Soul Work’s Upcoming Season of Transition
With Joyce leaving at the end of April, I thought I’d share a bit about the transition. I will assume several of the programs that Joyce directed at Scarritt Bennett Center, and over time I will add a few of my own. I am a retired clergywoman, having served twenty years as a local church pastor in the Rocky Mountain Legacy (now Mountain Sky) Conference of the United Methodist Church. I am also certified as a spiritual director. After the transition, my official title at Scarritt Bennett Center will be Anam Cara Chaplain-in-Residence. (Anam Cara comes from the Irish word anamchara—anam meaning “soul” and cara meaning “friend”.)
Joyce will still lead the Vespers & All That Jazz planning team from her new home, communicating with us through email and phone, and I will ensure the service runs smoothly from here. I will also be responsible for Tuesdays in the Chapel, Poet’s Corner, and Storylines Book Club.
Since coming to Scarritt Bennett Center in 2019, I’ve had the opportunity to start a Lectio Divina experience once a week on campus, as well as open Wightman Chapel for prayer and meditation every weekday from 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. I’ve implemented some Zoom conversations with two women’s groups discussing topics such as racism, healthcare, immigration, and surviving isolation brought on (or exacerbated) by the pandemic. In addition, we have been able to hold several special worship and prayers services such as prayer vigils at the Labyrinth, Election and Inauguration Day prayer vigils, a Good Friday service, and an Easter Sunrise service at the labyrinth (all in-person events have implemented safety protocols in accordance with CDC guidelines). I will continue to find ways to reach out to the community with services and events such as these. It is my hope that we will soon be able to hold retreats on campus again.
Currently, I am a full-time Volunteer-in-Mission at Scarritt Bennett Center, and I’ve enjoyed working with Joyce these past two years while in that role. I will certainly miss her steady leadership and guidance. In no way could I ever begin to fill her shoes! She is one of a kind and I greatly respect her, and I look forward to picking up the mantle from Joyce and having the opportunity to learn and grow into my own gifts and graces for this position.
Because of the continued restrictions due to COVID, we have decided to postpone a celebration for Joyce until this fall. We will send out announcements with dates, times, and details in the coming weeks, and we hope you will join us to celebrate Joyce! We hope that by fall we will be able to meet in person and celebrate Joyce with the enthusiasm and joy she deserves!