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# Congregants support music director after he’s fired from church for being in same-sex marriage
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/congregants-support-music-director-after-hes-fired-from-church-for-being-in-same-sex-marriage/
- Published: 2024-11-12T10:26:25.000Z
- Updated: 2024-11-12T10:26:25.000Z
- Description: 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’, ‘Go
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: LGBT, LGBTQ, Michigan

**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.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/93493670-jpg-e1731407115420.webp)

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.’