Carla Newkirk stood in the middle of a circle Thursday night surrounded by more than 100 people clenching candles and holding out hope.
She was with 32 others representing the crew aboard the cargo ship El Faro, which sank last week during Hurricane Joaquin.
The group prayed together in a field near JaxPort on Talleyrand Avenue as they shielded their candles from a strong wind coming off the St. Johns River.