Peter is playing Christmas hymns on the piano. Verna is having black coffee with a peppermint dissolved in it. Al sits near the door with a smile. Tammie demands a hug the moment she sees me. Mike talks about the most recent Bama game. Malcom shows me the latest treasure he discovered that he can’t believe was in the trash. A tiny German stein that he found sits on my desk. The sanctuary is full of people having conversations, coffee, and sack lunches.
Sometimes our sanctuary holds worship or a resource fair or arts and crafts, but most of the time it is the home of what we call our “Day Shelter” ministry. Day shelter means a lot of things, but importantly, it means a place to just… be. Why day shelter? Overnight shelters have to close during the day to reset for the next night, so individuals who stayed there have to go other places for about 8 hours. This week while I was in the sanctuary, a man humbly came to me just to say thanks: “Thank you for being here, for being open so I don’t have to stand on the sidewalk.” This statement reminded me how important our welcoming day shelter is.
Some of the places I choose to just be are restaurants and coffee shops where I’ve picked a favorite order. They are places that cost money, places where if you do not spend money, you will soon be asked to leave, and if you look like you don’t have money, people look at you with different eyes and speak to you with a different voice. In our church’s support group this week, one member shared, “I like to come here because I feel welcomed and not judged.” Everyone needs places to gather for community. That should not be a luxury only available to those with disposable income.
So at Church of the Reconciler, before we talk to you about Jesus, before we tell you what resources we can help you access to thrive, we just welcome you, and we welcome you as you are.
This welcome cuts through the challenges of poverty and life on the streets and makes people feel safe. The simple welcome of an open door, kind faces, and donated food makes way for daily miracles, the greatest among these being the relationships that are forged between people who should be strangers, or even enemies.
Theft, violence, and drugs breed fear and mistrust, not to mention sleepless nights, and enduring the weather. People come from these traumas into our sanctuary and feel safe, safe enough to sleep if they want, or safe enough to talk to a friend. No one is forced to talk about themselves or listen to a sermon, or make friends with the other people here, yet most people who come embrace opportunities to engage in relationship in these ways.
James is a young librarian and church musician. Pam is a mom and newly a grandmother. Bo is an attorney. These are some of our frequent volunteers. They love to come here to offer help, but all of them also come to experience friendship and to learn from the members of our church. Steve brings coffee supplies, and at the recent funeral of “Say Hey,” Steve spoke about how much he learned from Say Hey about how to offer loving service. There are many more volunteers like these, who come because they think someone needs something, and they leave knowing that they also needed connection and grace in this place.
That’s why in 2026 our annual fundraiser will be different from years past. In the past wonderful partners have hosted the fundraiser for us, and we have brought a few of our members so supporters could meet some of the people they are making a difference for. This year, we are going to host our annual fundraising event at Church of the Reconciler, where our community will feel at home and will be the ones to welcome you to where they feel safe.
At our First Annual Chili Cook-off, the ticket you buy to support our ministries will also provide for one of our members to come and eat chili with you and discuss whether or not chicken chili actually counts as chili. If you have come to our church in person, you already know how fun it will be to have a chili cook-off in this community. If you haven’t been here before, trust us that you won’t want to miss it!
The event will take place during lunch time on a Friday. We encourage you to drop in/drop out for about 30 minutes during your lunch break, or tell your boss you need the day off and come hang out! Whatever you do, come ready to donate money to support your favorite cook and your favorite mission church. You will be able to vote for your favorite chili by stuffing their ballot box with donations for Church of the Reconciler. Info about tickets and sponsorship are at our church giving page.
The Essential Deets:
Day: Friday, February 27, 2026
Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Place: Church of the Reconciler 112 14th Street North, Birmingham
Tickets: $25
Sponsorship: $100 + Chili to enter
Come for the chili. Stay for the friendships.