As more than 600 people congregated at Crossroads Neighborhood Church in East Bremerton for the 10th annual Salad Bowl Sunday, Rev. Cecilia L. Clemons exhorted the mix of virtually every race, ethnicity, religious denomination and social background to love each other deeply especially during the tough economic times.

Clemons, who is the senior pastor at Silverdale United Methodist Church, told the crowd that people outside the church are waiting to see if those who attend church are genuine in their faith.

“It’s going to take someone who will pay the bill at the grocery store for someone who is scrambling for $2, when it’s $20,” she said. “It shouldn’t matter if you’re black or white, Asian or Native American, God is calling for us to step forward and be his people.”

Often times when people in need come to churches asking for help, it makes church members uncomfortable, she said, noting that those in need may need a shower and that taking the time to care for them requires extra effort.

“God is calling us to make sacrifices and God wants us to show hospitality to others,” Clemons said.

Before Clemons spoke, several groups from different churches throughout Kitsap County performed to standing ovations, but it was the the Baby Mimers and Mini Mimers, who stole the show.

Both groups used hand gestures and other silent movement to illustrate the meanings of songs in carefully choreographed performances.