Michigan church fires its long-time music director after discovering his gay marriage – before parishioners’ surprising reaction
The beloved music director of a northern Michigan church was fired just a few months before his retirement after officials learned he was in a gay marriage.
Fred Szczepanski said he was fired from St. Francis Church in Traverse City on Oct. 18 for marrying his longtime partner Bill Thompson in a gay ceremony in Nevada in 2020.
Szczepanski — who had been the church’s music director for 34 years — was confronted by the Rev. Michael Lingaur after church leaders received a letter from an unnamed person, the church said. Traverse City Record Eagle.
In a letter to parishioners at St. Francis Church in Traverse City, the diocese said his same-sex marriage violates the term of his employment in the ministerial agreement.
“A public act of same-sex marriage is a formal recognition that a relationship is more than friendship, and thus jeopardizes a ministerial agreement on employment,” the diocese said.
Fred Szczepanski (pictured) said he was fired from St. Francis Church in Traverse City on Oct. 18 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 the Rev. Michael Lingaur after church leaders received a letter informing them of his marriage
‘Marriage is a permanent, faithful and exclusive union between one man and one woman.’
Outraged congregants protested Szczepanski’s firing on Oct. 27, carrying signs outside the church that read: “Love Not Hate,” “God Includes, Not Excludes” and “Fired, Not Retired.”
Choir members wore black on Oct. 20, left their seats empty and refused to sing, the Record-Eagle reported.
“He was fired because he’s gay,” says choir member Bob Holden. ‘He is extremely talented, he is perfect on the piano, he has perfect pitch and because of him I look forward to going to church every week. I am divorced. Will I get kicked out next time?’
Liz Yarch, a former member of the choir, said she resigned because of the layoff.
Outraged congregants protested Szczepanski’s dismissal on October 27, carrying signs outside the church
Protesters held signs reading: “Love Not Hate,” “God Includes, Not Excludes,” and “Fired, Not Retired.”
“Some people were told Fred was retiring, but the last time I checked, people who have been employed for more than 30 years were having a retirement party,” Yarch said. “Fred was fired because of his personal life and I think that’s cruel.”
Szczepanski said that when he confirmed his marriage, Lingaur told him that his services were no longer needed and that he could not receive communion during St. Francis’ services.
Dave Martin, a member of the church’s pastoral board, told the Record-Eagle that he had received a copy of the letter, that it was postmarked out of state and written by a person he did not name, but who had a seasonal permit. connection with St. Francis.
Szczepanski reportedly planned to retire in January, but now his husband has one GoFundMe to help cover the costs of insurance, legal fees and bills.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse has embraced Szczepanski, saying more than 245 people joined their service on Nov. 3 to “affirm and stand with Mr. Fred Szczepanski.”
Szczepanski was reportedly planning to retire in January, but now his husband Bill Thompson (left) has set up a GoFundMe to help cover insurance, legal fees and bills
In January, former St. Francis leader Rev. Don Geyman was named in a report on clergy sexual abuse and misconduct by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office.
The report included sexually charged text messages that Geyman allegedly sent to a woman he had previously mentored.
Gaylord Diocese 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.