KANSAS CITY, Mo. – This is the time of year when most churches are putting up trees and decorations, ready to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Christ.

It’s a very different scene outside of Wornall Baptist Church in Brookside. Instead of sparkling venues decked out in greenery or sharing good news, a shocking spectacle greets passers-by as they pass the church.

There are over 180 white crosses on the church lawn. Each cross includes the name of a person killed in Kansas City or Wyandotte County who died in homicide in 2021.

Organizers said the display is their way of showing families of victims that they are not alone, especially during the holidays when families traditionally celebrate together.

This is the first year that we remember the victims killed on the Kansas side of the state border.

“We have lost so many young children, I mean babies, to homicides. How can we continue as a community to be okay with this? We shouldn’t, ”said Rosilyn Temple, founder of KC Mother’s in Charge.

Temple said she knows what other families are going through. Someone killed his son on Thanksgiving in 2011. Since his murder, Temple has worked to help other families facing the same type of tragedy.

“We should never adapt or get used to this kind of violence in our city,” said Mark Clifton, coordinator of The Longest Night. “Every citizen, no matter where you live in the city, has the right to be safe and to feel safe at home. And so we have to work hard to make that happen. “

Wornall Baptist Church will host its annual “The Longest Night” service on December 21, which is the longest night of the year. It begins at 7 p.m. and the public is invited.