More than a dozen faith leaders from across Maine gathered outside the State House Tuesday to mark the beginning of October, the month in which a gunman killed 18 people in Lewiston in 2023.

Through prayer and song, they remembered those killed and wounded, grieved their loss and spoke of the importance of healing. They recognized the first responders who rushed to the bowling alley and bar where the shootings took place.

The multifaith service offered time for silent reflection as the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 25 shootings draws near.

The Rev. Marisa Laviola, conference minister, United Church of Christ opened the service with a welcome message “as we wrap our arms around the families and friends of those who were killed, as we wrap our arms around those who were wounded, as we wrap our arms around citizens of Lewiston and Auburn and as we wrap our arms around one another gathered here representing citizens of the entire state of Maine.”

The faith leaders took turns reading the names of those killed in the shootings: Peyton Brewer-Ross, Thomas Ryan Conrad, Joshua Seal, Aaron Young, William Young, Tricia Asselin, Robert Violette, Lucille Violette, Arthur Strout, Bryan MacFarlane, Maxx Hathaway, Michael Deslauriers, William “Billy” Brakcett, Ronald Morin, Joseph Walker, Stephen Vozzella, Jason Walker and Keith Macneir.

Jane Field, executive director of the Maine Council of Churches, read a letter from Gov. Janet Mills, who was unable to attend the service.

“As we mark one year since this tragedy, let us honor the memories of the people we lost by remembering to support each other and to spark happiness wherever we can in the short, blessed time we have here in this beautiful place we call home,” Mills wrote.

Since the tragedy, a commission studied what led to the shootings, the bowling alley where the first shots were fired has reopened and the Legislature tightened up laws on gun sales and invested more in mental health services.

For the faith leaders gathered outside the State House on Tuesday, their place in the healing process came with songs, Bible verses and messages of hope.

“As we remember, as we grieve, as we heal together, let us hold onto hope, hope that our loved ones rest in eternal arms,” said Imam Saleh of the Lewiston/Auburn Islamic Center. “Hope that we can come together arm in arm and hand in hand.”

Laviola encouraged those gathered to greet one another with a wave or a handshake as the service came to an end.

“As we depart take with you the peace and comfort and take with you resolve to work together for a cease to violence in all of its forms throughout our communities,” Laviola said.

Another service to remember the victims and their families is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Colisee in Lewiston.