WELCOME FROM HAYWOOD STREET:


UPDATES:


Click here for Haywood Street Reflections from Leigh! Only 7 more
months ’til we turn 10!
Lots of love at the Welcome Table this week! So much gratitude for the
meals prepared and served by 12 Bones and Mamacitas.
This is the current list of restaurants who participate in the Downtown
Welcome Table. We encourage Asheville residents and visitors to support
these establishments — knowing they are owned, operated and employed
by our talented and incredibly generous friends.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:


1. Know someone who would make a great community resident? More…

2. April 23, 11:00-1:30 at Trinity United Methodist Church: A training that will include an overview of the opioid use issues in Buncombe County, harm reduction philosophy, Naloxone, syringe safety, and supportive services for our community. Click here to register.

3. Haywood Street would be so grateful for ten “knockout” rose bushes to be planted around the prayer wall. Contact Robert (828.424.4276) if you would like to help answer a portion of this ask.

4. Next Companion Orientation: Monday, April 1 @ 5 pm.


COMPANION CORNER:


For more information about any of the following, please contact Hannah, Haywood Street Companion Coordinator, at hannah@haywoodstreet.org or 828.575.2477 [ext. 106].
Welcome Table:
Food prep & information sheet

Clothing Closet:
-Prep: 10-noon Tuesday and Thursdays
-We are beginning to transition items, if you are doing spring cleaning please keep God’s outfitters in mind as you prepare to get rid of sandals, walking shoes, and any rain proof gear!

Campus:
We need folks to help us keep our campus clean! Please email Hannah to arrange a time to come and help us keep our campus beautiful and hospitable to all.

Garden:
-Vegetable gardening: Wednesday 10-12 & Sunday 11-1.
-Flower gardening with Robert Thursday 9-12


Make a gift to Haywood St.

A HAYWOOD STREET REFLECTION FROM: MARGARET

Haywood Street Congregation.

The old church is made of solid red brick. There are paths worn in the struggling grass. I hate to leave the warm bright light to go inside because it is a beautiful day and I don’t want to be shut up within walls. But I have come to see what it’s all about—the Haywood Street Congregation. I am a day tripper, not on a mission, but on, I guess, my own kind of journey, but not anymore than anyone else. This is a place where hungry people can get fed. With no demands. Where all enter on equal footing. I see folks who are sleeping anywhere, everywhere. Safe and warm. I watch three volunteers, standing on hard concrete, give haircuts for hours. I can, if I desire, get free acupuncture. Or today a massage. Or free clothes. I eat lunch with my friend Terry and other members of the congregation—at a round table. The food is really good and plentiful. We pass the meatloaf, the succotash, the salad, and the quinoa. One guy at the table pours salad dressing all over the quinoa because it tastes better that way. Afterwards, there is a church service. All are welcome. The young minister Brian is dark-haired, dark-eyed handsome in his jeans and tee shirt. He talks about Simeon, an old man in the Bible who is one of the first to recognize Christ. I have never heard of Simeon. I am listening hard to this young man talk, watching as he looks at each of us in the pews. I’ve been to churches where the congregation are expected to say, Amen, in a chorus of yes, but this is the first time I have ever been in a church where those seated are asked to participate in the whole conversation. What do you think, Brian says. He is a master of including every answer in his response, his eyes intent and kind. I keep watching to see if he will suddenly show me that he knows he is a mesmerizing showman. But no. And then I get the secret to Haywood Street: there is no sham; there are no showmen. This guy is real. These folks are real. This love is real. I have come out of the day’s light into the pure, profound light of this holy place. I start crying around noon that day. I am crying as I type this. And I think it is from the wonder of it all. Pure goodness. Pure grace. Haywood Street Congregation.

For more faces & stories from our Congregation, click here.