News and Updates

June 14, 2024

Street Coalition on Saturday, June 15th at ABCCM Montford Crisis Ministry


Street Dog Coalition will be at ABCCM Main Campus (24 Cumberland Ave.) on Saturday, June 15th, from 9 to 12, providing free veterinary care for pets of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

 

Services Offered:

Physical exams

vaccinations

parasite control

pet supplies

and more...

 

Precautions: Dogs should be on leashes and cats in carriers.

Collecting Reusable Water Bottles


As part of our commitment to supporting our unhoused neighbors while also being environmentally responsible, we have added a water fountain to the new patio.


We're collecting reusable water bottles to share with folks rather than providing disposable water bottles in the summer, as we've done previously.


If you'd like to individually collect reusable water bottles to share with our community, contact Community Engagement Coordinator Tiffany for more information and to schedule a drop-off.

Building Closed Thursday, June 19th


Haywood Street will be observing Juneteenth on Thursday, June 20th, and will be open on Wednesday, June 19th, with regular hours and services.

Fresco Conversation Tuesday, June 18th


Join us for our next Fresco Conversation on Tuesday, June 18th at 1:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Conversation partners will be Ashleigh Perkins and Robert Stafford.


Ashleigh Perkins is the Summer Admin for Carolina Cross Connection. She has spent time at Haywood Street as a camper and counselor prior to her current position as admin. Robert Stafford is featured in the Fresco holding sunflowers. A longtime member of the congregation, Robert has served in roles from Board member to worship leader to lead gardener. He has worked with summer camps and youth groups for years and has been an inspiration to many.


Ashleigh and Robert will be in conversation about the youth impact on Haywood Street, and Haywood Street's impact on youth. We invite you to be a part of this event which is sure to be filled with reminiscing and imagining together. 

Buncombe County Public Health Mobile Clinic on Campus June 19th


The Public Health Mobile Team will be back at Haywood Street on Wednesday, June 19th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

The vaccines included will be COVID, Flu, MPOX, Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, and Shingles. The team will also work with people to connect them to other county resources and clinical services. 

Celebrating and Remembering Steve Sainsbury


An invitation from Asheville Survival Program:


"We are so sorry to share that Steve, a beacon of community solidarity in Asheville died unexpectedly this past weekend. His heart was truly one of the biggest we have known. His compassion knew no bounds, stretching from plants, animals, to people alike. His death is a profound loss for the community. If you feel capable of honoring Steve’s memory please do so by showing up for those around you. These are huge boots to fill and we can’t do it alone.


We will be celebrating Steve’s life and sharing memories of him this Saturday morning, June 15, at Aston Park from 10-1."

Haywood Street Highlights

There have been so many changes to the Downtown Welcome Table over the past 6 months. We discontinued Sunday breakfast, re-introduced family-style meals on Wednesdays, said “goodbye” to companion coordinator Katlyn, welcomed interim companion coordinator Laura into the full-time role, and brought Jenny in to fill in until Laura begins in August. We’re so grateful for the flexibility and leadership each of them has shown over the months!

Our community feels the loss of Steve's familiar, friendly presence. His well-known smile would regularly pop up around the corner, at the dinner table, or be waiting quietly in the community rooms to offer a “hello” to anyone who needed it. He’ll be deeply missed not only for the passion he held for his community but also for his relentless love and kindness.

The work we do here may sometimes feel too small, but we acknowledge that the sentiment behind “May Peace Prevail on Earth” starts in the local community before it can become a global reality.


With thousands of peace poles in countries around the world, this simple pole in the Haywood Street Garden represents a much larger collective commitment to creating a world in which we all can thrive together.

Weekly Ministry Opportunities:

Tuesday Haywood Street Holy Ground Keepers: 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot, weather permitting. Walk the grounds of the church campus and our local neighborhood, cleaning up along the way.


Tuesday Prayer Group: 12:30 p.m. in Room 6. Gather for a time of communal prayer.


Wednesday Downtown Welcome Table: Join us for lunch between 10:00-1:00 or help with kitchen and dining room clean-up from 1:00-3:00. Sign up here!

 

Housing Huddle: Join Director of Housing Laurie in the Sanctuary, from 10 to 11 to learn more about Haywood Street's housing project.


Wednesday Worship: 12:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.


Thursday Card Making:

10:00 am in the Respite Kitchen with Brother John.

Weekly Sermons


Read the weekly sermons on our website here.


~Preaching Schedule~


June 19th:

Pastor Jody


June 26th:

Pastor Seth


July 3rd:

Pastor Brian


July 10th:

Pastor Jody

Fresco Viewing Hours:


Monday - Thursday, 10 am - 2 pm (with the exception of during our worship service, which is 12:30 pm every Wednesday).


Contact April if you would like to make an appointment to see the Fresco outside of those hours.

Reflection

Fresco Conversation

By April N.


Each summer, Haywood Street welcomes youth groups from across the country, either from individual churches, or through partnership with Asheville Youth Mission and Carolina Cross Connection. In anticipation of next week’s Fresco Conversation with Robert Stafford and Ashleigh Perkins, I’ve been asking folks on campus their thoughts on the youth impact on Haywood St. and Haywood St.’s impact on youth. What I have heard over

and over is a theme of reciprocity. “Young people who come here teach us to have open hearts and to see through their eyes,” Mary Lynn said. “They have fewer preconceived notions and they make connections in a genuine way. Haywood Street offers an experiential learning they may not get back home.”


“Youth who are coming from different backgrounds see a side of life that the rest of the world tells them to be afraid of,” Jody shared. “Their energy keeps us fresh. Transformation is the key: collective transformation for Haywood Street, and individual transformation for young people.”


“Not only do groups help with the work that needs to be done to help the ministries thrive, they bring to campus a sense of joy and playfulness,” Tiffany said. “Corn hole and chess in the garden, and popsicles handed out on hot summer days help us connect to that desire to be a kid again.”


As a Fresco docent, I love when visiting groups ask questions about the artwork. Who is that dog? (referring to Charlie’s Emma) Who is that person beside the water? (referring to Skylar sitting beside the River of Life) Who is the man whose face you see through the smoke of the campfire? (referring to Michael in the fire of the creative spirit). Their curiosity leads to the stories that embody the holiness of Haywood Street. They see things I haven’t even discovered yet and I’m grateful for their careful study. It keeps me from taking for granted that which I see everyday. At the close of a visit, after a morning of pulling weeds, or painting, or rolling silverware, or arranging flowers - all the while getting to know our community, group leaders corral campers in front of the Fresco to have their picture taken. Because the models have been painted nearly lifesize, whenever people pose in front of it, it is as if they become a part of the Fresco. And it’s a masterpiece every time.  

Facebook  Instagram  YouTube

A witness to include the most excluded, Haywood Street not only welcomes every child of God–especially sisters and brothers of every mental illness and physical disability, addiction and diagnosis, living condition and employment status, gender identity and sexual orientation, class, color, and creed–but we celebrate your presence, certain that the kingdom of God is coming closer because you are here.