Close Menu

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest headlines from PapaLinc about news & entertainment.

    What's Hot

    King Paluta will go back to underground for another 88 years – Bulldog

    I have always been hesitant to be on a record label

    Two Robbery Suspects Sentenced to Prison with Hard Labor

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Lifestyle
    • Africa News
    • International
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube WhatsApp
    PapaLincPapaLinc
    • News
      • Africa News
      • International
    • Entertainment
      • Lifestyle
      • Movies
      • Music
    • Politics
    • Sports
    Subscribe
    PapaLincPapaLinc
    You are at:Home»News»International»Michigan church fires its long-time music director after discovering his gay marriage – before parishioners’ surprising reaction
    International

    Michigan church fires its long-time music director after discovering his gay marriage – before parishioners’ surprising reaction

    Papa LincBy Papa LincNovember 12, 2024No Comments4 Mins Read0 Views
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit
    Michigan church fires its long-time music director after discovering his gay marriage – before parishioners’ surprising reaction
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Email


    By RACHEL BOWMAN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

    Published: 18:57 EST, 11 November 2024 | Updated: 18:57 EST, 11 November 2024

    The beloved longtime music director at a northern Michigan church was fired just a few months before his retirement after officials learned he was in a same-sex marriage.

    Fred Szczepanski said he was fired on October 18 from St. Francis Church in Traverse City for marrying his longtime partner Bill Thompson in a same-sex ceremony in Nevada in 2020. 

    Szczepanski – who had been the church’s music director for 34 years – was confronted by Rev. Michael Lingaur after church leaders received a letter from an unnamed person, according to the Traverse City Record-Eagle.  

    In a letter to parishioners of St. Francis Church in Traverse City, the diocese said his gay marriage violates the ministerial agreement condition of his employment.

    ‘A public act of same-sex marriage is a formal recognition that a relationship is more than friendship, and thereby jeopardizes a ministerial agreement for employment,’ the diocese said.

    Michigan church fires its long-time music director after discovering his gay marriage – before parishioners’ surprising reaction

    Fred Szczepanski (pictured) said he was fired on October 18 from St. Francis Church in Traverse City after church leaders learned he married a man four years ago

    Szczepanski - who had been the church's music director for 34 years - was confronted by Rev. Michael Lingaur after church leaders received a letter informing them of his marriage

    Szczepanski – who had been the church’s music director for 34 years – was confronted by Rev. Michael Lingaur after church leaders received a letter informing them of his marriage

    ‘Marriage is a permanent, faithful and exclusive covenant between one man and one woman.’    

    Outraged congregants protested Szczepanski’s firing on October 27, carrying signs outside the church that said: ‘Love Not Hate,’ ‘God Includes, Not Excludes’ and ‘Fired Not Retired.’

    Choir members on October 20 wore black, left their seats empty and refused to sing, the Record-Eagle reported.

    ‘He got fired because he’s gay,’ said choir member Bob Holden. ‘He’s extremely talented, he’s perfect on the piano, he has perfect pitch and because of him, I look forward to going to church every week. I’m divorced. Do I get thrown out next?’ 

    Liz Yarch, a former member of the choir, said she had resigned over the firing.

    Outraged congregants protested Szczepanski's firing on October 27, carrying signs outside the church

    Outraged congregants protested Szczepanski’s firing on October 27, carrying signs outside the church

    Protesters signs included messages that said: 'Love Not Hate,' 'God Includes, Not Excludes' and 'Fired Not Retired'

    Protesters signs included messages that said: ‘Love Not Hate,’ ‘God Includes, Not Excludes’ and ‘Fired Not Retired’

    ‘Some people were told Fred retired, but last I checked, people who have served for over 30 years get a retirement party,’ Yarch said. ‘Fred was fired for his personal life and I find that cruel.’

    Szczepanski said when he confirmed his marriage, Lingaur told him his services were no longer required and said he was not allowed to take communion during St. Francis worship services.

    Dave Martin, a member of the church’s pastoral council, told the Record-Eagle he received a copy of the letter, that it had an out-of-state postmark and was written by a person he did not name, but who had a seasonal connection to St. Francis.

    Szczepanski was reportedly intending to retire in January, but now his husband has set up a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of insurance, legal fees and bills.

    The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse has embraced Szczepanski and said they had over 245 people join their service on November 3 to ‘affirm and stand with Mr. Fred Szczepanski.’

    Szczepanski was reportedly intending to retired in January, but now his husband Bill Thompson (left) has set up a GoFundMe to help cover insurance, legal fees and bills

    Szczepanski was reportedly intending to retired in January, but now his husband Bill Thompson (left) has set up a GoFundMe to help cover insurance, legal fees and bills

    In January, St. Francis’s former leader Rev. Don Geyman was named in a report on clergy sex abuse and misconduct by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office.

    The report included sexually charged text messages Geyman reportedly sent to a woman he had previously counseled.

    Diocese of Gaylord Bishop Jeffrey J. Walsh replaced Geyman with Lingaur in July, and Geyman was transferred to  St. Ignatius of Loyola in Rogers City, according to the Diocese’s website.

    Share or comment on this article:
    Michigan church fires its long-time music director after discovering his gay marriage – before parishioners’ surprising reaction



    Source link

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp Telegram Email
    Previous ArticleBlack Stars to kick off preparations for Angola, Niger games with training at Accra Sports Stadium
    Next Article Thousands turn up for Dr Grace Ayensu Danquah walk in Essikado Ketan Constituency
    Papa Linc

    Related Posts

    Almost a fifth of Britons say they could back a new Jeremy Corbyn-led hard Left party – including almost a third of Labour supporters

    July 9, 2025

    Angry readers demand refunds for The Salt Path after best-selling author is accused of lying about ‘true story’

    July 9, 2025

    Wannabe fraudster, 33, who tried to claim £74,000 after lorry smashed into his Porsche is caught out… because dashcam snapped him ‘hiding in bushes’ 

    July 9, 2025
    Ads
    Top Posts

    Here’s why Ghana Airways collapsed in 2004

    November 5, 202449 Views

    A Plus questions the hypocrisy of NPP members who remained silent about corruption for 8 years, only to speak out after losing power.

    December 26, 202447 Views

    Urgent search continues for Paul Barning after he was attacked by shark during fishing competition

    February 23, 202539 Views

    Kenyan Senator breaks silence on her alleged intimate affairs, secret child with John Agyekum Kufuor

    December 21, 202434 Views
    Don't Miss
    Lifestyle July 9, 2025

    King Paluta will go back to underground for another 88 years – Bulldog

    Ghanaian music executive and entertainment critic Bullgod has delivered a scathing critique of rising rapper…

    I have always been hesitant to be on a record label

    Two Robbery Suspects Sentenced to Prison with Hard Labor

    Almost a fifth of Britons say they could back a new Jeremy Corbyn-led hard Left party – including almost a third of Labour supporters

    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • WhatsApp

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest headlines from PapaLinc about news & entertainment.

    Ads
    About Us
    About Us

    Your authentic source for news and entertainment.
    We're accepting new partnerships right now.

    Email Us: info@papalinc.com
    For Ads on our website and social handles.
    Email Us: ads@papalinc.com
    Contact: +1-718-924-6727

    Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest YouTube WhatsApp
    Our Picks

    King Paluta will go back to underground for another 88 years – Bulldog

    I have always been hesitant to be on a record label

    Two Robbery Suspects Sentenced to Prison with Hard Labor

    Most Popular

    April 3, 2023 – Russia-Ukraine information

    October 17, 20240 Views

    ‘I’ve by no means seen something like this:’ Certainly one of China’s hottest apps has the flexibility to spy on its customers, say specialists

    October 17, 20240 Views

    Man in NPP’s ‘4 extra to do extra’ T-shirt arrested for stealing rice

    October 17, 20240 Views
    © 2025 PapaLinc. Designed by LiveTechOn LLC.
    • News
      • Africa News
      • International
    • Entertainment
      • Lifestyle
      • Movies
      • Music
    • Politics
    • Sports

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.