"The sanctuary at North Chili United Methodist Church in upstate New York near Rochester was quiet at first. It was one of those anticipatory silences that falls when a pastor stands before the congregation with "a special announcement." Then, with a gentleness that belied the gravity of the moment, Rev. Dr. Phillippa Phaneuf opened a window into her life that few clergy have ever voiced so publicly."
"What followed was not a political declaration or a defensive explanation, but an act of pastoral honesty and grace. With steady compassion, Phaneuf invited the congregation into what she called "a season of creative transformation," rooting her disclosure in spirituality and shared community. "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?" she asked."
Rev. Dr. Phillippa Phaneuf announced during a November 23 Sunday service that she is transgender, describing the choice as giving up pretending to be a man rather than becoming a woman. Congregants responded with supportive cheers and a softened atmosphere. Phaneuf framed the disclosure as pastoral honesty and invited the congregation into 'a season of creative transformation,' grounding the change in spirituality and shared community. She posed reflective questions about listening to guidance that could improve quality of life and sensing God's Holy Spirit. The announcement emphasized continuity of ministry and sought to reassure and include the congregation.
Read at Advocate.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]