NEW YORK PASTOR SHOCKS CONGREGATION AS HE ANNOUNCES HE IS TRANSGENDER DURING SUNDAY SERVICE

Nkonkonsa.com1 week ago

1 minute read

A pastor in New York made a groundbreaking personal announcement during a Sunday service, revealing to her congregation that she is transitioning into a woman and will now use she/her pronouns.

Reverend Phil Phaneuf, 51, who leads the North Chili United Methodist Church (UMC), stood before the congregation wearing a rainbow stole and declared, “I get to announce with joy that I am transitioning. I am affirming and saying to all of you that I am transgender.”

In her heartfelt address, the veteran pastor explained, “The best way to put this is that I’m not becoming a woman, I’m giving up pretending to be a man.” She added that her new name will be Phillippa Faye Phaneuf, though she will continue to be known as “Reverend Phil” and will not police pronouns, trusting the congregation to respect her journey.

Phaneuf shared that she has been undergoing hormone replacement therapy for about three months and assured members that while physical changes will occur, her commitment to her faith and ministry remains unchanged.

The announcement marks a rare and public moment of personal authenticity within a religious leadership context and has sparked conversation about inclusion, identity, and faith in modern congregations.