WELCOME FROM HAYWOOD STREET

UPDATES:

The most important aspect of ministry here at Haywood Street is to put “relationship above all else.” This is what makes Haywood Street what it is–taking the time to sit with each other, know each other, and love each other.

The Welcome Table doesn’t happen without companions who help prepare and serve the meals, and who sit and linger at the table with friends. Know that you are welcome and invited to worship with us in holy chaos on Sunday mornings. Reach out to Katlyn at katlyn@haywoodstreet.org to become a Sunday companion.

Don’t forget that the Golf for Awareness registration opens this Monday, August 1st! This annual fundraising event benefits the Downtown Welcome Table and Respite, supporting those struggling with poverty and/or homelessness. The event will be held at the Asheville Municipal Golf Course on September 16th. If you haven’t yet, check out the highlights from last years event here.

The Companion Care Committee is made up of Companions at Haywood Street who have the time, energy, and sense of call to support Haywood Street’s ministries and companions. The committee with help nurture and support the community by providing emotional and spiritual care, fostering connection, and helping all to discover a sense of home in our community.

Interest meeting will be August 15th at 5:00 pm in the sanctuary. Anyone interested is welcome to join, no commitment required!

Here’s a heads up that a time change is coming to the Wednesday Downtown Welcome Table. Beginning on August 17th, the Welcome Table will be moved to 10:00-11:30 am. The hope is that this shift will allow companions and staff who want to attend worship at 12:30 have enough time to clean and transition upstairs.

We will be holding a memorial service for our dear friend, Eric Laurilla, this Sunday at 12:00 pm in the sanctuary. All who knew him, loved him, and were loved by him are invited to come and remember him with us.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

Check out this updated calendar that lists the food resources in the Asheville area. You’ll find the organizations, times, and locations where folks can get meals and groceries each day.

Click here to see the list the places in the community to donate clothes and to find free clothes. If you know of a place not on this list, reach out to Melanee at melanee@haywoodstreet.org.

COMPANION CORNER:

  • Servers Needed: The kitchen is in need of additional servers at the Downtown Welcome Table on Wednesdays and Sundays. If you’d like to help, please let Katlyn know or sign up and feel free to bring a friend!
  • Meal Train Meals Needed for Respite:  Every night of the week a wonderful home cooked meal is provided for our friends in Respite. This month there are several open days that we need folks to sign up for. You can do so here: https://mealtrain.com/dm2y6z. Feel free to share this need with your friends, Bible Studies, etc.
  • Haywood Street Hair Cutting Ministry – We are currently in the process of reimagining the Hair Cutting Ministry here that we have had in the past. If you would like to be a part of that process or would like to cut or wash hair when it is open, let Katlyn know!
  • NEW MINISTRY UPDATES – Starting the week of May 1
    • Sunday Bible Study – 11:00am in the sanctuary
    • Tuesday Prayer Group – 12:00 in the sanctuary – Gather for a time of communal prayer
    • Thursday Card Making Group – 10:00am in Room 1 (off the main lobby) – Gather together to make cards for our community and friends in prison or in the hospital

SACRED ENCOUNTERS:

When Differences Fade
By Lorili Toth

Every day is a bit different at Haywood Street. It is not predictable, and certainly not boring.  I guess the old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” can also describe Haywood Street, our friends and our companions. For you never know what you’ll find inside.

As a church that welcomes all, the diversity of our friends is undeniable. Facing poverty, struggling with recovery, living on the street, as well as the other challenges presented to many of our friends, creates a veneer – a book cover of sorts – that seems rough, hard, and tough. That is certainly understandable. We all have our “book covers” to protect ourselves, be that physically or emotionally.

I continue to be surprised and elated at the times I see those veneers crack and the book cover open. Watching at service a few weeks ago, I saw a friend’s tough cover slide away as he smiled with delight like a young child while sharing a video and then two weeks later he provided someone in need with a very tender and caring hug.

At Haywood Street, I have seen – and experienced – the very deep relationships that develop quickly between individuals from very different worlds. I believe that happens for two simple reasons.  First, because underneath our own personal “book covers,” we are all very much alike. We all want and need to be seen, accepted, appreciated and loved. Second, the personal interactions that occur at Haywood Street are indeed sacred encounters. As people who live very different lives begin to say “hello” and call each other by name or break bread together at the Welcome Table, God smiles and the differences fade and each other’s humanity shines brighter.

That is the one thing that does happen every day at Haywood Street.