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

ASBURY FIRST MONDAY READER | AUGUST 04, 2025

CONTENTS: HOME-GROWN TALENT : CHARLIE BOHRER

THE BUZZ ON CAMPUS: VBS BEE-GINS!

Breaking barriers and beating incredible odds! Charles Sean Bohrer has triumphantly secured his place among an elite group of just twelve singers hand-picked from a staggering 548 applicants for Finger Lakes Opera's (FLO) prestigious 2025 Young Artist Program. This remarkable achievement puts a spotlight on the extraordinary talent flourishing right here at Asbury First!

This year brings thrilling new possibilities as FLO launches its groundbreaking Apprentice Artist level, a visionary initiative crafted specifically for promising young voices with local ties. Charlie is the perfect embodiment of this exciting new chapter: a rising star with unshakeable community roots and unlimited potential.

Throughout the summer, Charlie has proven his versatility and charm across multiple productions and venues. He was contracted to perform as Ophemon in The Anonymous Lover and served as an ensemble member in Out Loud at ARTISANworks. Beyond the main stage, he has delighted audiences at FLO's community engagement events, bringing opera to intimate settings such as Ferris Hills, Ashton Place, and even the unique atmosphere of Three Heads Brewing.

"Charlie has been an absolute delight to have onboard this summer," says FLO Executive Director Elizabeth Long. "He is yet again proof that one doesn't have to leave Rochester to find incredible talent."

Charlie's summer culminates with his participation in the men's chorus for FLO's production of Rigoletto, playing this Thursday, August 7 and Sunday, August 10 at the Panara Theatre at RIT.

Don't miss this chance to see Charlie and the full cast bring Verdi's masterpiece to life. Limited seats are still available – secure your tickets today!

BUY TICKETS TO RIGOLETTO HERE

THE BUZZ ON CAMPUS: VBS BEE-GINS!

(prepare yourself for a whole lot of bee puns)

This year's Bee-Themed Vacation Bible School is in full swing! As this Monday Reader reaches your inbox, our colony of young'uns are tuckered out from a day of play, inquiry and cooperation under the careful guidance of Miss Paula. The energy has been absolutely infectious as children dive headfirst into activities designed around our buzzing theme, learning valuable lessons about community, hard work, and faith through the lens of these remarkable creatures.

This year marks the first that we're offering VBS as a full-day experience, and the response has been great! Parents are thrilled with the extended program, which allows working families to participate more fully while giving children additional time to form deeper friendships and absorb the lessons being taught. The expanded schedule has enabled us to incorporate more hands-on learning opportunities, outdoor exploration time, and quiet reflection periods that simply weren't possible in our previous half-day format. Miss Paula and her dedicated team of volunteers have risen to the challenge

beautifully, maintaining high energy and enthusiasm throughout the longer days.

Asbury First is a-buzz with their youthful moxie, and it's clear that this bee theme has captured the children's imaginations in wonderful ways. You can hear the excited chatter echoing through the halls as they share discoveries about teamwork, discuss

their favorite bee facts, and eagerly anticipate each day's new adventures. For those of us hard at work in the Church Offices, the sight of little ones wearing their bee-dappled shirts and buzzing from activity to activity is honey-sweet. We're already hearing requests from children asking if they can come back next year, which tells us that this inaugural full-day VBS has truly hit the sweet spot of living, loving, and learning.

Asbury First United Methodist Church

1050 East Avenue, Rochester NY, 14607

(585) 271-1050