A Laywoman's Perspective -- Commentary by Scarritt-Bennett Center Laywoman in Residence, Joyce D. Sohl

There is a hot wind blowing outside, but the cool of the air conditioner in my office at least gives me the illusion that I am cool. Even the birds are looking for a cool spot and the squirrels are stretched out on any shady tree limb they can find. Such is summer here in Nashville!

Before the heat and humidity hit, we had a group of song writers here on campus. They had paid "big bucks" to improve their writing skills and attended lectures, participated in critical peer and leader review sessions, and became a community of people seeking the elusive lyrics and melody of a song. It was fun having them scattered around the campus with their guitars.

I sat in on one of the review sessions where they critiqued each other's songs. One young woman shared a song about not being able to find God in the church. At the end of her first verse she said something like: "But I was able to find God when the circus came to town." No one understood her metaphor and she could not explain it so that others understood, but I got it! Remember the movie "The Parable" that portrayed Jesus as a clown that came to town with the circus? (Youth work days back in the 60's) The girl was too young to have seen the movie, but she had a concept that spoke to her. The leader worked with her until finally the chorus of the song ended with God being found within. A spiritual moment within the midst of a secular class!

I taught a course this month entitled "Spirituality of Protest", talking to God in the midst of troubling times. We explored lament Psalms; the healing stories of Jesus; contemporary and ancient prayers and poems; spirituals and hymns; and art. We also wrote our own laments and talked about the need for honesty with God in our personal and public lives. The lament addressed to God can lead to justice, healing, and hope.

Tuesdays in the Chapel, a half-hour noon-time preaching service started on June 16th with Bishop Melvin Talbert as the first preacher. This service is for the community as well as the Center's staff and guests. We had great music and great preaching and are looking forward to sermons by Sharon Howell, Rami Shapiro, Beth Richardson, Kathleen Flood and Michael Waldrop. This may be the beginning of a "new tradition" and happen every week starting in the fall.

Conversation with staff, guests, and visitors are still an important part of my time. One Saturday I explained all about the Center to a Seven-day Adventist couple that were taking their Sabbath walk through the grounds. Another time I shared with a guest the purpose of the labyrinth. And yet at another time I spent about two hours with a group of United Methodist Women telling them about the Research Library and its tie to the history of this institution. Conversations with one another is as important as conversations with God, I believe. This is my perspective as a laywoman observing and participating in the activities of this sacred place.


Joyce D. Sohl
Laywoman in Residence