The Community of Christ 2005 World Conference approved the letter of
counsel regarding the presiding quorums of the church from President Stephen
M. Veazey on June 4.
Veazey’s ordination to president on June 3, required that he name two
counselors to fill the quorum of the First Presidency. Peter A. Judd, a
minister for 34 years who served as a counselor in the First Presidency since
2000, was afforded the honor of retirement at his request. Kenneth N.
Robinson, who has served as a counselor in the First Presidency since 1996,
was called to continue in this role. David D. Schaal, a member of the Council
of Twelve Apostles since 2002, was called to be a counselor in the First
Presidency. Robinson and Schaal were ordained as counselors to the president
of the church during the morning legislative session of the Conference on June
4.
Vacancies were created in the Council of Twelve with Veazey and Schaal’s
move to the First Presidency and the release of two other apostles in harmony
with their desires to serve in other ministerial roles. Kenneth L. McLaughlin,
an apostle for 11 years, will now focus on special assignments related to
ministerial education. Gail E. Mengel, an apostle for seven years, will now
serve as the Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer to the church.
To fill these vacancies, the following individuals were called to be
ordained as members of the Council of Twelve Apostles. Stassi D. Cramm will
leave her position as a counselor to the Presiding Bishop to serve as an
apostle. Ministers Ronald D. Harmon Jr., Rick W. Maupin, and Susan D. Skoor
were also called as apostles. Cramm’s call to the Council of Twelve created a
vacancy in the quorum of the Presiding Bishopric. Minister R. Paul Davis has
been called to fill that opening as a counselor to the Presiding Bishop. Newly
called members of the Council of Twelve Apostles and Presiding Bishopric were
ordained during the afternoon legislative meeting.
These legislative sessions were broadcast live via local cable and the Web
at www.CofChrist.org. The World Conference is being held June 2-5 at
Community of Christ World Headquarters in Independence, Missouri. Check for
daily updates and more information at www.CofChrist.org/wc2005/.
