Our Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol || She/Her
Pastor Donna was appointed as pastor of Mount Vernon Place UMC on July 1, 2005 after serving as Director of Admissions for Duke Divinity School. It’s her second stint in this city she adores. The first chapter included serving as a White House intern, working as the scheduler for a Congressman, and then as a staffer who wrote thousands of letters for a Senator. Pastor Donna earned her undergraduate degree in economics from William Woods University (when it was an all-women’s college), her Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School, and her Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary. She also holds an Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Donna serves as an emerita member of the Duke Divinity School Board of Visitors and is a member of the Leadership Council for the Women’s Impact Network at Duke University. She is the co-author of A New Day in the City: Urban Church Revival and loves to speak and write about leadership, vocation, and congregational renewal.
Our Staff
Andre D. Christian || He/him
Director of Finance and Operations
Andre began serving as Director of Finance and Operations at Mount Vernon Place in December 2023 and is ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Andre is a graduate of Howard University School of Business and graduated from Payne Theological Seminary in May 2020 with a Master of Divinity Degree and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Counseling, Consulting, and Coaching at Concordia University, Irvine. Andre has an extensive background in the banking industry and has led teams throughout Maryland, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia with organizations such as Bank of America, Capital One, and Industrial Bank. Andre is passionate about helping businesses and churches in various capacities to become more efficient and effective with the resources given. Andre’s favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 and truly believes that despite what it may look like, the Lord has great plans for him, God’s people, and for the world in which we live.
Min. Lee Schriber Aber || He/They
Minister of Engagement and Discipleship
Lee began serving as the Minister of Engagement and Discipleship at Mount Vernon Place in November 2017. Having been a regular worship participant, Shower Ministry volunteer, and Sunday School teacher prior to starting in this role, Lee developed a deep love and passion for Mount Vernon Place and the neighborhood surrounding the church. They earned their Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in May of 2017 and previously served with the General Board of Church and Society. Lee loves getting to know people, hearing and sharing in their stories, serving with our unhoused neighbors, and striving to affirm the intrinsic worth of every human being he encounters.
Timothy Nelson || He/Him
Director of Music
Timothy is a conductor, composer, and director. He works with opera, theater, and choral music, and is Artistic Director of Washington DC's IN Series. Most recently he led productions at London’s Barbican Hall for the Academy of Ancient Music, for Iford Arts Festival, and for the Nationale Riesopera. From 2002 to 2012 he served as Artistic Director of American Opera Theater in Baltimore, leading several premieres including collaborations with the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Timothy went on to serve as Artistic Director and Head of Music for the Netherlands Opera Studio, and then the Nieuwe Stemmen young artists program of Rotterdam Opera. Timothy was an awardee in the Opera Europa Directing Prize, and was also awarded Belgium’s Goude Meeuw. Timothy’s work is focused on community engagement with music and theater as tools for social change.
Crystal Palmer || She/Her
Administrative Assistant
Crystal began serving at Mount Vernon Place in April 2024. Originally from Hopewell, Virginia, Crystal loves cooking, travelling, and spending time outside enjoying nature. Crystal has an extensive background in administrative work and having been raised in the church and knowing God’s capacity for movement is delighted to use her gifts in administration at MVP. Crystal has a deep passion for service and helping others and can often be found caring for her family and friends in many ways. With a warm and contagious smile, Crystal spreads joy when she enters a room. One of Crystal’s greatest joys in being a loving mother to her two children, a wife to her loving husband, an aunt to her two nieces , and a caring friend to many others.
Jerome Hinkle|| He/Him
Event Host
Jerome joined the MVP staff team in October 2023 and can be found welcoming people to MVP with a warm smile throughout the week. Jerome is actively involved in the faith community at Capitol Hill UMC and loves participating in their Wednesday Bible Study. Jerome also loves volunteering and helping others with his time. MVP feels like home to Jerome and he is delighted to be employed as an Event Host on our team. Jerome loves his work at MVP and offers praise to God for this opportunity.
Rachel Luna || She/Her
Administrative Assistant and Event Host
Rachel began serving MVP in various roles in 2017 and is a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary where she earned a Master’s degree in Theological Studies. Rachel also serves as the Executive Director of Project Transformation DC, a local organization that promotes child literacy in underserved communities and helps to connect churches, college students, and children to deepen relationships and community connection. Rachel’s hobbies include hiking, attending concerts and live sporting events, and walking around the National Mall. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family and is the proud aunt of Teddy, Aubrey, and Luna.
Johnnie (JR) Richardson || He/Him
Security Concierge
Johnnie (JR) Richardson began serving in his role at Mount Vernon Place (MVP) in November 2013. JR grew up in Columbus, Mississippi. He moved to Washington, DC from Honolulu, Hawaii in 1998 on transfer assignment with the Signature Flight Support company where he served as Operations Supervisor. In 2002, JR joined the Air Culinare company and departed as Executive Chef and General Manager in 2011. In addition to his service at MVP, JR is currently the Valet Supervisor with Towne Park company, responsible for providing valet parking services to the Washington, DC Renaissance Hotels. JR enjoys the warmth, friendliness, and energy of the MVP community and loves being involved in helping to support the church’s mission. JR is an avid golfer—in his spare time, he can be found on the golf course, taking in a movie, swimming, listening to music or learning to play the bass guitar.
Grace Rogers || She/Her
Howard & Mary Martin Ministry Intern
Grace began serving with Mount Vernon Place in the fall of 2023, and she is a student at Wesley Theological Seminary, pursuing a Master of Divinity. Grace grew up in Arkansas and received a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Hendrix College in Conway, AR. Following her undergraduate studies, Grace spent two years in Miami serving as a Global Mission Fellow at the Florida Immigration Law and Justice Center, a United Methodist non-profit that provides free immigration legal services throughout the state of Florida. In her free time, she loves to camp and spend time outside, read, do various crafts, and be with people. Grace is passionate about the Church’s power to build the kin-dom of heaven here on earth, and she is honored to be a part of that kin-dom building work with the people of MVP!
Brandon Williams || He/Him
Coordinator of Livestream and Video Services
Brandon was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. A graduate of George Mason University Brandon earned a degree and media in 2012. Brandon understands service to the church as part of his call and has been seeking to serve God faithfully since he was 8 years old. Brandon continues to seek to be faithful to this call and the journey God has laid out for him. Brandon has a great love of the outdoors and all things outside—He also never misses the chance to notice a new friendly face and share a warm smile. Brandon’s goal is to make everyone see that God is alive in him and that God’s gifts and blessings on him are being put to good use and not squandered.
David Yoder || He/Him
Organist
David Yoder started to play the organ at the age of 16 before formally studying the instrument at Old Dominion University under Dr. Charles Vogan. He served as an organist for several churches in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area before moving to Washington in 1980 to work for R.A. Daffer Church Organs. David is currently the Project Manager for R.A. Daffer where his responsibilities include design and layout work, installation management, and service of organs sold by the firm. He joined the staff at Mount Vernon Place in January of 1990 and has been filling the sanctuary with glorious music for more than three decades. David is married to Sona Avetisyan Yoder, and they live in Jessup, Maryland. His pastimes include playing with his grandchildren, working crossword puzzles, listening to music, and constructing model train layouts.
Our 2024 Leadership Teams
From Left to Right: Valrie, Stephanie, Brian. Alexis, Katherine, Angela, Elizabeth, Kimberly, Chelsea, Andrew, Erin, Jen, Harold, Shawn, Mark, Sara, and Beth
Not Pictured: Cedar, Claire, Jim, and Patrick
SALT (Strategy, Accountability, & Leadership Table)
Chair: Beth
Lay Leader: Elizabeth
Lay Delegate to BWC: Valrie
Class of 2024: Beth, Elizabeth, and Shawn
Class of 2025: Brian, Erin, and Valrie
Class of 2026: Claire, Jim, and Sara
Ex-Officio:
Pastor: Donna Claycomb Sokol
Director of Finance and Operations: Andre Christian
Ministry Table
Chair: Elizabeth, Lay Leader
Class of 2024: Elizabeth
Class of 2025: Cedar, Katherine, and Mark
Class of 2026: Alexis, Harold, Jen, and Kimberly
Ex-Officio:
Pastor: Donna Claycomb Sokol
Minister of Engagement and Discipleship: Lee J. Schriber
Nominations and Leadership Development Committee
Chair: Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor
Class of 2024: Andrew and Stephanie
Class of 2025: Patrick
Class of 2026: Angela and Chelsea
Ex-Officio:
Lay Leader: Elizabeth
Minister of Engagement and Discipleship: Lee J. Schriber