WELCOME FROM HAYWOOD STREET:

 

Wednesday brought so much love and deliciousness from our partner chefs at Homegrown!

 

The garden continues to be a place where not only food, but community grows. Gratitude for Aaron and his beautiful music this week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Click HERE for Haywood Street Congregation parking options.

2. Registration for the third annual Golf for Awareness is now open! CLICK HERE to learn more!

3. Click HERE to learn about our new Welcome Station!

4. Sunrise “Connections to Community Group” is meeting Wednesdays, 11:00-11:45 in room 4B. All are welcome to attend.

5. “Free of Shame” — Sermon by Pastor Mark Siler, 8/9/17

 

Make a gift to Haywood St.

A HAYWOOD STREET REFLECTION FROM: BROOK

Every Wednesday and Sunday, I worship with folks living on the most ragged edges of society. Those of us with shelter hold the  blistered hands of the unhoused. Those of us who eat three meals a day, take Communion from the hungry. Those of us whose voices  command authority in the world, sing beside those which have been dampened, discarded or asked to not be heard.

As I spend a good portion of my days within the world of social media, I am constantly exposed to the outrage directed towards the current administration. Not that the outrage is unjustified, but I often think to myself, — Of all the people who could rightfully complain about the atrocities of this administration, it is so many of our Haywood Street Friends. It is the heroin addict who will not receive treatment becuase of a not-quite-universal healthcare system. It is the undocumented immigrant having to navigate new and epic levels of fear. It is the trangender woman having to defend her status as human and the brown boy who is learning to not make waves in order to simply stay afloat. Of all the people who have the right to retaliate with hate and rage, it is them.

But almost every Wednesday and every Sunday, something miraculous happens. As we speak our prayers aloud, I hear atleast one voice from the pews…from the margins…from the worn and ragged edge say, “Let us pray for our administration. That out leaders may find peace within themselves.”

Hate is a recycled product. It is mass produced and has top notch marketing strategists to support its distribution. There’s a wide variety of packaging and knockoff brands; it is actually  availbale most places for free. And if anyone could use something for free, it is the people in our congregation who continue to boldly and compassionately pray for the love and support of our leaders. But, they don’t take it. Becuase although free, hate is heavy and our friends simply have no place to keep it.

For more Faces & Stories from our Congregation, click here.