“We’re all here because we’re hurting,” Krewson said at the church pulpit. “We’re in pain because of the violence in our community. We’re hurting because of the trauma it causes us.”

In the front row sat Shawsy Cody and Robbie Williams, relatives of four men killed in a single shooting in May. The women brought a poster with them decorated with photos — Robert Williams Jr., Brendan Lee Williams, Ray N. Howard and Kenneth Lee III, all killed inside a home on Shreve Avenue.

“We know we’ll never get over it, but it’ll get better,” Cody said. “It’s been a hard Christmas for us.”

Police Chief John Hayden reflected on the toll this year — 194 lives lost; an average of 192 murders a year for the past five years. Next year, he said, he wanted the police department to spend more time talking with middle school and high school students to deter them from getting into trouble.

“I believe that the predominant factor which continues to ravage our city is the prevalence of illegal drugs and its related behavior,” Hayden said. “Our strategy for 2020 is simple and straightforward: We will continue to have a drug-focused patrol within the zones we have designated across our city.”