Members of Newtown Interfaith Council announced recently that an interfaith gathering to commemorate the eighth year since the shooting at Sandy Hook School will take place online this year.

Due to issues of health and safety during the current pandemic, the council has chosen to host the annual gathering of remembrance through Facebook Live and YouTube. The gathering will begin at 7 pm, Monday, December 14.

Those who wish to view the gathering can find it at the YouTube channel NCC-CT and on Facebook at Newtown Congregational Church.

Faith leaders from various Newtown religious communities will guide the community by reading from their sacred texts and offering prayers, as well as allowing for times of individual reflection.

Newtown Interfaith Council members recognize that even while many people must remain physically apart, there is a great need for the community to find ways to remain spiritually and emotionally connected during this time of year. All are welcome.

Prayer Options

In addition to the group presentation on Monday evening, local houses of worship will be remembering those killed on 12/14 in different ways this weekend and on Monday, December 14.

Congregation Adath Israel will be observing 12/14 on Saturday morning, December 12, during its Shabbat service. The Huntingtown Road building remains closed, but each Saturday at 11:30 am, an hour-long prayer service is livestreamed from the sanctuary to the synagogue’s Facebook page.

This Saturday, there will be memorial prayers and readings included to remember the 26 children and educators who died on 12/14. The traditional “El Malei Rachamim,” a mourner’s prayer, will be chanted, and the mourner’s kaddish will be recited after the names of all who died that day are recited.

To receive a link for this online service, contact the synagogue office at office@congadathisrael.org.

The sanctuary of Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, will be open for prayer and silent reflection on Monday, December 14, from 9 am until 3 pm.

St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, 46 Church Hill Road, will host regular Mass at 6:45 and 9 am on Monday. Both of those services will be livestreamed.

The sanctuary will be open all day for private prayer, meditation, and lighting a candle in remembrance.

A Mass planned for 7:30 pm will be private, but livestreamed. Visit strosechurch.com for viewing details.

Kim Merrill, communications and membership manager for Trinity Episcopal Church, reminds readers that "Trinity's doors are always open."

Just inside the main entrance of the church at 36 Main Street, she also noted, is a small Chapel that is available for prayer or quiet contemplation.

Resiliency Center Extended Hours

The Resiliency Center of Newtown will be open on Monday, December 14, for anyone who needs additional support or is looking for a quiet place to reflect on the eighth anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Due to COVID, the center — in the lower level of the SCB building, 153 South Main Street — will have no scheduled programs this year. The center will have therapists on staff throughout the day, however.

Hours will be 9 am to 4 pm and masks will be required.

For additional information, contact the Resiliency Center at 203-364-9750 or beth@resiliencycenterofnewtown.org.