SEBASTIAN — Amid sobs and hugs there were prayers and even some laughter as about 200 people came to Sebastian’s Riverview Park to remember and honor the 49 killed in an Orlando nightclub over the weekend.
“It’s not about embracing a movement,” said Pastor Mike Lyle of Crossroads Fellowship, “a religion or about reacting to anything.”
Instead, the vigil for the victims and survivors of the terror attack at Pulse, a gay nightclub, was meant as a way for the community to “respond the way God would want us to respond,” he said.
Lyle encouraged those who gathered to honor those affected by the attack and to pray for the impacted families who are now grieving, and for those who were injured and are healing.
“Pray for wisdom of God for the leaders of this nation,” Pastor Lyle said.
Organizer Callie Churchwell held a bunch of balloons as the names of the slain were read. Another participant cut away each balloon and set it free to float away. During the balloon release, Churchwell sobbed.
She concluded the candlelight vigil with a call to remember the fallen as they were, not how they ended. She then called on the DJ to play upbeat music – “Music that would make them laugh and feel good.”
A candlelight vigil was also held at South Beach Park in Vero Tuesday evening.
There will be another candlelight vigil in Vero Beach Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the gazebo at Riverside Park on the barrier island.
