News and Updates

May 22, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Haywood Street congregant, Susan Dinzole. We remember Susan as exuberant joy seeker and truth teller - always prepared to remind those around her of their belovedness - and to advocate for friends at the back of the line. For many years she faithfully joined us at the Downtown Welcome Table and in the sanctuary for worship until her health prevented her from attending regularly. We will miss her smile, her humor & candor, and all the ways she sought connection with fellow sojourners.

Downtown Welcome Table Circle Up,

November 2018.

Wednesday Welcome Visits

If you are new to Haywood Street or if it has been awhile since you visited in person, you are invited to participate in a Wednesday Welcome Visit. They take place at 9:00 and 11:00 each Wednesday morning. All you have to do is show up at the host table outside the sanctuary doors. A companion or staff member will show you around, share Haywood St. history and happenings, and ways to be involved. After the visit, which usually lasts about half an hour, you are welcome to join us at the table for lunch, and stay for worship at 12:30 if you'd like.

While not necessary, if you'd like to give us a heads up that you plan to attend a Welcome Visit, email Jenny.

ECHO Meeting, May 26th

ECHO - Engaging Community & Haywood St.

Next meeting: May 26 at 10am in Room 1

All are welcome to join this new team interested in cultivating a culture of awareness and involvement throughout Asheville. Help us spread the word and dream up new ways to live into Haywood St.'s mission : Relationship, above all else.

Deasy, Jess, and Dan on a recent

Wednesday morning.

Heartfelt Gratitude

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this week's A Seat at the Table event an evening of community and connection at The Barrel Room in Wicked Weed's Funkatorium. Our sponsors, silent & live auction donors, companions, and guests blew us all away with their love and generosity. Shout out to the chefs of the evening and their kitchens: Nathan Pearlman (Piccolina), Mallory Foster (Rhubarb), Adam Bannasch (Copper Crown), and Dana Amromin (Potential New Boyfriend / ButterPunk). Special thanks to Tryon Distributing for supplying the wine for the evening and Allen Brasington for presenting the live auction.

And, as always, Chef John Fleer for his vision and leadership. This fundraiser honors the Downtown Welcome Table's belief that a shared meal is a primary means of grace, a way to love and connect.

Haywood Street Highlights

James and Dee styling in straw hats on

these hot May days.

Ace and Pastor Seth on Wednesday.

So much gratitude for Olivette Farm as they share CSAs with Haywood Street and Lady Gloria Ridge. This week's produce included Napa cabbage, squash, mixed greens, and kholrabi.

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 Club: Join us at 1:00 p.m. in the Community Room of Lady Gloria Ridge. Contact Jody for more information.

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.

Weekly Sermons

Read the weekly sermons on our website here.

~Preaching Schedule~

May 27

Pastor Seth

June 3

Pastor Jody

June 10

Pastor Seth

June 17

Pastor Patrick Neitzey

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.

A glimpse of Lady Gloria Ridge Community from the edge of the Haywood Street garden. "Crucifixion" sculpture by Rob Rikoon shown in the foreground.

SERMON

Trust God with the Multiplying

Pastor Brian

Eulogy for Ms. Mary Ann Littlejohn

Matthew 14:15-20

No one had eaten in three days. The starving masses, weakened by dehydration, began dissolving into the evening sand. Some, spiraling from vertigo, clutched limestone boulders to steady their balance. Others, with cannibalized flesh and kerosene breath, searched the inhospitable landscape for the man from Nazareth rumored to have fed a multitude weeks before.

Because Roman over-taxation left no money for groceries, they came desperate- masons, potters, weavers, carpenters, and leathermen- from every dusty holler. With 80% of ancient Palestinians suffering from chronic food insecurity, Jesus and his disciples felt the entire world crushing in around them. Malnourished babies crying; sunken-eyed children pleading without words; adult stomachs rumbling like distant thunder.

Compassion-fatigued, the disciples argue: “Night is falling. We’re exhausted. Can’t they find a soup kitchen?” Unmoved, Jesus responds, “They’re staying. You feed them.” Padding down their tunic pockets, the twelve come back short. “We only have heels of barley bread and a tin of pickled sardines.” After collecting the offering, Jesus says grace over the pile of crumbs, scales, and lint and directs his followers to start wait-staffing.

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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.