Vestry Candidates for 2025-2028

Sharon King

Why could I be helpful on the Vestry? I have 55 years experience helping to build creative, effective coalitions in parishes in Houston, Denver and Colorado Springs. I've been a Social Worker for 35 of those years and learned how to work effectively in groups. I'm a creative problem solver. I'm familiar with Episcopal governance. I have a sense of humor and a long commitment to nonviolence in my relationships.

I believe the journey is our home and our ever-living, ever-loving Lord leads us each and every one. The reason I want to serve our Grace-filled community is that I humbly believe God has called me to serve in this way at this time of transition at Grace.

If elected, I ask for your prayers and your giving us word of your needs and wants for our spiritual family. 



Gary Alan Taylor

Gary Alan Taylor is the Director of Development at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. He is also the creator and host of Holy Heretics podcast, a sacred space for spiritual seekers to journey into deeper streams of spiritual wisdom. A graduate of Milligan University with an M.A. in European History from East Tennessee State University, Gary Alan has almost 30 years of experience in higher educational and non-profit leadership. He and his wife Sister Marcella, and their three children, have been members at Grace and St. Stephens since 2017.

Anne Trinajstich

Colorado Springs is my home town, though I spent my college years, teaching career (45 years as an elementary educator), and married years in Southern California. While living there, I sang in a number of Catholic and community choirs. Choral singing is one of my favorite ways to connect with people and to experience the joy of making beautiful music.

As a widow, I moved back home to Colorado Springs in 2018. 

I began attending services at Grace and St. Stephen’s, and shortly afterwards was accepted as a member of the Taylor Choir.

Membership in the Taylor Choir has been the basis for my deepening faith and appreciation for the vibrancy of the Episcopal Church, the worship service, and the amazing community at Grace and St. Stephen's. My commitment to Grace and St. Stephen’s has grown to include beautifying our grounds as one of the “Grace-full Gardeners,” ushering for concerts and Compline, being a lector, serving on the Centennial Committee, and volunteering for Jazz in the Garden.

Being involved in different aspects of our church community has led me to care deeply for Grace and St. Stephen’s parish.

In November 2024, I was truly blessed to be Received as a member of the Episcopal Church.

Chad Reynolds, Sr. Warden

I have been serving as a vestry member for the last 3 years, from 2022 to 2025, and serving as an usher for the last 10+ years. This past fall, I was approached by Pastor Gordy asking if I would be willing to serve as the Sr. Warden in the upcoming term. After several weeks/months of prayerful consideration, I accepted this calling and look forward to serving God and this parish as your Sr. Warden.  I am honored and humbled to be working with our wonderful vestry and serving the parish in these exciting times!

Just a bit about me. I was born and raised in Central Illinois. I attended Illinois State University and graduated with a degree in Geography with designs of becoming a teacher. But God had other plans for me…so after college I moved to Chicago for work and that is where I eventually met my wife, Kathryn. She grew up here in Colorado Springs and her family was still here, so we decided to move back in 2012. We started attending Grace and St. Stephen's shortly thereafter.

Kathryn and I have been married for over 15 years, we have 2 amazing and beautiful daughters, Grace (11) and Millie (9) and 3-year old Black Lab named “Doc." I am employed as a Project Manager / Engineering Consultant for Swagelok, a private U.S. Manufacturing company.

Mark Basenberg, Jr. Warden

My wife Martha and I moved to Colorado Springs when we retired in 2018. Previously we lived in Franklin, Tennessee for over forty years but moved here to help with grandchildren. In my professional life I had two careers – first as a technology salesperson for thirty-five years and then seven years as Assistant Director of the county animal shelter in Franklin. In Franklin we were active members of the oldest Episcopal Church west of the Appalachians – St. Paul’s, built in 1831. Martha led EfM for over twenty years and I served on the vestry and as Junior Warden and Senior Warden. I was chair of the search committee when we called a new rector, which led into serving on the diocesan search committee for a new bishop and subsequently the Diocesan Standing Committee and Bishop and Council. So, my term as the current Junior Warden is actually my second historic building. The facilities at Grace and St. Stephen’s are not as old as the sanctuary in Franklin, but they are much larger and require more attention. I look forward to my fourth and final year as Junior Warden. It has been a rewarding experience to become a part of this church community.