Revelation Of Sexual Harrassment At Traverse City Church

Members of Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City learned over the weekend that a former interim priest had sexually harassed three female members of the congregation in 2008-09.

Two of the three women came forward with the news last month after learning the Rev. Bry Dennison had been reinstated "as a priest in good standing" by the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, based in Detroit.

At the time of the incidents, church leaders notified the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan and "after a prolonged process," which also involved the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, Dennison was suspended and prohibited from preaching in the Episcopal Church for five years. He was released from that suspension on July 15, 2015.

The news of Dennison's reinstatement "opened emotional wounds and they reached out," says John Strickler, a member of the church vestry – the church's lay governing board – and appointed by the parish to speak on its behalf. The nature of the harassment was detailed by one of the victims, who also was an employee of the church at the time. She described it as "invasion of personal space, unwelcome embraces and some unwelcome kisses," according to Strickler.

Strickler says the news "came as a surprise" to most of the church leaders. After discussion at its Dec. 15 meeting, the vestry decided to make a full disclosure to the congregation and to offer support to the victims. Members of the congregation received a letter from church officials in the mail, as well as an emailed version over the weekend, acknowledging the past sexual harassment of members.

The letter states: "It is with a heavy heart that we send this letter to you. But we know it is the right thing to do. It has come to light that three members of Grace Church were sexually harrassed by The Rev. Bry Dennison, during his tenure as our interim priest in 2008-2009. He initiated inappropriate sexual contact with these women."

Even though Dennison has been reinstated, Strickler stresses he also "has been directed to have no contact with any member of Grace and remains forbidden from assuming any pastoral duties with the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan."

Strickler tells The Ticker he is not certain if anyone in Grace Episcopal's current leadership was in a leadership role when the incidents took place.

"At any rate, it was not common knowledge," he says. "Looking at it in retrospect … some things were done right and some things weren't done right. Where we fell short was in acknowledging and sharing with the congregation and following through and making sure the victims were cared for and supported by all of us. Those are the two things, admittedly belatedly, that we are trying to address."

When asked if the church was given any directive regarding the sharing of information following the removal of Dennison, Strickler says, "I believe it was an internal decision by both the permanent rector subsequently called and the vestry. I don't know how much was shared."

"Although years have passed, we are now taking action to rectify this regrettable situation," the letter also states. "Most importantly, the women can seek counseling. They have been given the names of licensed local counselors and the assurance of financial support from both Bishops to receive counseling."

The Very Rev. Whayne Hougland, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan, issued the following statement to The Ticker:

"We are deeply saddened and grieved by the serious injury caused by the inappropriate actions of an interim priest who served at Grace Church in 2008. His unpriestly behavior was reported to the responsible church authorities who, after an in-depth investigation, relieved the priest of his duties and required him to undergo extensive counseling. In all honesty, we fell short by not fully disclosing this situation to the Grace church congregation. What is worse, we did not provide adequate ongoing concern and support for the victims. For this we are very sorry. Recently the wounds of this injury have been reopened. We are now seeking to be as open, honest and transparent as possible in a sincere effort to start the healing process."

The church plans to hold a parish meeting on Mon., Jan. 18, at 7pm, to address the sexual misconduct and how it was handled. Bishop Hoaglund and Canon Spaid, also of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan, will attend and are organizing a pastoral care response team to be at the church that evening.

According to several online sources, Dennison also served as interim rector at two Ann Arbor churches before coming to Traverse City – at Saint Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church in 2001-03 and St. Andrews Episcopal Church in 2006-07. He also served as interim rector for St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fairfield, Conn. in 2009.