BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -
More than a thousand miles away from Newtown, Connecticut, sadness and grief is felt in Biloxi.
Robert Collier said, "Those children in Connecticut, they were all of ours."
Leanne Burris said, "I have children and I wept and I keep weeping, it's horrifying and terrifying all at once."
More than a hundred South Mississippians of all denominations came together in prayer for the tragic loss of 20 young children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School Friday.
"In the immediate aftermath I think people find comfort in coming together and obviously the most powerful weapon we believe we have is prayer and ask God to intervene and bring peace," Burris said.
Through prayer, song and dance those who came out wished to offer hope to those in mourning.
"I believe that they tonight feel the prayers that are lifting them and allowing them to take one more breath," Burris said.
One by one the victims' names were read aloud, a bell was rung and then candles lit in their honor.
"This could be our community and this could be my child we are crying for. We are praying for," Collier said.
Families clung tight to their loved ones thankful to be able to share in this somber occasion together.
"We can't lock our children up we can't make them live in fear so we bring them out here and make them understand there is hope," Collier said.
Donations were collected at the service to buy a piece of playground equipment for the school in Connecticut, if you would like to donate you can call the Seashore District of the United Methodist Church at (228) 604-2300.
Copyright 2012 WLOX. All rights reserved.
