Published: April 18, 2024

To the Asbury First Family,

We are delighted to share exciting news — Bishop Héctor Burgos-Núñez has appointed Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost as our congregation’s new senior minister. Rev. Dr. Bogue-Trost will begin her new responsibilities on July 1st of this year. You can read the Bishop’s announcement of her appointment by clicking here. 

Rev. Dr. Bogue-Trost, or Michelle, currently serves as Lead Pastor of Central UMC in Endicott, New York. She has more than 27 years of experience developed through appointments to congregations ranging in size from 11 to 1000. She is a gifted preacher, a strong administrator, passionate about connecting congregations with their community, and a collaborative leader committed to the full inclusion of God’s children. She has served as a pastor, leader, preaching coach, spiritual director, consultant, teacher, mentor, and gardener.  

Michelle brings a wealth of secular and ministry experience in inspired preaching, administration, change and conflict management, outreach, team building and leadership. The spiritual health of each person and congregation is paramount to her, and she is deeply committed to inclusivity of all as well as to outreach ministries. She works with clergy and congregations in the UMC and beyond, as they craft new visions to reach their highest possible potential given their current circumstances. She also has extensive service in District, Conference, Jurisdictional and General Conference roles within the denomination. 

Her authenticity, honesty, energy, and demonstrated skill in helping congregations craft and implement their dreams will continue to propel us forward. She also appreciates how communal fun can bring joy to a congregation.

As a United Methodist congregation, we are part of an itinerant appointment system, under which the Bishop makes pastoral appointments. We are grateful that the Bishop and District Superintendent worked together with us in this appointment process. At the Bishop’s invitation and in collaboration with him, our Pastor Parish Relations Committee (PPRC) and Governing Board developed our Church profile and description, identified our congregation’s needs, and described the skills needed in our senior pastor. The Bishop and appointive cabinet conducted a wide-ranging national search, identifying and carefully considering many possible candidates. One candidate emerged at the top of the list. The Bishop discussed Michelle’s possible appointment with the PPRC, which includes the members of our former transition team. The PPRC had the opportunity to review her credentials, to listen to her sermons and interviews, and to conduct in-depth discussion with her. The PPRC is uniformly enthusiastic about her appointment, and we are very excited to welcome her to Asbury First.

Michelle’s congregation is learning of her departure at the same time as this announcement. As we can appreciate, they will be experiencing a period of shock and grief. Between now and July Michelle needs to be with her Central congregation to help them deal with this transition, so she will not preach her first sermon at Asbury First before her arrival.

Michelle joins us together with her husband, Nate Trost. His career permits him to work from anywhere, and he has been an active participant in churches to which she has been appointed. He is particularly looking forward to involvement in the outreach ministries at Asbury First.

We are very grateful to Rev. Ted Anderson for his continued interim leadership through July 1. His willingness to disrupt his retirement for dedicated service to us has been a blessing indeed.

We are including a greeting from Michelle below, and her profile can be read by clicking here. Additionally, we will provide a link to her full resumé on our website in the near future. 

Bishop Burgos said about the new appointment, “I thank God for Asbury First’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 in 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, or as we say at Asbury First:

Love God and Neighbor, Live Fully, Serve All, and Repeat.

Moving forward with God’s guidance,

Beth Wilkens, PPRC Chair and James Quinn, Governing Board Chair



GREETING FROM REV. DR. MICHELLE BOGUE-TROST

Greetings from the Southern Tier!

I am delighted that in two (short!) months, we will begin our ministry together at Asbury First. I am eagerly looking forward to getting to know you, sharing in our life's journeys, and growing together in faith and vision. My commitment to you is to serve with dedication, love, and a sincere desire to walk with you in the ways God is calling us to be the church together.

As I prepare for this move, you are all in my prayers, and I ask for your prayers as well. Let us pray for a smooth transition at Asbury First and at Central, for God to weave us into a strong and loving community, and for our hearts to be opened to the possibilities such a transition brings. I am truly excited about meeting you in person and embarking on this new chapter of our journey with Christ.

In One Peace, Michelle 

Published: April 12, 2024

Make your gardens beautiful while supporting the Storehouse! Purchase Geraniums in a rainbow of colors by clicking HERE. We'll have 4 1/2" pots of red, white, purple sizzle, strawberry sizzle, and salmon geraniums, along with hanging baskets with mixed floral variety. 

Orders must be received by Sunday, May 5. Pick up your geraniums on Saturday, May 18 from 9:30 am to 12 pm at Asbury First's Community Outreach Center (1010 East Ave).

If you have any questions, please email giving@asburyfirst.org, or call Deb Bullock-Smith at 585-271-1050 x117

Published: April 12, 2024

Save the date! We know Christmas is still a ways off, but if you're interested in being a vendor at this year's Holiday Craft Bazaar, 
please reserve a spot soon! Contact chrissmithburton@gmail.com 
for more information.  

• November 1, 2024, set-up 5 - 7 pm
• November 2, 2024, 10 - 4 pm
• November 3, 2024, 10 - 2 pm

Published: April 12, 2024

The Asbury Bicycle Ministry is gearing up for the 2024 season! We repair bikes in the garage on the Asbury campus Thursday mornings, May through September. If you are interested in participating, please contact Simon Barnett at sjbarnett3@gmail.com.

Published: April 12, 2024

Later this year we will break ground on Asbury First's Columbarium project – a sacred, consecrated outdoor space on the southeastern outer wall of 1040, designed to provide a final resting place for the remains of our loved ones. Instead of buying a plot in a cemetery,
one can reserve a niche for a pair of urns that will be built into the garden-like columbarium.

These niches are available to all, but space is limited so reserve yours now.

Stop by the Columbarium table in the Welcoming Hall after the 11 am service to learn more.

Published: April 5, 2024

We have reports of a new scam going around claiming to be Ted. Please hover over the email to make sure it is from an @asburyfirst.org email account. The Asbury First staff will never ask you to send cash immediately or to give your personal information over an open email.

Here are a few guidelines to recognize scam/phishing emails or texts:

• Be suspicious of urgent demands for information

Often spoofed e-mails will make some form of urgent request.

• Look for misspelled words or grammatical errors in the message or link

• Avoid e-mailing personal or financial information

• Be watchful of general greetings

• Contact Asbury First directly to verify the request before responding.

Staff will only contact you using official email addresses. For more information, please contact David Strong at dstrong@asburyfirst.org

Published: April 5, 2024

Have you ever wondered what it is like to help build our community? Literally? Learn, do and serve, all a the same time, with others from Asbury as we join with Habitat for Humanity for two days of construction at a site off Culver Road in Rochester. We have a few more slots available on both May 4 (Sat) and May 17 (Fri). To learn more or sign up, send an email to DAKennedy@frontiernet.net and type I want to work on the subject line. Dave will will send you information including the URL and password to register online directly with Flower City Habitat for Humanity. Everyone 16 and older is eligible to volunteer. Each session runs from 8:45 am to 4 pm. No experience or tools are necessary. 

Published: March 29, 2024

Asbury First's Governing Board will conduct Town Hall meetings periodically throughout the year, inviting the congregation to weigh-in on a variety of important topics. The first of the sessions will be April 21. Mark your calendar! 

Join us in the Sanctuary, or via livestream, after the 11 am service for updates on the Senior Minister Search, our Outreach efforts, Asbury's financial landscape, and updates from the Dream Team on new ways we're envisioning the future of Asbury First. 

Published: March 29, 2024

MONDAY, AUGUST 5 — THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

9 am — 12 pm

Children ages 4 through 5th grade, join us August 5 through 8 for Olympic-sized fun at VBS Olympic Teamwork Camp! We will meet each morning from 9 am til noon to learn about teamwork, play Olympic-themed games, and explore what the Bible has to say about working together. 

REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE

If you have any questions or need more information, please reach out to Paula Dugan, Director of Children’s Ministry at pdugan@asburyfirst.org

Published: March 29, 2024

May 3 and 4 at 7pm | May 5 at 2 pm

$15 general admission | $10 for students

In May, witness the magic of Lionel Bart's timeless musical masterpiece, Oliver! Embark on a captivating journey with the lovable orphan Oliver Twist as he navigates the gritty streets of Victorian London. Filled with unforgettable characters, stirring melodies, and poignant storytelling, Oliver promises an immersive experience for the whole family. From the iconic "Consider Yourself" to the heart-wrenching "As Long as He Needs Me," the musical numbers will transport you to a world of Dickensian charm and musical brilliance. Visit asburyfirst.org/oliver to buy your tickets today!

Published: March 29, 2024

Easter 2024 marks the one year anniversary of our Community Outreach Center being fully open to our community. In that time we've provided more than 9,000 meals, 1,000 bags of groceries, 5,000 individuals with clothing and household goods, 300 clinic appointments, 300 loads of laundry, 700 showers, 150 haircuts, and 150 bicycles serviced. In addition to this physical impact, there have been countless hours of less measurable ministry: conversations held, relationships deepened, burdens shared, prayers offered together.

As we look forward to the rest of 2024 and beyond, let us celebrate all that we have accomplished!

Published: March 29, 2024

Asbury Community Garden is in need of new volunteers! Whether you’d like to put in a single afternoon of service or join us for the entire season, we could use your help. Gardening expertise is welcome, but not required. This year, we're expanding the garden by adding four raised beds, to be constructed in April or May, and putting down cardboard and mulch around the beds once they're constructed. Planting will begin in May and from then until October we’ll need help with watering. Harvesting begins in June. Most volunteers work on a team that serves every few weeks to water, weed, and harvest. Let us know if you’re willing to help just one time or all season by reaching out to Diana Carter at dianalouisecarter@gmail.com or by calling (585) 732-7224

Published: March 29, 2024

The Women of the Well will be presenting a program on the lives of Ita Ford, Dorothy Kazel, Maura Clarke, and Jean Donovan, four US church women who were assaulted and killed in El Salvador in 1980. By attending this presentation and hearing the stories of Ita, Dorothy, Maura, and Jean, you will be helping to continue to promote the cause of peace, the hope for a world of non-violence, and the compassionate pursuit of justice for all who live in this world.

Please join us on Friday, April 12 at 7pm in the Sanctuary of Asbury First UMC at 1050 East Ave. A time of discussion will follow. A free-will donation is encouraged; all proceeds will go to the Women of the Well.  

Published: March 25, 2024

Would you consider volunteering just 2 HOURS per month to the odds-n-ends work of Asbury First? For example, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays we have need for help with event and meeting set-up, cleaning, and other minor projects. If you're looking to spend a little extra time working alongside other Asbury folks, please contact us at volunteering@asburyfirst.org

note: Thank You to those who shared suggestions like these during our Annual Church Conference in January. We are truly better together! 

Published: March 25, 2024

On Saturday, May 4 and Friday, May 17 we will be doing home construction at a Habitat site off of Culver Road in Rochester. If you are interested in working on one of these days or would like more information, email Dave Kennedy at DAKennedy@frontiernet.net and type "I want to work" in the subject line. Dave will send you information including the URL and password to register online directly with Flower City Habitat for Humanity. Everyone 16 and older is eligible to volunteer. Each session runs from 8:45 am to 4 pm. No experience or tools are necessary.

Just bring your enthusiasm for construction of affordable housing for our neighbors!