A Colleague Reflects on the Life and Legacy of Joyce D. Sohl
In April 2021, after more than a decade of service, Joyce D. Sohl will transition from her position as Laywoman-in-residence at Scarritt Bennett Center. Rev. Dr. Donna Patterson, Anam Cara Chaplain in Residence, will take over directing the Soul Work program at Scarritt Bennett Center, which Joyce founded. In this post, Rev. Dr. Patterson reflects on Sohl’s legacy, her contributions to the Center, and the transition ahead.
The change of seasons is upon us. We are moving from the gray palette of winter into the dazzling colors of spring and I am ever grateful! I rejoice also, that more people are being vaccinated and we are beginning to emerge from a long, long period of physical separation due to the pandemic. We still have a way to go and I pray that everyone continues to be safe.
Another change of season is occurring with the retirement of Joyce Sohl. She has been a steady stalwart of Scarritt over many years in her career with the Women’s Division of the United Methodist Church. In 1988, Joyce was instrumental in saving our campus from being sold when Scarritt Graduate School closed, thereby restoring this historic property to its rightful owners, United Methodist Women (UMW). Upon retirement from UMW Joyce came to Scarritt as a volunteer to help transition the library stacks from Scarritt College to a research library for Scarritt Bennett Center. Intending only a six-week stint, Joyce ended up giving ten years of volunteer service as Laywoman-in-residence, overseeing the Soul Work program across that decade.
Joyce’s legacy includes establishing ongoing programs such as Vespers and All That Jazz, which we host every Sunday evening at 6:30pm in Wightman Chapel. She enlisted three amazing musicians who are still here ten years later, and this weekly jazz service has provided space for a faithful community of followers over the years. Another program, Tuesdays in the Chapel, offers a midweek Sabbath break that is open to the public each Tuesday. Joyce has engaged the community by inviting a variety of speakers to share the message.
In addition to these weekly offerings, there are monthly events—like Poets Corner, where local poets are provided a venue to read their work on the fourth Thursday. One of the poet’s wrote to Joyce recently, “You have been an icon and a poetry partner. You will be missed.” 2021 is the tenth year of this soul-enriching program. She also started Storylines, a women’s book club with many of the original members still attending alongside newcomers.
Local artists have been given an opportunity to display their artwork through the quarterly art exhibits Joyce organizes on campus, and various people have been encouraged to share their ideas and teachings in a wide variety of workshops and retreats over the years. Many see Joyce as a mentor and one who has encouraged them to share their gifts with others.
As for the original reason for her arrival to our campus—the research library—Joyce has been instrumental. The Virginia Davis Laskey Research Library and Archives holds a sprawling collection of titles that emphasize the role of women in missions and social justice. The library and archives content spans the history of Scarritt, from our time as a Training School for Women Missionaries, to our days as Scarritt National College, Scarritt College for Christian Workers, and Scarritt Graduate School, as well as preservation and archival work of present day Scarritt Bennett Center records.
Even during the time of quarantine, Joyce maintained her routine coming to the office Monday through Friday. I have had the privilege to work with Joyce these past two years in the Soul Work program and am grateful for her steadiness and example. Joyce has a firm, sustaining faith and a Nebraska-New York common sense. Anyone who knows her also knows that she is willing—and quite able!—to speak her truth when necessary.
I’ve learned a lot and am constantly amazed as I continue to uncover more of her incredible journey. I do not take lightly the responsibilities with which I have been entrusted in following her lead. I too, am here as a volunteer in mission. I believe in the mission of Scarritt Bennett Center and I am ever grateful for the foundation Joyce has built. I am excited about the possibilities before us as we move into this new season.
Grace and Peace!
Donna Patterson