Washington ? The Rev. Rebecca Ann Steen, a United Methodist minister who underwent a sex-change operation, voluntarily surrendered clergy credentials at a hearing on her situation.

Before the 1999 operation Steen was the Rev. Richard Zamostny, a pastor in Rockville, Md.

Steen wanted to resume ministry and, if judged in good standing, would have had the right to an assignment from Bishop Felton E. May of the Baltimore-Washington area. But district superintendents favored an involuntary leave.

A separate complaint, unrelated to the gender issue, was filed against the minister. Specifics were not released.