Help care for our community and our planet at the park cleanup event at Union Terrace School and Park in Allentown on Saturday, April 20. Meet at 9 AM; expected ending around 11 AM. Please bring along a pair of work gloves to use. This community event is to go with Earth Day (April 22, 2024). Registration required; please register by Wednesday, April 17.
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TEAM
Founded as part of Asbury’s Closing the Gap initiative, the Environmental Justice Team works to create a sustainable future by living an eco-conscious present.
Volunteer Recognition Sunday Sunday, April 28, 2024
We are blessed with so many volunteers at Asbury…in fact, odds are that you’re one of them! We’re so grateful for the passion, expertise, and resources that are dedicated to building the Kingdom of God by our congregation. On Sunday, April 28, we want to celebrate and honor all of you who sacrifice your time and talents in service to Asbury Church.
Are you an usher, greeter, musician, Sunday School teacher? Are you part of our Vacation Bible school week or one of the many who help prepare for Christmas Eve? There are so many different ways our members volunteer here at Asbury Church and we want to say thank you!
Join us for a special recognition during worship at 9:30 AM and 11 AM. And for all of our faithful volunteers, we have a special gift that you can pick up outside of the Parlor following the service. If you’re worshiping online, you can contact Laurie Wallace Theisen, Director of Lay Ministries, to coordinate a way to receive your gift.
Asbury’s 2024 Charge Conference has been scheduled for Sunday, April 14 in Asbury’s Sanctuary, following 11 AM worship.
The United Methodist Church’s governing document, The Book of Discipline, gives the following description of a Charge Conference: “The primary responsibilities of the charge conference in the annual meeting shall be to review and evaluate the total mission and ministry of the church, receive reports, and adopt objectives and goals recommended by the church council that are in keeping with the objectives of The United Methodist Church.”
The following announcement was delivered by Sarah Kinzel, chair of Asbury’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee, in our 9:30 AM worship service this morning:
“It is my joy to share with you today that the Bishop John R. Schol has appointed the Reverend Richard (Rick) Brown as the new Associate Pastor of our congregation. Reverend Rick will begin his new responsibilities on July 1 of this year. As a United Methodist Church, we are part of an appointment system. Our congregation’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee has identified our congregation’s needs and the needed skills in a pastor. We have also met with Pastor Rick to better get to know him and to ask questions.
“Richard (Rick) Brown, III was ordained as an elder in 2017. Prior to entering ministry he worked as support staff in an adult outpatient drug and alcohol unit as well as a child and adolescent mental health unit. Rick received his call to ministry in high school while taking part in worship at Prospect UMC and received a Master of Divinity degree from Palmer Theological Seminary in 2012. His appointments included Hellertown St. Paul’s for nine years and Quakertown United Methodist Church, where he is presently serving. Rick enjoys preaching and finding practical ways to live out our faith. His hobbies include running and various games. He is married to his wife, Kim, and has two young daughters. Our new Associate Pastor will work with us and the conference so that we continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Bishop Schol and the leaders of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference will work with us to continue to grow as a vital congregation. I know you will join the Bishop, our new pastor, and me in helping to make new disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
“Transition can be exciting but also a daunting time. I ask that you be in prayer with Rev. Rick Brown as he prepares for a new chapter in his ministry; and please also keep in prayer our church, Pastor Eric, and Pastor Evelyn as we begin this transition.
“We do want to make sure that everybody knows that nobody’s roles are changing. Pastor Evelyn will continue to be our Pastor of Bereavement and Care Ministries, and Pastor Eric will continue to be our Senior Pastor; we are just now adding a new associate pastor – a new member of the team – to help us grow into the future and really focus on family and young ministries.
“SPRC is a tough committee. We do a lot of work in confidentiality. While we welcome all of your questions, please note that there are some things that we are not going to be able to share.
“We ask for your prayers as we move forward.”
You can reach Asbury’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) via email at SPRC@asburylv.org
Pastor Eric delivered the following remarks:
“I’m excited to bring Rick onto the team and to mentor him and to learn from him as well [as we work to] reach out to a younger generation of people.”
The following is a summary of 2023 at Asbury Church. Thank you for another great year!
CELEBRATIONS
This year we celebrated as we welcomed 45 new members, 7 confirmands, held 11 baptisms, and celebrated 11 third graders who were presented with Bibles.
THE “BE RICH SERVICE CHALLENGE”
In November, Pastor Eric challenged every member in the congregation to serve for one hour at some point during the month – either in the community or at Asbury – with a goal of collectively serving 800 hours. The congregation rose to the challenge, serving a total of 2582 hours!
STAFFING CHANGES
In January 2023, we welcomed Mark Mangum as the Director of Finance and Operations. Israel Olivieri took on a new role as Director of Discipleship and Worship Production. Additionally, the staffing of Asbury’s maintenance department underwent numerous changes throughout the year and we welcomed some great additions.
EVENTS
Included the Annual Holiday Bazaar, clinics via our Health Ministry Team, spring and fall sessions for Rise Against Hunger meal packing, the AIM Yard Sale, a Work Day for Ramos Elementary School, an Asbury-hosted water stop at the St. Luke’s D&L RaceFest, Lenten Small Groups (“Luke”), Fall Small Groups (“Stewards of Eden”), Advent Small Groups (“An Unlikely Advent”), Pastor Eric’s “Brewology” sessions, Children’s Ministries’ Easter Family Celebration and Egg Hunt, a park cleanup for Earth Day coordinated by the Environmental Justice Team, a Women’s Retreat, Grief Groups, a Trustees cleanup day, Vacation Bible School, the CROP Walk, packing “Barrels of Love” for Liberia, and two handbell concerts by the Jubilation Ringers.
NEW SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES
In August, Pastor Eric challenged the congregation to lead new social-based small groups. In response, 7 leaders stepped up and 4 new small groups were formed (Walk and Talk, Cards, Games, and the Family Fun Dinner Meetup). Learn about all small group opportunities at asburylv.org/SmallGroups.
PRESCHOOL
Our preschool continues to serve our community, providing students with the building blocks for their educational journey while instilling Christian values. The preschool and Bright Beginnings programs have over 200 students for the 2023-2024 school year.
COLLECTIONS
Your generosity helped drive a large number of collections for those in need, including a toilet paper drive for the Conference of Churches, a collection of school supplies for Ramos Elementary School via our Children’s Ministries VBS program, needed items for the Ripple Community Center, a collection for the Allentown Ecumenical Food Bank in conjunction with the CROP Walk, the “Thanks for Giving” food drive for the Allentown Rescue Mission, and Christmas gifts for families at Ramos Elementary. These are in addition to ongoing collections at Asbury for used stamps (sold to help provide South American Sunday Schools with lesson curriculum), toiletries (for the Lehigh County Conference of Churches “Daybreak” program), and used cell phones (for Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley).
In early November, Pastor Eric challenged every Asbury attendee to serve for one hour at some point during the month – either in the community or at Asbury – with a goal of collectively serving 800 hours. On December 10, Pastor Eric announced that goal was more than doubled, with a total of of 2582 hours served! Thank you for your heart for service! The video below is a brief celebration sharing some the ways people served.
Following up on the recent “Stewards of Eden” small group study, and in keeping with the ongoing Closing the Gap initiative, The Environmental Justice Team would like to invite you to a brief meeting/listening session between worship services (roughly 10:30 AM – 11 AM) on Sunday, November 19, in the Community Room. The team welcomes sharing of feedback, ideas for service opportunities, next steps, etc. to help close the gap regarding creation care in and around Asbury Church.
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TEAM
Founded as part of Asbury’s Closing the Gap initiative, the Environmental Justice Team works to create a sustainable future by living an eco-conscious present.
Take time during the month of October to say a special “thanks” to our pastors! Send an email, a card of thanksgiving, or another affirmation for their ministry at Asbury. Cards can be sent to the church office.
Pastor Eric presented the following announcement in worship this morning
Back in October, during our 100th anniversary celebration, we announced a series of initiatives called “vision 2026” a plan we call Closing the Gap. And we laid out various goals that we have over the next three years at Asbury as we try and close the GAP between the way the world is and the way it is supposed to be.
So in order to accomplish this over the next three years, we are making some staffing changes. First, Israel Olivieri is taking on a new role as “Director of Discipleship and Worship Production.” Israel will be the staff person working with the Spiritual focus team to create more small group opportunities as well as help resource current groups. Israel will also be working with AIM to create more hands-on mission opportunities in the Lehigh Valley. He will also be in charge of the tech volunteers on Sunday morning. Israel has served as the Business Manager at Asbury for just over 5 years. Previous to coming to Asbury, he worked in the non-profit and human services areas. In 2017, Israel became a Certified Lay Minister with the UMC denomination, with specialization in Leadership and Speaking. Israel has been a member of Asbury Church since 2009 and has served several terms on various leadership committees including Church Council and AIM.
Along with Israel’s job change, we are hiring Mark Mangum as the Director of Finance and Operations. Mark currently resides in NC where he was an Executive Director for a non-profit entity. Mark grew up in Florida and is moving to Allentown following a distinguished career in pastoral, hospitality, and non-profit management. He holds a Sacred Music degree from Florida Southern College, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and an MBA from Walden University. Mark has a wife, Jennifer, originally from Allentown, an adult son, Nick, and a son, Jonathan, who passed away from complications of Cerebral Palsy. Mark is passionate about Christian ministry and mission to the community after serving non-profits focused on housing and food insecurity. Mark brings strengths in finance, administration, and operations to Asbury. I hope you will join me in welcoming Mark in the coming weeks.
We believe that both of these staffing changes will help Asbury Close the Gap in the coming years.
Israel Olivieri
Director of Discipleship and Worship Production
A panorama of the Sanctuary during the service commemorating the 100th anniversary
Asbury United Methodist Church celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sunday, October 23, with a special worship service and a luncheon.
Pastor Eric Yeakel
Centered around the theme “The Best is Yet to Come,” the congregation gave thanks to God for the past century of ministry, reflecting on the ministries, missions, and events that have helped to shape it, and looked forward to the impact that it can make in the years to come.
Pastor Eric Yeakel, who has served at Asbury since 2007, delivered a message reflecting on the church’s history and outlining “Vision 2026,” a plan for the congregation to “close the gap” between the way the world is and the way it should be. Initiatives to “close the spiritual gap,” “close the generational gap,” “close the justice and kindness gap,” and “close the opportunity gap” were introduced as a charge to congregants to consider how they can deepen their own relationship with Jesus Christ as well as how they can facilitate opportunities for others to connect with the hope that God offers and to show the love of Jesus in their community.
North District Superintendent Rev. Hun Ju Lee
“I am strengthened by your witness, encouraged that you continue to hold high the name of Jesus Christ and celebrate this day with you as you look forward to the next 100 years of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,” said North District Superintendent Rev. Hun Ju Lee, who was in attendance delivering words of encouragement and a prayer to the congregation. “Those who laid the foundation of this ministry would be proud.”
In a message delivered by video, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Bishop John Schol highlighted ways Asbury has been active in its community, saying “you are a light on a hill and you are what God is calling our church to be and to become.”
The Jubilation Ringers and the Chancel Choir perform
Pastor Eric built on Bishop Schol’s remarks, saying “we’ve had so many people in this community that have literally been the church; and we’re going to continue to do that. You see, Bishop Schol’s right, we can’t just say ‘let’s just celebrate 100 years and let’s forget it… we have to keep moving forward.’ You know, we are so grateful to those that made sacrifices in this Asbury community so we could have this ministry; but to be faithful to them and to be faithful to God’s mission, we have to move forward and set the tone for the next one hundred years.”
A church that prides itself for its music program, three of Asbury’s adult musical ensembles delivered anthems and led the congregation in song. The Jubilation Ringers, a handbell choir featuring one of the world’s largest church-owned collection of bells and related instruments, performed an arrangement of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” with Asbury’s Chancel Choir as the congregation extolled God’s goodness.
Following Pastor Eric’s message, the church’s Praise Band sang a song by North Point Worship, “The Best is Yet to Come,” which highlights the future God promises.
At a luncheon after the service, members delivered reflections on the impact the church has made on their lives and offered words of hope as the church looks forward to the next century of ministry.
The luncheon
Asbury Church was incorporated in 1921, erecting a building at the corner of Hamilton Street and Jefferson Street (the current site of the Allentown Public Library). The church’s leadership chose to name the new church in honor of Francis Asbury, the first Methodist Bishop in the United States.
In 1972, a devastating fire destroyed the church building and the congregation rebuilt at the corners of Springhouse Road and Walbert Avenue in South Whitehall Township in 1974, where it continues to meet today.
The congregation traces its roots to the first Methodist Society in the Lehigh Valley, founded by a pair of sisters, Elizabeth and Sarah Muffley. The Muffley Sisters opened a small house behind their home on Walnut Street, west of Ninth Street, for the society to gather.
Rev, Evelyn Stupp Hired as Part-Time Pastor of Bereavement and Care Ministries
Evelyn Stupp
Asbury is pleased to announce the hiring of Rev. Evelyn Stupp as Pastor of Bereavement and Care Ministries. Evelyn is a retired United Methodist pastor and certified grief counselor; and has worked closely with Pastor Barbara in leading our grief group over the past few years.
With very mixed emotions, I share with you that I have been appointed as pastor of Green Pond United Methodist Church in Easton.
Although I had not requested a reassignment, I received a call with the news that Bishop Schol and our Cabinet of District Superintendents had prayerfully discerned that my ministry gifts are needed at Green Pond at this time as their current pastor is retiring. After discussion with my family and prayer, I agreed.
I am very thankful for my time in ministry at Asbury. I am especially grateful for the staff and leadership, and so many individuals who passionately seek to shape disciples for Jesus Christ and provide remarkable care and service to this part of the Lehigh Valley. I have enjoyed being a part of a ministry team with Pastor Eric and feel I have grown through the experience.
I ask for your prayers as I transition to a new ministry, prayers for the people at Green Pond and their retiring pastor, and I ask for your prayers for Pastor Eric and the leadership team at Asbury as they plan for the future.
Meanwhile, we have a lot of ministry to do between now and the end of June when I transition to the new position, and I hope to continue in productive and joyful service in these months ahead.
Join us for a reception to celebrate the merger of Asbury and Salem and take an opportunity to fellowship together as one congregation. The reception is on Kickoff Day (September 12) and will begin following the 11 AM worship service. Light refreshments will be served. The reception will be held outside, rain-or-shine; in the event of rain we’ll gather under the overhang at the upper entrance.
Asbury’s leadership announces a merger with Salem UMC of Allentown, officially approved by Asbury’s Church Council on May 5, 2021. The merger is set to go into effect June 1, 2021.
“Salem UMC has done amazing things to be the hands and feet of Christ in Center City Allentown,” says Pastor Eric, and notes that some of their financial resources will be set aside for use for ministry in Center City Allentown.
Salem UMC previously met on Linden Street in Allentown. Their first service was held in 1817 but the Salem Church was officially established in 1838.
Asbury is pleased to offer a number of scholarships for students pursuing higher education. For additional information, contact the church office.
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP: The objective of this $3,000 scholarship is to provide opportunities for students to study internationally and to develop an appreciation for other cultures and other countries. The scholarship is available for juniors, seniors, or graduate students who will be studying outside of the United States for a full semester. Specific requirements// Applications (hard copies available in the Church office).
THE CLARKE ENGINEERING & MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND provides grants for Asbury Church college juniors and seniors who have declared a major in engineering or music. Guidelines and applications for Clarke grants are available in the Church office. Application deadline for the 2020-2021 school year is Wednesday, 4/15/2020.
THE HARRY & MOLLIE DILCHER TRUST provides grants for deserving Asbury Church college and university students. The Center for Scholarship Administration (CSA), a non-profit, independent organization is the Facilitator of the scholarship fund. Applications will be accepted beginning 1/28/2020 and are due 3/26/2020, and may be found at www.csascholars.org/dilcher. For more information, please contact Ellen Holder ( ellen@csascholars.org or 864-268-3303).
UMW CLARA D. KOCH STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP: Applications for the UMW student scholarships are available in the Asbury church office. Completed applications are due no later than Wednesday, 4/15/2020 for the 2020-2021 academic year. Please return completed applications to the UMW mailbox in the church Work Room (located on the first floor near the church office). To qualify, the applicant must demonstrate: scholastic achievement and motivation for continued education, leadership, good citizenship, and Christian service to his/her church and a definite financial need. In addition to Asbury members, UMW scholarship applications are also available to members of Salem UMC, LaTrinidad UMC and St. James AME Zion Church – all in Allentown, PA.
More scholarships are also available through the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. Click here to learn more.
As many of you know, Stephanie Cramer accepted a position as co-pastor, along with her husband, at Grace-St. Paul United Methodist Church in Jim Thorpe, PA. Therefore, Stephanie resigned her position as part-time Director of Youth Ministry at Asbury. I hope you join me in praying for Stephanie and her family during this transition.
Although we will miss Stephanie’s leadership with our youth, I am excited to announce that Pam Unrath will now take on a new role as the Director of Children/Youth ministry at Asbury. Pam has done a tremendous job in leading Asbury’s children’s ministry over the past 7 years and she is excited for this new opportunity to lead Asbury’s youth as well.
Since Pam will be the director of both children and youth ministry she will need more volunteers to work with our youth and children. In the coming weeks, Pam and Pastor Barbara will be evaluating both the youth and children’s programs and determining where help will be needed. If you are the parent of Asbury youth, please pray where you could assist.
Asbury’s Church Council held a webinar on Sunday, June 7, to share updates on Asbury, including the steps Asbury will take as Lehigh County moves into the “yellow” phase of reopening. The replay of this webinar can be viewed below; and a link to the slide presentation as a PDF follows.
Evelyn Stupp
