Industrial and Commercial Ministries

My Kiwanis travels in the Shenandoah valley led to contacts with Industrial and Commercial Ministries: a Caring Presence in America's places of work. Given my interest in the practice of workplace spirituality,  I met with Jan Dray, the Executive Director of ICM.

    As readers of this blog know, I’m prone to ranting and raving about how Catholic church prays and honors lay ministry within the parish, but rarely even prays for parishioners who execute their ministries in the world of work – outside of the parish.  Hence, I regard it as more than coincidental that I should learn about ICM. Their ministry is essential. Here are some extracts from their website:

ICM is an ecumenical, not-for-profit organization that equips, places, and supports volunteer chaplains in America's places of work.
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Industrial and Commercial Ministries is an ecumenical training and placement organization which equips, places and supports clergy and laity as volunteer chaplains to serve people where they perform their daily labor.  We seek to share the message of God's care and compassion and to enhance the sensitivity of persons to the changing nature of the contemporary workplace.

As a compassionate outreach of the church, we share the message of God's care with employees and employers.  ICM chaplains serve as a supportive presence, lend a listening ear and provide effective referral to those in need.

Chaplains represent the sincere concern of the Christian community for all persons.

Our objective is to focus on the needs of the employees.  We visit the workplace on a regular schedule as well as respond to special needs or crisis situations.

We circulate where people work in an organization to become acquainted with employees and establish relationships.  When invited, we will attend small groups, company-wide events, and meetings of management and employees.

We respect the rules and regulations of the workplace and obey all safety and health guidelines.

Interactions between the Chaplain and the employee are always confidential and always free.

If you think you might be interested in becoming an ICM chaplain, go here for a schedule of classes in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Arkansas and Missouri.