MEET OUR STAFF
The Rev. Gary Brower
Rector
Father Gary Brower came to Good Shepherd in September of 2018. His prior focus was Campus Ministry. He served the Episcopal Church as Campus Minister at Duke University, the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and the University of California-Berkeley. He moved to Colorado nineteen years ago to serve as the University Chaplain at the University of Denver. A native of Oregon, he has bachelor’s degrees from the University of Oregon and Bushnell University. He received his Master’s of Divinity degree from Church Divinity School of the Pacific and holds a PhD in Early Church History from Duke University.
Gary is married to Susan Bailey; they are parents of two adult children. In his spare time, Gary loves most outdoor pursuits: he is an avid birdwatcher, fly fisherman, cyclist, and camper/hiker.
The Rev. Nadine Pope
Deacon
Nadine Pope was ordained to the Diaconate in 2011. She and her husband Rod moved to Colorado from Georgia in 2018. She seeks to help people recognize their giftedness and boldly use those gifts to further God’s kingdom on earth. In her diaconal ministry she is most drawn to those living on the margins of society, especially the unhoused and people whose lives are complicated by mental health issues or trauma.
In this Diocese, Deacon Nadine serves on the Diaconal Council, the Board of Examining Chaplains and the High Plains Executive Committee. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Nadine and Rod have one son, Zach, who is currently an Intern in Family Medicine at UC Davis in Sacramento.
Connie Branton
Music Director
Ms. Branton joined the staff of Good Shepherd as Choir Director in 2015 eventually assuming positions as pianist/organist and director of additional choirs at the church.
Connie holds degrees in music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, and Boise State University. Her career in church music ministry began at age 12 as organist for a small church in Salmon, Idaho. She has served churches in Colorado, Idaho, California, Kentucky, and New Jersey as a choir director and organist. Prior to moving to Colorado in 2008, she retired from the Boise Public Schools where she taught choir for 27 years. Connie was the first woman and junior high choral teacher to be elected as President of the Northwest Choral Directors Association. Her choirs were featured performers at several state and regional conventions of choral conductors.
Connie is the mother of two daughters, Anna and Sarah, both of whom are teachers in public schools in Colorado. She is also the proud grandmother of Simon Harrison and Ferris Branton.
Sam Corwyn
Youth Pastor
Sam Carwyn joined the Good Shepherd staff in April 2026. She is a community-rooted educator and advocate with over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector. She has focused on supporting youth, families, survivors of violence, and advancing reproductive justice. She is currently in care for ordination with the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and served as Children and Youth Director at the Metropolitan Community Church Omaha for nearly six years.
Sam holds a bachelor’s degree in Child, Youth and Family Studies and an MA in Teaching Special Education. In 2023, she earned a Master’s of Divinity from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities where she majored in social transformation and church leadership.
She enjoys dystopian content, baking, artivism and is passionate about cultivating spaces of belonging. She is committed to building a legacy rooted in community that honors her ancestors and makes her kids proud.
Sue LeFant
Children’s Ministry
Director
Sue LeFant joined the Good Shepherd staff in January of 2008 as the Primary Nursery Guardian. In August 2010 she became the Children’s Director. Sue previously served as Children’s Director at a local Presbyterian church for six years. When not at Good Shepherd, she also works with the children’s staff at another local church. She has a true passion for reaching kids for Christ.
Olivia Steed
Nursery Caretaker
Olivia Steed is a professional nanny who keeps up-to-date on the latest research in early childhood development. With the assistance of Mia and Lina Zeuger, our littlest are kept happy and secure while their parents worship. All of our caretakers are members of the parish.
Olivia recently married Tanner Steed in a ceremony reflecting her love of Tudor England and of Taylor Swift’s music.
Amy McLaughry
Financial
Administration
Amy McLaughry spent fifteen years in banking before founding Nonprofit Money Sense, a bookkeeping firm dedicated to serving nonprofit organizations and churches. This work reflects her passion for helping mission-driven communities thrive. She brings both a wealth of professional expertise and a heart for this community to her role.
Amy has been a part of Good Shepherd her entire life since the church’s founding in 1975. Her roots run deep: she was baptized and confirmed here, met her husband here, and all of her children have been baptized within these walls where her family attends along with her mother. Over the decades, Amy has served the congregation in nearly every capacity imaginable from acolyte, choir member, and bell choir player to Stewardship Committee member, Legacy Society member, Treasurer and Vestry member.
When she is not crunching numbers or singing in the choir loft, you’ll find Amy with a good book, knitting or crocheting, or simply enjoying time with her family.
