Employment Support Ministry

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for you to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV"

Mission:

This ministry is a faith-based initiative that assists those in need of obtaining or improving employment. 

Overview:

This ministry is aimed at unemployed, underemployed and self-employed members of our faith-community need of support in a safe place and with confidentiality. It serves as a business support group for all those that want to participate. Others involved in this ministry will be those that have job openings or know of job openings where they can make a direct referral. This ministry will use meetings and the parish's bulletin, newsletter, website, eMails, social networks and a courtyard bulletin board as its communication base.  This ministry maybe expanded to serve other area faith communities in the future. 

The work of this ministry is accomplished through proactive and creative training, resources, mentoring and the spiritual gifts of our volunteers.  This ministry supports our parish's 4-pillar stewardship process as follows:

• Hospitality: There will be a lot of opportunities for the participants to participate in "getting acquainted” meetings and to form individual and family bonds with other members in the belief that no one should walk alone.
• Prayer: This ministry will provide support through prayer, spiritual teaching and group interaction.  All meetings will start and end with a prayer.
• Formation: Education is big part of this ministry. This Ministry will offer speakers, referrals and counseling which will assist participants in technical aspects of job change or career transition – i.e. over time this group may address goal setting, assessment, resume preparation, networking, resources available, interviewing, offer negotiation, gift/skill discernment and worker-justice issues. This Ministry will provide education in dealing with a crisis - focusing not only on business education, but on how our faith can offer support in difficult times.
• Service:  This type of a ministry has been long needed in our parish. It is needed not only now because of our difficult economic times, but on-going as people lose jobs or businesses.  

Meetings:

Meetings will be scheduled at least twice a month and sub-group and/or networking meetings will have scheduled times - see bulletins and/or parish calendar for specifics. A working advisory board is being formed to oversee this ministry and to reach out and involve parishioners, i.e. to chair a sub-committee. Once the advisory board is established and operating, various procedures will be put in place for advisory board member selection and other processes needed to support this ministry.

Events:

Click here for upcoming Employment Support Ministry-related events.

Ministry Lead: 

Nick Petra, 480-991-0118, eMail; and Staff Coordinator is Dr. Honora A. Norton, Parish Manager, 480-948-8370, eMail

Click Here for Employment Support Resource Links

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