Asbury First Monday Reader – Stories and Reflections on the life of Asbury First

ASBURY FIRST MONDAY READER | JULY 28, 2025

CONTENTS: CREATIVE COMMUNION : THE COLLABORATIVE MAKERS GATHERING

IN THE FLOW: ONE WAY DRIVE REINSTATED

What began as a simple idea from Rev. Kathy Thiel and Deb Bullock-Smith has blossomed into something unexpectedly profound at Asbury First. The Collaborative Makers Gathering, originally conceived as a one-time opportunity for congregants to share workspace while pursuing their individual creative projects, has revealed the deep human need for creative community.

The pandemic taught us that proximity to others is precious: it replaces the crushing weight of isolation with something life-giving. There's something almost sacred about working on your personal project while others tend to theirs around you. The gentle sounds of focused work, the occasional shared glance, the quiet presence of fellow creators... it transforms solitary craft into communal meditation.

Deb's own handiwork exemplifies this beautiful intersection of personal creativity and shared worship. Her quilted rainbow antependium which can be seen draped seasonally from the lectern, reminds us that some of the objects of public ceremony originate in the hands of a passionate individual exercising their craft. Making can also serve as meditation, a vessel for

holding time, a way of symbolically wrapping our experiences with care. We make in order to consecrate time and space. Sometimes we do this collectively, but crafting reminds us to see holiness in the simple work of our hands.

The overwhelming success of that first gathering made one thing clear: this needed to happen monthly! So now, once a month, the Collaborative Makers Gathering dedicates precious hours to this creative fellowship. Crafters arrive prepared to work on tatting, painting, drawing, embroidery, counted cross stitch, knitting, book making, quilting, mending; crafters lug along the tools of their work, and materials to share, but most importantly, they bring themselves.

In a world that often feels fragmented and isolated, these monthly gatherings offer something increasingly rare: the simple, profound gift of making together. We hope you'll join us at the next Collaborative Maker's Gathering on Saturday, August 23 from 1 to 3 pm in Fellowship Hall.

IN THE FLOW: ONE WAY DRIVE REINSTATED

Effective immediately, the drive between the Granger Lawn and 1050 East Ave (Church Offices) will operate as one-way traffic flowing out to East Ave, for safety and security reasons. With the increased usage of the Granger Lawn for Wednesday Community Market, and the work continuing on University Ave, it has become clear that reducing this drive to one-way traffic will help to keep our parking lots safe.

The decision to reinstate one-way traffic comes after careful observation of current traffic patterns, as requested by the Safety Management Team. Dennis Roote, a member of this team, spent time monitoring the dangerous intersection where the drive meets the Staff Parking Lot/Granger Entrance near the education wing. His assessment revealed that the current two-way traffic flow creates hazardous conditions, and we are fortunate that more accidents haven't already occurred at this problematic intersection.

This drive previously operated as a one-way drive some three or four years ago and included several parking spaces along Granger Lawn. However, with the introduction of the popular weekly Community Market, traffic volume has increased, making it imperative to re-establish single-direction flow. This change will help ensure the safety of all community members and visitors while maintaining smooth access to our facilities and events.

More permanent signage will be installed to make this revised traffic flow a little more clear. In the meantime, thank you for driving safely!

Asbury First United Methodist Church

1050 East Avenue, Rochester NY, 14607

(585) 271-1050