WELCOME FROM HAYWOOD STREET
Updates:
“Korah and I met during my first week at Haywood Street. A couple of staff who had the privilege of experiencing his gentle, kind, but cautious spirit, suggested I get to know him. I sat down with him in the living room of the Respite to hear his story. He sat in the reclining chair to the right of me–leaned back, folded his hands on his lap and smiled at me. His smile puzzled me–and still does. It has this uncanny way of portraying…”(read more)
Pastor Jody shared a strong message about God’s love, grace, and patience during Wednesday’s service. To read the whole sermon, click here.
Mark your calendars for July 11th! Haywood Street will be holding a free community viewing of Theirs is the Kingdom at 6:00 pm in the sanctuary. This will be a time for friends, companions, and everyone who has enjoyed the fresco to watch the documentary and celebrate this community together. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Housing Project: The property at 339 West Haywood Street has been purchased. Right now, we are working on the capital campaign to finish raising funds in order to move forward with construction. If you’d like to donate or have further questions about the capital campaign, contact Lorili at lorili@haywoodstreet.org.
Next Companion Orientation is this Monday, July 11th. We will meet outside in the parking lot at 5 pm. After the orientation, everyone is invited to join us in the sanctuary for the community screening of Theirs is the Kingdom. Email katlyn@haywoodstreet.org to sign up for orientation!
COMPANION CORNER:
- UPCOMING: Film Screening on July 11th! Haywood Street will be holding a community viewing of Theirs is the Kingdom at 6 pm in the sanctuary. Popcorn and drinks will be provided!
- Next Companion Orientation is this Monday, July 11th. We will meet outside in the parking lot at 5 pm.
- Servers Needed: The kitchen is in need of additional servers at the Downtown Welcome Table on Wednesdays and Sundays. If you’d like to help, please let Katlyn know or sign up and feel free to bring a friend!
- Haywood Street Hair Cutting Ministry – We are currently in the process of reimagining the Hair Cutting Ministry here that we have had in the past. If you would like to be a part of that process or would like to cut or wash hair when it is open, let Katlyn know!
- NEW MINISTRY UPDATES – Starting the week of May 1
- Sunday Bible Study – 11:00am in the sanctuary
- Tuesday Prayer Group – 12:00 in the sanctuary – Gather for a time of communal prayer
- Thursday Card Making Group – 10:00am in Room 1 (off the main lobby) – Gather together to make cards for our community and friends in prison or in the hospital
Reflection
I Am Home and Haywood Street
By Janet Taylor
My name is Janet Taylor, I am the founder and director of the I Am Home art project. The mission of this art initiative is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where those who find themselves without homes can express themselves through art and in the process experience healing, dignity and hope. The I Am Home Art Community feels so fortunate to be able to be a part of what Haywood is doing in the Asheville community to serve the homeless and at risk.
There are days in one’s life that forever change their world, for me it was October 12, 1998. As my daughters and I were walking in downtown Austin, I spotted a homeless man selling a crude ashtray he had made. Compassion welled up in my children and they begged me to buy the ashtray, which I did. As my children rejoiced in their new piece of pottery an idea began brewing in my heart; “the homeless could make and sell art.”
I was able to spend two years as an Americorps volunteer bringing this thought to fruition. In January 2017 I moved to Asheville to begin the I Am Home art community as a nonprofit. What I have discovered about the creation of art with the homeless is that a new identity begins to evolve. The idea that one is not identified by where they do or don’t live but by who they truly are inside, a creator, an artist. Art also becomes a conduit for creating relationships with those outside the homeless community as respect and understanding are built around conversations with one another.
Haywood St. Congregation opened their arms to these aspirations by allowing the art community to begin meeting in one of their rooms to create art twice a week. The art room was soon overflowing with friends of Haywoods that enjoyed creating art. We have since moved to a larger space at Haywood that accommodates all the artists that have become a part of our community. Our art community and Haywood are like minded in our goal to provide a place where those coming know they are loved and welcome. There are few places that offer such unconditional love and acceptance to those around them.
We feel we have found a home for our art community at Haywood and are very thankful to be here.
Pick up the July 2022 copy of The Laurel of Asheville magazine to read I Am Home’s featured article!
