LiveBlog: Thursday Vigil [2]

7:21: Thomas Epps performs a stirring rendition of Amazing Grace to a somber audience. The American flag stands still directly behind him.

7:25: "I pray that you would all keep the victims and the families of the victims in your thoughts and prayers […] for as long as they feel it is necessary and you feel it is necessary." said President Merten. "Be vigilant in all you do, not only for yourself but for all the members in your community. […] Love your neighbor as you love yourself."

7:27: The Anointed Voices of Unity, Mason's Gospel Choir, stands in front of the stage. Their voices and refrain echo down the campus.

7:33: The Campus Ministry Association Representing: Bahai, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Orthodox have taken the stage as one. Their first representative begins to talk about faith in a broken world. "We talk to god, whose love offers hope. […] release our anger over the murder […] we come face to face with our emptiness and know that god cares. […] we come to comfort and support each other in our common loss." Each representative comes in turn. Quoting from their religious texts: "Let us pray."

"Let us carry the memories of our teachers, of our friends."