Faith leaders in the Liberty-area and local elected officials gathered at the Liberty Missouri Stake Center on September 13, 2025, for the second annual “Meet & Greet” event, a chance for open dialog among both sectors.

The event was sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in coordination with the Liberty-area Ministerial Alliance.

“I so enjoyed the second annual Meet & Greet. It was such a great opportunity to rub shoulders and get to know so many of the wonderful government and religious leaders in the Liberty-area,” Liberty Stake President Matt Russell said. “You could feel a great spirit of unity as we met and discussed ways to improve our community and support one another.”

Liberty City Councilman Jeff Watt said the Meet & Greet was a good time to connect and reconnect. “It was an honor to be asked, and it was a pleasure to meet so many amazing people with the LDS church.”

Pastor Mike Kern, from Hosanna Lutheran Church in Liberty, observed that “In the midst of the destructive rhetoric and actions we see filling the news these days, I appreciate the opportunity for religious and elected leaders with different beliefs and perspectives to gather together to affirm what we do share in common: a commitment to the dignity and well-being of every person.”

The Meet & Greet also honored Operation Breakthrough, a non-profit which serves 700 children from low-income families in the inner city.

Mary Esselmen, CEO of Operation Breakthrough, attended and was presented gifts for the Birthday Closet at Operation Breakthrough. Those attending the Meet & Greet were asked to bring a birthday gift to donate.

“This time of year [our birthday closet] is getting pretty small so this is going to be pretty amazing,” she said. “I’m grateful today for what you’ve done for us because it takes the community to wrap their arms around our most vulnerable children and families to make sure they succeed.”

She also gave a shout-out to the Church for donations from the Giving Machines, the funding of an additional room at Operation Breakthrough, and generous donations of food from the Bishop’s Storehouse.

“I enjoyed hearing about Operation Breakthrough,” said Julie Edholm from Doniphan Ward. “I think it’s a great charity and all they do. It was great to see the generosity of all the people who donated to their birthday closet.”

The Liberty Stake also held a book drive for Operation Breakthrough in connection with the National Day of Service. Also, members of the congregation, North Brook Park Ward, donated toiletries to the charity organization.

The Meet & Greet was a good time to engage with community and religious leaders, said Rosalyn Cramer of the Shoal Creek Valley Ward. “It offered a valuable opportunity to introduce our new stake presidency as well as discuss shared values for our community. It was also wonderful to reconnect and strengthen relationships with religious leaders that I hadn’t seen since I had served in public affairs many years ago.”