In a moment that stunned some and stirred applause in others, a New York pastor stood before her congregation to declare a deeply personal transformation.

Rev. Phillip Phaneuf of North Chili United Methodist Church in Rochester announced to her church on Nov. 23 that she is transitioning and will now go by the name Phillipa, identifying as a transgender woman and describing herself as asexual, as New York Post reports.

Delivering the announcement from the pulpit in a rainbow-themed stole, Phaneuf shared that she had been undergoing hormone therapy for several months and informed congregants that her physical changes would soon become more noticeable.

Pastor Declares Transition From the Pulpit

“So I get to announce with joy that I’m transitioning,” she said during the Sunday service, pausing to let the weight of the message settle. “I’m not becoming a woman, I’m giving up pretending to be a man.”

Whether that sounds like courage or confusion may depend on where you sit in the pew, but one thing is certain: this wasn’t your average Sunday sermon.

Phaneuf also revealed that she has never lived a life of romance or sexual partnership, noting that she identifies as asexual—something she says has always been part of her reality, long before her transition.

Congregational Support, Familial Opposition

She assured the congregation that her decision has the backing of her denomination’s leadership, including the bishop and theological circles within the church—another sign of how deeply progressive ideology has embedded itself into even mainline religious institutions.

But not everyone was on board. Phaneuf mentioned that her parents explicitly asked her to inform the congregation that they do not support her transition. “They asked me to tell you all that they do not support me,” she said plainly from the pulpit.

The admission seemed to underscore the divide this announcement may deepen, even within family units, let alone faith communities that traditionally hold to male and female roles rooted in Scripture.

Faith Meets Identity Talking Points

Phaneuf acknowledged she did not enter the ministry with the intention of focusing on personal matters, but recognized that some events in a pastor’s life inevitably intersect with the congregation’s experience.

“I did not get into ministry to talk about myself or my personal life,” she said. “But sometimes there are things that happen in a pastor’s personal life that are going to find their way out.”

It’s a telling reflection of how identity culture has crept into even the pulpit—where the message used to be about the Gospel, not hormones and pronouns.

Rainbow Iconography Makes Church Appearance

Perhaps most symbolic was the attire Phaneuf chose for the announcement: a rainbow-patterned stole—a clear nod to modern LGBTQ+ iconography that has become commonplace even in some sanctuaries.

It wasn’t long ago that churches displayed crosses and hymnals without needing to offer disclaimers or declarations about personal gender journeys.

Now, the robe and stole have taken on new meaning, often serving as political statements rather than symbols of spiritual shepherdship.

Larger Implications Within Faith Communities

While the North Chili church appears supportive—at least publicly—this case raises broader questions for traditional believers watching their denominations bend under cultural pressure.

Are pastors now expected to model secular trends in identity exploration, or to shepherd others toward biblical truths about human nature and divine design?

For many conservatives of faith, the pastor’s choice may be seen less as bravery and more as blurring a line they believe doesn’t belong in the church to begin with.

Not Just a Personal Moment

Phaneuf made clear the decision to speak out was not driven by a desire for attention, but out of necessity. “This is a process,” she said, acknowledging some members may be shocked or confused by what it all means.

She candidly laid out plans for what lies ahead, including changes in physical appearance from hormone therapy, and the possibility of theological and relational consequences down the road.

It was transparency, yes—but also a marker of how the church is no longer exempt from the cultural debates happening everywhere else.

A New Identity, A Divided Response

For those sympathetic to the modern progressive agenda, this may be hailed as a historic moment of inclusion and courage.

For those steeped in Scripture and tradition, it’s another example of how institutions once guided by God’s word now appear governed more by social validation than theological foundation.

Either way, the pulpit has once again become a stage for a debate much larger than a single sermon.