Transfer meeting

Every six weeks certain missionaries receive a new companion and are transferred to a new area. This happens in what is known as "transfer meeting". About one half of the 300 missionaries icome together for transfer meeting at the chapel attached to the mission office. Only missionaries who are receiving a transfer and district and zone leaders are invited to attend.  As a senior couple we are invited to attend any transfer meeting. We attended our first transfer meeting today and it was a delightful experience. We first assisted one elder in our district who was being transferred. He and his companion road in our van with their luggage to the mission office. That was a great benefit to them as they did not have to lug the suitcases onto the train or subway.

At the transfer meeting all the missionaries enthusiastically sang the mission song especially prepared for the New York South Mission.  They all then recited from memory the mission vision and mission goals statements in English and Spanish. French Creole, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese Chinese, and American Sign Language elders and Sisters then recited the mission statement and goals in their mission language. 

Our mission president and sister Calderwood both give excellent talks. Missionaries provided wonderful musical numbers. We said hello to new elders and sisters just arriving and goodbye to those going home.

Then the transfers were announced and were

greeted with much enthusiasm. We also sustained by vote of hands the district, zone and mission leaders. Then missionaries gathered with their new  companions and left for their work areas.

We greatly enjoyed the spirit and enthusiasm of the day. It is wonderful to be associated with this great work.