WELCOME FROM HAYWOOD STREET:

UPDATES:

An incredible Wednesday at the Welcome Table! So much gratitude goes out to Aux Bar and Sunny Point Cafe — thank you for your commitment to our community.
…and in other gratitude shout outs — Thank you to Dan, Robert and Steve for moving the tool shed! This was a HUGE project that will help with campus safety and make room for…well…more projects!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Haywood Street Fresco & Final Phase September! More…

2. September 20: ‘Golf for Awareness’. Registration still open!

COMPANION CORNER:

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

Chow Chow: If you are planning to serve as a Companion on Sunday, please let Hannah know so that she can plan accordingly.

Golf for Awareness: We are in need of a few more companions on September 20, if you are interested in helping or getting more information please let me know. 

Companion Reflection Dinner: Come share dinner and stories (prime rib is on the menu!) and hear from the Mercy League as we discuss the benefits and struggles of being a trauma and resiliency informed community. Monday September 16, 5:15-7:15.

WNC Pride: If you are planning to participate in the WNC pride procession and would be interested in leading the group representing Haywood Street Congregation pleae email hannah@haywoodstreet.org.
MAKE A GIFT TO HAYWOOD STREET

A HAYWOOD STREET REFLECTION FROM: BROOK


On the morning of April 28, 2019, I crawled into my prayer closet at home, turned off the lights, lit a candle and prayed a prayer that was completely unfamiliar to me. I’m prone to asking for things– a healing, a change of perspective, and that one time for a beautiful pair of Cordani leather boots. But, this one was different. This time, I asked God to take whatever She needed — my hopes, my books, my home. Take what You want. And I prayed all this in the way I had read was the best way to pray for something – once and in all earnestness. 
 
An hour later, I received the worst phone call of my entire life. The love of my life, the step-papa to my little girl, was dead.
 
In reflecting on this week’s Scripture, Luke14:25-33, I think of something that I have witnessed not only in my own life, but in the lives of many who I encounter at Haywood Street –  sometimes, when you finally decide to hand over your life to something bigger, to release your white-knuckle grip on people, possessions and plans – everything goes to s*$#.
 
And when things don’t go so great right away, then you can end up with a nice little existential conundrum on your hands – wait a minute….I just put all my faith in this God character…TOLD HER SHE COULD HAVE MY BOOKS!!!!…and She takes my person?! That’s some shady business right there…

I guess the thing about offering your life, is you don’t know what will be taken. And the thing about things being taken is that the things were never really yours to begin with. For me, being a disciple means I’ll follow even when I don’t understand. I’ll follow even though my feet drag, and I share doubts with Thomas over a glass of cold beer. I’ll  follow because I can’t read a map or a compass and I’ll be left in the desert if I don’t just keep up with the pack. I’ll follow because I believe in God’s slow reveal, in a benevolent creator and in the freedom that always comes (even if late) after surrender.

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