When Jesus called Simon to be his first apostle, he changed his name to Peter.

On Sunday, Lutheran Bishop Tracie Bartholomew will call Pastor Rose Beeson "Peter" for the first time in what will be a historic "renaming ceremony" at St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoboken.

Since last summer, Beeson has been transitioning from woman to man and has shared this process with a supportive parish community.

"This a wonderful day in the life of this radically inclusive community," said Mark Singleton, a 21-year member of the church who was on the committee to call Beeson to pastor St. Matthew Trinity nearly four years ago.

On Sunday, after Bartholomew preaches at the parish's regular Sunday service, Beeson, 31, will accompany her to the baptismal font at the historic church's entrance. Then, Bartholomew will affirm Beeson's baptism and call him Peter for the first time.

Why Peter? I asked.

Beeson recounts calling a seminary classmate for advice and when he said "Peter,'' "Peter's persistence resonated."

Persistence has paid off for Beeson who felt "queer'' even as a child growing up in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, in a rather conservative, Evangelical church and never felt comfortable identifying as a woman.

"I wrestled with sex and gender from my teens into my early 20s," Beeson recalled, mentioning two old films about transgender men – "Boys Don't Cry" and "Southern Comfort" -- which both had "violent endings."

"Seeing those scared me and pushed me back," said Beeson, who did IT work before entering Pacific Lutheran Seminary in Berkeley, California, part of the progressive Graduate Theological Union.

Through seminary and in the process of the call to pastor a parish before ordination, Beeson described 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."

And St. Matthew Trinity has been, he said, a blessing as they are thrilled about what he is doing.

"It's an opportunity for us to live out our mission to accept everyone," said Jen Meusel, a 20-year member and outgoing vice president of the church council, "not just talk the talk."

Bartholomew has supported Beeson from the beginning.

"I support Pastor Beeson coming to the realization who he really is," she said.

Bartholomew sees pastoral concern as part of her ministry. She is aware of other ceremonies for church members and clergy transitioning in other Lutheran synods, but this is the first for the New Jersey Synod.

And, I think the first public announcement of a church ceremony anywhere in the state.

Bartholomew knows a minority voice will not approve of what she is doing and she is not moved.

"St. Matthew Trinity is a welcoming place and showing leadership to respond to gender identity and sexuality," she said.

It is also a Reconciling in Christ congregation, gay-friendly and one of the largest and most socially diverse Lutheran churches in Hudson County, which used to have many more, large active congregations. It sponsors the popular Lunchtime Ministry, which welcomes scores of people four days a week for food, rest and socialization. Many homeless participate.

"On Sunday, you can have a millionaire sitting next to a homeless person in the bench," said Singleton, and that's why he raised his family there and is very active.

Meusel views the upcoming ceremony as an opportunity "to be open and honest and to be clear that there is nothing to hide."

Beeson said his parents, who still live in Arizona, and sister support his change. But his "family" now is the Hoboken community.

"I am grateful to be in a congregation in part to be a bold witness to God's mercy and grace," he told me.

In the 501st year since Martin Luther shook up the Catholic Church, a quiet, determined Hoboken priest is challenging Christianity's understanding of gender and morality.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Rev. Alexander Santora is the pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph, 400 Willow Ave., Hoboken, 07030. Fax: 201-659-5833; email: padrealex@yahoo.com; Twitter: @padrehoboken.

If you go ...

Pastor Rose Beeson will be renamed Peter in a renaming ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church, Hudson and Eighth streets, Hoboken. For information, call 201-659-4499 or go to StMatthewTrinity.org.