Newtown Interfaith Council presented a community prayer vigil on the evening of Wednesday, December 14, at Trinity Episcopal Church.

The public gathering was to remember and honor those killed ten years ago at Sandy Hook Elementary School, as well as for survivors and anyone touched by that day’s tragic events. An internet livestream option was also available for those who wished to be part of the service but could not be there in person.

Newtown Interfaith Council had representatives from Al Hadaya Islamic Center, Baha’i Community of Newtown, Congregation Adath Israel, Lutheran Home of Southbury, Newtown Congregational Church UCC, Newtown United Methodist Church, and Trinity Episcopal Church participate in the vigil.

Trinity Minister of Music Jennifer Sisco played piano, accompanying Miriam Liske-Doorandish on cello as guests filled the pews. There was also an opening song by young Mariam Azeez of Al Hedaya Islamic Center.

Three tables were stationed before the alter, each with 26 green candles placed into the shape of a heart.

As the program commenced, Trinity Pastor Andrea Castner Wyatt welcomed everyone.

“We seek tonight the light of our common humanity, and we find safety and peace in the quiet reflection of this evening,” said Castner Wyatt. “We pray for healing. It is a hard day, ten years since a devastating day that changed all our lives. We pray especially today for those families directly affected by tragedy and loss. We pray for all families across our nation who now walk a similar path.”

She also emphasized to those listening, “You are not alone. We are with you. We offer you our love and our hearts.”

Steve Bamberg of Congregation Adath Israel then went to the podium and read text from theological writer Mordecai Menahem Kaplan about faith. He ended by saying a prayer in both Hebrew and English about kindness, love, and compassion for all people.

Al Hedaya Islamic Center Founder Eman Beshtawii recited a part of Chapter Two in the Quran of the word of God.

She later shared, “Brothers and sisters, though accepting the loss of someone is one of the hardest trials we will ever face … grief is normal. The spiritual path is not about bypassing our feelings but about being present with our pain and inviting the light of God into our wounds.”

John Woodall of Baha’i Community of Newtown highlighted a quote by Aeschylus that Bobby Kennedy read on the evening that Martin Luther King, Jr, had been killed, about pain.

He ended his sentiments with the call to action, saying, “We need to be the Lord’s mercy, and be the Lord’s grace, and be the Lord’s light … I’d like to ask that we consider finding some way to be a light to a young person sometime in the next month.”

Reverend Leo McIlrath of Lutheran Home of Southbury also spoke to the concept of light being a cross-cultural symbol in faith.

He said, “During this time when darkness seems to permeate our whole world … light cannot fully be extinguished or relinquished when we come together as we are tonight in peace and in love.”

Interfaith Minister Bill Donaldson, who serves at Sticks & Stones Farm, read Rumi’s poem “The Lamps Are Different, But The Lights Are The Same.”

Azeez and Newtown Congregational Church member Leah Crebbin read the names of the 12/14 victims. After each name was said, Castner Wyatt rang a bell that echoed out.

A moment of silence followed then segued into a musical reflection of “The Silence and the Sorrow” performed by Sisco and Liske-Doorandish.

Lori Miller of Newtown United Methodist Church invited everyone to get into a “posture of prayer that is comfortable for you and we will take a moment and just breathe.” She led a prayer to God for the community, including families whose loved ones died ten years ago, first responders, educators, leaders, and representatives.

Reverend Matt Crebbin of Newtown Congregational Church spoke to “the commitment to the light.” He encouraged people to light a candle of their own prayers and use the large lighting candle to spark theirs then pass it to the next person to use.

“We are passing that light and sharing that light with one another,” Rev Crebbin said.

Additionally, he said people can select a gold star with different words written on it, place it in their house, see it each day, and ponder how they can live out that word and be a light in the world.

Rev Crebbin said a Prayer for Light before people filed out of the pews to light their individual candles.

Once everyone was back in their seats, Bamberg gave the final prayer of the evening.

The interfaith service concluded with Crebbin inviting everyone to raise their lit candles up together and blow them out. After this symbolic gesture, Rev Crebbin said, “Now you must be the light.”

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.