A solemn tribute played out Monday night in the parking lot of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church on East Newton Street on the one-month anniversary of the tragedy in Newtown, Conn.

St. Matthew’s Youth Director Lowell Edward said he wanted people to always remember the 20 children and six staff members who were killed.

“It is one month later. People are back in their routines, and the hype of the tragedy goes away,” Edward said shortly before the 7 p.m. ceremony.

Most who came out in the bitter cold – Edward included – pointed to their own children and grandchildren, and to the strength of the parents of Sandy Hook who spoke out Monday at a news conference even while the loss of their children remained heavy on their hearts.

Read more in Steve Scauzillo’s story Vigil