Church Council Members
Moderator: Naima Swisz-Hall Moderator Elect: Judy Sauer Past Moderator: Todd Sevig
Financial Secretary: Jeff Micale Treasurer: Finance Committee Clerk: Cindy Pletz
Christian Education: Dale Magee Doorkeepers: Bob Caldwell
Church in Society: Mary Pratt Finance Committee: Bob Koeppe
Church Life: Corky Peck Nominating: Jen Blackwell Worship: Alison Rene
Stewardship: Stefani Crouse
Church & Ministry Committee: Sharon Vaughters , Nancy Fry (chair), Charles Coleman
Pastors and Staff
Rev. Dr. Deborah Dean-Ware, Pastor
Pastor Deb has been the settled pastor at The Church of the Good Shepherd (COGS) since January 2012. Before moving to Washtenaw County, she served two different churches in Madison, Wisconsin as Associate Pastor (Orchard Ridge UCC 2000-2006; Lake Edge UCC 2007-2011). She graduated from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, with her Masters of Divinity in 2000, and was awarded with a Doctorate of Ministry from Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit in 2020. Her dissertation was entitled “A New Generation of White Anti-Racist Allies: Nurturing a Healthy Racial Identity in White Children and Youth in the Church.”
Pastor Deb is delighted to serve COGS and to work with a vibrant congregation that is filled with strong lay leadership, that has a deep and long-standing commitment to racial and sexual/gender justice, that loves to worship and to support and care for one another.
Deb is married to Robert Dean-Ware, who is a registered nurse working at the University of Michigan Hospital. They have a son, Josiah, who is 16. The Dean-Ware household includes a French bulldog (Putt Putt), a mixed breed puppy (Amber) and one kitten (JJ). The entire family looks forward to being a part of Ann Arbor and The Church of the Good Shepherd for many years to come.
Rev. Dr. Michele Burrell, Assistant Pastor of Administration and Pastoral Care
Pastor Michele lives in Pontiac with her husband, Bryant, a chef and caterer, and their 21 year old daughter, Taelor, who is a rising Senior at Michigan State University. Taelor is studying Drama and Theater. Together, Bryant and Michele also raised a son, Bryant Jr., who is 30, and a niece, Janiquia, who is 28, both of whom are launched and pursuing their own careers.
Pastor Michele was ordained into the Christian Ministry in 1996, and has served as Associate Ministers in two different congregations in Pontiac. She is still active in her home church of Galilean Baptist Church where she preaches, offers pastoral care, and works in youth ministry. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, a Masters of Business Management, and a Masters of Divinity equivalent degree (Pre-Doctoral certificate). She was awarded a Doctor of Ministry from Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit. Her dissertation was entitled “Is It All in the Perception? Recognizing Supernatural Phenomena.”
You can reach Rev. Michele at assistantpastor@cogsaa.org.
Dr. Liz Ames, Acting Music Director
Liz came onto staff as Director of Music in the fall of 2017, and serves as our church musician and adult choir director. She received her Doctorate of Music Arts from Arizona State University in 2013 and her Masters of Piano Performance from University of Louisville in 2009. Liz is also on staff at the University of Michigan School of Music as a collaborative pianist, working closely Dr. Timothy McAllister, associate professor of Saxophone and supporting students of all kinds.