The 2016 Florida Annual Conference meeting came to Orlando in the wake of tragedy: five days before its commencement, a “blatant act of mass murder that happened literally in our neighborhood."

Bishop Carter and the Florida Conference Cabinet issued a statement denouncing "this act of violence against our LGBTQ brothers and sisters and acknowledge how this act deeply affects and diminishes each of us as individuals and the entire human family." Click here to read the entire statement. The conference held a prayer vigil Thursday night in Orlando after the first day of its annual meeting, and the photo essay below reflects the reverence and loving response of those present.

Raising a light in dark circumstances.

Rev. Brian Carr reads the names of the victims.

Participants lent each other comfort and support.

Everyone breaks off into small prayer groups.

A prayer group embracing.

Another prayer group comforting one another.

A shirt from an Orlando UMC echoes what's happening all around.

A group huddles up to express their love and support as the vigil comes to an end.