A Methodist pastor came out as trans to her congregation in a powerful sermon during which she declared, The best way to put this is that Im not becoming a woman, Im giving up pretending to be a man.Pastor Phillippa Phaneufof the North Chili United Methodist Church in Rochester, New York, took the last ten minutes of the November 23 worship service to help her congregation understand what her transition will mean for them. Related A new home named after a trans icon is bringing much-needed hope to queer people in need I am inviting you to join me in a season of creative transformation for myself, she said, and, I think, for all of us. She explained that she already has the support of the United Methodist Church (UMC), the district superintendent, the bishop, and even the scripture itself. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Did you know that there are eight different Hebrew words for different gender types? she said, re-emphasizing, In the ancient Hebrew they recognized at least eight different gender types. She explained to listeners that the pure joy she has felt since beginning hormone replacement therapy three months ago couldnt possibly be something of which God disapproves. Imagine if your doctor came and told you that your quality and outlook on life could transform exponentially to the positive. Would you listen to that doctor? If you felt Gods Holy Spirit surrounding you in ways that you havent felt in years, would you have a sense that that might be something that God was okay with?She acknowledged to her congregants that its okay to feel nervous or shocked. Because really what it comes down to is awareness, she said. So lets just be aware and recognize the fact that there can often be, in these kinds of situations, the fear of the unknown. She then tried to clear up some of the unknowns by explaining what would change and what would stay the same. While her appearance, voice, clothes, and pronouns will change, she said she deeply, deeply believes that what brought us together and has kept us together are all the things found in the stays the same category. What will stay the same, she said, is my commitment to the good news of Jesus Christ, our togetherness in ministry, (unfortunately for all of you) my personality, my style of teaching, my style of preaching, my adhd brain type (youre welcome), my sense of humor none of that is changing.She also said theres something beautiful that may come out of her transition: The church might become an even safer space for people who have felt marginalized.Notice what I said, an even safer space. I didnt say that well become that, because I wouldnt be able to do what Im doing now unless I had felt the love and support from all of you. She also expressed that her parents were absolutely not okay with her transition and even asked her to tell the congregation they did not support her. They texted me this morning, and they asked for me to tell you all that they do not support me, and that they have chosen their convictions and their beliefs over supporting their child.But she expressed complete faith in her congregants that even those who might be hesitant will come to accept her with time, especially once they see how happy she is.Thats what we want for the people in our lives, isnt it? she asked.Phaneufalso praised the UMCs May 2024 vote to end its ban on LGBTQ+ clergy. The decision was made at the churchs General Conference, where delegates voted 692-51 to remove the ban. The delegates also voted in favor of a measure that bans penalties for clergy who choose to perform same-sex weddings and also bans penalties for those who refuse to perform them.The Methodist Church has been moving toward LGBTQ+-inclusivity for a long time, so much so that thousands of congregations around the country have disaffiliated because the Church is not anti-LGBTQ+ enough. In 2019, the General Conference of The United Methodist Churchannouncedthat churches could leave the denomination through the end of 2023 for reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements and provisions of the Book of Discipline related to the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of self-avowed practicing homosexuals as resolved and adopted by the 2019 General Conference, or the actions or inactions of its annual conference related to these issues which follow. According to the United Methodist News Service,7,286 congregations (more than one in five) across the country have been approved to disaffiliate from the denomination since the 2019 announcement. Over 5000 of those disaffiliations took place in 2023.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.