St. Matthew Trinity congregation to affirm pastor’s transition from female to male in renaming ceremony on Feb. 11
HOBOKEN, NJ - The congregation of St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church is celebrating Pastor Rose Beeson as she transitions from female to male and takes on the name Peter in a renaming ceremony on February 11 at 10:30 a.m.
The Rev. Tracie Bartholomew, bishop of the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will be the featured preacher during the worship service that affirms transgender individuals who take on a new name and remember their baptism.
It is one of the first times a minister of a congregation in the ELCA has transitioned from female to male while serving as pastor, acting on St. Matthew Trinity’s aspiration to be a church where tradition and inclusivity meet.
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All who believe in promoting inclusion and diversity are welcome to attend this historic occasion.
"As many of you were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female' for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3
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What: Renaming Ceremony. Pastor Rose Beeson transitions from female to male and takes on the name Peter in a renaming liturgy that affirms transgender individuals who take on a new name and remember their baptism.
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When: Sunday, February 11, 2018, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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Where: St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church, 57 8th St. on the corner of 8th & Hudson Streets in Hoboken, NJ.
About St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church
500 years ago, Martin Luther brought a new perspective to Christianity, which became known as Lutheranism. If one were to summarize Luther’s message to the world, it would be Word alone; Grace alone; Faith alone.
St. Matthew Trinity lives this message by believing it is only God’s compassion for us that can save us, not any works we do. We are a place where tradition and inclusivity meet – embracing the best of the traditions of the past we continue to embody Luther’s reforming spirit, welcoming women and LGBT people to all levels of leadership in the church; acting in solidarity with those who are homeless, undocumented, or in recovery. We envision a world where all people are fed, brought into community and experience the wideness of God’s compassion.
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There is a place for you here. Join us on this journey.