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A few days ago I found myself in the dining room at Haywood Street with a mop in my hand. I looked up and in the kitchen was Donna Anderson cleaning up after another big Wednesday meal. We had a moment of smiles and reflection on what has happened at Haywood Street in the last 10 years.
Donna and her husband Burt were long time members of Haywood Street United Methodist Church which is our mother ship. They and a few folks were holding it all together for a small congregation that decided that they could no longer continue. It was a painful time for this group of folks who loved their church very much. They had courage and forethought about what they hoped could happen there after they left and they reached out to Central UMC and others for help. Their decisions and actions opened the door for Haywood Street Congregation!
I have been along for the ride for the last 10 years as a Co-Board Chair with Laura Kirby in the early years and as a Board member since. It has been one of the most amazing adventures of my life to be a part of this. As of Feb 4, I am in a new role as Co-Director with Laura Kirby (on an interim basis). I‘ll be involved with key staff development and facility issues. We have grown quite a bit since my first conversations with Donna, Burt, Elsie, Joe, and the loyal and generous folks at Haywood Street United Methodist 11 years ago. I know that HSC, as it is now, would have been hard to picture then. However, I know that that group of folks wanted new life and people serving God in their Church. I think they got their wish!
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