I am happy to share with you today that Bishop Héctor Burgos-Núñez has appointed Rev. Michelle Bogue-Trost as our congregation's new pastor. Rev. Michelle-Bogue will begin her new responsibilities on July 1st of this year. As a United Methodist congregation, we are part of an itinerant appointment system. Our congregation’s staff parish relations committee has met with the district superintendent and the bishop to identify our congregation’s needs and the skills needed to be a pastor. We also met with Rev. Michelle-Bogue to get to know her better and to ask questions. 

Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost is a pastor, leader, consultant, teacher, mentor, spiritual director, preaching coach, and gardener. She brings a wealth of secular and ministry experience in administration, management, team building, and leadership, developed over 27+ years of appointment to congregations ranging in membership from 11 to 1000, and service in District, Conference, NEJ, and GC ministries. Her authenticity, honesty, and willingness to help individuals and congregations craft a new vision will guide us toward our highest possible potential, given our current contextual realities. The spiritual health of each person and congregation is paramount to her.

Before we embark on this new chapter, let us take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our current pastor, Rev. Ted Anderson. His dedicated service during this interim season has been invaluable. 

Bishop Burgos said about the new appointment, “I thank God for Asbury’s PPRC team and their faithful engagement in the appointment process. I am excited about the future of Asbury First UMC. Pastor Michelle is an effective apostolic leader with a hopeful vision for the church and God’s world. I look forward to witnessing how God works in the Rochester community and beyond this new season”.

Our new pastor, Bishop Burgos, and the leaders of the Upper New York Conference are committed to working closely with us, the congregation, to foster our continued growth as a missional community. Together, we will join our new pastor, Bishop Burgos, and all United Methodist of Upper New York in our mission to make new disciples of Jesus Christ to transform the world – living the gospel and embodying God’s love with all our neighbors.