From a deeply affecting Muslim prayer sung by a young member of the Al Hadaya Islamic Center to frequent giggles and an occasional wail from infants and toddlers, the sounds of children were constant reminders for those attending a December 14 gathering at the Trinity Episcopal Church to look back, never forgetting - and look toward the future with hope.Comprehension And AcceptanceReciting Of The Names

This year's Community Interfaith Prayer Vigil marked five years since a lone individual took the lives of 20 first graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The vigil drew around 200 to hear a litany of blessings, sing songs, and ignite candles in remembrance of the 26 bright lights that were forever darkened on that fateful winter morning in 2012.

Although some were attending a Mass at St Rose of Lima Church the same evening, members from the Newtown Interfaith Council were still well represented at the interfaith service. Clergy members were on hand from Trinity, the Islamic Center, The Lutheran Home of Southbury, Newtown Congregational Church, Newtown United Methodist Church, the Baha'i Community of Newtown, Congregation Adath Israel, and the Newtown Christian Church.

Council leader and Newtown Congregational Pastor Matt Crebbin welcomed attendees, which included responders from the Newtown Police Department, the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association, as well as First Selectman Dan Rosenthal and State Representaive Mitch Bolinsky, in addition to community members.

Massillon Laporte of Montreal greeted those arriving with spiritual songs played on his trumpet before heading to the choir loft and opening the vigil by playing and singing a verse of "Amazing Grace" in French before everyone else joined in to complete the familiar hymn.

Rev Crebbin recognized that the community was just "five years into a journey whose destination is still uncertain, with many twists and turns - many highs and many, many lows."

"We hope that this evening will provide an opportunity for all of us to not only come together and recognize our connection," he said, "but also for each of us to find a time and space in the midst of our gathering for personal reflection, for raising up your own prayer, your own thoughts, or whatever it is you bring this night..."

Before moving on with the program, Rev Crebbin announced that after the ceremony, visitors were welcome to take one of a table full of personal notes and candy canes he said arrived at Trinity in time for the vigil.

After the singing of a Quran passage, another guest from the Islamic Center translated some of the text inviting everyone to open up their heart, "so that divine wisdom and mysteries can be comprehended and accepted."

"The tragic events of Newtown five years ago are very difficult to understand and accept," she said. "But they brought the community together, toward building bridges and ensuring everyone plans together for peace, and for nurturing understanding and acceptance for one another, and to support each other through such tragic times."

Sandy Hook resident Rev erend Leo McIlrath, ecumenical and interfaith chaplain at the Lutheran Home of Southbury, read from the Gospel of St Matthew: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God; Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted; Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."

Steve Bamberg representing Congregational Adath Israel, recited a prayer in Hebrew for peace and remembrance dedicated to those who have passed away.

The Reverend Lori Miller, representing Newtown United Methodist Church, read a passage that said, in part, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and we may find grace..."

Margo Woodall of the Baha'i Community continued with the theme of gaining grace, reciting: "In the darksome night of despair, my eye turneth expectant and full of hope to the morn of Thy boundless favor and at the hour of dawn my drooping soul is refreshed and strengthened in remembrance of Thy beauty and perfection. He whom the grace of Thy mercy aideth, though he be but a drop, shall become the boundless ocean..."

The Reverend Kristen Provost Switzer, NCC, and the Reverend Deacon Carrie Combs, Trinity Episcopal Church, then recited the names of each of the 26 lost on 12/14, before calling for a moment of silence to remember and reflect.

While most chose to be silent, the youngest attendees instead continued making their presence known giggling and cooing, their upbeat voices echoing throughout the otherwise quiet void.

The Reverend Dr Jenny Montgomery, priest-in-charge at Trinity, invited attendees to remember those lost by lighting one of dozens of candles that were placed on tables at the front of the church.

Before reciting a prayer for the community, Pastor Jack Tanner of Newtown Christian Church said while he has been a Newtown resident for 37 years, when he made his decision to move here from a tiny town in Indiana, he recalled being warned.

"There were a lot of people who said, 'You don't want to go out there, they are very cold, they are not friendly.' But I can share with you that from the moment I arrived, I learned that was not the case," Pastor Tanner said.

In his prayer, he recognized that although it had been five years since the events at Sandy Hook School, "Our hearts still ache with the pain from that horrific day," and recognized that each person has since "sought their own kind of peace" to understand and be supportive of neighbors "who may be dealing with that pain differently; to be an ear to listen, and be a shoulder to lean upon."

Closing the service, Rev Dr Montgomery sent attendees on their way with a few encouraging words and a familiar blessing: "May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."