A pastor in upstate New York surprised members of the congregation by announcing a personal life change during a recent church service. Rev. Phillip Phaneuf, 51, told worshippers that she is transgender and will now go by the name Phillipa. Speaking from the pulpit at North Chili United Methodist Church near Rochester, she shared the news openly with the congregation.

During the announcement, Phillipa explained that the transition was not about becoming someone new, but about no longer pretending to be someone she never truly felt she was. “I’m not becoming a woman, I’m giving up pretending to be a man,” she told those in attendance. She acknowledged that the news might come as a surprise and said the transition would be a gradual process.

The pastor also shared that she identifies as asexual, explaining that she has never pursued romantic relationships and that her personal life has remained separate from her role in ministry. She revealed that she has been undergoing hormone therapy for the past three months and wanted the congregation to know that her appearance would begin to change over time.

Before making the announcement, Phillipa told church members that she had never entered ministry to focus on her personal life. However, she felt it was important to be honest because the changes would eventually become noticeable. The announcement has since drawn widespread attention online, sparking conversations and a range of reactions from people across the country.