During morning worship, a special service of recognition of becoming an Open and Affirming congregation was held.  The congregation declared their identity by reading the new Welcoming Statement.  Julie Bernard presented the official Open and Affirming certificate to the congregation and read a congratulatory letter from Rev. Ginny Brown-Daniel, Missouri Mid-South Conference Minister.  A new “Be The Church” banner was hung and a reception followed the service.  The congregation kicked off a food drive to benefit the Jewish Community Center’s Refugee Relief program.