Staff

Rev. Julie Delezenne, Pastor

Julie was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and attended The College of Wooster. At Wooster, she studied international relations and French and spent a semester in Strasbourg, France. She felt a call to seminary while working with congregations to help resettle refugees as an AmeriCorps VISTA in North Carolina. She attended McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and was ordained in 2008. Her first call was to an interfaith organization, The Night Ministry, which serves homeless youth and adults on the streets of Chicago. While in Chicago, Julie pursued a Master of Nonprofit Administration and a Certificate in Fundraising Management from North Park University, which she received in 2012. After their first son was born, Julie and her husband, Adam, shared Co-Director positions at Lutheran (ELCA) camps in Texas and Northern

Michigan. At the camps, Julie was responsible for hiring, training and supervising up to 30 college-age staff each summer, developing programming, and preaching in congregations to support the work of camp throughout the year. She is currently a member of Mackinac Presbytery and lives in Fairview, Michigan.

Sharon Kohler, Organist

Sharon began serving as organist at First Presbyterian in 1963 and first retired in 1996. In 2003, she just couldn't stay away and began substituting as organist until several years later, when she took on the permanent position once again. Sharon has taught piano lessons, done secretarial work, and helped run her family's silk screen business until 2010. Blessed with two daughters, Sharon also enjoys her five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her life has revolved around family and the church for the better part of 49 years. In her free time, she enjoys caring for her vegetable garden and reading.

Aaron Crowton, Co-Webmaster / IT Admin

Aaron graduated from Center Line High School in 2005 to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice from ITT Technical Institute in Troy, MI. He joined First Presbyterian Church in 2009 and has served as webmaster since 2010. Aaron was ordained as a Ruling Elder and chaired the Communication committee from 2011-2013. In his spare time, Aaron graciously assists many church members with computer issues, enjoys watching TV and shooting pool with friends.

Carol Swanson, Office Administrator

Carol graduated with honors from Macomb Community College with her Associate of Applied Science-Administrative Assistant degree at age 50. She worked at MCC for fifteen years, ten of those as Administrative Assistant to the Associate Dean in the Mathematics Department at South Campus until retiring in 2003. She has served at First Church since 2009. Carol's three children are Wayne Jr., Susan, and David who have given her six grandchildren, ages 8 to 22. She enjoys scrapbooking, crafts of all kinds, reading, girls' weekends, and geneology. A member of First Church, Carol is grateful for her church family who have supported her spiritually and with love in challenging and good times.

Kyle Engelmann, Music Director

Kyle has been involved in music from an early age. At age 12, he would marvel at his father's booming bass voice in the pew of the Baptist church where he grew up and was amazed at the organists's improvisation skills. Soon, Kyle began taking piano lessons and eventually joined his high school band, the marching band and the jazz band. He played sax there, and kept up with the piano. After high school, Kyle attended Oakland University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music. During his college days, he got his first choir directing job. He’s enjoyed serving God and the Church with the gift of music ever since, and is currently working on his Master’s Degree in education. Kyle is married to his wife Kim of 17 years. They have two children, Jon and Carl, who are age 15 and 10. They live with their Irish setter, Summer, in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Gloria Stanley, Co-Webmaster

Graduated from Detroit College of Business with an Associate’s Degree in Business Management promoted to Employee Relations Administrator in 1983. Retired after 33 years from Henkel Corporation in 2003 as the Employee Data Manager and the Corporate Fleet Manager; responsible for 800+ company vehicles. I truly loved my HR job and working with all levels of employees and as a partner with our Payroll Analyst. Being a fleet manager was interesting and I enjoyed taking care of all the sales and tech service folks, making sure they maintained their vehicles. I so enjoyed assisting employees at all levels and the technical end of my duties including managing employee data relating to everything including manpower reports, demographics, organizational charts & working with Executives and Managers insuring that the reporting structures were correct, trained new supervisors on salary planning & performance guidelines.
My Mother and moved to “Royal Oak in 1975, shortly after we joined First Church & she joined the Choir and the “Keen Agers” I became a Sunday School Teacher for the “little ones” and enjoyed it very much. When Mom passed in 1989 I left the Church for a while and came back shortly after Eddie Flint passed to sit next to Waunita in the front row. I have served as a Deacon of First Church for 6 years, on the Communications Committee for 3 years, the Sanctuary enhancement committee, and the policy book committee.