Meet our Rector, Rev. Mark C. McKone-Sweet

Rev. Mark McKone-Sweet

rev.mark@stthomaschesapeake.org  

Mark was born and raised in Concord, MA, the son of a fine woodworker and preschool teacher. He discovered the joy of serving others in Boston soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and local prisons. Mark graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, with a focus in International Relations and Music. While working at Equal Exchange, Inc., Mark earned his MBA at Northeastern University. Although Mark first identified his call to the priesthood at age 14, it would not be until his early 30’s that he started full-time at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA. His innate learning disabilities, dyslexia, and ADHD have informed his life and ministry.

Mark and his wife Kate (Professor of Business, Operations, and Entrepreneurship) have two great children, Maya (18) and Marcos (15). In 2019, they welcomed Lexie (19), the daughter of a priest friend in Haiti, into their home.

Mark previously served at St. Mark’s City-Heights (San Diego), St. Bartholomew’s (Poway, CA), St. Dunstan’s (Dover, MA), and St. Paul’s (Natick, MA). He also served on the Standing Committees of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts (2010-2014) and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego (2017-2021).

Mark is a priest who challenges congregations to become vibrant and dynamic – to grow by aligning their mission and culture with their core values. Mark leads by example, developing a culture of shared leadership to overcome the challenges faced as members of the Jesus Movement. Mark’s favorite saints are Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa, and Archbishop Oscar Romero. Hobbies include cooking meals for family and church gatherings, running (first half marathon completed in January 2022), singing, baseball (Boston Red Sox), trail bike riding, day hiking, and volunteering.