Words from Washington

Thoughts, questions, and reactions from the pastor of Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C.

Monday, May 09, 2011

Called to Action

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I serve a church in a denomination that is declining. The loss in numbers has not happened over the course of the last few years. Rather, we...
3 comments:
Friday, April 22, 2011

Beautiful Feet

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We washed feet at Mount Vernon Place last night. Foot washing is not a practice I have been drawn to. While I love to have my own feet wash...
Monday, April 18, 2011

Willing to March?

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I watched with interest a discussion taking place on Facebook last week. The mayor of Washington DC had been arrested in a protest in downto...
Friday, April 08, 2011

Essential or Non-essential?

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My husband and I have been watching this week's budget standoff with interest. Craig is a government employee, and all week he has been ...
1 comment:
Monday, April 04, 2011

How Can I Keep from Singing?

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I sang on my way to work this morning. The sun was rising over Washington, and my car radio was tuned to the local Contemporary Christian st...
1 comment:
Thursday, March 31, 2011

A Pocket of Prayer

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"I have these moments of deep peace in the midst of my anxiety," he told me. "It's almost like I am walking through a poc...
Wednesday, March 30, 2011

We Miss You

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I used to go to the restaurant at least once a month as it is a few blocks from the church and quite affordable. The manager of the store cl...
Friday, March 25, 2011

The State of the District

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I received two calls from the District of Columbia Mayor's office yesterday. Two individuals called in an effort to find a pastor who co...
2 comments:
Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Too Busy

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It happened to me again. Someone treated me in such a way that I knew they were busy. I just phoned a restaurant to change a reservation. Th...
1 comment:
Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Choose Life

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I worshipped with my clergy colleagues earlier today at a Board of Ordained Ministry meeting. The liturgy was geared towards us - towards ou...
1 comment:
Friday, March 04, 2011

Why I Need the Church

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Conversations this week have pushed me to think a lot about the church. What is the purpose of the church? Why do I go to church? I wrestled...
1 comment:
Monday, February 28, 2011

Practicing Hospitality

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I sent the weekly email to our congregation a few minutes ago. We are fortunate to have a lot of visitors each week, and we are always work...
Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Red Carpet

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Our television is tuned to the Oscars. We have just over twelve minutes to go before the show begins. But we don't have to wait for th...
Monday, February 21, 2011

Seeing Evil

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I have spent time with the Board of Ordained Ministry twice in recent weeks as we interview candidates for ordained ministry. I relish in th...
Saturday, February 12, 2011

What the United Methodist Church Can Learn From Glee

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I'm a fan of the television show Glee. I love the music. I love the cast. I love the message and the ways in which this show has the cap...
2 comments:
Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Excessive Celebration

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One penalty from Sunday's Superbowl has left me thinking. Green Bay's Nick Collins made a touchdown and then bowed down on his knee...
2 comments:
Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Rock Climbing

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The writer Reuben Job has instructed me to start each day this week with the words of the Psalmist found in the 61st Psalm: Hear my cry, O G...
Friday, January 28, 2011

Waiting 'til the Last Minute

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The Washington Metropolitan area was blanketed with snow on Wednesday. The snow was forecast earlier in the week. Anyone who watched the m...
Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Whole Armor

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It seems as though Mrs. Obama has upset many people. It is not because of something she said. Nor is it because of something she did. It ...
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Crazy, Indeed

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The staples held together large pieces of skin in two places on the man's leg as he held his pants up for the cameras to see. The wound...
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About Me

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Donna Claycomb Sokol
Since July of 2005, I have had the extraordinary privilege of watching an old church find new life. I have had a front-row seat to lives being changed, property being redeveloped, and God working in surprising ways. I ponder here about who God is, how God seems to work, why I love the church, why I'd love to change the church, and a variety of other things. I have been told that I am an external processor - perhaps this place is where I externally process what's on my heart and mind in hopes that some of what I share can be helpful.
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