News and Updates

June 7, 2024

Guns-to-Garden Safe Surrender Event June 8th

In recognition that June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, you are invited to support a growing number of faith communities who are hosting a Guns to Garden Event on June 8th at First Baptist Church of Asheville at 5 Oak St.

A Guns to Gardens event is an occasion when a church uses chop saws and performs a service for gun owners by dismantling their unwanted guns. This gives gun owners an alternative to the market and the assurance their guns will not be used for future harm. RAWtools South, a local nonprofit, has been contracted to provide all the equipment and train volunteers in each process. The dismantled guns are transformed into garden tools and art, according to the prophecy in Isaiah and Micah: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3).

You can support this venture by a donation, which will help fund gift cards that will be given in token of donated guns, and it will help support the costs of the event. For a $50 donation made by May 31, you can receive a card suitable for Father’s Day, indicating that you’ve helped take an unwanted gun out of circulation. 

Donations can be made online HERE or by check to Land of The Sky UCC, memo: gun surrender event; mailed to Land of the Sky, ATTN: Gun Surrender Event, 15 Overbrook Place, 28805.

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.

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.

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. 

Haywood Street Highlights

"Your self-care habits must be as equally as intense as your ministry if you hope to stay in ministry for the next 20 or 30 years," Pastor Brian reminded staff this week at the all-staff retreat. Without the ability to care for the self, there won't be the ability to fully care for others. The well-being of Haywood Street's entire ministry relies on the well-being of those who show up each day.

Haywood Street had a bustling week with AYM joining us among so many friends at the Welcome Table! And big thank you to Hayesville UMC for helping us in the Loaves and Fishes garden.

"Your otherness is the foundation of your belovedness." While offering an invitation to the table, Pastor Brian confidently and boldly shared these words of welcome and affirmation.

Just like Dewey’s arborist skill and Chris’s distinctive flair for and love of puns and cheesy jokes, you are longed for by what makes you different--by what makes you uniquely YOU.

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 12:

Guest Speaker, Rev. Rob Blackburn

June 19th:

Pastor Jody

June 26th:

Pastor Seth

July 3rd:

Pastor Brian

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.

Short Film

Wednesday

Directed by Patrick Bresnan

Wednesday is a film that immerses us in the life of a family that many in the Haywood St. community came to love over their short time in Asheville. They arrived in Asheville because they had lost their housing after the death of a parent. After learning of an organization called Safe Shelter that allowed families to live together, they were welcomed with open arms. While establishing themselves with the programs and paths at Safe Shelter, they found Haywood Street.

Their time in Asheville profoundly affected many of us because they felt called to serve others while facing sagging odds to achieve stability. When asked to be in a film that would be shown at the A Seat at the Table fundraiser, they were all in.

The film takes us through an entire day in their lives, from waking at 5 a.m. to putting their kids to bed at 8 p.m. There are no interviews; it is just the reality of a family who wanted to help us appreciate the role that Haywood Street plays in all of our lives.

~Patrick Bresnan

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.