The Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches celebrated its anniversary on Sunday, Nov. 14. Rev. Terri Steed Pierce of Joy MCC in Orlando was one of those who attended the event.
Special Worship Services
In a report with The Palm Beach Post, the multi-cultural church celebrated its 40th year. The church held a special worship service to symbolize its completion of mortgage payments.
Senior Pastor Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey and church treasurer Carlos Toro presided over the mortgage-burning ceremony. Both burned the mortgage papers into a wide bowl during the open-air ceremony.
In the report, Reverend Pierce commended the church. She said that the fact that the church celebrated 40 years was nothing short of "amazing."
She told the congregants that those years represented decades of sharing and celebrating God's love. The pastor said the church did these through acts of worship, compassion, and justice.
The church leader called the entire experience "life-changing."
Significance of Number 40
Reverend Pierce then pointed out that the number 40 meant great things in the Bible. For one thing, it spoke of Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness where He would experience temptation.
It also symbolized Noah's 40 days of waiting in the ark and the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the desert.
"In the Bible, forty seems to be shorthand for a long time," the pastor said.
She told the congregants that these past 40 years meant that it was time for a new generation to arise. The pastor encouraged the worshipers saying that they all had the opportunity to be part of it.
Founders of Church
In the news report, LGBTQ Christians founded the church four decades ago.
According to the church website, the church started small with six members gathered together in Northwood. They founded the church during the early days of the AIDS epidemic.
The report said that the church had accomplished its goal of offering a place of spiritual worship to the LGBTQ community and its supporters.
Remembering Charlie Fredrickson
During the service, Reverend Alford-Harkey told the congregants that they would remain true to their roots.
The pastor also blessed the new welcome center in honor of the church's official greeter, Charlie Fredrickson.
Frederickson passed away in January of this year due to COVID-19. The church greeter was a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ community. He also co-founded the church and was instrumental during its expansion.
Reverend Alford-Harkley added that the church greeter was also there during its many ups and downs.
The pastor reminded the congregation that the church incurred more than $90,000 worth of damages. This happened during the time Hurricanes Frances and Jean struck the area.
Daring to Dream
Kathy Olejniczak said she found a home in the church. The volunteer deacon then told the news outlet that everyone is welcome in the church family.
"You don't have to be gay. We're just a family that wants to share love," she explained.
According to the report, the church took out a mortgage in June 2007. To close the service, the congregants offered a prayer for its founders who dared to dream and helped build and shape their church to what it was today.
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