Annual Assembly 2016: I Was One Happy Camper!

By Jeni Hiett Umble, Your Happy Camper, Living Light of Peace

The combination of Annual Assembly with a weekend at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp was a winner for me! My extrovert personality gets a big boost every year when our conference meets for lots of fellowship and a little business. Add to that the good food, beautiful setting, and dedicated staff of RMMC and I was, as I said, a happy camper!

Some highlights for me:
-getting to sleep in the newly renovated Pleiades
-worship services in the tent
-the service project – pulling weeds
-the workshop on Israel/Palestine
-the Saturday night concert with Fireweed
-reconnecting with friends and colleagues
-eating s’mores and making new connections (The Mennonite Game)
-renewing the K-State, KU rivalry with Natalie Graber (she won this round!)
-Mary’s cinnamon rolls

There were so many fun activities to choose from! Some things I was sorry to miss:
-the Friday night concert (we had a previous commitment)
-morning yoga (despite my best intentions, I can’t get up that early…!)
-watercolor (I was enjoying a conversation and couldn’t tear myself away)
-other workshops (life is about making choices)

I appreciated the many opportunities to be active and the options to sit and chat. I think it is gatherings like these that reinforce the relationships that are so important within our conference. My thanks go out to Annie, Corbin, the planning team, and all those who contributed to Annual Assembly.