The General and Commissioner Helen Clifton witnessed what USA National Commander Commissioner Israel L. Gaither called a weekend for 'celebrating transitions' when they visited the USA Eastern Territory. They were there for commissioning weekend, which brought a fresh infusion of officers – 42 new lieutenants and three new captains of the Prayer Warriors Session – and a step into retirement for territorial leaders Commissioners Lawrence R. and Nancy A. Moretz.

The weekend – held mainly at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York – began with a 'Joy of the Journey' celebration for the Moretzes, described by General Clifton as 'unashamed Salvationists' who operated with 'sanctified intelligence, sanctified common sense, and a most urgent sense of mission'.

The international leaders stayed on for the weekend, enjoying a Saturday night 'The Power of the Journey' praise gathering and participating on Sunday morning in both the ordination and commissioning of new officers and the official retirement of the Moretzes.

The international leaders' relationship with the Moretzes began when the Cliftons were appointed divisional leaders in Massachusetts, USA, and the Moretzes were at territorial headquarters.

It wasn't long before the two couples were sent to opposite ends of the earth, the Cliftons being appointed leaders of The Salvation Army in Pakistan and the Moretzes became territorial leaders in South America West – before leading the USA Central Territory and, from 2002, the USA Eastern Territory.

The General offered the Moretzes a parting word, 'shabash', from Urdu, the language spoken in Pakistan. 'It means, "You have done well",' said the General. He called the retiring leaders 'most supportive, loving colleagues' who have 'a heart of generosity for the whole of the Salvation Army world'. He especially commended the couple for agreeing to stay on a year beyond their normal retirement age.

Even so, Commissioner Lawrence Moretz admitted: 'I wasn't really ready for this [retirement].' Commissioner Nancy Moretz said she had 'no plans to go into dry dock,' and implored the territory: 'Do not let mission drift!'

Saturday night's praise gathering showcased a number of groups: Pendel Singers, New Jersey Youth Band and Singers, Brooklyn Brownsville Steel Pan Orchestra, Pendel Brass, and Greater New York Youth Chorus and Youth Band.

The evening began with the entrance of praise banners glittering under the auditorium lights. The rest of the evening was spent 'promoting God's praise' through instrumental music and song, through a drama presentation by the Territorial Arts Ministries team, and through testimonies of cadets.

A highlight was the sending out of the 2010 Hands On Mission teams going to Kenya and Italy. Farewell were also given to Colonels Tito and Martha Paredes, who have been appointed territorial leaders in Latin America North, and to Majors Philip and Susan Wittenberg, who will serve in Finland.

The territorial leaders encouraged continued giving to World Services, which supports Salvation Army work internationally. 'Every time you give even a penny, you're touching the world,' said Commissioner Nancy Moretz.

Commissioner Lawrence Moretz presented to the General the territory's World Services offering of $12 million.

Jubilant praise gave way to silent reflection on Sunday morning as the territory ordained and commissioned members of the Prayer Warriors Session. Two of the new officers were missing that morning: Cadet Jennifer Anderson had just had a baby, and Aux-Captain Joseph Capanna had just had surgery. The territorial commander said that the aux-captain had been ordained by telephone that morning, and that the General had offered his blessing.

Following the cadets' recitation of the affirmation of faith and the doctrines, the territorial commander said: 'You hear the confidence in those words?'

The ordination and commissioning ceremony had a sacred tone, with musical reflection offered by the New York Staff Band, the USA Eastern Territorial Songsters, and pianist Karen Krinjak. The cadets went one by one to kneel at the altar and hear a Scripture verse chosen just for them.

That same altar soon became a place of prayer for the Moretzes, following their retirement ceremony. The General conducted the official ceremony, noting that the couple, as of their 31 July retirement date, will have served 47 years and two months.

The General's Bible message was about covenant.

'People who are Salvationists are among the most covenanted people in the world,' he said, speaking of the Army's dedication service for newborn children, its junior and senior soldier covenants, the covenant of marriage, and the covenant that officers sign.

He exhorted everyone present to follow in the footsteps of the Prayer Warriors and 'place it all on the altar. The world needs you to be pure and holy, sanctified!'

When the time came for the call to officership, dozens of potential candidates made their way to stand with the General and Commissioner Lawrence Moretz on the platform. When a young girl moved forward to stand beside the commissioner he asked how old she was. 'Eleven turning 12,' he told the congregation, 'and she hears the call!'

One particular potential candidate brought tears to the eyes of the retiring territorial commander. 'That's my daughter!' he said through tears. 'To God be the glory!'

It was back to jubilation in the afternoon for the appointment service. 'This is the day the Lord has made for the Prayer Warriors!' said the territorial commander before the new officers, in new uniforms with fresh red trim, marched through a gauntlet of sessional flags to the cheers of the crowd.

In her charge to the new lieutenants and captains Commissioner Nancy Moretz urged, in the words of Henry Ward Beecher, not to 'pray cream and live skimmed milk'. She said, 'The battle is in your hands. It's not about your muscle; it's about God's might ... You're warriors not because you hate but because you love.'

She ended with a charge that resonated with her own experience: 'Enjoy your journey. It will take your breath away!'