Rector, Staff & Vestry

Clergy

The Reverend Dorota Wright-Pruski

Rector

Originally from Poland and raised in the great state of Iowa, Rev. Dorota moved to Wisconsin in 2002 where she earned a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Marquette University. After discerning a call to priesthood, she earned her Masters of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary while also serving Christ Church in Georgetown as a seminarian and deacon. She was ordained in 2013 and moved back to Wisconsin to begin her priesthood as the Associate Rector of St. Andrew’s in Madison.

While a community organizer in Milwaukee, Rev. Dorota fell in love with the Episcopal Church and the way it beautifully integrated ancient spiritual practices with 21^st century opportunities and challenges. She carries that passion forward and believes in ministries that inspire, move, teach and share the community, fostering strong and sustainable lay leadership, and finding new opportunities for creativity and joy in ministry.

Rev. Dorota is an avid runner, as is her husband Colin. She also enjoys baking bread, biking, swimming, recycling, and dessert.

Rev. Dorota is on parental leave this summer and fall, returning to St. Andrew’s at the end of October 2021.

The Reverend Rachel Rickenbaker

Supply Priest / Summer & Fall 2021

The Rev. Rachel Rickenbaker is a supply priest in the Diocese of Virginia. While Rev. Dorota is on parental leave, Rev. Rachel will serve St. Andrew’s on Sundays to lead worship, provide pastoral care, and teach Christian formation.

In addition to serving in church on Sundays, she is a full-time stay at home mom to her toddler Eleanor. She is married to fellow priest James Rickenbaker, and has two cats, Callie and Eden.

Rachel grew up in Alabama, but calls Virginia home, since she has been here since college. She graduated from Shenandoah University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and attended Virginia Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master’s of Divinity in 2016. She served as the Assistant Rector at Trinity in Upperville, Virginia, and later the Assistant Rector at Immanuel-on-the Hill, Alexandria, before becoming a supply priest in 2019. She loves Jesus and has a passion for parish ministry, particularly a love of preaching, leading worship, and sharing pastoral care. She is excited to learn more about and be with you all at St. Andrew’s during this time!

Rachel enjoys hiking, running, Jazzercising, and taking morning walks with her family. She also is vegan (as are James and Eleanor) and enjoys trying new twists on favorite foods and recipes!

You can view some of Rev. Rachel’s recent sermons here, and you can reach her via email.

Staff

Brandon Heishman
Music Ministry Director

Brandon's bio

Brandon joined St. Andrew’s in January of 2016 after moving to the DC area from his hometown near Harrisonburg, VA. He graduated with a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Mississippi. He studied organ and voice at Bridgewater College in Virginia, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music.

Brandon is a firm believer in the transformative power of music, especially through singing. When he’s not working, Brandon likes to spend time in the kitchen or singing show tunes at home with his fiancé, Josh.

You can contact Brandon via email.

Emily Blecksmith
Parish Administrator

Emily Blecksmith is shown from the shoulders up, standing with the St. Andrew's banner.

Emily's bio

Emily comes to us from Rochester, NY, where she served as the Pastoral Administrator for a Presbyterian church. She lives in McLean with her two children, who are in fifth and seventh grades, and her husband Josh Walters, who serves as the rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in McLean.

Emily brings with her a love of people and a gift for administration. She celebrates the joys of church life and lovingly embraces its quirks.

You can contact Emily via email.

Mallory Nonnemaker
Family Ministries Director

Mallory Nonnemaker is shown from the shoulders up, standing with the St. Andrew's banner.

Mallory's bio

Mallory Nonnemaker is the Director of Family Ministries and lives in Alexandria with her husband Brandon, her twin sons Finley and Fletcher, and Charlie the Dog and Larry the Turtle.

Mallory spent several years working with youth and children in the Diocese of Atlanta and is thrilled to be a part of the St Andrew’s family.

When she isn’t working on formation for the St Andrew’s crew, Mallory teaches theatre at Episcopal High School. She loves to spend time outdoors and read a good book.

You can contact Mallory via email.

Brandon Nonnemaker
Seminarian

Brandon Nonnemaker, shown from the shoulders up

Brandon's bio

For twelve years, Brandon worked as a passionate educator in northeast Georgia. Guided by the Holy Spirit, he is now discerning a call to priesthood and his family has relocated to northern Virginia. Brandon just completed a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) internship at Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville and he is entering his second year at Virginia Theological Seminary. He holds a BA in Music and MAT in Music Education from Piedmont University and an EdD in Music Education from the University of Georgia.

Brandon’s interests include spirituality and the arts, moral injury, and holistic health. He enjoys playing the Nintendo Switch with Fletcher, building LEGOS with Finley, and cooking for Mallory. Brandon is pleased to learn, worship, and grow with the dear people of St. Andrew’s! You can contact Brandon via email.

Vestry Members

For those new to the Episcopal Church, the Vestry is “the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property.” This group helps articulate the congregation’s vision and support the church’s mission through selection of the rector and management of resources and finances. Vestry representatives are elected from the church’s membership and generally serve a three-year term. Learn more about the role of a vestry on the Episcopal Church’s site.