WELCOME FROM HAYWOOD STREET:
UPDATES:
Thank you St. Paul’s! God’s children being exceptionally cute and kind. More…
A wonderful article by writer/journalist Stephanie Hunt. More…
Thank you Karen Donatelli for Wednesday’s soul-warming pasta and sweet-tooth-satisfying brownies!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. As is tradition, Haywood Street will join in on the Asheville Holiday Parade on Saturday, November 23. If you would like to help decorate our “float” and/or ride along, meet at Haywood Street at 9:00. Haywood Street Companion, Cappy, is graciously leading the decorating team this year and helping our presence in the parade be a symbol of peace on Earth.
2. New Haywood Street merchandise. Click here to view.
4. Employment opportunity: Associate Pastor — Learn more… (and a letter from Pastor Mark Siler)
5. We are seeking a South Asheville location for one of our outdoor clothing collection bins. If you know of an establishment that would be willing to host a bin for a season, please reach out and let us know! (haywoodstreet@haywoodstreet.org)
COMPANION CORNER:
1. Food prep and information sheet
2. Haywood Street’s updated Amazon Wishlist
3. Prepare a meal for Respite! Sign up here.
A HAYWOOD STREET REFLECTION BY: DIANNE
Respite: a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant. Breathing space.
| I was introduced to Haywood Street Congregation through the doors of its Respite program four years ago this month. From the beginning I have been surprised to observe folks who walk into Respite with fear and trust issues as they soften and open themselves up to this community. People who carry a daily load of guilt and shame are able to lay their burdens down for a short period of time to simply rest and heal. During this time, they often let down their defenses enough to form friendships that last long after their time in Respite is over. One such person is my friend Thomas. Thomas and I met while he was in Respite after having surgery on his leg. Around a family style dinner in the Respite kitchen, he told me about growing up in Florida and moving to Asheville to work as a cook at the Grove Park Inn in the 1960s. As we spent more time together, he told me more about his life, and the changes that he has witnessed in Asheville during his time here. After Thomas left Respite, we continued to stay in touch at the Welcome Table or occasionally meeting for breakfast or lunch. When Thomas was diagnosed with cancer last year, it was my privilege to be with him during many of his doctor visits and radiation treatments, and we became even better friends. I always enjoy his quick sense of humor and am frequently in awe at the fierce commitment and compassion he feels toward his close friends. However, when my Mom passed away earlier this year, I stopped communicating with friends while I grieved. In the weeks that followed, Thomas called me every few days just to check on me. Even though I didn’t feel like talking, he would leave me messages telling me he was thinking about me and my family, and that I could call him back when I was ready to talk again. Thomas truly was one of my closest supporters during those darkest days. Four years ago I could never have guessed that such a deep friendship would bloom from our introduction at Haywood Street Respite. Today, I can’t image my week starting without my Monday morning phone call from Thomas, just checking in. For anyone who feels called, I encourage you to visit Respite. Bring dinner one night, or simply sit down in the kitchen sometime with a cup of coffee and wait. You might just make a lifetime friend. |
For more faces & stories from our Congregation, click here. |
