Bums, addicts, dirty, criminals, liabilities, a nuisance, crazy, lazy, dangerous. Have you heard these labels used to describe members of Church of the Reconciler, or other people experiencing life’s most challenging circumstances?
These mistaken labels support misleading narratives. These “crazies” are the source of neighborhood chaos, goes one such narrative. Those “lazy” people devalue a city and waste limited resources. What are some of the misleading narratives you’ve heard about the unhoused community?
Even demographic categories such as “unhoused” or “person experiencing homelessness” quickly lose their utility because they reduce a person to a housing status and a statistic.
At Church of the Reconciler, we seek to know people by their name, not by how they’ve been labeled or mislabeled.
As Father Gregory Boyle teaches, “There is no daylight between us once we recognize each other by name.”
The Apostle Paul doesn't give us such a memorable one-liner about the importance of names, but it’s safe to assume Paul would give Father Greg Boyle a hearty amen. Afterall, Paul concludes many of his letters with a long list of names - people he wants to thank, praise, instruct, or greet. Paul recognized the importance of knowing a person by name. Theologian Chris E.W. Green highlights this when he says, “Paul’s theology is not a set of nouns, but a family of names. Unlike a set of abstract nouns that we define and systematize, names carry the weight of story and promise.”
What’s in a name? A story and a promise.
When we observe All Saints on Sunday, November 1st, we’ll participate in the story and promise of our faith. We’ll say the names of those in our community who’ve died in the past year and share some of their stories. We’ll claim the promise Jesus made to them when he said, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).
The names of the saints we’ll remember at Church of the Reconciler on All Saints Day are listed below. When we say these names we’ll grieve the end of their story in this life, while giving thanks for the rest they now enjoy in the bright light of God’s glory.
Along with their names, the label God and our church give to these beloveds is: Saint.
Tammie Beasley (Oct. 19, 1964 - March 9, ‘26)
Tammie was bright and joyful. She is beloved in the Birmingham community of people living without housing and those who provide services for the unhoused, especially our church and One Roof. Tammie is survived by her son, Nathan Simmons, and many brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Tammie loved to welcome and encourage others, always sharing a smile and a hug. She enjoyed art, especially crochet, which she taught at COTR for several months. Tammie persevered through living without housing and had recently moved into her own place at the time of her passing.
Johnny Bird ( __ - Apr. ‘26)
Johnny was a long time member of our church and community. While living without housing he also worked hard as a day laborer, meeting his employer near the church. His friends remember that he knew how to work hard and how to have a good time. At the time of his passing, Johnny had been living in stable housing for years.
Timothy Jesse Copeland (1985 - May 25, ‘26)
We had known Tim a relatively short time, as he had recently moved from Detroit, but he quickly became a welcome and regular presence to us. The last time we saw Tim, he was sharing a testimony for the church’s birthday celebration. He stood in the pulpit passionately thanking the people of Church of the Reconciler for being there for him. Tim had our backs, too, in many ways. He will be remembered for his willingness to serve and his big personality.
Desiree ( __.- March ‘26)
Desiree died in March 2026, while living without housing. Although we don’t know even her full name, we know members of our church who loved her. Losing her and knowing so little reminds us that each time we see a person is a precious opportunity to learn who they are and what they are going through.
Joseph L. Dowdell (June 30, 1960 - May 5, ‘26)
Joseph was a quiet man and mainly visited the church to check his mail. He was living in stable housing, but many people choose to keep getting their mail with us because of the connection to community when they check it. We are thankful for Joseph’s life and will miss him.
Crystal Love (Feb. 21, 1974 - Aug. 15, ‘26)
Crystal worked as a registered nurse before we knew her in her experience of homelessness. Crystal had strong friendships in our church and in the unhoused community. Pastor Sarah remembers that Crystal made her feel welcome when she was a new pastor at COTR. Crystal’s friends remember that she knew how to make a classy outfit from free giveaways at the park.
Rodney “Teddy” Terrell Moore (July 23, 1966 - May 7, ‘26)
Teddy’s friends remember him as a bright shining spirit who could lift up people who were going through a hard time. He had a smile and laugh that made everyone feel welcome. He also loved to dance. He brought joy to many people at COTR and throughout his life.
Aubrey Townsend (1959 - June 30, ‘26)
Aubrey led the Reconciler Intervention Group (RIG) at Church of the Reconciler for many years. The group helped people experiencing addiction recognize their worth and receive encouragement and resources for recovery. Aubrey helped all of us appreciate how important opening the door to recovery is. He was passionate about his own recovery and about helping others to fight addiction. COTR Member Rodney Dale says of him, “He was an inspiration. He was consistent in his work.” Aubrey’s passion for recovery continues to be shared here.
Wiley Waters (March 12, 1952 - July 30, ‘26)
Wiley Waters worked for one of our partner agencies, JBS Mental Health Authority. He regularly visited the church to find people who were experiencing both mental illness and homelessness and help them find housing. When called, he would drop everything to meet someone and support their next steps. Wiley will be remembered for his dedication, compassion, and wonderful ability to connect with people.