Church sells out gays

DAYTONA BEACH -- After weighing all options, Hope Metropolitan Community Church decided Sunday to begin the two-month process of severing ties with its national organization.

Universal Fellowship of the Metropolitan Community Churches, which formed in 1968 as an alliance for alienated homosexuals seeking places of worship, earlier this year stripped Hope's Rev. Beau McDaniels of her license to preach.

The national organization made it clear McDaniels would have to go if Hope wanted to keep its affiliation. Instead, the 12 church members in attendance unanimously voted to stay with McDaniels, who had offered to resign.

"I will do so immediately," she said to the small congregation after Sunday services. "I'm not trying to force myself on you."

Hope had received a letter earlier this month from Universal Fellowship that threatened to sever ties with the Daytona Beach church by Jan. 7 if no action was taken in removing McDaniels. Given the firm deadline, Hope decided to break with United Fellowship first and seek other alliances to join.

"UFMCC has no intention of keeping us in their ranks," said Eric who, like other church members, preferred anonymity. "We are not fools. We knew this day was coming."

Troubles began between the church and Universal Fellowship over allegations of financial improprieties of Hope, culminating in the removal of the pastor's preaching license. The vast majority of the congregation, however, sided with McDaniels, who had been affiliated with United Fellowship since 1969, saying she had been railroaded by the denomination and one or two board members.

McDaniels on Sunday said the initial investigation found no wrongdoing, but a second ended up citing her with "unbecoming conduct." She said it focused on how about $300 in materials was earmarked from a "benevolence" fund to help a couple of needy families afford emergency home repairs, and also how she handled the discussion and signing of a church loan with the board of directors.

Money remains a potential issue between Hope and Universal Fellowship.

The local church, which had been $68,000 in debt in 2006, sold its former building on South Ridgewood Avenue for $599,000 last July, and temporarily has moved its worship services to a classroom at Daytona Beach Community College.

Under the church bylaws, the denomination is entitled to inherit the assets of a church if it is abandoned, dissolved or fails to follow the rules for breaking from the denomination.

"The issue is the money. They are pushing it," said Norma, a board member. "They are out for the money, is my feeling."

But no matter how the matter ultimately is resolved, another board member said the principles that brought the congregation together remain in tact.

"Before we had the building, we didn't have much of anything, except each other," said the white-haired woman. "We still have what we started with, even if we lose everything. We have each other and our faith in Jesus. That is the strength of this church."