MEET OUR STAFF
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Reverend Larry Loree, Pastor
pastorloree@ascensionofchrist.org
Reverend Larry K. Loree Jr. was installed as part-time associate pastor of Ascension of Christ in
August 2021. Born in Pontiac, Michigan, Pastor Loree spent his childhood and most of his teen
years in Lapeer, MI. He graduated from high school in western New York and returned to
Michigan where he attended Concordia College in Ann Arbor. He met Teresa (nee Brownell)
while working at Montgomery Ward and the two wed at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in
southwest Detroit in April 1991. Pastor Loree has served congregations in Illinois, Michigan, and
Pennsylvania. He also served as an Air Force chaplain in the Air National Guard in Illinois,
Indiana, and Vermont. In December 2020 he retired after 25 years of total service (19 as a
chaplain) in the Air Force Chaplain Corps. He and Teresa have three adult children, all of whom
graduated from Lutheran high schools. In summer of 2021, upon the marriage of their daughter,
they gained a wonderful son-in-law. Pastor Loree and his family reside in Clarkston.
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Chelsea Cook, Child Care Program Director
Chelsea has been a member of Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church for 23 years serving in various capacities including Director of Children's Ministries. She worked as an Assistant Infant Teacher before earning the Infant Toddler Child Development Associate Credentials to become the Infant Lead Teacher. Soon after, Chelsea was promoted to Assistant Director where she served for five years prior to ascending into the role of Child Care Program Director. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Children and Families from the University of Michigan.
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Eva Aiello, Deaconess Intern
Eva began her year of service learning at Ascension of Christ in August 2023. Eva completed her undergraduate studies at Concordia University Nebraska and studied Elementary
Education with an Early Childhood Endorsement and received a Lutheran Teachers Certificate.
Her two years have been spent at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN
studying to become a deaconess. She is originally from Imperial, MO.
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Adele Werner, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Adele joined the team at Ascension of Christ in July 2023. A third-generation Yooper, she grew up on the Lake Superior shores. Prior to joining the team at Ascension, she worked as a marketing content specialist for Concordia Publishing House. She is an alumna of the University of Michigan, where she majored in media and communication studies, minored in writing, and served in multiple ministries. In 2019, she married her high school sweetheart. Joel is another local LCMS pastor. Together, they have two children.
