By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman
PONTIAC – On Father's Day, congregants of Divine Peace Metropolitan Community Church held their first worship service in the church's new Pontiac home. The new home came to them, indirectly at least, via a story in Between The Lines.
After BTL reported in April that Waterford Township had reneged on a deal to sell a historic church building to Divine Peace MCC, the LGBT community rallied to Divine Peace's aid, according to Pastor Deb Dysert. According to Dysert, the owner of the Blue Note read the article, contacted his landlord, and the landlord helped the church land a six-month lease at their current location, 7 N. Saginaw in Pontiac.
Her flock will be looking for yet another new place to land at the end of that lease, Dysert said.
"We like the space but they're giving us a real break on it, and it's only a six month lease at the current rate," Dysert said. "We're going to become professional movers, I guess – it's not something I wanted to aspire for," she added. Dysert renewed her call for help finding a permanent home for her church.
While looking for their new home, Divine Peace is also busy planning to celebrate their 15th anniversary Aug. 4-6. The weekend's festivities will include workshops for laity and ministry, a "People's Choice" awards ceremony, a party, and a picnic. Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, moderator of the national church, will be among the national clergy attending.
To learn more about Divine Peace MCC's struggle with Waterford Township, see "Oversight or bigotry? Waterford Township rescinds offer to Divine Peace," online at www.pridesource.com. To purchase tickets for the anniversary celebration or for more information about the church, visit http://www.divinepeacemcc.org. If you have information that will help the church find a permanent worship location call 248-332-1186 or email [email protected].
