the Sunday service.
To view the segment, click this link here.
First Responder Spotlight — Dr. Dawn Reidy on WROC 8
THANK YOU!
OUTREACH
The Dining & Caring Center continues to serve those in need of food. We are getting about 40–50 people daily. They are all being very respectful about the social distancing requirements and are wearing their masks. We continue to get wonderful donations from Foodlink, Beth Rice, and Maggie Tobin. We have also developed two substitute teams as a precaution for the future. We continue to deeply sanitize the area on a daily basis and are happy to be here and to be helping those in need. — Michele Cooley, Director of the Dining & Caring Center
Sylvester Norman prepares pork loin for the Sunday dinner to-go lunches.
Providing in Difficult Times
Donations By the Numbers
LAST WEEK OF APRIL
20 lbs
4+
Cases of Water
of Pasta
Sandwich Bags
1,930
Paper Bags
1,000
To-Go Containers
200