A local man is tendering his resignation as a church musician because the pastor has told him that he can't wear a t-shirt that says "Bring Alayna Home". Jason Price was a percussionist at Macedonia Baptist Church, as he has been playing music with the choir for about 23 years. Price saw his church not only as a place of employment( paid for playing music), but more so as "his place" of worship. For him, Price says that he has "greatly enjoyed" and appreciated the opportunity to "serve in the house of the Lord". But Price says that his resignation comes with sorrow, and for that he sincerely apologizes. Price says that a request from his pastor that he no longer were his Bring Alayna Home t-shirt, was like asking him to choose between his position as that of a percussionist and a father. Price has been involved in a child custody battle with his former wife, as a judge's 2015 ruling calling for joint custody, has allegedly all been ignored by his former wife. To make matters worse, says Price, is that a sister that also attends Macedonia is allegedly helping to keep Price from seeing his daughter. Price said that he "was literally given" no choice, because the request was unfair to him, as the pastor allegedly referred to the situation as a "family matter". Price said that he felt somewhat confused, in that if this was a family matter, then how could the pastor "get involved" over him wearing a t-shirt, but couldn't give Godly counsel(between him and his sister) to bring about peace that was badly needed. Price continued by mentioning in his letter of resignation, there was " an understanding" with him, the pastor and the deacons on separate occasions over the shirt, but that his rights to his child was taken away in plain sight. By that, Price was referring to alleged incidents when after church service was over, he would not get an opportunity to see his daughter because his sister allegedly would leave the church, denying him the chance. That was because as a musician, Price said that he would be one of the last to leave the church, as the rest of the congregation would be gone. He believes that the pastor was aware of what was being done, as there was no intervention on his part. Price says that the pastor could not give him a biblical or professional explanation for his command, as he saw the pastor's decision of taking sides, maybe not his, instead of what "the Lord's decision" might have been. Price defends himself by saying that the shirt that he wore was not a distraction, as that no one knew why he was wearing it. But he wanted to pass out a letter explaining why, but he was allegedly stopped by the pastor. But Price said that shirts has been worn in support of breast cancer awareness, football teams and even the "wearing" of ugly sweaters at Christmas. "However, when it comes down to a single Black father", says Price, "who just happens to be the drummer for over 20 years, landscaper and tither, the church can't get involved because it's a 'family matter'. Price then reminded the pastor of the role that the black church "being the platform" and sounding board throughout this country for equal rights. Price believes that his rights were denied both as a citizen and more importantly, as a member of the congregation, as there "was never a dress code" in his years at Macedonia. Nor has there been "any issues" or concerns with his attire or anyone else's in a leadership position. Price says that he "is disappointed", but he never envision the day that he would be forced to walk away from a church that he has loved so deeply and served so diligently. Price said that the battle for joint custody of his child continues, as he is filled with sadness over the way that his sister allegedly plays a part in the separation of his child, but also how his pastor wasn't there when there was a need in his life. There are three sides to every story. This was one side of this story. The Monroe Dispatch welcomes another or the other side of this story.