Vigil for Orlando Victims Brings Comfort, Hope

AQUEBOGUE, NY - With prayer and faith, a group of mourners gathered at the Old Steeple Community Church in Aquebogue Wednesday night to remember the lives lost in Orlando during most devastating mass shooting in United States history.

Reverend Arlen Vernava was joined  by Pastor Sean Murray of the First Congregational Church of Riverhead and Reverend Dr. Enrique Lebron of the Riverhead United Methodist Church at the prayer service and vigil, which took place outside the church on Main Road.

Participants spoke in the prayer circle of the need to love all people, whether gay, straight, bisexual, black, white or Latino, as well as the need for gun control.

Guy Fine remembered his grandfather, who lived through Kristallnacht during the Holocaust. His grandfather was "beaten" and a prisoner, but released. He died soon after.

Every act of hatred and violence in the world, Fine said, brings those emotions flooding back.

A musician, Fine said he finds hope of peace and understanding in the arts. "My heart lies where I can find a good chord," he said. And then he offered a prayer in Hebrew, which meant, "The Lord Our God is one."

Rev. Vernava asked those present for their intentions. Janet Wright said whether someone is gay, Latino, or Muslim, "They are all children of God."  Another woman said she'd do her part to prevent "bashing" of gays, Latinos, Muslims and women in society.

Another woman present, said her daughter, mayor of Santa Barbara Helene Schneider, is looking toward legislation regarding ownership of assault weapons. "Some places are taking action," she said.

Rev. Lebron said he'd keep praying and spotlighting immigration issues.

Others said they'd pray for leadership and for elected officials to guide the nation.

"It's time to pray for peace," one said.

Others said they'd pray for young people in schools everywhere.

Asked what words they'd ask for, moving forward, the responses were heartfelt and true: Peace on earth. Reconciliation and healing. Tolerance. Wisdom. Love, not hate.

"Guide me, dear God," one woman said.

Another added, "Help us do a little better than we are doing."

"God, keep giving me the eyes to see you in everyone I meet," Rev. Lebron said.

After the service, Rev. Vernava said the gathering came together because people needed a place to join together in sorrow, to grieve, and to just talk,  together, about the unspeakable. "We need to remind one another that God's love, friendship and graciousness matter more than anything else," he said.

A four-sided poster at the church has words written in English, Spanish, Polish and Norwegian, echoing the sentiment reflected not only Wednesday night but at vigils across a nation blanketed by grief after the tragedy: "May peace prevail."