Despite signs of hope for the economy, people are still losing their jobs. If you are in job transition, contemplating a job change, or just interested in meeting for mutual support, please contact the Job Transition Group at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . You do not need to be a member of St. Paul's. so please tell your friends and neighbors who might be interested.

If you have the skill, knowledge, or connections to help others in the job transition process, we would love to have you join us.  You could make the difference in someone's life!

Contact:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Read Useful Websites for TNG Job Seekers

Read about What Other Churches Offer to support career change.

Read about Caring Connections.

Read more below for an article for the diocesan newsletter on St Paul's Job Transition Support Group.

  Job Transition Support Group - Article for Diocesan Newsletter

In the present economy, many good people have lost their jobs.  Other people are re-thinking their career goals and aspirations in an unstable workplace.  In either case, finding the right kinds of emotional and spiritual support can be very important.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary has started a Job Transition Support Group to provide a place for displaced and soon-to-be displaced parishioners to discuss their concerns and dreams.  It is also open as an outreach activity to "friends of friends" in the local community.

The group has grown organically from the recognition that the people of St. Paul's had a need.  A couple of visible and unemployed parishioners got together and put announcements in the Sunday bulletin, in monthly newsletters, and on the St. Paul's website (www.stpaulscary.org).  Word also spread by word of mouth.  Sometimes a little urging by spouses also helped.

The Job Transition Support Group meets regularly for a meal and mutual support based on the schedules of its members.  To make the meetings more fun, we meet at restaurants for lunch or "after work" for a light supper.  We do not provide many formal networking opportunities, but we do share our experiences about other networking groups.  Participants can travel together to other job events to have a familiar face in a sometimes scary situation.  Because of the visibility of the group, other parishioners have volunteered their time to help with resume writing and general job hunting advice.

The demographics of the group are mixed.  Some participants are unexpectedly "retired" older workers and some are mid-career with young children.  A few are early in their careers but still want explore what the new workplace might be like.  We hope as our group grows, that we will have even more diversity.

A side benefit for St. Paul's is that job transitions can provide unexpected free time.  Some participants are donating their time and skills to maintaining the church facilities and are taking on new tasks, either to relieve the burdens on our current staff or expand into new areas of church growth and stewardship.

The St. Paul's Job Transition Support group is an evolving way for parishioners to connect with each other and form new bonds for support that will last far beyond any short-term, job-specific needs.

For further information, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .