WELCOME FROM HAYWOOD STREET:


UPDATES:


It has been mighty busy around Haywood Street! Wednesday, November 13, brought the baptism of Pastor Brian’s youngest daughter and the community blessing of the Haywood Street Fresco — photos available here and Pastor Brian’s dedication prayer available here. On the evening of the 14th, we delighted in a community open house and celebration of the fresco — photos available here. Our gratitude goes out to everyone who made these events so memorable and meaningful. 
Have you seen the new Haywood Street Fresco kiosk room? This has been a large undertaking with many contributing hands and minds and we are so excited to have you engage with this space and information. The kiosk room is located to the left as you enter the sanctuary. Three iPads allow you to take a deep dive into all things Haywood Street Fresco — process, technique, meaning, metaphor, stories and more. Additionally, this same program is available from your personal device by visiting visit.haywoodstreetfresco.org. We hope you find this program easy to navigate, informative and inspiring!
Thank you Nine Mile for the delicious gumbo and sides served up at Wednesday’s Welcome Table!
Please make a joyful noise for our new restrooms! This has been a HUGE project, not without its challenges. Special thanks to the crew from GRACE who made it all happen. Please help direct folks who may not yet know — these restrooms are located in the main lobby.
This Saturday, November 23! In keeping with tradition, Haywood Street will join in on the Asheville Holiday Parade. 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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:


1. Holidays are special at Haywood Street Congregation. Friends from all walks of life are invited to come together over an abundant meal, delight in rich desserts, and linger over conversation. Your contributions this month will help make possible our Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts — ensuring everyone has access to turkey, ham and all the trimmings. Donations can be made online via Kindful or by texting “GIVE” to 828-340-9335. Thank you for helping to make these special occasions possible.

2. Haywood Street merchandise makes for great holiday gifts and helps support our core programs! Click here to view.

3. Please consider attending this Holiday FUNdraiser hosted by Town & Mountain Realty!

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
  – Saturday prep will be moved to Friday (11/22 from 9-12) due to the Asheville Holiday Parade.
  – Clean up crew needed from 1:30-3:00 following our Wednesday Thanksgiving feast. Please let Hannah now if you are able to help.

2. Clothing Closet: No prep Thursday, November 28. Instead, prep will be on Wednesday from 12:30-2:00.

3. Haywood Street’s updated Amazon Wishlist

4. Prepare a meal for Respite! Sign up here.

5. December 3rd: Brunch at 9:30 with holiday decorating to follow

6. December 17, 2:00-3:00 and December 19, 5:30-6:30: Downtown Welcome Table server training

A HAYWOOD STREET REFLECTION BY: BRIAN

For going on a year now, we’ve been gifted with Brian’s presence as a Haywood Street Companion as well as a generous musician — working up tunes for worship, memorials and celebrations. “Painting My Picture” is a song Brian wrote about the fresco and shared with the community during Wednesday’s blessing ceremony. Click here to listen to all of the songs Brian has written and recorded just for Haywood Street!

 Painting My Picture (the Haywood Street Fresco Song)
 they’re painting my picture up on the wall
about 3 feet wide, and 5 feet tall
if my head gets too big, I’ll be headed for a fall
they’re painting my picture up on the wall
 
you’re seeing us in our Sunday best
from winter hats to leather vests
hearts on our sleeve, cards close to the chest
you’re seeing us in our Sunday best

 I’m no one special, I’m just one face
in a crowd of millions, told we have no place
give me a cold shoulder, or a warm embrace
I’m no one special, I’m just one face

 (Bridge):
blessed are the meek, who’ll inherit the earth
for what is right, they hunger and thirst
the persecuted, mournful and poor
the keepers of the peace, the merciful and pure
 
there’s a lot of colorful paint in this city
from public murals to graffiti
now I’m a face on a fresco, and not just ‘cause I’m so pretty
now there’s a little more colorful paint in this city
 
they’re painting my picture up on the wall
you gotta learn how to face-plant before you even crawl
I used to feel like I was nowhere at all 
but now they’re painting my picture up on the wall



 Music & lyrics copyright ©2019 by Brian Claflin


 



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