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 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.