Fred Szczepanski, a beloved longtime music director at a northern Michigan church, has been fired just a few months before his retirement after officials learned he was in a same-sex marriage.
Following the announcement, congregants carried signs outside the church that said: ‘All? Are Welcome’, ‘God Includes, Not Excludes’ and ‘Fired Not Retired.’
Bob Holden, a member of the choir, who left their seats empty and refused to sing, said: ‘He got fired because he’s gay. 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?’
Szczepanski, who had been the church’s music director for 34 years, said he was fired on October 18 for marrying his longtime partner Bill Thompson in a same-sex ceremony in Nevada in 2020.
In a letter to parishioners, 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.
Liz Yarch, a former member of the choir, said she had resigned over the firing. ‘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.’