Church of the Redeemer
36 South Street
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-539-0703

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Eric Johnson House
Interfaith Hospitality Network
Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown
Good Shepherd Home in Cameroon

At Redeemer, our mission of service extends beyond the church doors. We reach out into the community both near and far.

Eric Johnson House  [ back to top ]

Eric Johnson, the son of Church of the Redeemer parishioners Bill and Ann Johnson, contracted AIDS and died of the disease in 1990. Luckily, Eric had the full support of his family—something that is not a reality for many people living with HIV/AIDS. Thus, The Eric Johnson House on the Redeemer grounds was designed for those people in need of housing, as well as supportive services, who are homeless as a result of, or adjunct to, their HIV/AIDS status. The Eric Johnson House is a place for those who need a safe haven while trying to obtain the services and support necessary to regain control of their lives. The Eric Johnson House is not a hospice nor a medical facility, but rather a housing program that provides the security and dignity necessary to enable residents to become empowered and make realistic decisions about their future.

The mission of the Eric Johnson House is to assist people with HIV or AIDS in securing and maintaining permanent housing. Established in 1992 as a non-profit organization, the house is the result of a grassroots endeavor to renovate and operate a transitional housing program for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The Eric Johnson House is located in the former rectory of the Church of the Redeemer. The rectory, which was no longer used by the Church for its original purpose, was completely renovated through the generous support of both public and private organizations, as well as individual contributors. Located in Morristown’s central business district, the house is accessible by car or public transportation. It is within walking distance of grocery stores, parks, medical providers, banks, and other area businesses. The house is situated in an ideal locale to ensure the maximum independence of its residents. Fully accessible for wheelchairs, the house contains on-site laundry and cooking facilities.

More information: Eric Johnson House

Interfaith Hospitality Network  [ back to top ]

The Interfaith Council for Homeless Families of Morris County (ICHF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ending the crisis of homelessness through direct service, community awareness and participation, the advocacy of responsible solutions, and the development of affordable housing. The Church of the Redeemer is a host congregation, providing emergency overnight accommodations and meals for homeless families three times each year.

The families consist of single parents with children, couples and children, and adults without children. The guests spend each week in the Parish House in private rooms downstairs, have their meals in the Parish Hall, and use the parlor for their recreation. There are anywhere from two to five families at a time.

Volunteers are scheduled at all times when guests are present. Volunteers from two other Morristown churches (Church of the Assumption (Catholic), and Unitarian Fellowship) supplement the ranks of Redeemer volunteers. Volunteers cover evening, overnight, and weekend shifts with some performing meal, set-up, clean-up or laundry duties.

More information: Interfaith Hospitality Network

Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown  [ back to top ]

Redeemer has a well-established partnership with the Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown (CSK). In addition to being the permanent home to the CSK, in the Church's Parish Hall 6 days each week, our members also provide leadership and volunteer workers.

CSK Mission Statement: "The Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown, Inc. is an ecumenical effort supported and run by 34 congregations from the greater Morristown area. Our mission is to provide nutritious meals in a safe, warm, and caring environment, free of charge, to anyone who comes seeking nourishment. And, further, to provide access to community services and resources to those in need while providing opportunities for volunteers to give of themselves in service to others. Anyone is welcome regardless of age, sex, race, financial qualifications, or religious beliefs."

In support of CSK, Redeemer sponsors "Soup Kitchen" teams. Each team has approximately 12 -15 members, who commit to serving 5-6 times a year. Teams are responsible for preparing casseroles, soups, salads, breads, desserts and drinks for guests. Thank you to all our Redeemer CSK volunteers (over 100 people)!

There are several ways that members of Redeemer participate in this ministry:

• Team Member (12 years & older) - commit to serve 5-6 times a year on a Redeemer team serving after church, 11:30 to 2:00pm on Sundays. Each team usually needs 12 volunteers to serve the 60 - 100 guests who show up for a meal. Our goal is to have 15 members per team to allow flexibility if a few volunteers can't attend on their assigned Sunday.
• Dessert Provider - these volunteers commit to provide dessert for approximately 80 guests, 3-6 times a year. Dessert providers are assigned to a specific Redeemer team and can either drop off their goodies or also volunteer with the team to serve their dessert.
• Team Captain - in addition to being a member of one of the Redeemer teams, captains organize and direct the team as well as purchase perishable food items (milk, bread, salad, fruit) for their assigned Sunday. Our goal is to have 2 sets of co-captains on each of the Redeemer teams.
• Participate in a Redeemer "Cooking Day" - We are reviving the Redeemer cooking days to ensure that there are casseroles available for the Redeemer teams. Members of the Cooking team will prepare approximately 40 casseroles, 4-6 times a year, on a Saturday morning. Children are welcome to participate.

More information: CSK Morristown

Good Shepherd Home in Cameroon  [ back to top ]

The Church of the Redeemer actively supports The Good Shepherd Home in Douala, Cameroon. The Good Shepherd is an orphanage for children made homeless as a result of the aids epidemic. At present, it houses approximately fifty children and is administered by Sister Jane Manka, a remarkable visionary, whose ambitious goal is to care for hundreds more children as The Good Shepherd grows.

In 2006 the Redeemer congregation funded a water catchment, storage and supply project, medical supply delivery, nutritional support and livestock purchases.

Redeemer's Water for Life program, initiated in 2007, made it possible for the children of the Good Shepherd to have plenty of safe clean water. The system was completed under budget, on time and was technically successful. Over eighty thousand dollars was collected to support this and other activities.

Seven Redeemer parishioners and a separate film production team visited the orphanage. Two documentaries were produced and are being widely screened. Redeemer continues to supplement the orphanage food program and a separate non-profit group was formed which has contributed tens of thousands of dollars towards a new dormitory.

Recently Redeemer responded to an urgent need to start a school. A number of primary grade children, originally enrolled in the local public school, were abused due to their social standing. Sister Jane removed them they remained with no ongoing education.

There was a four room staff building on the grounds. Sister Jane reconfigured the building as a school, hired teachers, and began the education of her children. Redeemer assisted in funding this school, now called The Redeemer Primary School.

In addition, we have developed a means of generating ongoing funds. Just as Water for Life has served its purpose, a program called Food for Life will help with continuing nutritional needs. The program will channel nominal monthly contributions from Redeemer parishioners towards supplementary food supplies for the home.
There is no greater calling than one which feeds a hungry child. Redeemer welcomes anyone who would like to join in helping the beautiful Good Shepherd children. Please join us.

In 2008, four Redeemer parishioners visited Sr. Jane and the children and brought needed supplies, specifically books for the school.

As the pictures of the children of the Good Shepherd Home on the walls of our church show, they are part of our family and we are part of theirs.

More information: Community of St. John Baptist - Cameroon page or www.abangoh.org