Nebraska Annual Conference June 2013

The week of June 3rd -7th was a busy one for the Micah Corps interns. The first part of the week was spent getting ready for Annual Conference in Lincoln, NE. Wednesday through Saturday the Micah Corps interns spent time at Annual Conference in Lincoln learning, teaching, and worshiping with other United Methodists throughout the state.

Thursday June 6th the Micah Corps Interns started their day off at 10 am for Annual Conference. We had our own team time meeting and then at noon we went to the Celebration Luncheon to kick start our weekend at Annual Conference. During the Celebration Luncheon the Micah Corps interns introduced themselves to the conference and Andrea Paret, one of our Risk Taking Mission and Justice Ministries leaders, offered a blessing for us while we were onstage.

Andrea Paret and the Micah Corps interns during the Celebration Luncheon on the first day of Annual Conference. 

After the Celebration Luncheon we had some time to work on our presentations for the Youth Annual Conference and the Children Annual Conference. During the break from the conference the Micah Corps worked the Equal Exchange and Risk Taking Mission and Justice Ministries (RTMJ) table. This gave us a chance to talk to many different people throughout the conference that were just passing by.

Micah Corps intern, Rachel Bauer, and Lyn Seiser, the Equal Exchange expert at Annual Conference. 

Later on Thursday the Micah Corps attended the United Methodist Women's dinner. After dinner we went to the Memorial Service to end our day. The Memorial Service was a good way to remember those who have served in our conference. It also gave us a chance to come together to listen to different pastors in our Nebraska Conference and to worship with other United Methodists in Nebraska.

On Friday we started our day pretty early. All of the Micah Corps interns attended a specific districts breakfast at 7 am. After breakfast the Micah Corps interns ran through their presentation for the Youth Annual Conference (YAC). We then traveled to Nebraska Wesleyan University to present to the YAC. We talked about the United Methodist Social Principles by encouraging respectful conversation about controversial issues. We also talked about the Micah Corps in general, and even had some activities and energizers for the youth to participate in. Overall, the YAC was very responsive to our presentation and were engaged in what we had to teach them and tell them about.

The Micah Corps interns introducing ourselves to the Youth Annual Conference before we dive into our presentation.

As Friday continued we attended the Hispanic Ministries luncheon and had a blast meeting the Hispanic Ministries Pastors throughout the Nebraska United Methodist Church Conference. It was a fun lunch full of good food, laughter, and even singing! The day continued and we worked the tables during breaks, kept meeting new people, and continued focusing on our prayer practice for the week, the labyrinth. Friday evening ended with the Nigeria/Nebraska Partnership dinner.

Even in the craziness of Annual Conference the Micah Corps interns take time to talk to God while continuing to learn new prayer practices throughout the summer. 

Another early morning on Saturday for the Micah Corp Interns as it was the last day of Annual Conference. We all had 7 am district breakfasts again and continued throughout the morning with smiles on our faces. It was a long weekend, but a good time was had by all. We learned a lot about the United Methodist Conference, met tons of kind people, and interacted with the youth and children. Our last activity at Annual Conference was working with the Children Annuals Conference (CAC). We spent an hour with CAC on the last morning of Annual Conference. We introduced ourselves, asked the children where they can see, hear, and share God, and we also did a skit for them. For being the last day of Annual Conference and being as young as they are, the CAC children were very engaged in what we were teaching them.

The Micah Corps interns introduce themselves to the Children Annual Conference! 

 All in all Annual Conference was a great experience for the Micah Corps. Being able to see the face of our Mission Share Dollars and people who are praying for us throughout the Nebraska United Methodist Conference was great. Thank you to everyone we met at Annual Conference and for all of the work you do for the Nebraska United Methodist Conference and for God our Creator.

Idea for Action: Find a labyrinth (there is one at First United Methodist Church in Omaha!) and pray or meditate while walking.