Ogden Presents Social Justice Programs

On the last Sundays of January, February, and March, the Christian Education Committee of Ogden Memorial Presbyterian Church will sponsor social justice programs.

Each program will consider an issue calling for social justice.

The first topic is homlessness and the program will be presented by Dr. Elizabeth Hall, president of Homeless Solutions in Morris County on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m.

The Christian Education Committee gives background on the problem in the county:

Since 1983, when Homeless Solutions, Inc. (then known as Morris Shelter, Inc.) first opened its doors to provide beds and meals for homeless men in the Manse of the Presbyterian Church, it has continuously expanded in size and increased the programs offered.  Today the not-for-profit provides shelter for 25 homeless men, 10 homeless women, 19 families and 20 Safe Haven guests.  Some of their services include case management, transportation to work and necessary appointments, money management and employment assistance, housing search assistance and daily living skills training, as well as referral services for counseling, substance abuse intervention, and prevention.  www.homelesssolutions.org

The second program will be on Sunday, Feb, 26, at 6:30 p.m. on the topic of Hunger, by Julie Hess, Community Educator at Community Soup Kitchen, Morristown.

Backgroun provided: Since 1984, the Community Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center has been helping the homeless and the working poor and elderly of Morristown and surrounding communities by serving meals and providing supportive services 365 days a year. They typically serve more than 250 guests each day in a welcoming and safe environment, regardless of their financial qualifications or religious beliefs.  The meal consists of soup, an entree, vegetables, salad, bread, fruit, dessert and beverages. Guests are welcome to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to take with them. Also offered is a take home table where canned goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and bag lunches and breakfasts are available. www.cskmorristown.org

The third program is on Sunday, March 25 at  6:30 p.m. is on immigration, presented by Sally Pillay, Coordinator of the Intern Program, IRATE & First Friends of Elizabeth.

Background provided: In 1997, a collaboration of Jesuit Refugee services and the Archdiocese of Newark to provide English language and Bible study to detainees at the Elizabeth Detention Center (EDC) was the beginning of what became IRATE & First Friends.  Today, IRATE & First Friends visits non-criminal detainees at the Elizabeth Detention Center, the Hudson County Corrections Center, and the Bergen County jail; provides training for those willing to visit detainees; speaks to groups on detention or immigration reform; collaborates with partner organizations seeking humane treatment of all detainees, and the end of detainment for asylum seekers; works nationally on behalf of comprehensive immigration reform; organizes demonstrations to keep the plight of detainees in the news, and works to end to anti-immigrant law, prejudice, and racism. www.irate-firstfriends.org

Ogden is at 286 Main Street, Chatham. The purpose of the programs is to help local residents understand the nature of the problems and learn how to address the concern nationally as well as locally. According to the Christian Education Committee press release, the intent of these programs may be summarized in these words of William Sloane Coffin:  “Charity seeks to alleviate the effects of injustice; justice seeks to eliminate the causes of it”. 

The events are free; however donations for each of the programs will be accepted.  For more information, contact Anna Tivade at 973-635-2218, or via e-mail at annativade@yahoo.com; or the church office at 973-635-5567.