them even though they are suffering from severe illness.”
Ellen Fisher Her job loss in financial services “came as a surprise,” said the mem- ber of St. John Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa. “I had never experienced anything like that and was devastated,” she added. Fisher recalled the many feelings
she had aſter her layoff: “Frustration, hurt, sadness, anger, depression,
fear, tremendous worry. Tese feelings came and went in no particular order. It is difficult to keep up your spirits when you lose your job, whatever the reason. “What helped me the most was my extended family
as well as my faith and church. My faith reinforced that I would get through this, that I had a new ‘normal’ and that was OK, and most importantly I was not alone.” Several people in her congregation were the first to
JEFF ROSS
success I now enjoy,” he said. Knowing the couple likes the outdoors, some church
friends suggested they look at the job market in Reno, Nev. Judy was open to moving. Tom discovered through an Internet search an opening for a grants and contracts officer at the University of Nevada. He applied and in less than two months was hired and heading west while Judy finished packing. Judy, a seminary graduate who isn’t ordained, tried
to imagine a career in Nevada. “I had faith I would be led in some way by the Holy Spirit,” she said. During the drive out west, she found meaning in the words of a favorite hymn, “Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me ….”
A guest preacher at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
in Reno gave her advice about an employment opportu- nity. Tere was an opening for a hospice chaplain with a Reno agency, and Judy qualified because she had clinical pastoral education experience. She got the job. “I proclaim the gospel every day and find it impor-
tant to remind patients of God’s love and forgiveness,” she said. “I remind them that God has not abandoned
reach out to her. “As a result, I decided to do the same and formed a networking group at my church,” she said. “We met informally at a restaurant, offered each other suggestions and support, and shared a lot of laughter.” Fisher has some ideas about what not to say to some-
one unemployed: “Fortunately I know I will never have to worry about losing my job.” “My friend lost her job and got a job in two weeks.” “My brother has been out of work twice as long as you and is still looking.” And then there were those who said the “right”
thing: “Why don’t I send you our marketing manager’s contact information? I’d be glad to put in a good word for you.” “What kind of job are you looking for? I’ll keep my eyes and ears open.” Now, Fisher is back in the financial services field at
the large firm where she was previously employed. She works in instructional design and project management. “Between my job layoff and resuming full-time
employment, it took some time,” Fisher said. “I was hired back because the economy improved. In the meantime I was able to work in various con- tract positions, and I was able to gain new experiences and meet new people.”
Author bio: Staples writes for the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale, Pa..
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