Mike Gibbs
Asbury UMC Expansion
Asbury's expansion will include almost 30,000 square feet of additional space, 35,000 square feet of worship space, additional parking, new athletic fields, renovations and an organ.
Next month, Asbury United Methodist Church is hosting an open house weekend in celebration of its new sanctuary.
The community is invited to the grand opening, which will kick off March 17 with a 9 a.m. pancake breakfast, followed by #AsburyEggstravaganza — an event featuring an Easter egg hunt, kiddie rides and carnival games. Both events are free and open to the public.
On March 18, Asbury will host worship services at 8:30 and 11 a.m., after which they can buy lunch from five Birmingham-area food trucks. Off the Hook, iCantina, City Bowls, Eugene’s Hot Chicken and Dreamcakes are set to be present.
This open house weekend will be one of the biggest in church history, said Asbury Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Kip Laxson.
“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than to invite our community to join us,” he said. “Asbury is a growing, thriving church and we’ve outgrown our current space. Our new sanctuary doubles the size of our church and we will have room for everyone to come and worship — no matter who you are or where you’re from.”
In addition to the celebration, attendees can participate in Brown Bag, a mission initiative from Asbury. During Brown Bag, Asbury packs lunches for Birmingham students in need, and has helped more than 40,000 students to date, according to a press release from Asbury UMC.
“Feeding the hungry is reason enough to participate year after year,” said Asbury Missions in Action Committee and Organizer Ralph Ritter, “but we also do it because we have to live for Christ and this is one way we can send the heart of Asbury to those who need it most.”
Opportunities to volunteer with unpacking boxes of food, stuffing bags and loading trucks will be available Saturday, March 17 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Sunday, March 18 at 9:30 a.m.
For more information, go to asburyonline.org/openhouseweekend.