In ThIs Issue

Sensible Shoes, 4

34 Years, 6

Tent Week, 8

Graduating Seniors, 10

Spiritual Journey, 11

Space Task Force, 12

Vacation Bible School, 13

Asbury First United Methodist Church NewsletterJuly 2015 • Vol. XLIX No. 6 • www.asburyfirst.org

TheVisitor

34 Years of Compassionate Ministry: Senior Minister, The Rev. Susan S. Shafer, Retires

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staffSenior MinisterMinister for Faith Formation – Hospitality & Membership Care Music Administrator; Assistant OrganistDirector of MusicChildren’s Ministry DirectorChildren’s Ministry AssistantDirector of Youth MinistriesFinancial AdministratorAdministrative AssistantProperty Care ManagerDining & Caring CenterDirectorCommunications DirectorOrganistDirector, Children’s MusicDirector, Youth MusicDirector, Bell ChoirDirector, Asbury Singers Director, Youth Theater

Unless otherwise noted, photos are by Greg Francis.

Cover: The Rev. Susan Shafer, in a moment very characteristic of her years of ministry at Asbury First, reaching out to a member during a service. Photo by

Greg Francis.

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

Deadline for next issue: Friday, August 14

The Rev. Susan ShaferThe Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II

David Strong

Dr. William WeinertPaula Dugan

Jessica Burdick-GiordanoMike Mullin

Richard MoncriefMelody Guadagnino

Ken CarrMichele Cooley

Mary Van KeurenDuane Prill

Bozena GranatCarol Lamica

Elizabeth ChurchBrian BohrerLarry Dugan

The VisitorVol. XLIX no. 6

(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 Sanctuary

10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings

Chancel Worship with Holy Communion

8:30 a.m. Sunday mornings

Listen on WYSL 1040 AM or 92.1 FM

11:00 a.m.-noon Sunday mornings

Watch live at www.asburyfirst.org

10:00 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 Summer Schedule is now in effect)

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AFUMC news

A Moment of GratitudeA Pastoral Reflection

As I sit down to write what will be my last pastoral reflection as the senior minister at Asbury First,

I can count on one hand the days that are left; I will never be able to count the memories of sacred interactions and privi-leges I take with me, as there are far too many to even try to count. I said recently that saying good bye is not an easy task for me … good byes are always very difficult … however, I easily and readily (and forever) will say “thank you” with deep apprecia-tion and a true sense of God’s hand and presence in the life of Asbury First as I have known it as pastor and leader, and been a part of its unfolding and faith-fulness. What an amazing and inspiring spiritual journey you

have given me and shared with me. That simple refrain of God’s goodness rings in my heart as I write to you: “God is good all the time” … “All the time God is good.” We have sung in praise together … we have prayed together … we have listened for God’s leading of us, together … we have cried together … and oh, how we have celebrated to-gether. I thank you for all your faithfulness, your trust, your care, and the gift of your-selves so beautifully given.

Some of you know that one of Dag Hammarskjöld’s quotes is a favorite of mine and it comes to my mind in this writing and in these days:

“For all that has been – Thanks! To all that shall be – Yes!”

There is so much for which my heart is thank-full … and there is so much to which I now say: “Yes!” It is truly exciting

to think about the future of Asbury First. My face lights up with a smile as I say this. Your hearts, your lives, and your faith will be guided by a God-inspired, God-guided new leader and senior minister in the gift of the Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II. Stephen is a born leader whose life and ministry are truly tethered to the Spirit of God and to enacting faith-fully the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. He has shown his gifts to us already in preach-ing, in leading, and in pastoral ministry. We are blessed by his shared gifts, and the future of this amazing people of God is now placed into the heart and mind and soul of one who can be entrusted with your hearts and souls. We are blessed by his loving partnership with his talented, compassionate and beautiful gift, his dear Emily, and those precious children of

God with the names of Ellie, Charlie, and Hannah. They will bring their unrepeatable God-given spirits to enhance this church and its faithfulness. Stephen inherits a church staff of “ministers” in their own right who support and enhance us all. I think now of the new staff to join the church staff on July 1 and I say with such excite-ment and thanksgiving … you are truly blessed to have Katie O’Hern and Kathy Thiel join-ing the staff as ministers among you all.

So, it is not “good bye,” just thank you with love and care for you all. May the Light of Christ surround you … the power of Christ uphold you … the love of Christ enfold you. Remember … wherever we are … God is. Thanks be to God!

Susan

Reception Desk Volunteer Luncheon

On Friday, May 15, a luncheon was held in the Gathering

Space to honor reception desk volunteers past and present.

The reception desk 1050 East Avenue, where the church

offices are located, is often the first stop for those visiting

Asbury First, and the volunteers provide a warm and wel-

A few of the honorees at the receptionist’s luncheon (l to r): Joyce Clements, Joanne McMillion, Sandy White, Bernie Meyer, Joyce Rotach, and Ann Englehardt. Photo by Donna Schwendy.

coming presence for all those who visit our campus. Those

who currently serve at the desk were thrilled that some of

those who served before were in attendance and honored

for their many years of service. There has been a volunteer

receptionist at the desk for at least 40 years! Several of those

who served held their position for 20 or 30 of those years.

Those currently working enjoyed meeting other volunteers

whom they may not have met due to varying schedules. –

Jeanne Ristau, Volunteer Coordinator.

Task Force to Review Outreach at AFUMC

Asbury First has launched an Outreach Task Force to look at

our efforts to deal with poverty here and abroad. The hope

is that this task force will draft a mission statement and plan

for going forward with this important work in whatever

Continued on page 11.

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

LabyrinthWednesdays, July 8 & August 12

5:00-7:00 p.m.

Join us for this reflective peaceful practice designed to help you reconnect with God and your spiritual self.

“Where’s the Beef?”By Rev. Dr. Timothy James Johnson

Many years ago an elderly woman with a gravelly voice achieved her few moments of fame in the media sun by asking the question “where’s the beef?” Thus went the script for a well-known fast food restaurant chain, the implication being that hamburg-ers from competitor fast food chains used filler instead of 100 percent beef. One might well ask the same question regarding Sensible Shoes, a novel by Sharon Gar-lough Brown. In this context the question “where’s the beef ” refers to the male pres-ence within this novel.

In a recent discussion with a beloved female relative, I shared that the title Sensible Shoes seems to locate the focus of the book within the feminine domain. Her response was “men always wear sensible shoes.” For me, the juxtaposition of the shoe thing, along with the book cover, a picture of four women with hands joined, and the all-too-frequent portrayal of this work as a woman’s story, evokes the beef question regarding its relevance for a male audience. But I did read the book and a wonderful journey it was!

And yes! I discovered that the beef is there and not submerged. The readers of Sensible Shoes are privileged to journey with Hannah, a pas-tor; Meg, a widow and empty nester; Mara, who has yet to discover her own inner richness and resources; and Charissa, a graduate student. Each of these women are agonists in the story, meaning that they’re located in a force field of swirling tensions. But a major liter-ary device used by Garlough Brown is to locate male characters as protagonist within each of the women’s stories. Thus the reader meets Rev. Steve Hernandez, Jim Crane, Dr. Nathan Allen, John Sinclair, Pastor Dave, Jeremy, and other males. Each of these men has a valiant and significant presence in the unfolding development of the female characters. But in the complexity of the narrative, the male characters sometimes shift from protagonist to antagonist, as do some of the main and incidental female characters within the story. This makes for good reading.

The reader’s entrance into the drama of the story is an easy one, because one can identify with its characters. As I read the book, it was as if I were watching myself and reading about my own coping behaviors. Another hallmark of a good book! Perhaps the connota-tion of the “beef ” issue needs to be retranslated here from that of the male presence in the story, to whether or not one is able to see one’s self in the story.

Sensible Shoes, as a “beefy” story with plenty of heft, is about unload-ing baggage via a spiritual journey. To be human is to have baggage, and to have lived over the years is to have accumulated excess bag-gage. (No exceptions!) This book is a must-read for all who desire to travel light and divest themselves of the things that weigh down and prevent freedom to enjoy God’s gift of life, and freedom to live with others in the playground of the Divine. It is a must read for those who wish to discover the gift of their own selves and learn how one makes peace with the flaws within and life’s regrettable detours without. Garlough Brown helps the readers accomplish “Spiritual Reformation” through a seven-phase, accessible spiritual discipline:

• A journey of prayer, to recognize and release burdens and cares.

• Becoming malleable by reading and praying scripture.

• Turning around and facing self so that the self might speak regarding personal strengths and weaknesses, thus establishing a path leading to identification of one’s own baggage, its location and its contents.

• Praying within the context of one’s personal life’s journey, seeking to answer queries regarding where have we come from and where are we going?

• Achieving intimacy with God via learning to pray with imagina-tion, by inserting oneself into biblical narratives as a threshold for encountering God, and allowing the Spirit of God to draw one closer to Jesus.

• Self-examination and confession as sacred actions leading to divesture of excess baggage.

• Creating circadian structures with rhythms and rituals that keeps one spiritually healthy and connected to God’s guidance.

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WORSHIPworship schedulesUndaY serViCe tiMes8:30 a.m. – Chancel Worship with Holy Communion10:00 a.m. – Traditional Worship.sUndaY jUne 28Fifth Sunday After PentecostRev. Susan Shafer, Preacher(note: there will only be one service, at 10:00 a.m.; it is Rev. Shafer’s last service before her retirement)

sUndaY jULY 5Sixth Sunday After PentecostGenesis 28:10-22Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, preacher

sUndaY jULY 12Seventh Sunday After Pentecost2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19Rachel Stuart (8:30), Kathy Thiel (10:00), preachers

sUndaY jULY 19Eighth Sunday After PentecostMark 6:30-44Rachel Stuart (8:30), Katie O’Hern (10:00), preachers

sUndaY jULY 26Ninth Sunday After PentecostRev. David Lubba, preacher

sUndaY aUgUst 2Tenth Sunday After PentecostMatthew 28:16-20Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, preacher

sUndaY aUgUst 9Eleventh Sunday After PentecostKatie O’Hern, preacher

sUndaY aUgUst 16Twelfth Sunday After PentecostJohn 6:51-58Kathy Thiel, preacher

sUndaY aUgUst 23Thirteenth Sunday After PentecostDr. Mark Brummitt, preacher

sUndaY aUgUst 30Fourteenth Sunday After PentecostJames 1:17-27Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, preacher

in CommunityOur Living

Births & BaptismsGod has sealed you unto

love and grace divine

Addison Jane Vernandaughter of Josh and Jessica

Vernan, born on January 23, 2015. Addison is the granddaughter of Fred and Sharon Parker and the

great-granddaughter of Jane Pauly.

Hannah Nutter, and her children Benjamin Conrad

Nutter, Anne Fonda Winifred Nutter, James

John Nutterbaptized on May 17.

Caitlyn Blair Kirivongdaughter of Rotthachack and Christina Kirivong, baptized on May 23, 2015. Caitlyn is

the granddaughter of Dave and Bonnie Kay.

Charles Ralph Castleson of Jeffrey and Stephanie

Castle, baptized on May 24, 2015. Charles is the grandson of Bob

and Barb Castle.

DeathsMerciful God, we entrust to Your

never-failing care and love.

We offer our prayers and sympa-thy to Betsy Christiansen on the

death of her father Paul Guerreinon May 20, 2015.

We offer our prayers and sympa-thy to Dave Kennedy and family

on the death of Dave’s motherHilary Kennedy

on May 18 in Coatsville, PA.

We offer our prayers and sympa-thy to the family and friends of

Donald Bowmanwho died on March 7, 2015.

We offer our prayers and sympa-thy to the family and friends of John Dexter Gillespiewho died on May 20, 2015 in

Overland Park, Kansas.

We offer our prayers and sympa-thy to the family and friends of

Donald Kennedywho died on May 20, 2015.

We offer our prayers and sympa-thy to the family and friends of

Garnet Barkuswho died on June 3, 2015 in

Alpharetta, Georgia.

It’s Time for the Asbury First Annual

Basement SaleThursday, July 30, 4:00-7:00 p.m.Friday, July 31, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Saturday, August 1, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

We are looking for donations of jewelry, antiques and collectables, linens, toys/small electronics/games,

furniture, furs and vintage clothing, etc. Donations can be delivered to the 7th and 8th grade room (Campfire

Room) across from Wesley Hall in the basement of the church building. Thank you for your help! For more

information, contact Elizabeth Church at (585) 461-9802 or emchurch418@gmail.com.

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ThirTy Four years oF CompassionaTe minisTry

As the Rev. Susan Shafer Retires, We Remember her Blessings Over the Years

In a faith tradition that values itinerancy, it is rare to find a minis-ter who can lay claim to 34 years of soul-deep knowledge of one

single church. But Asbury First, which has been blessed in many ways over its nearly two-hundred-year history, has also been blessed by the presence of the Rev. Susan S. Shafer for well more than three decades.

It would be impossible to count the number of times that Susan has risen in the middle of the night to be with an Asbury First member to pray with them before an early-morning surgery, or to sit by the bedside of a dying family member. Hundreds – maybe thousands – of couples can attest to the fact that Susan’s heartfelt sermon at their wedding gave them food for thought and an increased under-standing of their commitment to each other. A similar number of parents will tell you how gently Susan held their child during the little one’s baptism.

In short, Susan’s model of membership care brought a continuity of compassion to Asbury First since her arrival a generation ago, and her years here have allowed her to grow in understanding of the needs of her beloved congregation.

“That’s what’s so amazing to me,” she said recently. “To welcome a new family to our faith community; to baptize their children, and

then marry those children and watch as they, in turn, bring their own children to church. I get the sacred experience of the expansion of life.”

Susan has always brought an abundance of life to her ministry, and now, as she begins her retirement on July 1, we celebrate and honor all that she has meant to Asbury First and to the greater Rochester community.

Undoubtedly, the members and staff of Asbury First will miss Susan deeply, but in keeping with Susan’s own joy at the journey of faith we all take, we welcome new senior minister, the Rev. Dr. Ste-phen M. Cady, II who will ably and compassionately lead Asbury First into a bright and vibrant future.

Two generations of leadership at Asbury First: incoming senior minister, the Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II, enters the Sanctuary at the beginning of service with the Rev. Susan S. Shafer, who steps down as senior minister on July 1 to begin retirement.

“What Susan has done for us is exactly what she has done for everyone who has ever met her. Her warmth, charm, and enthusiasm are contagious. She is your long-time friend moments after you meet her. And she is your life-long friend thereafter.”

–CATHY RYAN AND FRED ATEN

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“I was so appreciative of Susan’s going the extra mile to be there at that “ungodly” hour [before surgery] and thankful for her kind and reassuring words and prayer. It occurred to me that she probably did this all the time, getting up early and staying up late to minister to our congregation (unbeknownst to many of us and totally behind the scenes). Susan is a very special person.”

–HAL CARTER

“ ... when you asked me to assist with a communion service, I was absolutely stunned. I did agree, and I participated on several different occasions. It was a tremendous experience and a turning point in my life. It reconnected me with my own faith and gave me a solid sense that I really had the competence to carry forward in a pastoral and ministerial capacity if I felt called to do so. I want you to know how much this meant to me ...”

–LEE AND PAM KOON

iT ’s noT Too LaTe To honor susan WiTh a GiFTThe Rev. Susan S. Shafer has impacted thousands of lives in her 34 years of ministry at Asbury First United Methodist Church. Her extraordinary gifts for pastoral care have brought comfort, strength, and a powerful sense of Christ’s presence to both mem-bers of Asbury First and countless individuals in the greater Roch-ester community. Now, as she begins her retirement, we honor her ministry by ensuring that her legacy of care will live on at Asbury First through an endowed pastoral care position in her name – and it’s not too late for you to participate.To donate or make a pledge to this fund, go to our website at www.asburyfirst.org and click on the link on top of the home page. Thank you for your support of this vital ministry.

The neXT siX monThsA message from the Staff Parish Relations Committee

We are in the midst of some transition. On June 28, we celebrat-ed the prolific and grace-filled ministry of the Rev. Susan Shafer and on July 1, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II is set to become our next senior minister. Katie O’Hern and Kathy Thiel will be join-ing the pastoral staff at that time as well, and we are very excited about our new team! In order to ensure a smooth transition for all involved, the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) has been asked to inform you of a conference policy by which we are all expected and plan to abide.

When the SPRC met with Bishop Mark Webb last fall to discuss the upcoming retirement of the Rev. Susan Shafer and the naming of her successor, Bishop Webb advised us that Susan would not be permitted to have any pastoral contact with Asbury First for at least six months after her retirement. This is the conference policy. Furthermore, beginning July 1, the retir-ing minister can only provide pastoral services at the invitation of the current senior minister. The purpose of the policy is to support the ministry of the current pastoral staff and to honor the retiring minister by allowing her time for vocational reinvest-ment.

What does this mean for Asbury First? It means that things will be a little different from now on. In the short term, it means that Susan will not be attending our worship services or public events for at least the next six months. In the long term, it means that it will be up to Stephen to invite Susan to participate in any pastoral capacity within the life of Asbury First. Susan and Stephen have both been made aware of this policy and have agreed to abide by it faithfully. Fortunately, their great working relationship has left the SPRC with no fear that they will be able to accomplish this with characteristic grace. We would ask that the congregation assist in this transition by honoring this policy as well.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Peter Abdella (pabdella@hselaw.com) or any member of the SPRC with questions. Thank you in advance for your help.

“You certainly have been a lighthouse for the Eckman family through life’s storms. What I will always remem-ber most about your ministry is how you taught me to look for the ‘Holy’ in each moment. Knowing God is with me in my joy and my sorrow brings me peace. “

–ASHLEY ECKMAN

“She is our minister, counsel, and most importantly, our friend. We wish the very best to her and her family, in this next important stage of her life. She always gave her best and it’s appreciated, so much.”

– JIM AND CHRIS SPRAGUE

“Susan was my angel when my husband had a long illness. Because of the emotional and spiritual strength she gave me every step of the way.”

–ANN MORRIS

TenT WeekTenT Week

Food Trucks

every nighT !

#TenTWeek2015

Friday: Lawn Games, PickLebaLL & Feats oF strenGth saTurday: Park ave. FestivaL & basement saLe

sunday: tent week serviceMonday: the brainery sPectacuLar

Tuesday: beatLes community JamWednesday: interFaith FestivaL

Thursday: FamiLy circusFriday: teDx FLour city saLon

F o r m o r e i n F o r m a t i o n, g o t o w w w. a s b u r y F i r s t. o r g

PresenTed by asbury FirsT uMc

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A S e a s o n o f A r t

ArtSparks had a great time this year! Starting in Sep-

tember, we created beautiful works of fabric art in two styles of creative sewing, stupendous stitching and stitch and slash. There was also an acrylic paint-ing class that produced wonder-ful still-life paintings. It was great to see styles developing as the class progressed!

In January, we began new classes, including Fiber Fusion, that produced whimsical fabric creations. The students were amazed at what they could create with some unusual fiber techniques. Many created book covers that became gifts for friends and loved ones. Others framed their work. In the second January class, students learned felting techniques. We created needle-felted pictures and wet-felted vessels. It was challenging but rewarding.

own paint from my own project! Not a student’s paint! Thank you so much for providing me this opportunity!”

We’ve ended our official classes for the summer but many did not want to stop, so I am having open studio time on Mondays throughout the summer. Several have expressed a desire to come to the studio and work on projects. I will also be offering a morning workshop on cobweb felting this summer. New classes will begin again in September. Watch The VisiTor newsletter and the bulletin for more informa-tion about summer and fall opportunities. And remember – I welcome anyone regardless of experience into the classes. It is the process not the product, that is important. Allow the Holy Spirit to work through you to uncover your creative self!

In April, we began two new classes. In one class we used the stitch and slash sewing method to make arty pillows. In the other we continued with wet felting techniques. We made soft felted scarves in the nuno and cobweb techniques. You will see many of these at the church craft sale in the fall.

The ArtSparks program is grow-ing! There were returning and new students in each class. It is amazing and satisfying to ob-serve the wildly creative energy that zings around the studio in each class. No matter how insecure a student may be at first, by the second or third class, the creativity has taken over. A recently retired grade school teacher came to me after one class, her damp hands held up in front of her, and told me, “I just washed paint off my hands! My

Top, Sandra Holloway working on a piece during the Fabric Fusion class; bottom, Deb Bullock-Smith prepares a felted scarf.

Storehouse Celebrates 50 years With the Making of a QuiltIn celebration of 50 years of service, the Storehouse board has commissioned the making of a quilt. The quilt will have squares forming the shape of a cross with a fabric border depicting clothes on a clothesline. There is an opportunity for you to purchase a square on which you can have your name or the name of a loved one embroidered on the quilt. The minimum donation for an embroidered name is $50. All donations are welcomed, and may be made through October 1, 2015. The unveiling of the quilt will be during the Storehouse annual volunteer recognition in November. Having your name, or that of a loved one, embroidered on the quilt will honor the Storehouse and its mission. Thank you.Name of donor: _______________________________________________________________________________________Name for embroidery: (Please print) ______________________________________________________________________ (Names can be up to 24 letters)Contact information of donor:Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ (day time) (evening)Please return this form (on or before October 1, 2015) with your donation to: Asbury First United Methodist Church / 1050 East Avenue / Rochester, New York 14617 / Attn: Storehouse Quilt

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youth ministry newsThe sounds of Pomp and Circumstance have been ringing out at high schools across the land this month as another class of

bright, enthusiastic young people graduate and head off for fresh challenges. Here, we salute our Asbury First seniors, and wish them well with all their future endeavors. We’re proud of you all!

Mitch Chan San Pedro Valley Academy in Tucson, Arizona. Will attend Pima Community College in Tucson. Eagle candidate with the Boy Scouts of America.

Connor Robert CzoraWebster Thomas High School.Will attend Maryland Institute College of Art.Graduating summa cum laude, and has received honors for academic excellence, art and music. AP Scholar with Honor; National Honor Society.

Andrew MackWebster Thomas High School. Will attend MCC and is in the 2 by 2 program with SUNY Geneseo for Economics.

Allie LamicaRush Henrietta Sperry Senior High School.Will attend MCC, then transfer to SUNY Environ-mental Science and Forestry with a dual major in aquatic and fishery sciences. Member of Bel Canto; Member of Tri-M and German Honor society.

Ian Faughnan HutterBrighton High School.Will attend Pace University in Manhattan, studying acting for film, television, commercial and voice-over. Awarded Excellence in Theater Award.

Josie Abdella The Aquinas Institute.Will attend the University of Connecticut.

Steven TracyPenfield High SchoolWill attend LeMoyne College as a psychology major pre med, with plans to be a forensic psychiatrist.Winner of 2015 Young Citizen of the Year of Monroe County Award.

Michael LovejoyAllendale Columbia High School.Will attend Ithaca College to study anthropology.Eagle Scout.

Emily Hanrahan Penfield High School.Will attend SUNY Geneseo.Outstanding English student commendation; Re-gents diploma with advanced designation.

Molly Anne DuganFairport High School.Will attend MCC to pursue a career in the medical field.

Alexander M. Mizzoni Pittsford Sutherland High School. Will attend RIT in the fall majoring in management information systems.

Amber ConrowWebster Schroeder High School.Will attend Alfred University, majoring in art and design.

Grant Joseph PearceEastridge High School.Will attend Rochester Institute of Technology to study mechanical engineering.

Isaac Paul BergBrighton High School.Will attend Mercyhurst University.

Philip Bruce Slattery School of the Arts.Will attend SUNY Fredonia for liberal arts and sound recording technology, with a two-year diploma from Eastman Community Music School. Student Leadership Congress at the Rochester City School District; a part of the Close Up Foundation.

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by Janda Hemming• A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO GREECE, TURKEY & VENICE •

The Asbury First group in the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, now part of modern-day Turkey. The city was an important center for early Christianity; Paul lived there for some time and later wrote the Epistle to the Ephesians from prison in Rome.

Ed. Note: Recently, a group of intrepid Asbury First travelers, led by senior minister, the Rev. Susan S. Shafer, traced the journeys of the apostle Paul on a 12-day trip through many of the areas where Paul traveled. Janda Hemming was part of the trip, and wrote up this report for The Visitor.

Our group of 18 people from Asbury First, led by Susan Shafer, set out on a spiritual adventure to follow the apostle Paul’s journey, done so many years ago, via Holland American Cruise Line. We began with prayer and received a devotional packet filled with prayers and meditations to read and reflect on along the way. Once on the trip, we journeyed to some ports of call as a group; other ports we explored individually or in small groups. Our journey on land and sea was amazing.

Here are just a few of the high-lights: At Olympia, we experi-enced the ruins of the very first Olympics. In Athens, we climbed the ruins of the Acropolis and Temple of Zeus, learning as we did of the Greek Gods. In Istanbul, we cruised the Bos-phorus Strait dividing Europe

and Asia, experienced beautiful mosques and churches, and the Grand Bazaar. That day, due to an important official visiting the region, which delayed our tour bus, our group was forced to re-enact the Olympics as we ran to catch the ship. We really moved and made it as they were rolling up the carpet paths and closing the doors … whew! In Ephesus, we saw the amazing ruins where the apostle Paul stood, and prayed at the house of the Mary, where people of many faiths come on pilgrimages. We also learned about the art of carpet weaving, which creates vital jobs

for women. In Santorini, we saw the beauty of the white build-ings with blue roofs in the town of Oia. At Argostoli, there was beautiful terrain, mountains, and crystal blue water. And, finally, in Venice, we were overwhelmed by the beauty of St. Mark’s Square and the synagogues of San Girolamo. Towards the end of our trip, as a group we prayed, took communion, and reflected individually on our trip.

On the ship we experienced fabu-lous Greek, Turkish, and Italian food, excellent customer service, and a variety of entertainment options. Many of us spent time

listening to a pianist playing our requests during the evening.

We experienced fellowship with our tour group, and enjoyed invitations to dine together or take a side tour together. We watched out for each other along the way and made sure no one was left behind on our “Olym-pics” day. We met other people from other countries taking their own journeys: The World War II veterans on a tour, the room attendant working to support his siblings and parents in Bali, the 89 year old woman going to An-dorra one last time to honor her deceased partner, the gentleman from Oregon who was encour-aged by his daughter to take this journey despite having lost his wife. Everyone has a journey to take: our group, the people who work the ship, our tour guides, each person we met along the way. I believe that God was with us through our journey; through the people, worship places, and in nature. My father once stated that God shows God’s presence through the beauty of nature. We saw God in each other, and in the mountains, seas, and land-scapes of these fine lands.

AFUMC News, continued from page 3.

venue it happens. Further, we hope to broaden our efforts

beyond serving immediate needs by trying to make an

impact on the systemic problems causing hunger, lack of

capital, and isolation from basic human services.

How we will reach those goals is to be determined, but

starting at the end of June, Rev. Beth Quick, an expert in sys-

temic change of churches’ charitable and social justice work,

will help us. The task force is led by Asbury members Diana

Carter and Larry Gage, with guidance from Rev. Stephen M.

Cady. Several members of the Outreach Committee are, of

course, also on the task force, which is expected to exist for

about six months. If you have ideas to share or would like to

join us, please contact Larry (lgage2@icloud.com) or Diana

(DianaLouiseCarter@gmail.com) or Stephen (scady@asbury-

first.org).

12

June 28 Isaiah 65:17-2529 Jeremiah 30:1-2430 Lamentations 3:1-58July1 Genesis 6:1-222 Genesis 7:1-243 Genesis 8:1-224 Genesis 9:1-295 Genesis 10:1-326 Genesis 11:1-327 Genesis 12:1-208 Genesis 13:1-189 Genesis 14:1-2410 Genesis 15:1-2111 Genesis 16:1-1612 Genesis 17:1-2713 Genesis 18:1-3314 Genesis 21:1-2115 Genesis 22:1-19

30 Ruth 3:1-1831 Ruth 4:1-22August1 Exodus 1:1-222 Exodus 2:1-253 Exodus 3:1-224 Exodus 4:1-315 Exodus 5:1-6:16 Exodus 6:2-277 Exodus 6:28-7:138 Exodus 11:1-109 Exodus 12:1-2810 Exodus 12:29-5111 Exodus 13:1-22

16 Genesis 37:1-3617 Genesis 39:1-23 18 Genesis 40:1-2319 Genesis 41:1-5720 Genesis 42:1-3821 Genesis 43:1-3422 Genesis 44:1-3423 Genesis 45:1-2824 Genesis 46:1-3425 Genesis 47:1-3126 Genesis 48:1-2227 Genesis 49:29-50:2628 Ruth 1:1-2229 Ruth 2:1-23

12 Exodus 14:1-3113 Exodus 15:1-2714 Exodus 16:1-3615 Exodus 19:1-2516 Exodus 20:1-2117 Exodus 33:1-2318 Exodus 34:1-3519 Leviticus 19:1-1820 Numbers 9:1-2321 Deuteronomy 31:1-2922 Deuteronomy 34:1-1223 Joshua 1:1-1824 Joshua 2:1-2425 Joshua 3:1-1726 Joshua 4:1-2427 Judges 4:1-2428 Judges 5:1-3129 Deuteronomy 7:1-2630 Deuteronomy 8:1-2031 Deuteronomy 11:1-32

In the fall, Asbury First will hold a church conference to re-view what we have learned during the three years that the

Ministry & Space Task Force has been studying how we use our campus. At this meeting you will have an opportunity to vote on whether or not to proceed to the next step of hiring an architect to develop detailed plans and costs. The vote will NOT authorize actual building or a capital campaign. The congregation will have another opportunity at a later date to review the final plans and costs in detail, and there will be another vote at that time to authorize any building and capital campaign.

During the fall of 2014, we held three town-hall meetings. The Ministry & Space Task Force put the following recom-mendations before us:

1. Completion of required major maintenance on 1050 (the gray stone building east of the church) and 1040 East Ave (the church building). Highlights include:

a. Adding an elevator in 1050 East Ave.

b. Building an accessible bathroom in 1050.

c. HVAC replacement and electrical upgrades in 1040.

d. Exterior and interior maintenance on both buildings.

e. Updating Fellowship Hall kitchen.

f. Many additional maintenance and facilities upgrade needs.

2. Renovation of the third floor of 1050.

3. Addressing ministry needs through building a multi-purpose Outreach Center on campus.

a. This will address the growth of our ministries as well as the inadequacy of their current spaces, as well as fire and safety codes.

b. The Center would house all outreach ministries in-cluding Storehouse, Dining & Caring Center, UR Well clinic, and others.

4. Long term lease or sale of 1010 East Ave. (the red brick building west of the church).

5. Additional maintenance and space needs as we are financially able. Highlights include:

a. Partial A/C in sanctuary

b. Columbarium

c. Consolidated music space

d. Many others

These recommendations will be presented in greater detail during the church conference in September. The Task Force continues to listen. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact Chuck Hanrahan, chair of the Ministry & Space Task Force, at chuck.hanrahan@gmail.com or (585) 383-8794.

Report from the Ministry & Space Task Force

13

Child’s Name Age Allergies T-Shirt Size

parent/gUardian inforMationParent(s)/Guardian(s) Name ___________________________________________________________________Address: __________________________________________________________________________________Phone ________________________ Cell ________________________Email ___________________________Best number to be reached during VBS hours _______________________________________________________

MediCaL inforMationPlease list any special instructions or conditions VBS volunteers should be aware of: ___________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________Emergency Contact __________________________________________________________________________Relationship to child(ren) _____________________________________________________________________ Phone _____________________________________ Cell ___________________________________________Medical Insurance Company ___________________________________________________________________

In the event of an emergency or injury, I do hereby give consent to Asbury First United Methodist Church to administer the necessary medical treatment. Signature of parent/guardian ___________________________________________ Date ___________________Please list the people who have the permission to pick up your child(ren): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

VoLUnteer inforMation Would you like to be a VBS Volunteer? In what area(s) would you like to help (circle one or more)?Registration MusicStudent guide GamesBible Stories CraftsSnack Nursery Caregiver

Do you have any children under four that would need childcare when you volunteer? If yes, please list names and ages.

___________________________________________________________________________________________On Thursday evening, August 6, we’ll celebrate the end of a great week with dinner at Asbury First’s Big Top tent. Questions? Contact Paula Dugan, (585) 271-1050 x111 or pdugan@asburyfirst.org.

Come One, Come All to our “Under the Big Top” VBS on August 3-6 from 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

at Asbury First UMC. VBS is for children from ages four through those entering sixth grade. Cost is

$15.00 per child, with a maximum of $40.00 per family. Make checks payable to Asbury First United

Methodist Church.

Vacation Bible School

14

library news

Books read by the Diversity Book ClubThe Devil’s Highway, by Luis Alberto Urrea. In this gripping book, American Book Award winner Luis Alberto Urrea tells the story of the deadly trek, the hapless immigrants, and the Border Patrol units who hunt them. A 272-page national bestseller, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, a “book of the year” in multiple newspapers, and a work proclaimed as a modern American classic.

Interpreter of Maladies, by Jumpha Lahiri. This Pulitzer prize-winner contains Lahiri’s elegant, touching stories of love beyond the barriers of culture and generations. This 208-page book was also the winner of the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award.

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadiman. Win-ner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Current Interest, and the Salon Book Award, this 368-page moving chronicle of a very sick girl, her refugee parents, and the doctors who struggled desperately to treat her is a cautionary study of the limits of Western medicine and a parable for the modern immigrant experience.

Rez Life, by David Treuer. This 352-page book blends journal-ism, history, and memoir to provide both anecdotes of present-day reservation life and history.

Book recommended in various Asbury sermonsJesus and the Disinherited, by Howard Thurman. In this classic theo-logical treatise, the acclaimed theologian and religious leader Howard Thurman (1900-1981) demonstrates how the gospel may be read as a manual of resistance for the poor and disenfranchised. It is consid-ered a masterful interpretation of how God works in our lives.

Books read by Women on Wednesday (WOW) group Peaceful Neighbor: Discovering the Countercultural Mister Rogers, by Michael G. Long. Long demonstrates in these 176 inspirational pages that Fred Rogers is a hero because he was a seemingly ordi-nary man with convictions of peace who sought to use his television program to help children (and adults) experience the love of God. (“I love you just the way you are.”)

What We Talk About When We Talk About God, by Rob Bell. 226 pages of a refreshing retake on obsolete notions about our Creator.

What are Asbury First folks reading? Look below and check out the selections read by various groups over the past year. If you’ve read all the books suggested in our library news since last summer, you will have read 115 selections (plus the below 12 books). If you have missed reading any of these books, come take a look at them in the library. The library remains open all summer for your use. Check it out!

Bell’s book enables readers to think about that most essential rela-tionship with God in new, uplifting ways.

How Did I get to be 70 when I’m 35 Inside? Spiritual Surprises of Later Life, by Linda Douty. Spiritual director Douty interviewed more than 50 elders, ages 70 through 99, to come up with this book about ways old people have plowed through pain—the physical inseparable from the spiritual—toward “winnowed wisdom,” paying homage to the holy in everything, to leave a legacy of true love in something.

Learning to Walk in the Dark, by Barbara Brown Taylor. This book is 208 pages, with Taylor as our guide through a spirituality of the nighttime, teaching us how to find God even in darkness, and giving us a way to let darkness teach us what we need to know.

Hidden Women of the Gospels, by Kathy Coffey. In these 180 pages, we take a look at some behind-the-scenes characters from the Gospels.

Men’s 2015 Retreat Book52 Little Lessons from It’s a Wonderful Life, by Bob Welch. In this book, you’ll be reminded that life’s most important work is often the work we never planned to do, and that God can use the most unlikely among us to get the job done. Frank Capra’s 1939 film It’s a Wonderful Life inspires millions of us every holiday season, but the deepest lessons of this Jimmy Stewart film deserve our con-templation at any time of year. This 224-page book does that in 52 memorable lessons about all of its hidden wisdom.

Author speaking at Asbury and WOW book selection for September 2015Sensible Shoes: A Story about the Spiritual Journey, by Susan Gar-lough Brown.In this 349-page book, Sharon Garlough Brown tells the moving story of four strangers as they embark together on a journey of spiritual formation. Author Brown will speak at Asbury First on Saturday, September 19. She is a pastor, spiritual director, retreat leader and author. Readers will be taken into a new understanding of key spiritual practices and find tangible support for a deeper life with God.

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

15

the last word1 by Ida Hickman 2

Asbury UR Well Clinic: An Update

Asbury UR Well Clinic provided health-

care to 105 uninsured patients in and

around the Rochester area during the

first quarter of this year. On February 28,

2015, we celebrated our Fourth Annual

Staff Luncheon where we congratulate

the people who cared for those patients,

the graduating fourth year students who

have served in the clinic. There were four

graduating students this year and each was

awarded their first pick for residency, the

next step in their academic journeys.

There are others, as well, for whom we are

grateful. Laurie Adjivon, for example, an

insurance navigator who volunteers at the

clinic, has assisted many of our patients

with obtaining insurance coverage through

the New York State Health Exchange. One

patient told me: “It is great to be able to

come to get health care and also get health

insurance at the same time. Everyone is so

kind to us, and we even get something to

eat and drink. You all are good people. God

bless you all.”

I will share this message a patient wrote on

Asbury First’s Facebook page:

“I’d like to thank each and every person

whom I met yesterday at Asbury First,

who attended to me from the time I en-

tered the front door until I received health

care. Unfortunately, I did not get all the

names but everyone knows who they are

and you all will remain a beautiful memory

in my mind. Specifically, I would like to

thank the pre-med students, Howard Lan-

ney, Hannah Smith, and Kelly Makino, for

the attention and care they provided. I’m

sure, being wonderful young human be-

ings, you will make fine doctors in what-

ever field of medicine you have set your

minds to. Also, thanks to Dr. Dave Holub,

their advisor. Last but not least, I’d like to

thank Laurie Adjivon for her assistance in

obtaining health insurance in less than two

minutes. She’s definitely an angel. Asbury

First and the people associated with it are

just wonderful to me. I have a special place

in my heart for the church members I have

met.” –Louise

This patient was so happy she could not

stop crying and hugged all of us. I walked

her to the door when she was leaving. She

said, “I am not crying because I’m sad. I’m

just so happy.”

The Asbury First UR Well Clinic staff

and committee want to thank Helen

Schmidt for giving a memorial gift in

memory of her parents, Carolyn and

Howard Schmidt, of an ophthalmoscope/

otoscope, instruments that allow us to

examine eyes and ears. We would also like

to thank Dale Morton for his memorial

gift in memory of his wife, Pat Morton, of

a portable blood pressure machine, a scale,

an oximeter (which measures hemoglo-

bin in the blood), and two blood pressure

cuffs. With this additional equipment and

our recent purchase of a microscope, we

will be able to improve the services we pro-

vide to give the best health care possible to

patients at the clinic.

On Sunday, May 24, we held an open

house at the clinic. 48 guests stopped

by and visited the clinic to look at our

new equipment, get their blood pressure

checked, and ask questions. We can’t thank

you enough for taking the time to stop

in and say hello. I would like to thank

the Asbury UR Well Clinic staff and

committee, the Rev. Susan S. Shafer, and

the Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II for helping

to make the open house a success. We are

grateful and appreciative of the Asbury

First congregation’s continued support

and their well wishes for the success of the

Asbury First UR Well Clinic.

Thank you,

Ida Hickman

Top, a patient has their blood pressure checked by a medical student at the UR Well Clinic; bottom, Dale Morton and his daughter along with some of the equipment purchased through Dale’s gift in memory of his wife, Pat.

PERIODICAL

1050 East AvenueRochester, NY 14607-2293

Address Service Requested

Asbury First United Methodist Church Presents the

2015 Golf TournamentMonday, July 13

Eagle Vale Golf Course4344 Nine Mile Point Rd. Fairport

To register or for information about sponsorships contact charitygolf@asburyfirst.org. All proceeds support Asbury First outreach ministries. A portion of the cost is tax deductible as a contribution to Asbury First.

12 noon Registration & Lunch

1:00 p.m. Shotgun start

5:00 p.m. Silent auction

6:00 p.m. Chicken Pasta Buffet

$100/person or $400/team (includes 18 holes with cart, lunch and dinner.) Tickets for dinner only: $40.