Vigils and Services to Honor the Victims in Orlando

Places of worship in Connecticut are planning a number of vigils and services to honor the victims of the June 12 shootings in Orlando. If you would like to add an event to this list, please email Director of Communications Susan Schoenberger at sschoenberger@hartsem.edu.

Ongoing this week: The Hartford Seminary Chapel will be open from 12 – 1:30 p.m.  Thursday, June 16, and Friday, June 17, for prayer, reflection, meditation and community as we mourn those who lost their lives in Orlando.

Ongoing this week: The Unitarian Meeting House Chapel at 50 Bloomfield Avenue (Bloomfield & Albany Streets, in Hartford): We have set up the Chapel at the Meeting House for anyone who wishes to come and sit in its comforting, prayerful, resilient space. Open throughout the day 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday, June 16. If you would like to “staff” the Chapel so that it can continue to be open on Friday and/or Saturday, please be in touch with the Rev. Heather Rion Starr at revheather@ushartford.com.

Thursday, June 16, 5 p.m.: Orlando Solidarity Vigil in Jillson Square, Willimantic. Organized by the Windham Area Interfaith Ministry.

Thursday, June 16, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: In kinship with all who grieve the tragedy in Orlando, Avon Congregational Church, 6 West Main Street, Avon, will open its doors and its heart to anyone seeking a sacred space for personal prayer, meditation, or to sit with someone who honors your grief. LGBTQ, Muslim, everyone is welcome and cherished here.

Thursday, June 16, 6:30 p.m.: Waterbury LGBTQ+ Latinx and Allied community candlelight vigil at Library Park, 267 Grand Street, Waterbury

Thursday, June 16, 7 p.m.: East Granby Congregational Church, 9 Rainbow Rd., East Granby, CT. An opportunity to come together in reflection, prayer and discussion, in response to the mass killing in Orlando.  We hope to provide a place of sanctuary where everyone can mourn, grieve, pray, seek understanding, share their thoughts and pain, and remember those who are in such need of love and encouragement.

Thursday, June 16, 7 p.m.: Prayer vigil at Marlborough Congregational Church in Marlborough, CT.

Thursday, June 16, 7 p.m.: Christ Church Cathedral, 45 Church St., Hartford, CT. Join Bishop Laura Ahrens and Dean Miguelina Howell for an hour of  prayer & remembrance Music provided by the Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus.

Thursday, June 16, 7 p.m.:  There will be an interfaith Orlando Remembrance Vigil at the Town of Canton Peace Pole. The Peace Pole is located at the intersection of Simonds Ave. & East Hill Rd., Collinsville.

Thursday, June 16, 7:30 p.m.: Interfaith Candlelight Service in Solidarity with Orlando on the Cheshire Green.

Friday, June 17, 7 p.m.: Memorial and Healing Service, hosted by the Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford, 155 Wyllys Street, Hartford, CT, 06106 (Parish House, Church of the Good Shepherd, entrance in the back)

Saturday, June 18, 2-3:30 p.m.: Protest for Gun Control, Blue Back Square. See more details via the Facebook event here (USH’r Orion Howard is co-organizing).

Sunday, June 19, 10:30 a.m.: Worship Service led by the Rev. Heather Rion Starr at the Unitarian Society of Hartford: “Tending Our Souls, Tending the Soil.” Every week brings us great grief. Meanwhile, all around us, there is also great beauty. How do we hold these two extremes at once? How do we bear it all? We will worship, sing, ponder—and garden, together.

Tuesday, June 21, 6-8 p.m.: Bloomfield Muslim Community Center & First Congregational Church will be hosting a Vigil at First Congregational Church in Bloomfield.

Ongoing: The American Red Cross: Anyone looking to donate blood can click here or call 1-800-RED CROSS.