Words from Washington

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

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Going on to Perfection

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I remember standing on stage in the heat-filled auditorium at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina alongside the other candidates for ordination. ...
Thursday, April 05, 2012

Wash Feet

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He told me he comes to the church on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for coffee sometimes but chooses not to shower. "My feet got hurt,...
Monday, April 02, 2012

Quarters and Laughter

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My morning devotional from "Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals," ended yesterday with five ways to become an answer to...
1 comment:
Monday, March 19, 2012

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

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I cannot lift one of my arms right now. My thighs ache each time I climb the stairs. My back has felt tighter than it ever has before. My st...
Friday, March 16, 2012

It's Really, Really Hard

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I'm in the process of preparing to meet three admitted seminary students this afternoon who are all willing to explore the possibility o...
7 comments:
Thursday, February 23, 2012

Enslaved

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I came across a quote from Stanley Hauerwas' commentary on Matthew while preparing for yesterday's Ash Wednesday sermon. Hauerwas, i...
2 comments:
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Making the Most of the Journey

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My husband and I spent the last four days in New York City. The trip was part of Craig's Christmas present and part of my efforts to ke...
1 comment:
Sunday, January 22, 2012

A Loss of Purpose

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There is no way I can begin to comprehend the pain that fills the Paterno home today. If I were to imagine the pain, I imagine a series of ...
Monday, January 09, 2012

The Faith of Tim Tebow

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I made a comment a couple of weeks ago on Facebook about how Tim Tebow makes prayer look so easy. I stated how I wished prayer were as simpl...
1 comment:
Tuesday, January 03, 2012

A Commitment for 2012

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In 2012, I will... slow down choose carefully trust God simplify my life So that I might... see clearly listen carefully think deeply enjo...
1 comment:
Friday, December 30, 2011

Lessons in Living and Dying

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As a Methodist, I have been taught to believe that I am going on to perfection. I even told the bishop on the day of my ordination that I ...
1 comment:
Friday, December 02, 2011

Imagine If...

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A portion of Thanksgiving day was spent with church members. Following a feast of turkey and all the trimmings with the aroma of pumpkin pie...
Thursday, November 24, 2011

I Am Thankful

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Thankful. Heart overflowing. Gratitude. Thanksgiving. I have so much for which to give thanks: A partner in life who makes me laugh often an...
Thursday, November 10, 2011

Just Words

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With visitors in town, I finally tracked over to the Tidal Basin to see the thirty foot stone statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. It was a cri...
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

In Need of a Blessing

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I had met the woman only once. Each time I called asking if I could visit, I was politely told to not come. I continued to mail birthday car...
2 comments:
Monday, September 26, 2011

My Life Depends On It!

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Our marriage began with a diet of moules and frites. Honeymooning in Quebec, we were motivated by our hotel to visit many French restaurants...
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Playing Favorites: A Sermon for 9/11

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Playing Favorites Exodus 14:19-31 and Matthew 18:21-35 September 11, 2011 Donna Claycomb Sokol Mount Vernon Place UMC, Washington Sides are ...
Sunday, September 04, 2011

Defriended

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I love Facebook. Facebook is a place where I have reconnected with friends from as early as elementary school. It is a place where I can gle...
1 comment:
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Stopped!

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I have an addiction or two. I am addicted to Facebook and email. It does not matter what day of the week it is, I regularly read status upda...
1 comment:
Saturday, July 23, 2011

In Step with the Music

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The tiny instructor is a master dancer. I often walk away from class trying to figure out how she remembers each step of every routine. She ...
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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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