"Listening Hearts" By Susan T. Czolgosz, Guest Blogger

The emotional impact of job loss and the task of searching for a new job can be daunting. Our church congregations are uniquely positioned to walk with those who have experienced job loss.

I am a member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Park Ridge.  A number of years ago, our then rector, Jarrett Kerbel, gathered a group of us to reflect and discuss what our mission told us about a ministry with those who were undergoing the stress of job loss. We created a ministry of journey with those in our congregation and beyond who were unemployed. Our ministry began by reading and reflecting on the book, Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community.  One of our calls as Christians is to join our hearts with others who are in need.  In our ministry with the unemployed we walked with them as they experienced surprise, grief, anger, career ruin, family stress, fear, and all the emotions one has with job loss.

Our ministry was one of gently asking questions and carefully listening to the hearts of those with whom we journeyed. "What are the most important things you need to do to handle your personal situation effectively?" In some cases, individuals were unable to share the news of their loss with their families. Our ministry was to encourage them to talk things over with family and friends and to create a circle of support. We encouraged them to do the tough work of reviewing their finances, talking to former co-workers, taking care of themselves during the transition and being a friend to others going through the same thing. Staying "in touch" on many levels helped them avoid the well of despair and loneliness.

So often we think of ministry as an exact set of particular skills when so often, it is simply the willingness to show up, listen to someone in need, accompany them on their life's journey, and help them let go of the outcomes. A healthy Christian community encourages its members to become aware of one another and accountable to one another. This kind of "walk with" the unemployed is that kind of awareness and accountability. We need to do everything to fill our communities of faith with an attitude of concern for one another -- inside our doors and outside. It is a shared responsibility.

"Live the questions," urges the poet Rainer Maria Rilke. "Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer."

I thank Susan for her very thoughtful reflections. Rosemary