From Rose To Peter: Transgender NJ Pastor Inspires Hoboken Church

HOBOKEN, NJ — On Sunday, the Rev. Rose Beeson will officially become “Peter.” And with that simple name change, the transgender pastor of St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church will put a symbolic cap on his inspiring journey from female to male.

Beeson began transitioning genders last summer, a decision that he’s discussed in detail with a supportive congregation. (See below video)

"I wrestled with sex and gender from my teens into my early 20s," Beeson told NJ.com, describing a "journey toward greater integrity to be the most fully present for the congregation and more honest and authentic and live what God is calling me to be."

The pastor will assume his new name at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11 during a public ceremony at St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church, 57 Eighth Street, Hoboken. As part of the ceremony, the Rev. Tracie Bartholomew, bishop of the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will conduct a renaming liturgy that affirms transgender individuals.

Beeson’s transition will mark one of the first times a minister of a congregation in the ELCA has transitioned genders while simultaneously serving as pastor.

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“All who believe in promoting inclusion and diversity are welcome to attend this historic occasion,” the church states on its website.

Beeson is married and has a “bouncy toddler who enjoys exploring the parks in Hoboken.” In his free time, he can be found practicing Tai Chi, Kung-Fu, or “playing with low-voltage wiring and power-tools” while volunteering with Rebuilding Together, the church states.

According to the church, Beeson serves on the board of the Hoboken Shelter, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness. Prior to that, he served on the board of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries and Reconciling Works, two organizations that affirm and support LGBTQ people who are pursuing a call to rostered ministry.

Before joining St. Matthew Trinity in 2014, Beeson served on the staff of a congregation in Washington, DC, as a chaplain in rural south-west North Carolina and has experience with congregations in Phoenix and San Francisco.

The factotum brings a wealth of knowledge to his community, including experience working in IT, telecom and project management, and has taken graduate level coursework in real estate and sustainable infrastructure at Johns Hopkins University.

The church shared the following Bible quote in its announcement about Beeson’s renaming ceremony:

“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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Photos courtesy of St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church, used with permission

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