Dr. Nick Szoko

Rev. Perrin Crouch

Paula Brookshier

Andy Prescott, LMT

Moderated by Katie Roam

Nick Szoko is an adolescent medicine physician and researcher who aims to improve the physical and mental health of young people experiencing marginalization. As a clinician, he provides care to youth involved in the juvenile legal system, youth with experiences of trauma, as well as youth who are gender-diverse. Nick currently practices in Pittsburgh, PA and identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Outside of work he enjoys traveling, camping, and spending time with his dog. As a native of St. Charles who grew up at First St. Charles UMC, Nick remains passionate about cultivating dialogue regarding justice, inclusion, and unconditional love.

Pastor Perrin, a commissioned deacon and graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School, is Grace UMC’s Breitmayer Director of Community Engagement. Pastor Perrin is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, a recent transplant to Saint Louis from Kentucky, and a woman with a heart for Jesus Christ’s work of liberation for all creation.

Paula Brookshier is a Human Resources and Payroll Manager and the proud mother of an adult son who is transgender.  She began attending PFLAG support meetings during her son’s journey toward authenticity where she received support and understanding from others who were on the same road.  She currently serves as a board member of PFLAG Greater St. Louis and co-facilitates their Mid-County monthly support group meetings.  Paula likes trying out new restaurants, reading, hiking, and playing with her silly cats, Tux and Tobias.

Andy Prescott is a licensed massage therapist practicing under the name Triangle Wellness Collective, as well as the co-owner of CONNECT Community Center for Wellbeing, a space for folks to connect to life, the community, and the land we gather upon through wellbeing practices like yoga, dance, meditation, sound healing, as well as creative practices like poetry, letterpress, art therapy, and a quarterly open mic space! Andy has been out as a queer trans man since 2016, and in his time doing drag from 2018-2020, he became the first trans man to hold the title of Mr. Pride St. Louis in 2019.  In his spare time from healing work and community organizing, Andy enjoys crocheting while watching Mr. Roger's Neighborhood with his orange tabby, Hades. 

Katie Roam is the Director of Connectional Ministries at First St. Charles United Methodist Church. She is originally from Southwest Missouri and began her career doing church planting with immigrants and refugees in Chicago. When that season ended, she moved to St. Louis to work for the Missouri Baptist Children's Home, serving in their human trafficking rescue program. She was also the Executive Director of the Sparrow's Nest, an agency that serves young families in St. Charles County. When Katie isn't at First St. Charles, connecting with all our wonderful members and guests, and singing in our choir, she loves to play pickleball and softball, and go kayaking when she gets the chance. She also loves plants and the occasional crossword puzzle and hanging out with her dog, Scout!