ASBURY FIRST MONDAY READER | APRIL 13, 2026

CONTENTS:

OUTREACH MINISTRIES SPOTLIGHT: HELP ME READ by KRISTIN PARKES

WHY PRONOUNS MATTER (AND WHY THEY CAN FEEL CONFUSING) 
by REV. DR. MICHELLE BOGUE-TROST

Towards the end of each school year, the gymnasium of Enrico Fermi School No. 17 in the City of Rochester is in celebratory mode. Volunteers cover tables with tablecloths, set up chairs for special guests and books that have been donated for students adorn the side bleachers. Pizza, ice cream and cookies are waiting to be shared in community with all who gather. Smiles are on the faces of students, teachers, parents and community members as they enter this space, pausing together for a moment to reflect on the growth made over the past ten months.

This gathering is the culmination of the Help Me Read Program, a one-on-one volunteer tutoring program which was created to help boost child literacy. Being a part of this program for the past several years, I look forward to this day. Everyone loves a good party for sure, but for me this is a moment where God’s light is shining so brightly, on the faces of all who are present and in the words that are spoken. The director of the program, Bishop Singleton shares his remarks of thankfulness to the volunteers, teachers and students. Ms. Linda, the Help Me Read Coordinator also shares words of celebration. But for me, it is the words of the children that go straight to my heart.

Microphone in hand, the children who have been a part of this program have an

opportunity to speak, to say thank you, to share what being a part of the program has meant to them. With their eyes shining brightly, their words are of thankfulness to tutors and teachers. In this moment, the children have a voice. They acknowledge that they have grown, not just in their skills, but in their confidence as well. As they speak, it is evident that this program, for them, has made a difference.

The students I have worked with over the years, sometimes are not the ones that stand up to speak from the microphone on that celebration day, yet the impact the program has made on them remains visible. When I have reflected with my students on how much they have learned, and the growth they have made, their smiles and hugs say it all. In these moments, I believe they feel truly “seen,” for who they are. Children of God. It is not about the test scores, or the books they have read, although we whole-heartedly celebrate academic achievement, but it is that these children have been changed. The light of Christ shines within them. They believe in themselves. There is hope. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this outreach ministry of Asbury First. If you have a free hour to spare in your day, come join me in being God’s loving hands working with the children of our future.

For many years, Asbury First has adopted off-campus organizations, supporting them through volunteers and financial contributions. These partners address needs our on-campus programs cannot, and include such programs as Habitat for Humanity, School 17/45 Help Me Read, Family Promise, Keeping Our Promise, and Cameron Ministry Teen Center.

Over the coming weeks, the Monday Reader will feature stories highlighting the important work of Asbury First's Off-Campus Outreach Ministries ministries.

In recent years, you may have noticed people introducing themselves with their pronouns, or including them in email signatures and name tags. Many of our staff do so regularly, and among our staff we have those who use "she," "he," and "they" as their identifying pronouns. For some, this feels natural and affirming. For others, it can feel unfamiliar, even a little confusing. That’s okay. Learning new ways of speaking about one another takes time, and it’s something we can approach with curiosity rather than pressure.

Pronouns are simply the words we use in place of someone’s name—he, she, they, and others. For many people, those words have always felt straightforward. But for some, the pronouns others have used for them have not matched their sense of who they are. When someone shares their pronouns, they are offering us a way to refer to them that reflects their identity more accurately. It is not about getting everything perfect; it is about honoring one another as we are.

For those who did not grow up with this practice, it can feel like a lot to take in. You might wonder why it matters, or worry about saying the wrong thing. Those are very human responses. Like learning someone’s name, using the pronouns they share is simply one way of showing respect. And if we make a mistake—and we will, at times—the most helpful response is a simple correction and moving forward. Grace goes a long way, both for others and for ourselves.

At its heart, this is not about language rules. It is about relationship. As people of faith, we are called to see one another as beloved, to listen with care, and to make room for one another’s full humanity. Paying attention to how someone wishes to be addressed is one small but meaningful way of living that out in everyday life.

If you would like to learn more, a helpful resource is available at pronouns.org.

Like many things in life together, this is a journey. We take it one step at a time, trusting that understanding grows through openness, conversation, and grace.

Would you like to submit a story for inclusion in a future Monday Reader? Please do! 
We'd love to hear from you. Email David Stith at dstith@asburyfirst.org to get started.