Clergy, Staff & Leadership

Rev. John Hickey is a true jack-of-all-trades (and master of none). He holds an M.F.A. in Film, a J.D. in law, and a M.Div. from Seabury-Western, an Episcopal Seminary. All of which means you should probably address him as Sir Hickey. Befitting a born wanderer, Rev. Hickey has sold UFO books in San Francisco, hitchhiked through Ireland, and preached in an elementary school cafeteria on a mountaintop in Hawaii. As a priest, Rev. Hickey has discovered the joys of crafting sermons, leading Bible Study, and getting a free meal at wedding receptions. Unfortunately, he has little experience swinging a thimble, although he does appreciate an old-fashioned evangelical hymn. At St. Mark’s, Rev. Hickey embraces being a retired priest – he still harangues the congregation from the pulpit while never having to attend a vestry meeting.

Sara has been at St. Mark’s since May 2014. She holds degrees in speech-language pathology from Augustana College and Indiana University, and she worked as a speech-language pathologist in Illinois before moving to Milwaukee. She produces the weekly bulletins, newsletter, and other parish publications, coordinates the church calendar and database, maintains our web presence and social media, and provides a welcome presence in the office. Sara is also active in the music scene around Milwaukee and sings regularly with the Milwaukee Chamber Choir.

Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, Kelly began studying piano at age 6. At age 10, she was accepted as a piano pedagogy student of Dr. Mary Lou Krosnick at Jacksonville University and studied with her through high school, also completing coursework in Classical Music Theory. Raised in the Episcopal tradition, Kelly participated in vocal and handbell choirs in her school and church. After college, Kelly contributed to music ministry in various Roman Catholic parishes on keyboard, cantoring and in handbell choir.

Kelly and her husband Joe joined St. Mark’s in 2016 and soon began singing with the choir. Around 2018, Kelly began studying pipe organ with guidance from Steve Wolff. For several years, she provided music for occasional services, and began serving as Music Director in January 2024.

Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Princeton University and a master’s degree in nursing from Marquette University with backgrounds in midwifery and hospice/palliative nursing. She currently works part-time as the volunteer coordinator for Eastside Senior Services and has four grown children.

Nate Irvine is the Campus and Young Adult Minister for the Milwaukee Area as of September 1, 2023. In this half-time position, Nate serves students and young adults at Marquette University, UW-Milwaukee, and St. Mark’s, Milwaukee. Nate and his family have been part of the St. Luke’s, Bay View (Milwaukee) family since the summer of 2021. Originally from Chicago, Nate served in full-time lay ministry with The Salvation Army church for 15 years. For 13 of those years, Nate served in teen and young adult ministry, and then for two years, Nate served as the lead chaplain at The Salvation Army’s Emergency Lodge (shelter) at 7th and Walnut here in Milwaukee.

Nate earned a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies (minoring in Spanish) from Trinity International University (2006) and a master’s in Christian Ministry from North Park Theological Seminary (2020). He’s been married to his amazing partner, Danielle, for 13 years, and they have a son named Judah. In his spare time, he loves listening to and playing music, doing sporty and outdoorsy things, and watching a good show or movie.