We have gotten a wonderful response to our recent update about the progress of the Respite expansion. Your donations are so appreciated as we prepare to welcome friends back into the space on the church campus when construction is complete. If you haven't had a chance to contribute and feel called to, check out the link below. | | Respite Construction Update | | |
Recent updates have focused on the interior spaces of the Respite expansion, so this month we wanted to fill you in on exterior progress. Currently, work on the stair tower and riser room and construction of the new porch is underway.
In the coming weeks, to meet safety and infrastructure protocol of the City of Asheville, pipes will be installed in the garden area that runs parallel with the sanctuary. This will impact the parking lot as crews will need space to work. We will keep you posted on when that will happen so that you can be prepared as you visit the church.
Image shown: pipe installation beginning beside the church building.
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Staff Spotlight:
Jerri, Weekend Healthcare Professional
We are pleased to welcome Jerri to the Haywood Street Respite staff in the role of Weekend Health Professional. He will be providing clinical support and health monitoring services. This position helps ensure continuity of care seven days per week by delivering health oversight, conducting medical intakes, coordinating medical services, and supporting friends whose healthcare needs extend beyond traditional weekday schedules.
Jerri is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). His desire to provide care for people in our community who are experiencing homelessness inspired him to apply for this position at Respite.
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Partner Spotlight: Biltmore Village Cooperative Parish
As we mentioned last week, recently we received a generous donation from Biltmore Village Cooperative Parish - a collaborative ministry of Biltmore United Methodist Church and Wellspring Congregation - to assist with Respite construction. The collective congregations have a heart to not only support Haywood Street financially, but also by joining the community at the Downtown Welcome Table, and by participating in Respite’s meal train. Each month they not only bring an evening meal to Respite, but they get to know friends there. Leaning into relationship guides their Spirit led ministry. We are grateful for them and for all the church groups who walk alongside our friends healing in Respite.
If you are a member of a church community, civic organization, or social club and would like to learn more about working together to provide a meal train offering at Respite, email Jenny. She can guide you through the process with ideas on how to make it a fulfilling experience for everyone involved. Image shown: Biltmore United Methodist Church joining Haywood St. for worship.
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Companion Offerings at Respite | |
Your Companion Time in Respite
Whether you're a regular or an occasional companion, if you plan to spend time at Respite, please use the Respite Companion Sign Up. Knowing who will be here helps us ensure our friends have consistent support, allows us to welcome new companions alongside experienced ones, and helps staff plan for each day's needs.
Let Jenny know if you need help navigating the form.
There’s Room at the Table
At Respite, a meal is more than food. It’s a chance to build relationships, share hospitality, and remind our friends that they belong.
17 small groups (of 3 - 5 people) are already committed to sharing a dinner each month, which we’re so grateful for! We’re looking for 8 more groups.
Could your friend group, church group, book club, or neighborhood group be one of them?
You’ll have a tangible way to connect with the day-to-day life of Haywood Street Respite, and share in the meaningful work of creating belonging in the kitchen and around the table.
Curious if it’s a good fit? We’d love to meet with your group, answer questions, and help you navigate what’s possible. Email Jenny to get the ball rolling.
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Opportunities to
Support Respite:
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Job Opening: Facilities Maintenance Caretaker | The Facilities Maintenance Caretaker helps ensure that the Haywood Street Campus and Lady Gloria Ridge Community are safe, welcoming, and hospitable places. | |
The Church Building will be closed on Labor Day Monday
In observance of Labor Day, the church building will be closed on Monday, September 7th. We will reopen on Tuesday at 7:00 a.m.
Because of the holiday, Companion Orientation will be held on Monday, September 14th at 12:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
| | Respite Hospitality Coordinators met last week for lunch and training. Since they work different shifts, it was a real treat to all be in the same space together. We are grateful for the heart and soul they bring to the work of caring for our friends as they rest and heal. Image shown: Jenny, Serene, James, Penny, Rachel, and Megan. | This week Respite received a special delivery from the non-profit, Blooms of Kindness. They have been brightening our days with bouquets for many months. This week Blooms of Kindness received flowers that were left in tribute at the Dolly Parton mural at the Beauty Parade Salon so that they could be shared with healthcare facilities in Asheville and Buncombe County. Ripples of love, beauty, and kindness echo on and on and on. | | |
Weekly Ministry Opportunities at Haywood Street:
Tuesday Prayer Group: 12:30 p.m. Gather for a time of communal prayer at Respite's Brevard Rd location.
Tuesday Book Club: Beginning on April 7th, Book Club will be meeting at Lady Gloria Ridge at 1:00 pm.
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.
Wednesday Worship: 12:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Holy Groundskeepers: Thursdays, 9-10am
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Weekly Sermons
Read the weekly sermons on our website here.
~Preaching Schedule~
September 9
Sheneika Smith
September 16
Pastor Brian
September 23
Pastor Seth
September 30
Philip Cooper
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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.
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The Poverty of Plenty
Pastor Seth
Luke 12:13-21
Elbowing his way to the front of the crowd, a disgruntled onlooker makes demands of the Son of God. Third in line to his father’s inheritance and frustrated with the privilege of first born sons, the man tells Jesus to make his brother divide the family wealth with him. With a tinge of sass, Jesus responds with something to the effect of: “I ain’t getting in the middle of that.” Seeing this as a teaching moment, Jesus then does what Jesus does: he tells a story.
Enter a wealthy landowner, finger-combing his bedazzled beard as he mulls over his profitable business — so profitable, in fact, that he’s thinking about upsizing. After all, why not capitalize on his excess to guarantee his life of luxury for decades to come and then some? With a wave of a hand, he dismisses the servant holding a carafe of the vineyards best yield as he sits down at his desk to begin planning for what the future might hold for him. From an economic standpoint, his reasoning is sound: more product plus more demand equals more profit — his eyes already glazing over at thought of a third vacation home on the Mediterranean coast. Interrupted mid daydream, the rich man is startled back to his senses as the voice of God renders him foolish.
Our scripture this week comes from the Gospel of Luke. A crowd of thousands have gathered around Jesus as he teaches his disciples in route to Jerusalem, hanging on every word he utters about hypocrisy and denial until a voice in the crowd commands equal share of the wealth he feels he is due. As we hear Jesus respond, I invite us to consider: what makes the rich man in this parable so foolish?
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| | 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. | | | | |
