Thursday Thoughts - A Few Annual Conference Memories

Tonight is the start of Annual Conference for those of us in the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  It is taking place virtually, once again.  It will be a few busy days.  But I'm sure a productive few busy days.  So I thought I'd take some time to reflect on the memories of past Annual Conferences in the hopes that some will be able to be renewed next year.

The screen with Bishop Park leading...All Hail The Power of Jesus Name (2010)

There is so much to think about.  The worship.  The music.  The work.  The long hours.  A lot of walking.

But there is also the travel to and from Long Island.  Most of the time I have traveled with someone either from my church or another church.  Having someone else on the trip with you makes the time go by a little faster.  So, getting stuck in traffic isn't always a bad thing.

There are the quiet, peaceful moments.  Whether it is cooling off in the very well air-conditioned arena, sitting on a bench under a tree, walking the campus, or finding the water fall just outside the arena.

There is, of course, seeing people that you may only see once a year.  And getting to spend time with those you see in meetings over the course of the year, but don't really get to spend a lot of time with outside of those meetings.

Getting to see what all the ministry groups within the conference have been doing, and considering getting involved with some of the groups as you walk the various tables around the arena.

Picking that perfect seat for the duration, and hoping you can keep getting back to it.  But if not, being able to worship and fellowship with a variety of people - the majority of whom are all United Methodist, though they come from so many backgrounds.

Hearing the Lord's Prayer in everyone's preferred language.  It sounds so AWESOME to hear the variety of languages!

Taking the time to celebrate those we have lost, those who are moving into retirement, and those who are starting in different paths of their ministry - be it a commissioning or an ordination.

Having great discussions about any number of topics, while learning and growing from them.

There is so much more, but those are just some of the ones I will be missing most this time around - and as I said, hoping for the return of them next year.