CLC’s GRACE REPORT
OUR APOLOGY
The GRACE report released October 9 makes clear that sexual abuse of the most horrid nature - to children - has taken place under our leadership.
To RV1, RV2, and any and all other Reporting Victims of this abuse we are sorry for the suffering you have endured and continue to endure.
It was our job as shepherds to protect you from harm. We failed in this duty. We are sorry for failing to recognize that you were being abused, and we are sorry our apology has been so late in coming.
We regret, as the GRACE report points out, that we took several months to initiate the independent investigation.
Going forward we are going to revise our policies and procedures with the goal of preventing this from ever happening again in our church.
SOLEMN SUNDAY | SERVICE OF PUBLIC REPENTANCE
SUNDAY, 13 OCTOBER
GRACE REFLECTIONS | A PUBLIC FORUM Q&A's
THURSDAY, 17 OCTOBER
STATEMENT RELEASED TO THE ITHACA VOICE
THURSDAY, 17 OCTOBER
The GRACE report released October 9 makes clear that sexual abuse of the most horrid nature - to children - has taken place under our leadership. To RV1, RV2, and any and all other Reporting Victims of this abuse we are sorry for the suffering you have endured and continue to endure. It was our job as shepherds to protect you from harm. We failed in this duty. We are sorry for failing to recognize that you were being abused, and we are sorry our apology has been so late in coming. Going forward we are going to revise our policies and procedures with the goal of preventing this from ever happening again in our church.
Our church is still in a state of shock and grieving over the horrors revealed in the report. We will be developing a fuller response to the contents in the near future and perhaps at that time will be ready to sit down for a fuller in-person interview.
Thank you.
STATEMENT RELEASED TO CLC CONGREGATION FROM THE ELDERS
This was prompted after the Elders met with Larry Cleek
The GRACE report's scope focused on whether our former senior pastor’s behavior constituted sexual misconduct, behavioral misconduct, or grooming behavior. On Monday, December 16, the elders of CLC met with him to address these serious allegations.
During the meeting, he categorically denied all allegations, including any abuse involving minors. However, as the elder team, we believe he has engaged in behavioral misconduct and grooming behavior, which establishes significant credibility for the sexual misconduct category.
To further substantiate the sexual misconduct, we will reach out to former CLCS students to determine if they were victims during their time at CLCS. If so, we encourage them to contact the NYSP or the Tompkins County Advocacy Center, our recent partner in this matter, for professional support and guidance.
For those wishing to discuss this further, we are here to listen. Please know that we, as elders, are united in our decision and committed to shepherding our congregation with integrity and care.
In hope and healing,
Pastor Jeremy on behalf of the CLC Elders