Rev. Yvette J. Schock,
Associate Pastor
pastoryvette@flcva.org
(703) 525-9283
About me: I was born and raised in a small town in Washington state, and spent most of my young adult life West of the Rockies. I earned my Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Ethics, respectively, at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union, in Berkeley, CA, and served four years as the solo pastor of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Amagansett, NY, on Long Island. I have a great appreciation for what I learn in all of the roles and relationships that shape my life: pastor, wife, aunt, godmother, sister, friend, member of various communities, and citizen. The prophet Isaiah wrote one of my favorite books, and Kurt Vonnegut wrote quite a few of the others.
I felt called to the ministry when: I reflected with gratitude on the love I experienced growing up as a child of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, in Ephrata, WA, and I began to realize many people do not experience the church as a community of welcome, mercy and justice. And I kept meeting inspired, faithful, gracious, funny, flawed, lively, passionate, justice-seeking, compassionate people whose work I admired–and lots of them were pastors.
The thing that I most enjoy about Faith Lutheran Church is: Some great things I’ve seen so far: the desire to welcome and include people of all ages in Faith’s ministry, commitment to caring for one another and reaching out to the broader community. I’m looking forward to learning more!
I see God at work among us when: people know they are loved and reach out to show others God’s love.
My favorite things to do in my spare time: making things (food, cards, clothing, compost, messes) and growing things (vegetables, flowers, herbs, ferns, worms); reading; swimming, running, and doing yoga; dancing; listening to public radio and music of all kinds
Every morning I start my day by: getting up later than I planned, but early enough to read, water plants, sit quietly, go for a walk or tidy around the house; eating breakfast (always) and drinking a cup of coffee (sometimes)
I knew God was present in my life when: I felt comfort in times of sorrow, joy in the midst of community, and strength in the face of struggle.
Favorite Bible verse: I’m going to have to cheat here and list several passages! I feel called and convicted by Isaiah 58:1-12, and inspired by Ephesians 3:16-19; and I wrestle with 1 Cor. 1:10-2:31.
Something interesting about me that would surprise people: I love learning new languages, but so far am fluent only in English and Spanish. The rest of my knowledge consists of moderately- to barely-useful phrases and words in Danish, Russian, and Guaraní, so I’m open to learning more–teach me what you know!
