An Episcopal parish in Memphis, TN, has been recognized by the Commercial Appeal newspaper as a great place to work. The paper published a list of 60 workplaces chosen by a survey of their employees as top establishments in Greater Memphis. St John’s was at the top of the list in the small business category.
Americans live in a culture wound tight with anxiety so leaving that stress outside is the way toward creating a harmonious workplace.
That’s the guiding philosophy of the Rev. John Sewell, rector of Saint John’s Episcopal Church since 2003. It’s also the path toward greater productivity.
“We spend at least 85 percent of our time doing what we’re here for,” said Sewell. “We laugh a lot, and I consider myself the head laugher.”
Saint John’s employees agree that it’s a rather different place to work. Their enthusiasm helped the 137-year-old institution step ahead of other small employers and land in first place on The Commercial Appeal’s 2015 Top Workplaces survey.
“I love my job,” commented a Saint John’s employee in the survey. “The staff works great together and I have a good team. Upper management is easy to work with and understands personal and also work-related issues.”
The St John’s website celebrates its success with “heartfelt thanks to our dedicated and caring staff.”
Photo: Easter 2015, via St John’s Episcopal Church website
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I worked with an awesome guy named Jim Hanisian at The Church of the Redeemer in Cincinnati from 1996 – 2000. Same thing, lots of laughter, hard work, great team. I’m so grateful for that experience.
I was Associate at St. John’s from 1981 to 1984, and for a few months Interim after the Rector retired. I remember it was a good place to work then, too.
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nice one