PLATTSBURGH -- The United Methodist General Conference convenes quadrennially, and this year the Adirondack Liturgical Dance Troupe performed at the opening worship service in Fort Worth, Texas.

It all began with an ad Troupe Director Kathy Koester noticed in a Methodist publication placed by General Conference Music Director Marcia McFee.

"They were looking for dancers, and they wanted people to submit an audition tape," Koester said. "We sent in a DVD, and we waited to find out if we were selected to dance. Then they sent us a congratulatory letter saying that we had been accepted to dance at the General Conference."

The event is attended by Methodist lay people and ministers from around the world. Adirondack Liturgical Dance performed with Steps of Grace, a praise dance troupe from Tennessee and a troupe from Fort Worth. Other performers during the event included the Chikara Taiko Drummers from Centenary United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, Calif., Hope for Africa Children's Choir from Uganda and the African Traveling University Choir.

THE GREATER GOOD

More than 16,000 people attended the event.

"It was really great," said dancer Lydia Price. "There were so many people. It was very powerful and inspirational for us. It was a little nerve-wracking. I wasn't nervous at all during the performance. It felt good. We were dancing for an important reason. We met a lot of people who were very welcoming and nice. It's good to know there are a lot of people in the world who want to work for the greater good."

Danielle Krieg thought it a rush to dance before so many people.

"I thought it was really cool how they were into their faith," she said. "It made you feel you were in something very special. Once we started, everyone was so accepting. It was a nice environment to dance in."

It was surrealistic for Adirondack Liturgical Dance Troupe members to see themselves reflected in seven JumboTrons. The key was not to look and stay focused.

"I really enjoyed Texas," said Alexis Hewitt. "It was a big, special adrenaline rush when I heard and saw all the people. All of the girls we met were kind and fun."

The choreographers who worked with them encouraged them not only to dance better but to be happier and better people.

"It was really awesome to meet all the girls from Tennessee and Texas," said Letitia Krieg. "They had the same interests we do. At a church meeting, we all met each other and danced for each other."

BIG-SCREEN THRILL

She was scared before the performance.