Local Delegate Returns from International Conference
For Immediate Release
Contact: (name), (phone)
June 5, 2005
(Names) from (congregation name) in (city, state) joined
nearly 6,000 delegates and visitors at the Community of Christ 2005 World
Conference on June 2–5 at the church’s international headquarters in
Independence, Missouri. Representatives of the church’s 250,000 members
traveled from approximately 50 nations to come together for worship and to
provide for ordination of the new president and calls of other church leaders.
Exploring the theme Lift Up an Ensign of Peace, Conference events were
simultaneously translated into American Sign Language, French, Spanish,
Portuguese, Tahitian, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese.
During this historic event, the 2,8000 Conference delegates overwhelmingly
approved Stephen M. Veazey as Prophet-President of the church. A full-time
minister since 1983, Veazey had served as a member of the Council of Twelve
Apostles (the lead missionary quorum of the church) since 1992 and President
of that Council since 2002. In his World Conference sermon, “Share the Peace
of Jesus Christ,” newly ordained Community of Christ President Veazey
explained that the focus of the denomination as it moves forward following
this international gathering will be about “just being faithful. Being
faithful to God, being faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and being
faithful to the central mission of the Restoration.”
Other changes to the leading quorums of the church included the retirement
of Peter A. Judd from his position as a counselor in the First Presidency.
David D. Schaal, a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles since 2002, was
called to fill this vacancy. Schaal and Kenneth N. Robinson, a counselor in
the First Presidency since 1996, were accepted by the Conference as members of
the First Presidency.
Vacancies were created in the Council of Twelve with Veazey and Schaal’s
move to the First Presidency and the release of Apostles Kenneth L. McLaughlin
and Gail E. Mengel in harmony with their desires to serve in other ministerial
roles. To fill these vacancies, the following individuals were called to serve
as Apostles: Stassi D. Cramm, formerly a counselor to the Presiding Bishop,
and ministers Ronald D. Harmon Jr., Rick W. Maupin, and Susan D. Skoor.
Cramm’s call created a vacancy in the quorum of the Presiding Bishopric that
will be filled by minister R. Paul Davis.
Intergenerational and multicultural activities are a staple of World
Conference. About 80 children ages 6 to 11 participated in Peace Camp. This
program, sponsored by The Children’s Peace Pavilion, provided several
activities focused on peacemaking. Each evening, youth (ages 12 to 18) enjoyed
World Café and young adults (ages 18 to 35) gathered for Emergence Café.
President Veazey spent time at the Café gatherings on June 3. Representatives
of all ages from various countries and cultures brought ministry during
worship services throughout the week by sharing unique music, messages, and
testimonies.
All legislative sessions and worship services were open to the public. Live
broadcasts of these events were carried on local cable, Dish Network, and the
World Wide Web at www.CofChrist.org. Visit www.CofChrist.org/wc2005/ for
additional media information, video clips, and documents from the Community of
Christ 2005 World Conference. For questions, contact Kendra Friend, Public
Relations, at (816) 521-3041 or (local contact and phone number).
