Building Communities that Work

"Career Ministry Connection"
Connecting People of Faith. Building Communities for Work.


Greetings from WorkForce Ministry!

Greetings from WorkForce Ministry. In this month's edition of our newsletter, we would like to introduce the Career Coordinator's Corner! Here you will hear about the latest happenings in the WorkForce Ministry community from our Career Coordinator, Lisa Turner.

As summer approaches, it brings with it the anticipation for change and new opportunities, career opportunities. In May we hosted our first partnered Job Fair with Apostolic Church of God, Bishop Arthur Brazier is their Sr. Pastor. It was a huge success. It was wonderful to see over 600 people take out the time in their busy schedules, to speak with employers and apply for the many job opportunities that were available.

WorkForce Ministry would love to partner with your Church to host a Career Fair as well. Please feel free to contact me at lisa@myworkforceministry.com or (888) 849-7481 x3. I would be more than happy to assist your Church's Career Ministry.

Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all. --Sam Ewing

I encourage you to strive to live a happier life. To be the best YOU, you can be to allow yourself to flourish in your chosen work.

Lisa R. Turner, Career Coordinator, WorkForce Ministry

Now, on with the newsletter!

Don't forget, you can ===>Click headline to view current and archived editions of our newsletter at any time!

Announcements

We are proud to announce the newest church to join the WorkForce Ministry community, Poplar Creek! Visit them on the web at http://www.poplarcreek.com.

To learn more about becoming a member, email us at moreinfo@myworkforceministry.com.


Featured Ministry

Apostolic Church of God
Sr. Pastor Arthur M. Brazier
Evangelist Katherine C. West
6320 South Dorchester Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60637
Main Office (773) 667-1500

Please visit ACoG's career portal, acog-cdm.myworkforceministry.com.

Evangelist Katherine C. West received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and became saved in March 1985. She has been employed at ACoG since November 1995, and was appointed to be the Apostolic Church of God�s Career Development Ministry Manager in September 2004.

"I have found much joy and see many rewards in assisting people with their career paths. Whether it is counseling them to their next career/job, recommending or providing classes to further their growth, providing leads for job opportunities or praying for them; it is very rewarding and they leave our ministry has never being the same. We assist everyone that needs help, regardless of being a member or not. The quandary of volunteers that serve in this capacity are a great asset to the deliverance of ministry as well. We recently held our 8th Annual Career/Job Fair. It was definitely a blessing for those in attendance. We had 34 Employers who participated and talked to over 400 candidates that were seeking employment. Everyone was excited and extremely pleased with the overall assistance, organization and opportunities that were available. We are just blessed to serve and to see the people blessed and look forward to greater works in the Lord."

Apostolic Church of God's Sunday Worship Services

8:00 am
TV Broadcast: WCIU TV 26
8:00 am
Sunday Morning Bible Study
9:10 am
Worship Service
9:10 am
Children's Church (1st - 4th Sundays)
11:40 am
Worship Service
11:40 am
Children's Church
4:00 pm
Afternoon Worship Service


A Word From WorkForce Ministry

When making a career change or facing a tough transition, the most important and perhaps most difficult thing to do is keep focus and faith. We are often distracted or discouraged, but to be successful and faithful we must keep His plan in our thoughts. The articles in this month's newsletter talk about organizing your workspace and trusting in yourself in difficult times. These are two ways that you can bring your own life and career to their fullest potential.

It is it important to do these things for ourselves in times of transition or hardship, but it is also important that we encourage our fellow colleagues, friends and parishioners when they are in need. Aside from sharing job leads and networking, sometimes the best thing an employment ministry and its members can provide are the simplest: faith and support. Providing these seemingly small things can have a powerful positive impact on your community.

At WorkForce Ministry we encourage our members and churches to thrive by promoting and encouraging Lifelong Career Management, but also a strong sense of community and faith, in all aspects of their members' lives. Sometimes this means taking a moment to reflect on one's accomplishments and clearly define goals for the future. Other times, it simply means being there for those in need.

Building and facilitating these philosophies are how we plan to continue our mission of Connecting People of Faith, Building Communities for Work.

To learn more about us, please call us at (888) 849-7481 x6 or send an email to moreinfo@myworkforceministry.com.

Featured Columnist

Spring Cleaning: 4 Steps to Organize Your Workspace
By Jennifer Swanson

If you spend much of your day in your office, it's worth taking time to get it better organized and more comfortable. Investing this time can result in a variety of benefits, including:

* Efficiency (find things faster and meet deadlines more easily)
* Less stress and illness
* Making better impressions on clients/customers
* Confidence of those who depend on you
* More free time outside the office

The first step is to plan. Set aside uninterrupted time to organize your workspace, and start somewhere. The best place to start is the area that will make the biggest daily difference in your work. Usually that�s your desk. Decide what you absolutely need on your desk, and find other �homes� for everything else.

The second step is to sort. Pull out a recycling bin, trash can, and a container to go to document destruction. Systematically work your way around your workspace until you�ve sorted everything that�s already out in the open. Once your desk is clear and functional, you�ll free up space to work on what�s hidden inside the drawers and file cabinets. Use sticky notes to identify what�s in each pile�especially paperwork, where the piles must ultimately become files.

The third step is to arrange; to create a consistent place for everything. Once you�ve done the work of sorting, keep it that way by using drawer dividers, small baskets or boxes, magazine holders, and mugs. Position your furniture in such a way that it�s easy for you to access what you need most frequently. If you share files with others, put that file cabinet close to the door so they don�t have to interrupt you to get what they need. For everyday projects and reference materials, create a desktop file system using a small file box or step rack. If stacking trays take up too much desk space, try wall-mounted pockets.

The fourth step "the key to staying organized" is to maintain the system. Labels help keep you accountable in your own space by making you think twice before stashing things where they don�t belong. They also reduce the chances of someone else putting something where you won�t find it. Allow time at the beginning of the day to plan your work, and at the end of the day to make peace with your checklist. Put everything away so you can return in the morning to an uncluttered workspace.

The purpose of getting organized is not to find ways to increase your workload. Rather, the ultimate goal is to become more efficient so you can take your full lunch break, get home in time for dinner, relax on the weekend, and focus on what�and who�is most important to you.

Jennifer Swanson is an organizing consultant and speaker with a unique, faith-based perspective. For more tips on getting control of your clutter, paperwork, and schedule�so you can have more time for what you love most�visit www.jenniferswanson.com.

Featured Article

Trust in the moment, and trust in yourself
By Charlie Badenhop

Do you often get yourself upset and feeling less than fully confident, as part of your preparation for facing a daunting challenge? You can improve your performance if you let your somatic intelligence lead the way.

"You move too much to be effective." Tamura sensei softly shouted at me. "You need to give your opponent a clearer target to strike at."

We were in the middle of studying how to defend ourselves from multiple attackers in an Aikido class for senior students in Japan.

Five young college students rushed at me once again, and once again I struggled to cope with them.

"OK, take a break." Tamura sensei said. "In order for the five attackers to actually hit you they have to first reach you. Your job is NOT to run away from them. You need to create a spacing that leads them to all try and grab or hit you at the same time.. Think of the attackers as needing to pass through a gate. If they all try and rush through the gate at the same time they will block each other�s efforts. Move less, do less, and be calm. Give them a clear target that they all reach at the same time."

I had heard similar remarks in the past, but accomplishing this in the heat of the moment requires a moving calmness that takes a while to get the hang of. You know in your head what you are supposed to do, but once your heart starts beating faster and your opponents are bearing down on you, you find it really hard to believe in what you are being told.

"Think of it this way." sensei said. He pulled out a cloth that he used to wipe away his sweat and said, "Here, take this away from me."

As I grabbed for the cloth, he more or less handed it to me. Just as I was beginning to get a good hold on it he let go of the cloth and grabbed onto my wrist and placed me in a painful hold. I immediately let go of the cloth, and he picked it back up with one hand as he continued to keep me subdued with his other hand. "You see." he said, "I am not defending the cloth, I am defending myself. Better to give you the cloth, and then I have both hands free to do as I need."

"When you move less you offer your opponents a clear target. When you offer them a clear target you will be able to understand how they are wanting to attack. They will attack you in the same manner you reached for my cloth. Confident they will accomplish their mission, because you have made it easy for them. At the last moment, just as they begin to strike or grab, take the target away from them. They will be surprised, and you will have the opportunity to do whatever is necessary."

He got up and invited the five students to attack him. He moved very little, and it was as if he was making each one of them thread themselves through the eye of a needle. Just ever so much of a movement made by him, made them just miss their target.

"This is what happens often in our every day life." he said. "You feel like you are faced with a daunting task, and you make your task harder by moving about needlessly and losing your composure. Breathe deeply, be calm, and know the right moment will present
itself to you if you have the faith to wait. Don't force the issue, and don't force the timing. Trust in the moment, and trust in yourself. Take the initiative by doing nothing."

You ARE capable. Give yourself the opportunity to excel by trusting in the moment and trusting in yourself. Wait calmly, and you will find that the necessary answers appear before you. Little by little... with lots of practice... and endless patience. Only move when the moment is right. Breathe deeply and begin at the beginning.

Charlie Badenhop is the originator of Seishindo, an Aikido instructor, NLP trainer, and Ericksonian Hypnotherapist. Benefit from a new self-help Practice every two weeks, by
subscribing to his complimentary newsletter "Pure heart, simple mind" at www.seishindo.org.

Ask The Career Advisor

Dear Career Advisor,

What are the top tips you'd advise for keeping a positive attitude during a tough job search? -- Ambitious Jobseeker

Dear Ambitious,

Actually, I have several; here are four:

* Have realistic expectations about how long the job search might take.
* Get help and support from others.
* Maintain a healthy lifestyle (eating, exercise), and a positive attitude (maintain associations with those employed as well as those searching).
* Understand that failure is an event -- not a person. Success is a process.

Send your career-related questions to careeradvisor@myworkforceministry.com and we will answer them in an upcoming edition of our newsletter!

Spiritual Message

FAITH IN THE WORKPLACE
By Cardinal Rigali

Many people spend the majority of their day at work, giving them ample opportunity to witness to God in the workplace. As the II Vatican Council stated: "The very testimony of ... [the laity's] Christian life and good works done in a supernatural spirit have the power to draw men to belief and to God..." (#6, Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity).

Jesus calls us to live His teachings in our words, thoughts and actions. When we consistently treat our co-workers, clients and others with respect, show compassion toward them and behave in an ethical manner, we are showing that we are truly disciples of the Lord and His light shines through us to the world.

I invite you to consider how you can demonstrate your faith at work today and every day.

May God bless you!


Featured Events

Bible camp season is upon us!

Read below for information on many local bible camps and other youth activities that are happening in the Chicagoland area this summer.

Poplar Creek Church
www.poplarcreek.com
Fiesta VBS Adventure
June 26th-30 from 9AM �11:30AM
All children welcome, up to those who are completing 6th. Grade

Naperville Congregational Church
www.napercongregational.org
Fiesta!
For ages 4 � 11
June 19 � 23, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Bethany Lutheran Church
Treasure Cove
July 10 � 14, 9 am � Noon
For Information call 630-355-2198

Grace United Methodist Church
Adventure of the Treasure Seekers
July 17 � 21, 9:00 - 11:30 am
Open to preschool to grade 4
Enjoy games, snacks and more
Call 355-1748

Naperville Evangelical Covenant Church
www.napercov.org
Arctic Edge
Children Ages 4 � going into 6th Grade
Includes T-shirts. CD and crafts
Call 630-369-2741

Naperville Presbyterian Church
www.npchurch.org
Trading Places Vacation Bible School
June 26 - 29
Monday � Thursday
9:00 � 11:45 am

Wesley United Methodist Church &
1st United Congregational United Church of Christ
Market Place People of Promise
June 26 - 29
12:30 - 3:30 pm
Ages 3 years old to entering 6th grade
Call 630-355-1834 ext.12

Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Sports Camps (Soccer or Running)
June 19-23
Monday� Friday
9:00 am � Noon
1st through 5th Graders
Call 630-961-0579

Harvest Church Plainfield
Teen Break at the Lake
June 9- 11
Register online
www.harvestplainfield.com

Christ Community Church
www.ccclife.org
Hot University Jr.
June 20 - 23
Tuesday � Friday
9 - 11:30 am
For kids age 3 through entering Kindergarten
Includes a CD, t-shirt, and family night

Hot University
For kids entering 1st - 5th grades
July 17- 21
Monday - Friday
9 am - 12:30 pm
Includes a CD, t-shirt, and family night

Grace Church of DuPage
www.gracechurchofdupage.org
Vocation Bible School
Son Treasure Island
June 12th � 16th
9 am to 12 pm
Kindergarten � 4th grade
Caribbean Cookout June 16 at 11:30

Ministry Mentions

Visit these churches that are on the leading edge of faith-based career management!

Apostolic Faith Church
jobsource.myworkforceministry.com

Crusaders
www.crusaderswestnaperville.org

Apostolic Church of God
acog-cdm.myworkforceministry.com

Poplar Creek Church
www.poplarcreek.com

Grace United Church
www.peopleofgrace.org

Hillcrest Baptist Church
www.hillcrestonline.org

If you would like to see your ministry or a ministry in your community featured here, please email featured@myworkforceministry.com with the name of the ministry and contact information for yourself and/or someone at that ministry.

Help us spread the Word!

Featured Company

The Neurologic & Orthopedic Institute of Chicago
www.neuro-ortho.org

The Neurologic & Orthopedic Institute of Chicago is the country's first freestanding acute care hospital dedicated exclusively to neuroscience and orthopedic services. It utilizes breakthrough technology and minimally invasive techniques as well as advanced procedures for neurosurgery, orthopedics, pain management, neuro-oncology, sports medicine, and rehabilitation.

The Institute is located on Chicago's north side, near Wilson and Damen Avenues and can be reached via Lake Shore Drive or I-90.

4501 N. Winchester Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
Main Phone: (773) 250-0000
Orthopedic Services: (773) 250-1000

If your company would like to be featured, please send an email to featured@myworkforceministry.com

Featured Agency

M. Thrailkill & Associates
www.mthrailkill.com

M. Thrailkill & Associates is a recruiting and consulting firm for the hospitality and retail industries providing service nationwide to hospitality and retail corporations and the hospitality and retail work force. Utilizing a custom tailored approach to serving clients, we are uniquely positioned to provide assistance in recruiting the high quality of personnel required in our industry.

With a candidate profile developed specifically to match the needs of each client, every candidate package presented includes a comprehensive interview and professional references. We provide coordination of client/candidate interviews throughout the recruiting process. We are a firm that "partners" with our clients in their hiring goals.

Phone: (970) 225-2655
Fax: (970) 225-2718
Email: job@mthrailkill.com

If your agency would like to be featured, please send an email to featured@myworkforceministry.com

Testimonials

Grant Writing Workshops
Thank you to all that participated! Check back with us in July for this event happening again soon!

I enjoyed not having to go to a location for a class; and the wealth of knowledge that the instructor had. It was great information and I learned quite a bit. Keri you are a great instructor. In my case of never doing grants before, I think I would be able to accomplish that task with a bit of comfort; with only having a couple of hours of teaching. It was excellent! -- Evangelist Kathy West, Apostolic Church of God

It was very straight forward - took the mystique out of the process. The information was very practical. Very helpful to have the workbook to work through with a real live grant. Keri's manner is very personable and supportive. She made the process personal for the participants. --Linda Hairgrove, Career Coach

If you have used our products and have testimonials you would like to share in our newsletters, please send them to us! --testimonials@myworkforceministry.com

Biblical Verses

Chronicles 22:13

You will prosper, if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed.

Psalm 1:1-3

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.

Proverbs 22:29

Do you see a man skillful in his work?
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.
C 2006 eWorld Employment, LLC

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your interested associates and friends! It may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission from the editor or original author must be obtained to reprint any information contained within this newsletter. Email us at newsletter@myworkforceministry.com for more details.

WorkForce Ministry, myCoachesConnection and eWomen In Career Transition are owned and operated by eWorld Employment, LLC.


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