News and Updates

September 18, 2026

Parking Lot Update

Over the next few weeks the Haywood St. parking lot will be impacted by the installation of new pipes in the garden area parallel to the sanctuary. So that crews will have room to work, some parking spaces are impacted. There will be single car access coming in and exiting the parking lot during working hours. Please use caution. Because of the reduction in spaces, consider carpooling or parking offsite.

11th Annual

Golf for Awareness, Oct. 19th

A special thank you to Cúrate for providing this week's delicious meal at the Downtown Welcome Table. We are forever grateful for your faithful generosity and support.

Haywood St. Music Club

Wednesdays

10:30 - 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Music Club at Haywood Street is a weekly event for anyone who wants to make or listen to live music. It is a gathering for friends to connect and to provide a forum for all levels of musical talent to express themselves in a positive environment.

Drew and John M.

Community Events

Blue Ridge Pride Festival

September 26, Pack Square Park



We are so grateful to partner with Central UMC's Reconciling Ministry Group (RMG) at Blue Ridge Pride on September 26th! If you'd like to share about Haywood Street Congregation with new companions, there are tabling opportunities on Saturday from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Please email Laura B. for more information.

Save the date: Pride Interfaith Worship Service Saturday, September 26th, at 10:30 am at Central UMC.

Haywood Street Highlights

Kim cutting Damon's hair on Wednesday. We could use more companion support in the hair salon each week.

Companions watching Cúrate cooking the delicious paella.

Wednesday's menu by Cúrate and flowers provided by Hidden River Events.

Weekly Ministry Opportunities at Haywood Street:

Tuesday Prayer Group: 12:30 p.m. Gather for a time of contemplative prayer at Respite's Brevard Rd location. Contact Seth for more information.

Tuesday Book Study: Join us at 1:00 p.m. in the Community Room of Lady Gloria Ridge. The current book is Hell Bent by Brian Recker. Contact Laura B. for more information.

Wednesday Welcome Visits: New to Haywood St. or haven't been in awhile? Meet at the host table outside the sanctuary at 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. for a tour and welcome visit.

Wednesday Downtown Welcome Table: Join us for lunch between 10:00-12:00 or help with clean-up from 1:00-3:00. Click here for the DWT sign up.

Art Ministry: Due to construction, Art in the Alley can be found either in Room 4 or outside depending on the weather and other programming.

Haywood Street Salon: Open each Wednesday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Haywood Street Music Club:

Wednesdays from 10:30 -11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Healing Through Harm Reduction: Wednesday at 12:30 in Room 1

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

Holy Groundskeepers: Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. Meet in the church parking lot.

Weekly Sermons

Read the weekly sermons on our website here.

~Preaching Schedule~

September 23

Pastor Seth

September 30

Philip Cooper

October 7

Pastor Jody

October 14

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.

Reflecting on Lady Gloria Ridge Community

Lady Gloria Ridge opened its doors to the first residents in March of this year. We continue to grow into what it means to be in community with one another. Filmmaker Chris Zaluski has been following the journey and produced the short piece below documenting the story so far.

In August 2026, Sheneika Smith was hired as Coordinator of Resident Life at Lady Gloria Ridge. From Sheneika: "After a short sabbatical from full-time employment, I had the opportunity to reassess what meaningful work looks like for me. I wanted a place where I could share my gifts and talents while also receiving the ministry and soul satisfaction of our beloved community.

What especially drew me to Lady Gloria Ridge is the opportunity to help pioneer something that needs to work. Permanently affordable housing is essential to a healthy housing continuum, yet some communities are too often burdened by stigma and predictions of failure before they ever have the opportunity to shine. I want to be part of a redemptive story around affordable housing and what is possible for low- and moderate-income and working-class households. Too often, affordable housing communities are approached from the lens of deficit, stigma and predicted failure. I want to help pioneer a different model; one that recognizes the power to overcome and what is possible when a seed like LGR is wrapped in love, abundant grace and a strategic vision. In the language of my faith, it is the promise of beauty for ashes." 

A witness to include the most excluded, Haywood Street not only welcomes every child of God–especially beloved siblings 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.