Zion Lutheran Church ~ Oldwick, NJ

Faith Kitchen is a ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church in nearby Dover, NJ – a community service that provides nutritious meals, free of charge, to anyone who comes though their doors.  In 2008, Faith Kitchen served 34,620 meals.  Faith Kitchen is more than just a place to get a hot meal – clients are helped to network into social service agencies that can provide jobs, housing, and mental and physical healthcare.  Faith Kitchen is a safe environment where clients can get assistance with the essential paperwork for job applications and medical bills.  Zion is one of 22 churches involved in Faith Kitchen.  A portion of every offering made to Zion supports Faith Kitchen.  Along with this monetary support, Zion has a coffee drive every January with a goal of contributing 100 pounds of coffee.

In 2010, 13 of Zion’s youth and advisors joined with 30 others from Trinity Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church of Mendham for Down and Dirty in Dover.  This event featured three days of service (and fun) at Faith Kitchen, a Habitat for Humanity site, the Veterans Home, and the Senior Housing Center in Dover.  Zion members sent our youth with a Container for Christ loaded with new tables, chairs and other supplies for Faith Kitchen, school supplies and back packs, and lawn furniture for the Veterans Home.  In 2011, Down and Dirty in Dover was followed by Hot and Hungry in Hunterdon, which built on the success of the prior year and expanded the scope of service provided.

Edna's Haven

As part of our Mission 300 campaign, Zion will be building on our partnership with Trinity Lutheran to expand the Faith Kitchen facility into a place where displaced persons can go during the day to receive mail and get counseling and medical services as well as job placement assistance. 

There are a few tangible things in life that most people take for granted.  A mailbox or a telephone. Warm shelter from the cold.  A caring friend to turn to.  However there are people who struggle every day with these basic essentials.  Because of factors such as mental illness, lack of steady employment, medical problems, domestic violence, and substance abuse, there are individuals who find themselves seeking solace, but instead encountering stress.  Rather than gaining the support they desire, they face rejection and are left feeling indignant.  In response to these truths, the Mental Health Association of Morris County, Trinity Lutheran Church of Dover and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oldwick have agreed to collaborate and establish Edna’s Haven, a place that will offer a sense of community, belonging, and temporary relief from the pressures of poverty. 

   · Provide a safe and welcoming daytime refuge for all
   · Renew hope
   · Give comfort
   · Foster self sufficiency
   · Enrich lives

Edna’s Haven is being funded by an extraordinary pledge of $30,000 per year for the next three years by Zion Lutheran Church.  Through this generous contribution, Edna’s Haven will operate out of Trinity Lutheran Church located at 123 East Blackwell Street in Dover, NJ.  A public restroom, refreshment center, computer center, and television will be available for guests Monday through Friday between the hours of 12:30 and 4:00 pm.  Edna’s Haven will also provide case management services, job searching/interviewing skills, and even serve as a mailing address and telephone contact when applying for work. English as a Second Language (ESL) education will be offered and GED training will be provided for those looking to earn their high school diplomas. 

Edna’s Haven will be supervised by Jessica Ebegbulem, MA, LAC, who will oversee all groups, events, and activities taking place within Edna’s Haven.  Jessica is a Mental Health Association of Morris County employee who will serve as a liaison between the individuals utilizing services at Edna’s Haven and social service programs that provide case management, supportive housing, medical assistance, and outreach services to those in need. 

For those who are not fortunate enough to have shelter, companionship, and bountiful amenities, it is with great pride that we share with you that Edna’s Haven now exists and its doors are open. 

For more information about Edna’s Haven or to find out how you can volunteer, please call Jessica Ebegbulem, Program Coordinator of Edna’s Haven at 973-366-2821.